Page 36 of Dark Revolution

There’s no way she can run this way. I fully expected her to rain down blows upon my back or to at least kick out or lash out in some way, but she remains limp over my shoulder. Her breathing is the only thing reassuring me that she’s still alive. I pray to the gods that she’s only deep in thought. As much as I want her docile, there’s that part of me that never wants to break her.

Sliding my hand up, I cup her ass, unable to resist touching her. Instead of fighting back, she wiggles against my hand, not like she’s trying to get free, but as if she’s nestling in. My heart swells for just a moment, and I almost forget why she wanted to go home. It’s stupid of me to think she would never want to go back - hell, it’s all she’s ever known.

Being an omega is new and scary, but there’s that part of me deep down that thought I might be enough to convince her to remain with me as an omega, to allow me to guide her through this new part of her journey. The hurt that blossoms as I think about her rejecting this new life, rejecting me, almost steals my breath.

I already lost one mate to her death, and now Annora is threatening to take herself away from me, to make me lose her because she can’t trust me. I get it. She may think I’m some horrible Alpha, but I do understand. I know she’s scared, and I know it will take time to trust me, but more and more, I’m debating if I need to level the playing field and just claim her.

I can soothe her through the bond. I can make her new life tolerable. Is it wrong that the part of me that’s screaming right now is the part that wants her to choose me, to choose this life? I never wanted to force myself on someone, and I sure as hell didn’t have to force Annalise. Besides being an Alpha, what makes me so horrible that she wants to just leave?

My brain is in a jumble, and no doubt Langston can tell I’m preoccupied. He gives me space, however, and doesn’t push. Perhaps later, he’ll ask me about it, but even then, I won’t feel like talking. That’s not how I solve things. I would much rather talk it out with the person that matters and not some other Alpha that has a savior complex going on. Annora doesn’t need him anymore. She has me, and I’m more than enough.

All three of us board the transport, and I shift Annora until she’s in my lap. She doesn’t really look at me, but that’s fine. Now is not the time to have this conversation. Perhaps after her punishment, we can both sit down like rational adults and work this out. There has to be a way to convince her without traumatizing her, and giving her my mating mark without the proper warm-up isn’t the way. As much as it’s the easy way out, it won’t do either of us any good overall.

* * *

Annora

The sectorsand districts go by in a blur as I sit nestled in Jaxxon’s arms. I can feel the hurt still rolling off of him. To his credit, he’s keeping it rather hidden, but I know there’s something off. The easy companionship we found after he punished me is shattered, and I’m not sure if we’ll get it back. What does he expect of me, though? It’s not a rejection of him; it’s more a rejection of the thing that makes me different, that makes other Alphas want to hurt and consume me.

Jaxxon hasn’t done that, and if I listened to my heart, I know he never will. He might hurt me, but deep down, I know he’ll never harm me. But is that enough? I don’t think it is. Hell, he wants me as his omega, but there’s a chance I’ll never give him what he wants. If I never go into heat, he’ll never have an heir. I’m not stupid. I know that’s the driving force behind most Alpha and omega pairings.

It’s knowing your children will have the right name and attend the right schools. It’s about having your house in the best district as you become a broodmare for the Alpha chosen for you. It’s not about love. It’s never about love. As stupid as it is, I have a sentimental streak that I wish I could just cut out and cast to winds. As a girl, I dreamed of falling in love and finding the mate that would want me for me and not for what I could give them.

As a beta, the chances were slim, but there was still a chance. I met plenty of betas that might have worked, but there still wasn’t that spark. When Jaxxon devoured me, it was the closest I’ve ever felt to that burning deep inside my chest. It felt like what the banned stories described and made my insides quiver just as much.

But that’s just because it’s a new sensation. My first kiss. It’s not a good indicator of a fated love match. Besides, here on Stanlion, there’s no such thing. The High Echelon doesn’t give two shits about pulses racing and fluttering. They only care about what’s advantageous to the common good.

Shifting a bit on his hard thighs, I lay my head against his chest, lulled by the steady beat of his heart. There’s a calmness in that beat that calls to me, and I want so desperately to give in. Maybe I can allow myself just a small bit of comfort for the moment, so I’ll have something to hold onto after I run. Just the thought of leaving causes my stomach to clench and a strange pang throb in my heart.

It’s stupid. All of this is stupid. If only my body wasn’t built to betray me. If only this Alpha would understand my need to suppress this disease that is my body...but he’ll never understand, and that’s what truly breaks my heart the most. I rub my nose against Jaxxon’s chest before breathing him in. It’s the first time I’ve really smelled him, and I’m overwhelmed by the feelings it stirs deep inside.

There’s a smokey, leathery scent that underlines the normal smell of masculinity. It draws up memories of domestic animals and long days in the sun. I’ve never had to work the fields, but I did stop there on occasion. There’s still a memory residue in my brain: the smell of freedom, of air thick with sweat. Happy. That’s the only word to describe it.

The fact that this man, this Alpha, carries the same scent is almost sacrilegious. I know he can’t control it any more than I can control mine, but it’s like a slap in the face from fate. The more I scent him, the more I want to crawl deep inside, seeking out the false freedom his smell offers. I know at the end, it will be chains, much like the one hanging from my neck, but if I can pretend? Would that be at all bad?

* * *

A hard jostle startles me,forcing me awake. When did I fall asleep? Glancing up at Jaxxon, I note his teasing smile and scowl. Of course I fell asleep on this brute. He’ll never let me forget it either. The air smells different, filled with anger and decay - death. We’re back in the Dead Lands. But why?

Looking up further, I spot where I usually get my suppressants, and my heart leaps inside my chest. Perhaps Jaxxon changed his mind? Gods knows he has more than enough credits to buy me what I need. He shifts about for a moment before setting me on the ground. Without my shoes, the sand is warm against my feet, and I pause to curl my toes in the sifting earth and sigh.

Heat infuses my body as I stand there, eyes closed. If this is to be my new home, then I might as well find something I like about it. A hard jerk cuts off my reverie, and I squint up at Jaxxon, glaring at him beneath my hooded lids. Shaking his head, he jerks again on the chain, and I have no choice but to follow or have him drag me.

For a moment, I contemplate tugging on the chain to either stop him or snap it in two, but what would be the point? It’s not like there’s anywhere to go. In the sectors, the ground was smooth, polished, similar to walking around in your house. Out here, there are all sorts of dangers that lurk out in the open and even more that reside where you can’t see.

We approach the doorway, and The Purveyor looks me over before spitting to the side. Walking over to a panel, he knocks, and my stomach drops. We’re not here to get supplies then. Not once when I dealt with him did I have to go behind a secret door. Do the Alphas know about this? Are we walking into a trap?

“Once we’re past the main hall, we’ll follow the path underground until we get to your new location. It’s been cleaned and prepped as well as it can be, but you’ll, of course, want to put your own touches on it. Once everything dies down, and she’s marked as yours, you can return home, but until that time, I feel it’s safer for you both down here.”

Nodding, Jaxxon ignores the questions in my eyes and tugs again on the leash, as if I’m some exotic pet he’s parading around. It’s as if he thinks I can’t see the humor dancing in his eyes or the mirth lifting the tips of his lips. He’s enjoying every minute of humiliating me. Holding my tongue, I follow behind, less anxious now that I know they’re familiar with where we’re going. It could still be a trap but feels less likely.

The further down we go, a familiar scent teases my nose, and I pause long enough to take a deep inhale. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would my father’s scent be down here? He died far too long ago that even if his body were here, it would be rotted and decomposed, not at all fresh enough to smell like him.

My gut churns as we near another door, the scent even stronger. Perhaps another Alpha smells like him? Every Alpha I’ve met has smelled a little different, but I suppose it could be possible to smell alike. Jaxxon turns and spears me with a look, but I keep silent. It’s so improbable that it’s hilarious. There’s no way my father would be alive and not reach out to us.

He was such a doting father that the mere idea that he would just abandon us is laughable. Shaking my head, I give a sharp exhale, clearing my nose of the scent. With everything that’s happened to me, there’s probably a mental reason why I smell him. I always felt safe around my father, and now more than ever, I need to feel safe again.

When we walk through the door, the vision that meets my eyes is not even close to what I was expecting. Betas and Alphas of all sorts mill around, eating dinner and conversing. They stop and stare at us for a moment, the Alphas scenting the air and shooting looks to Jaxxon. Fear paralyzes me as I take in the scene. With this many Alphas, it wouldn’t be hard for someone to overpower us and take me away.