Page 21 of Dark Revolution

Chapter 5

Annora

Sweat drips down my neck,soaking into the absorbent material. Reaching up, I push the respirators deeper into my nasal cavities. No way am I going to mess up this time. Get the suppressants and go back home. That’s all I need to do. I’m coming on the right day, but I’m stopping by earlier, so I don’t get caught late again.

Hopefully, it won’t be an issue, and he won’t charge me more. Just in case, I have double the credits he demanded. I don’t want any trouble this time. Just get the suppressants and get the fuck out. Rolling my shoulders, I stop in the shadows of a building, ducking back as I spy Langston and some other Alpha. What is he doing out here?

The memory of his purr rolls through me, soothing a bit of the aches and pains I’m still feeling. It’s not nearly as bad as that night, but daily soaking hasn’t gotten rid of it. It’s taken more effort to convince Karis that I’m fine than it is to actually feel the pain. I hold myself rigid when she’s around, so she doesn’t see the limp, doesn’t notice the pain in my eyes.

I do all of this for her, to keep her in the dark of how bad Stanlion truly is, but she doesn’t understand. She never will. Grunting under my breath, I rub at my knee, willing the pain away. It’s almost as good as new; just a few more days, and I’ll be able to go back to work. I’m not going anywhere near Hungry Desires anytime soon. I know Lady Alpha Marlana said she’d take care of me, but I want nowhere near Caulder.

The shack is in view, but Langston and the Alpha are still close. Why aren’t they leaving? What contraband could Alphas need? They already have everything they could desire. From my vantage point, I’m able to stare at them both, marveling at their size. I knew Langston was huge, but the Alpha next to him rivals his size.

Both are much larger than most of the Alphas that molested me that night. Langston treated me with care and respect despite his size, but what about his friend? My mouth goes dry as I look him up and down, taking in the tight uniform as it molds to every inch of his body. Unbidden, my gaze travels down to that which is sacred, and my cheeks burn.

I have no concept of how large Caulder is, and I don’t want to know, but if he’s anywhere close to this stranger’s size, then I’m grateful the High Echelon Alpha found me pristine. Just the thought of something that large pummeling into my body is enough to bring the taste of bitter bile to my tongue. Even an omega unpolluted with suppressants couldn’t take something that size.

Casting up a prayer to Ilaria once more for gazing upon that which I shouldn’t, I dart to the next building over, bringing me closer to The Purveyor and the Alphas. His hair is short. Much shorter than Langston’s and deep brown like the murky waters of the agro sectors. He looks like some of the photos I once saw of my grandfather, only this Alpha doesn’t have the kind eyes or quick smile that he had.

Startling blue eyes stare right at me, and for a moment, my heart stops. Does he see me? Hidden in the shadows as I am, he shouldn’t be able to even pick up on my presence, but his eyes bore into me in a way that has me flushing from the inside out. What is wrong with me? Is it a side effect of the suppressants? I pull back even deeper and listen for when they walk away.

Eventually, the shifting of the sands alerts me that they’re moving on. I peek out once more to confirm they’re gone before making a beeline to the shack. Since I left this morning, I haven’t been able to shake the feeling of being watched, possibly followed. I did everything I could and haven’t found any evidence that someone else is with me.

To be safe, I look around again and sigh as the buildings remain devoid of life. Now, to get this over with. The Purveyor watches me with watery eyes, shifting first to my face, then behind me. After several moments, he gets up from his chair and motions me over. Good. He must not have seen anyone either.

Credits in hand, I shove him the two hundred and fifty and hold out my hands, eyes darting back and forth. Something isn’t right. I can feel it in the air. The winds themselves feel sinister as they blast me with their scalding heat. The Purveyor hands me the small sack, eyes drifting across the plains. Does he feel it too?

Not one word is spoken between us. I nod and stuff the suppressants into my hidden pocket and palm the small dagger I brought with me. I don’t really know how to use it, but just feeling the sharpened edge with my nail brings me a modicum of peace. I pause at the entrance and listen. As badly as I want to take the respirators out and smell for an unwanted visitor, I know it will be suicide.

There’s at least one potent Alpha out there as well as Langston. I never scented him that night, so I don’t know how he will affect me, but I don’t need to know what the stranger smells like to know he’s dangerous. It’s conveyed in every movement of his muscles, of the twitching in his arms. Lethal.

Pulling up my hood, I step out into the blinding sun and make my way towards the transport. It’s still early enough that no one unsavory should be active. With quick steps, I traverse the sandy paths, keeping my eyes peeled for the Alphas. They should be in front of me, but as I look back, I see them both.

Terror seizes me, and I dart forward, barely missing the Alpha blocking my path. Before I realize what’s happening, I smack into Caulder, his dark eyes gleaming with malicious intent. The scream dies in my throat as his hands wrap around my arms. I need to run. I need to escape. I’ve already broken free of his clutches once, and I know I won’t be so lucky this time.

The grip on my arms is implacable. Now that he has me, I can’t move. Craning my neck around, I watch as Langston holds the other Alpha back. Is this a blessing or a curse? I squirm as best as I can, until I’m able to get my feet from under me. Leaning back against his grip, I bring my knee up, smacking him right between his legs.

With a grunt of pain, he lets me go, and I waste no time running. I know he won’t be down for long, so I take off, pulling out my datacom. Pressing a series of buttons only I know, I switch over to a private server. I glance back and watch in horror as Caulder rises, his long strides eating the space between us.

Pulling up a prewritten message, I glance over it to make sure I left nothing out before hitting send. Karis.

I don’t have much time. When you get this message, I need you to hide in that old space we used as children. You will find dried food, water, and your necessary supplements. Stay hidden for at least three days. If I don’t come back by then, go to the coordinates below. There’s a commune that will keep you safe. Go at night. Don’t look back. No coms. They will be able to track you and your movements. I’m not being dramatic. This is life or death. I can’t lose you like I lost our parents. Please, this once, just listen to me. I’ve always loved you, and I’ll never stop.

Tears prick my eyes as the data goes through and the screen goes blank. No one will be able to retrieve it unless they find hers. I pray to Ilaria that they never will. Just as the message sends, Caulder’s strong hands grab me again. I scream, not at all caring who hears me. It’s not like anyone will actually come to my rescue.

He pulls me into his arms, hot breath washing across my cheek. “I’ve got you now, little beta.” he pauses to pat me down, finding my pills in record time. Curses flow through my brain as he digs them out and holds them to the light. “Or should I say, little omega? Unless these pills aren’t for you. Are you harboring another? Either way, you’re going to the auction house. Then,” he pauses to slide his nose up my neck. “You will be mine.”

Setting me down, he pulls my hands behind my back and secures them with thin strips of metal. Every time I move, it cinches tighter until trickles of blood slide down my palms. My tears come in earnest as he pushes me towards the transport. Once we’re there, what’s keeping him from defiling me?

He claims he’s taking me to the auction house, but even he should know that defiled omegas are worth far less than pristine ones. The doors open with an angry hiss, and he shoves me inside, ignoring my pained cry as I bounce into the seat and onto the floor. Once he enters, he presses a code on the inside that shuts it almost instantly. If only I knew about that the first time we met.

How could I have been so stupid! Pushing my face down, he slides the sleeve of my shirt higher until my designation is bare to his gaze. “Beta, high precinct, now why don’t I believe that.” He holds a cold, metal object to my inflamed skin and holds it there until the loud beep pierces the space.

“Looks like we’re related. Interesting. Several generations. I’d say about a hundred years back? And it looks like you have a sister. Very fascinating. I wonder if she can shed some light on who you are and why you’re in the Dead Lands. Such a pretty little thing. Too bad she’s too young to know a man’s touch. And beta too. Unless that’s the big secret you’re harboring.”

My body screams at me to knock him over, to somehow push him away, but my brain insists I keep calm. Any show of action on my part might send him in Karis’ direction. I can’t put her at risk. Please, Ilaria, keep her safe. Let her get the message and hide. He kneels on my back and proceeds to pat me down again. I know eventually, he will find the knife. I lie there, motionless, barely breathing.

An Alpha is bad enough, but an Alpha with the scent of the chase in their nose is much worse. I’ve already risked his ire by kneeing him. Maybe if I’m good and still, he won’t hurt me as bad. The first thing he does is flip me over. The transport comes to life with an angry screech before sending us forward.