Page 125 of The Bounty

I’m in awe of her. I recall the woman in the grainy video, the one fighting for her life as she sobbed and begged not to be sedated.

But the woman in front of me isn’t drugged. Her green eyes meet mine for just a moment, and her smile falters.

Then, the mask is back for the Alpha.

Hannah is playing the game, just like I am.

Like we all are.

But a commotion causes us to turn our attention to an older Alpha, the scent of his anger permeating the room.

“I don’t care! I wanther!” The scent of his anger permeates the room as he points a weathered hand at Monica, the rude Beta who claimed to be jealous of me.

“I’m sorry sir, I’m a Beta—”

“I didn’t ask if you were a Beta,dear,” he snarls. “I said I wantyou.”

Monica stands frozen and a few Omegas gasp.

“I’m so sorry,” an assistant says, stepping in. “But Monica is not available, sir. We’re happy to offer any of the Omegas—”

Clearly, this man has never been told ‘no’ before, because he scoffs, insulted. “Do you know how much I paid to be here? And you’re really going to tellmeno? I thought I had unlimited access toEden.Isn’t that correct?”

The room is silent, and Hannah inches closer to me. “Oh my God,” she murmurs. “No fucking way.”

Monica stands in silent horror as the assistant turns to her. “I…I can’t argue with him, Monica,” he mutters. “I’m sorry.”

A guard that was standing near the wall steps up, an electric prod in hand, and Monica raises her hands shakily.

“Alright,” she chokes out, and the older man smiles.

Holy shit, holy shit!

And as she leaves, my eyes meet hers, and there is genuine fear inside of them.

“Now you know,” I whisper.

Even she’s not safe from them.

Everyone in the room watches as the elderly Alpha grabs her hand and drags her along with him, her heels clicking on the ground as she struggles to keep her balance.

“Serves her right,” Hannah mutters, and she turns her attention to me as the party continues as if nothing happened. “You just got here, right? You’re Olive?”

As I nod, I take her in. Gone is the girl from the grainy video, terrified and shaken. The Hannah before me is confident and commands the room. Her blonde hair is silky and shiny, her complexion healthy as she regards me with bright irises.

“Good job hiding for so long,” she commends me, even as the Alpha she was talking to clears his throat, demanding attention. “Better than I did.”

I know, I want to say, but I don’t.

“Excuse me, Hannah—” The Alpha tries.

“Shut up,” she murmurs, waving her hand at him. “I’m talking to my friend, Olive. Go away.”

My eyes bug out of my head.

Who is this girl that can make Alphas obey her, even in her position?

“We’rethe ones with the power,” she whispers, as if reading my mind, while the Alpha sheepishly walks away, muttering to himself. “Remember that. We have what they want. Theyneedus.”