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I snickered, and if I had control of both arms, I would have applauded her.

They all ignored me anyway, so who knew if they would have seen it.

“Either way, she’s coming with us. There’s nothing you can do to stop me. I should have handled it myself and forced you to give her up. I thought you’d be more forthcoming with Oliver. That was my mistake.” Omega power shot through the room, and Odie and Cy groaned as it seeped into their every pore. “You will move out of the way and let me have her. You will not interfere again.”

They said nothing as they shuffled away, and a new set of arms slid under my weak form. For a small man, Gerard didn’t have any issues picking me up. My arm hung limp as he stepped past Odie and carried me outside.

Cy and Odie stood in the doorway, watching us go without interfering as Gerard had commanded, but I wasn’t having that. My left arm pulled forward, and my elbow swung back into Gerard’s nose. If he wanted me, fine, but I wasn’t going that easily.

He dropped me, and I landed on my bad arm, filling the cuts with dirt and gravel.

“What is wrong with you? Can none of you listen?” Blood dripped from his nose and on to the ground next to me.

With the little strength I had, I kicked at his knee, bringing him down to my level where I spit blood on him.

“You little—” He stopped himself as he looked down at me.

A thump in my chest and a fire in my stomach caused me to gasp and writhe in front of him.

He reached out for me but quickly pulled away without touching me.

“What’s going on?” Odie called out as I heard their footsteps coming from behind Gerard. Whatever he had done to them, it was broken. “What more could you do to her?” Odie all but shoved him out of the way.

“Did you know?” Gerard moved with ease, letting Cy and Odie get into my space and check on me as I silently screamed in agony on the ground. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t good, and death was looking more appealing by the second.

The fire grew, filling every inch of my body. Tears streamed down my face, cleaning it of blood and dirt. I panted as the wave eased, but another one came full force, wreaking havoc on my body. I curled in on myself, ignoring the pain of my arm and head as the hot, white poker pain that coursed through me was so much worse.

“This isn’t right,” Gerard mumbled. “She can’t be. Did you know?” he repeated loudly, garnering their attention.

“Know what? She’s in pain. Leave us the fuck alone, Gerard!” Odie tried picking me up, but it was futile with the spasms I was having on repeat.

“I didn’t believe the rumors, the whispers. We have to get her inside. I’ll explain, but I doubt you’ll believe me.” Gerard backed away toward the house.

I’d say the suspense was killing me, but that would be a lie. I didn’t care what was happening. I just wanted it to stop.

Between Cy and Odie grappling me, they managed to get me back inside, and all hell broke loose.

Chapter 17

Odie

Mine seemed to calm down in my arms as we stepped into the cabin. She was still curled up in pain, but the lashing out had ceased at the very least. Whatever my father was going to tell us, I wanted to be prepared for the worst and needed space.

I sat in one of the wingback chairs with Carmine in my lap. Cy checked on Oliver to make sure he wasn’t actually dead, and when she confirmed he was breathing, she left his bleeding wolf body next to the kitchen. He’d wake up and heal eventually. I knew his relic wasn’t simply for his shifting abilities. It also gave him a bit of extra strength and enhanced healing. Nothing but the best for Gerard’s right hand.

Cy collapsed in the other chair, and Gerard remained standing as we only left him two options, which were both covered in blood. Cy had stopped bleeding, but she was still covered in a mixture of blood and dirt. Mine’s shoulder was destroyed, and I wasn’t sure my blood would be enough.

We hid it from the Human world, but Alpha blood had healing properties. It was more of a bandage than anything. Vaila would need to come out, and if needed, a hospital stay might be in Mine’s future.

The thought of that pained me, but if she needed it, then so be it.

I held her closer as Gerard began, and he was right, I didn’t believe him.

“She’s an Omega.”

“She’s Human,” I corrected.

“Yes and no, if what I’ve heard is correct.” Of course he had information that he never shared with us. “I truly didn’t believe it when I heard it. I thought it was just old men spouting ignorance to put us over the Humans even further, but with this,” he paused and motioned to Mine, “all of it has proven true. I don’t know the details, but Mine is an Omega; she just wasn’t one yet.”