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“That cut looks awful recent for nothing to have happened with them.”

They start dragging my guys towards the front door and it feels like the floor is crumbling out from under me.

“Your daughter was the one who did this to me!” I practically scream, tears streaming down my face. My gaze is glued to the floor. I can’t face any of them right now. “Archer let Brandy into the house and the moment she saw me she started screaming about me being a Southside whore. She slapped me after I told her not to insult Madden. I—I slapped her back.”

I take in a shaky breath, my gaze still glued to the cold marble floor beneath my feet. If I stop, I don’t think I’ll be able to start again.

“The—The Ward pack didn’t kidnap me. You can’t arrest them because they saved me after they found me in one of theirtrain cars. They—” My voice cracks, my chest spasming with building sobs, but I push forward. “They saved me from my parents, who’ve sold me and my heat to betas ever since I presented as an omega. They were going to sell me to a horrible alpha when I decided to run away. All my injuries are from them.”

I finally lift my gaze to meet the Chief’s, whose eyes are wide with shock. I guess Brandy must’ve told him a different story, trying to paint my guys as the bad guys here.

“You can’t arrest them because you’d be arresting the wrong people. They did nothing but take me in, feed me, clothe me, and get me medical treatment. They wanted to wait to get me registered until I felt comfortable around other alphas. I’m terrified right now because of all of you, not because of them.”

The part about waiting to register me is a bit of a lie, I didn’t know registration was this big of a deal, but the police don’t have to know about that.

I stand there, shaking and trembling in fear, but still standing.

Then what I said hits me like a truck. They know. They all know. Archer, Kane, Chase, and Madden. All of them are practically shaking with rage.

“Hey Chief,” One of the police officers says. He’s not escorting any of my guys, which I guess means he was assigned to escort me. “I think we should look into what she’s saying. That makes a lot more sense than the Ward pack secretly hiding an unregistered omega, especially with the connections they have to the center.”

He glances down at me, flashing me a small smile. His bright blue eyes are kind. Kinder than any of the other police officers here.

“Fine, don’t arrest them,” The chief sighs, waving his hand. “I’ll have to talk to my daughter about this.” He scrubs a hand down his face in exasperation before turning to me. “If what you’re saying is true, we’ll have to take you to our station for some interviews before we take you to be registered.”

My head falls in resignation. They’re taking me away. I knewthis would probably happen, but my chest still squeezes so hard it’s hard to breathe.

At least now, the guys will be safe. Hopefully, they’re not going to get in trouble for helping me.

I hear the click of handcuffs coming off like I’m underwater.

“You can call me Officer Stone,” The police officer by my side says, his voice soft as if he doesn’t want to spook me. It seems out of place, considering how his shoulders are almost like boulders under the many layers of his police uniform. “What’s your name?”

“Luna,” I say.

“Alright, Luna. Could you come with me? I’m going to drive you to the station, how does that sound?”

It sounds like I have no choice. I slide on the pair of sneakers Chase put on the shoe stand by the door for me the other day, stand straight, and take a deep breath.

Officer Stone extends his arm out, gesturing outside towards where I can see what I assume to be his squad car. The cold air makes goosebumps rise on my arms. I’m not wearing proper clothing for this weather, but it doesn’t seem like any of them care.

I glance over my shoulder and do my best to give the pack a look of reassurance. I don’t think it’s as convincing as I would like it to be.

“Thank you for everything. I—I’ll be okay.”

I’m lying. Straight through my teeth. I don’t know if I’ll be okay. I have no idea what’s going to happen. All I know is I’m being forced to leave the warm safety of their pack house, the first place that I ever thought of as home.

I follow Officer Stone’s direction and step out into the cold.

CHAPTER 23

Luna

I’m grateful Officer Stone doesn’t make any attempt at small talk on the drive over to the police station. He’s definitely my favorite out of the group of police officers, considering he didn’t touch any of my guys.

He also turned the heat up in the car up as high as it’ll go, which I really appreciate, considering I’m only in a sundress.

When he opens the door for me, he’s holding out his leather bomber jacket.