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Archer turns around and shoots Chase a glare. I guess his outburst isn’t that helpful, given the tense situation.

“So you do have an unregistered omega here,” The police chief huffs. “I’m disappointed in you all. This is a serious situation. I expect you’re going to be cooperative.”

“Yes,” Archer says, eyeing Chase again. “We’ll be cooperative.”

Chase just huffs, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

Archer steps aside, letting half a dozen police officers into the house. The mix of their alpha scents and their angry expressions makes the sharp, acrid notes of my fear obvious in my perfume.

My brain fixates on the dirt their big boots are tracking into the beautiful foyer. It’s getting all dirty.

I don’t miss the moment the Chief sees me and my split lip. His eyes narrow on Madden, whose arms are still around me. “Step away from the omega,” The chief orders, his hand moving to his gun as if he’s prepared for Madden to start a rampage.

Madden sighs, moving his arms to his sides and stepping away from me slowly.

“This is evidence enough for an arrest,” Chief Spielman says,turning to Archer. “I’m arresting all of you, unless the one that did that to her wants to step forward, then we can maybe consider being lenient, considering how grateful the police force is to some of your parents.”

I hate how the Chief’s eyes dart back to Madden when he asks for the one who did this to me to step forward, as if he’s already made up his mind that this is all Madden’s fault.

“What the fuck!?” Chase yells. “You’re kidding me, this is enough evidence for an arrest? You haven’t even asked any of us what the fuck happened!”

“This omega is injured. It looks like with recent and old wounds. She’s also obviously terrified,” the chief grunts. “I’d say that’s evidence enough.”

“We didn’t do anything,” Archer growls. “So if you’re actually serious about making arrests, you’re going to have to arrest all of us.”

“Fine, have it your way. I was trying to be nice.” The chief nods and his officers start moving towards my guys.

I’m paralyzed. My feet are rooted to the floor.

Part of my brain must think that if I don’t move, there’s no way any of the alphas here can see me.

That part of my brain is stupid.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney,” One of the officers says.

“You can shut the fuck up,” Chase mutters under his breath.

The officer moving towards him doesn’t seem to like Chase’s show of attitude, because he’s much more rough than he needs to be when he wrenches Chase’s arms behind his back. I see the flash of handcuffs.

“No! Stop! Please!” I say, running forward towards Chief Spielman.

I have no clue what I’m doing. Moving towards what my bodythinks is a dangerous alpha goes against every single defense and protection mechanism I have, but I’m doing it.

I don’t know what I think I can do to stop what’s happening, but I have to at least try to protect the guys. They’ve done so much for me. I can’t let them get in trouble for it.

“Please—please don’t arrest them!”

“It’s okay, you’re going to be safe,” Chief Spielman says absent-mindedly, not even really looking at me.

“No, you’re not listening to me. They didn’t do anything wrong!” I insist, my hands clenching the fabric of my skirt.

“You’re unregistered. Plus, look at you. You don’t need to lie for them.”

“I’m not lying! They didn’t do any of this to me! They saved me!”

It feels like I’m talking to a brick wall. I feel the burn of tears behind my eyes. They’re not listening to me.

Madden glances back at me over his shoulder as two of the officers wrestle him into handcuffs. His expression is pained, as if he wants to help me, but doesn’t know how.