Page 103 of Pretty When She Breaks

“That, apparently, we’re managing him,” Dax continued.

“Oh.” I laughed, resting my hand atop his. “Did I forget to say? I’m so sorry, it must have slipped my mind with all the excitement. Yes, Father seemed to think it was a good starting point. But don’t worry, I’m taking care of all the boring day-to-day stuff. I've done it for Father so many times, it’s second nature now.”

I’d never done it for my father, but I could only pray they wouldn’t find that out.

“Don’t worry, that just leaves us with all the fun parts,” Prince said. “Like naming him.”

My attention was stolen by the match in the Sink. Kaos and Finch had already locked down their bonds tight. I didn’t know how to close the bond yet, and I was hoping Ocean’s efforts to spare me would be enough.

It didn’t matter.

As soon as the drug had overtaken him, the raw rage blazed past his defenses.

The skin over my knuckles went white as it surged through me, making my head spin and the strange, sickening pain explode from the dark bond, burning its way through my body. Just like last time, except worse.

It was wrong, it was so wrong. My alpha was hurting, and I needed to do something.

Anything.

I leaned forward, my hand fluttering over my stomach as I fought to keep the tears out of my eyes.

God, this was so fucked up. I’d never felt so useless, and I hadn’t asked for any of this.

I glared daggers at Finch as I straightened back up. He glanced at me, face blank, before he turned back to the fight.

Last time, the feelings had eventually dulled, and I kept waiting for Ocean’s rage to dim, but it didn’t. I had to endure the whole fight. Ocean’s victory tookforever, though by the time he was standing over his opponent’s body, the sensation wasn’t quite as all-consuming. I could sense his satisfaction, and he looked right up, squinting through the bright lights to where we were sitting.

My heart thumped in my chest, even though I knew he couldn’t see much from down there.

Once again, he heaved the unconscious body of his opponent over his head, letting out a roar as he offered it to me.

I knew he was waiting for my reaction, my approval, so I tentatively reached out in the bond.

I had no love for the fights, or the wounds he was bearing, but if I just thought about him, I could respond how he wanted.

His muscled arms were steady, despite the body in his arms being bigger than him. Sweat was glistening on his heaving chest, along his abs. I doubted I needed my omega instincts to appreciate how beautiful and fierce he looked like this, and I let him feel that too.

I couldn’t separate the sorrow that coloured it, but it didn't seem to matter, because Ocean snorted and let the body down with a thud.

“I’ve got a name for him,” Dax said, giving us an amused smile. “Raze.”

FIFTY-SIX

OCEAN

I awoke, stiff and aching, with no idea what time it was. Judging by the complexity of the emotions that were filtering through the pack bond, it was likely daytime.

It was cold in the cells, and the ancient threadbare blanket that had come with my cell wasn’t enough, though I guess I could be glad Casey hadn’t grabbed me to take another freezing shower.

I blinked my eyes open and stared at the concrete wall across from me. Flashes from the night before were coming back to me; everything after I’d been injected with rofetamine was murky and hard to remember. It was probably a good thing, though. It was a real mindfuck to relive moments when I’d had no control.

“Finally. You’re up.” Hugo’s gruff voice came over from his cell. I gave him a cheerful wave, which made him scowl. “Stop playing around,” he said. “It’s time to go through those exercises again.”

“Again?” I groaned. “I can barely stand.”

“It’s your funeral,” Hugo replied, shrugging, before settling into the first stance.

“I need a coffee,” I muttered, but I straightened my spine and bent my knees as I copied him. My body protested, already beaten and tired, but I forced it to move anyway. Hugo had said it would take repetition for these stances to become part of my muscle memory, and I needed every advantage I could get. I had to stay strong until they got me out of here.