Page 97 of In Doubt

“Home,” the omega sobs. “I want to go home.” Her whole body shakes violently, her teeth chattering as more tears stream down her pale cheeks. I want nothing more than to gather her into my arms and purr for her, to make her feel better. I can see how Levi is fighting the same urge. He swallows a second time, his hands fists by his sides.

“Baby girl,” Jake whines and she visibly flinches.

What the fuck is going on?

“I thought I could do this,” the omega mumbles to herself, not us. “I thought I could do this. But I was so stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid to fall for this again. To fall for the same trap. You alphas are all the same.”

The four of us exchange glances unable to make sense of her words.

Jake locks his angry glare on me again. “I will fucking beat the shit out of you, Aiden. You pushed her too far!”

“I didn’t.”

I walk assuredly to Levi’s side and drop down beside him.

“Omega.” I whisper gently, “We would never hurt you. Never. Can you see how Jake nearly strangled me just thinking I hurt you?” Her eyes flick to me, red raw and glazed.

“You were filming,” she suddenly spits with venom and such hatred it’s like a punch to the gut.

“Me?” I say, tumbling backwards onto my backside.

“All of you! You scumbags! I want to go home. I want my brother.”

“You’re mid heat,” Dylan says in exasperation. “It’s not safe for you to go anywhere.”

“I’m not safe here!” she screams. “I know what you were doing. I know what you’re going to do.”

“Omega, Omega,” Levi tries to rest his hands on her shoulders, but she squeals, scurrying further away. “What were we doing?” he asks, examining the terrified omega in the corner. “What are we going to do?”

She opens her mouth to answer him but she can’t get the words out. Instead, her whole body convulses as she dry heaves into her hands.

“Fuck,” Jake mumbles, scrubbing his hands through his hair.

“Omega,” Levi says more firmly now, appealing to her deep omega instinct to obey. “Answer me. What are we doing here?”

She heaves violently once more but this time, forces the word out. “Filming.” she shudders, “Filming me.”

My gaze drops to my lap and the phone still gripped in my hands.

“Filming?” I repeat, the phone crunching in my tightening grip.

Silence hangs in the room, the only sound is the sniffles of the omega. Dried come and slick is plastered to her legs, her hair dishevelled around her face, several strands stuck to her wet cheeks. I’ve never seen someone look so lost, so vulnerable.

“Is that what he did to you?” Levi whispers. “The man before. He filmed you.”

She meets his warm eyes and it seems to pull her out of whatever hell she’s entered.

“Yes,” she whispers.

“What did he film?” Levi asks, reaching out to take her hand in his, careful not to scare her.

She shakes her head, like she can’t bring herself to tell us.

“Something intimate?” Jake offers and this time she nods.

“I was in heat.”

“That’s not what I was doing.” I whisper, “I swear on my life. I would never, ever … I was checking in with your friend, Sia, like Jake agreed. Letting her know you were OK.”