Page 175

I sigh. My limbs feel weighed down with a thousand problems and no viable solutions. The sun set hours ago. There’s nothing I can do now, except sleep. And honestly, I’m so exhausted and worn down that sleeping actually sounds better than basically anything else I can imagine

I lay out my blanket on the floor and curl up on the soft fleece, wrapping the edge around me. The stone is cold beneath me, and my stomach grumbles with hunger, but as I watch the starless sky through the window, I can’t help but wonder just how much worse things could get.

A loud banging startles me awake.

I don’t even remember falling asleep, but I must have, because the sun is shining in my eyes through the dusty window of the attic.

BANG BANG BANG!

“Wake the fuck up, Omega! I’m not giving you time to make yourself presentable.”

The voice coming through the walls is cruel and mocking. “You have five seconds before I drag you out by your hair.”

I frown, struggling to orient myself and think through the fog of sleep still clouding my senses.

The door swings open, and a tall Alpha stands in the doorway, back-lit by the dim light of the staircase. His long blonde hair is pulled into a top knot, framing sharp cheekbones and plain brown eyes that look at me with disdain.

Like, I’m something he stepped in and ruined his favorite shoes.

“Get up,” he barks. Then he smiles. “And follow me.”

That smile…

Even more than his size and cruel eyes, his smile terrifies me. It reminds me of my father. Of the twisted expression he gets when he’s anticipating hurting me.

“I said get up now, Omega.” He shrugs. “Or don’t. I’d love nothing more than to drag you down those stairs myself.”

The Alpha takes a threatening step into the room, and I scramble to my feet, clutching the blanket to my chest like a shield.

His smile widens, becoming even more sinister.

“Well now,” he drawls. “Maybe you can obey orders after all.”

Abruptly, he turns and thunders down the stairs. I don’t want to follow him anywhere, but fear of punishment propels my limbs into motion.

I don’t race to catch up with him, though. I don’t want to get punished, but the new part of me refuses to submit completely. I lean into those instincts, taking the steps one at a time behind him.

I might be a prisoner, and he might be an Alpha, but he’s not my Alpha.

Halfway down the stairs, he stops abruptly and turns, looming above me even though I’m two steps above him.

“You know what I think?” His eyes flash with cruelty. “I think you’re playing games, acting all weak and helpless.”

He climbs up a step, making me crane my neck to see his face.

“We both know the truth, though, don’t we? You’re not some sweet little victim, Omega. You’re a manipulative little bitch who almost got one of the most decorated commanders in the entire organization killed.”

His hand flies out, and I flinch back before he can make contact with my face. He laughs, then turns and continues down the stairs, faster than before.

“Might want to keep up, princess,” he tosses over his shoulder. “Wouldn’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

I’m frozen on the step, still stuck in the moment when his hand came flying towards my face. I was sure he was about to hit me.

What… what is wrong with that Alpha?

When I finally get to the landing, he’s waiting for me, holding a sealed toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste in his hand.

“Bathroom is to your right. Head in and do your business, and then come right out. Don’t try to run unless you want your legs broken.”