Page 55 of Dark Revolution

Chapter 19

Annora

Just like every night,Jaxxon leaves me in a puddle of either his cum or our combined fluids before heading off to work. I try so desperately to not take matters into my own hands and get myself off, but the closer I get to my heat, the harder it is to maintain. Glancing at the wall clock, my new best friend, I’m shocked to find that it’s much earlier than usual.

I reach out into our bond, anxiety over this change of events rankling me a touch, but when I touch the combined nerves, there’s nothing but his soothing presence. Lying back down, a smile drifts over my lips as I skim my fingers over the nest. For once, it seems to be okay. Nothing too out of place to warrant a complete overhaul. Then again, that also leaves me with nothing to do. Again.

Heaving a big sigh, I crawl out of my nest, twinging a bit at the soreness between my thighs. Jaxxon seems to have made it his mission to make it so I won’t want to move when he leaves, but no amount of us mating releases the pent-up part of me that wants out of this damned house.

Everywhere I look is nothing but wood or dirt. Even the carpet has lost its appeal. I’ve counted the tiles in the bathroom more times than I care to admit, and I no longer want anything to do with the datacom and the filthy videos it contains. Ever since Jaxxon walked in on me, I’ve despised the thing, humiliated by just how much I still don’t know.

I walk into the kitchen, pulling out food and cooking utensils. We still have more than enough in the cooling unit, but it will give me something to do and perhaps give Jaxxon a nice meal after he’s done working. Perhaps once all of this is over, and we can come out of hiding, I’ll have a life again.

Wishful thinking. If the articles I’ve been reading are anything close to accurate, I’ll only have omega friends and do omega things. As an omega, I should be tame, docile, content to stay at home, but I’m not. I’m far from it. I want so much more - adventures, real friends, nights out. As an omega, my scent becomes a problem for a lot of people. Even with our bond fully in place, Jaxxon will probably never trust another Alpha around me.

Maybe he’ll let me have some beta female friends? There were a few at the club that I wouldn’t mind seeing every now and then...but we no longer have anything in common. Sorrow crashes through me as I cut through the root vegetables, my movements jerky as I slam the knife through and onto the board below.

No one ever asked me what I wanted. Even Jaxxon, with his kind and thoughtful ways, never asked me if I wanted to be an omega. The few times I begged to stay as I was, he became angry. His only answer was to pin me down and fuck me until I couldn’t think straight. Even now, in my distress, I feel him through our bond, shoving his love for me down my throat.

Unfortunately, just like with his purr and growl, I’m unable to resist. Taking in a deep breath, I slow my movements down, easing the knife through the vegetables, barely making a sound as tears fall from my eyes to splash on the food below. This dish needs salt anyway, so a few tears shouldn’t ruin it.

He can keep me from feeling the extreme ends of my emotions, but he can’t prevent me from feeling at all. It’s this weird limbo where I feel like I’m only half a person, only feeling whole when he puts me into a sexual stupor. Now I know why so many betas turn to emotion suppressants. At least those are legal.

Putting all the vegetables in the pot, I bend to start a fire when the datacom pings. That’s the first time it’s made that noise since Jaxxon’s brought me to this place. Perhaps it’s him checking in on me, making sure I’m still okay.

I lift the screen and almost drop it as Karis’ name appears. What the hell is she doing with a datacom? Does the enclave have one she can use? More tears spring to my eyes, but this time, they’re happy. My heart leaps about as I settle onto the cushioned bench and slide open the screen. Within seconds, my heart plummets as I read the stats.

The message that’s coming to me isn’t from a new or different datacom. The stats show it’s from hers...I recognize the signature as if it were my own. But how is she messaging me here? To my knowledge, datacoms are personal. This one was given to me by Jaxxon, and I haven’t dared send any messages out, especially not to Karis.

The problem is, I have no clue how the technology works. I’ve always just taken these things for granted and not given them any thought. Sliding my palm up to my throat, I skim over the message.

Annora. I can’t talk long. I’m trying to find safety, but I’m worried it’s too late. If you’re near, please help me. Please.

What can I do? With Jaxxon gone, I have no one to go fetch her. Langston’s a no-go because he’s with Jaxxon. I don’t dare ask any of the other Alphas I’ve smelled. One whiff of me this close to estrus, and it could be disastrous. Setting the datacom down, I pace the circuit of the room, wringing my hands as my mind goes in several directions.

If she’s close, maybe I can grab her. Jaxxon can’t deny her staying with us, but if he does, I’ll just threaten to leave with her. Just the thought alone sends a pang through my heart, followed by a wave of love from Jaxxon’s side of the bond. I have to trust that he’s a good man and will do what I need him to.

Grabbing the datacom, I fire off a message, waiting anxiously for her reply. It doesn’t take long. Judging by the coordinates, she’s only a few minutes from here. I pull up a map and zoom in, noting her exact location. It’s an abandoned building I’ve passed by many times. Though I’m not entirely sure where I’m at, by looking at the map, it's just a straight shot.

Setting down the datacom, I race into the bedroom, rummaging through the pile of dirty clothes waiting to be washed until I find the sweatiest thing Jaxxon owns. With his scent smothering me, no one should be able to tell an omega is out and about.

My movements are jerky, frenetic as I search the rooms for some respirators. I haven’t had to use them since Jaxxon bought me, but I don’t want some random Alpha sending me into heat while I’m on the outside. Sending out a screech of frustration, I slam the last drawer closed, pulling out a scarf when the respirators are nowhere to be found.

I’d like to think that they’re just lost since they’re small and clear. The ramifications of Jaxxon leaving me here with no options for when I leave make it clear that he expects me to stay in the house...just like a good little omega. I want to be good. I want to please him, but this is my flesh and blood, the only family I have left.

Pulling the hood over my head, I wrap a scarf around my mouth and nose, leaving just my eyes exposed. It’s the best option I have right now, and though it isn’t foolproof, it’s at least something. Anything is better than going out there completely unprepared. I raise my hand to the door, trembling as I wait for it to open.

Is there a chance he’s programmed it so it will stay shut? There are so many variables that I can’t account for that it makes my head spin. I’ve never really been an expert preparer, but going about a rescue mission with this little planning has me second-guessing everything. I want to wait for Jaxxon, but I never know when he’s going to be home. I can’t count on him getting to me fast enough.

For a moment, I consider reaching out to him through the bond, but the few times I’ve done it, he’s felt preoccupied or upset. I know from experience that dreadful things happen in Hungry Desires, and if he’s doing the same job as Langston, then he’s possibly dealing with the scum of the earth and the aftereffects of their violence. Perhaps it’s better not to distract him with this. It shouldn’t take too long to get to Karis, and then I would have bothered him for nothing.

Not much is taught about the bond - just that it can be controlled, manipulated, or turned off, but I have no idea how to do any of these things. Jaxxon seems to have a different instruction manual than I do, that or he’s just so overpowering that any small emotional nudge from his end feels like an avalanche until I can barely breathe under the onslaught.

Fear seizes me for a moment. I haven’t been outside of this house since the day Jaxxon brought me here. How will I even find my way out? Turning, I notice a small door next to ours, but perpendicular, as if it leads somewhere other than another room. I test my luck and give it a shove. Hot air blasts across my face as I tumble into the sand, but I don’t care. It’s outside. It’s out of that cramped house full of nothing.

I leave the datacom at home, not wanting it to go off and give me away. If I’m lucky, I’ll have Karis back with me before Jaxxon even knows I’m missing. I don’t know how to mask my part of the bond, but maybe if I keep my feelings neutral, he won’t suspect a thing. Trudging through the sand, I look at the buildings around me, keeping the map firmly in my mind.

It’s close. So very close. Do I dare call out for her?If she’s being followed, that will mean doom for both of us. Hugging the buildings, I stay in the shadows, mimicking Jaxxon and Langston when they made their way here. I pause every few moments and listen. Nothing. The building Karis is in looms up ahead, the ragged wood and busted windows forming a scowling face that fills me with dread.