Page 4 of The Comfort of Pain (The Black Market Omega #1)

Beth

What the hell was I thinking?

I changed my mind about leaving home after only a few hours, but it was already too late. I lost my way before the sun came up, and I didn’t realize I was going in circles, until the third time I passed the same tree…at least I think it’s the same tree.

I have no idea what way is north, where the river is, or how I’m going to find my way.

And now I’m being followed.

Why didn’t I grab a weapon?

A branch snaps somewhere behind me, and I walk a little faster.

Whoever it is has kept his distance, probably hoping I’ll tire myself out. And while I am exhausted, fear and adrenaline has kept me going. A part of me keeps expecting to see Burke, glaring down at me every time I turn around, but he’d have already pounced on me by now. Patience is not the alpha’s strong suit.

My breath comes out in harsh pants as I force my way up a steep hill. The front of my once beige shirt is stiff with dried blood, and my bare feet are sore.

Leaves rustle somewhere behind me, but I don’t turn to look. I’m too tired, and everything hurts. The muscles in my face ache when I move my mouth, and pain shoots through my right leg every time I step over a downed tree or large rock. It doesn’t surprise me. I hit my hip pretty hard last night.

Inhaling deeply, I try to settle my nerves, but all it does is fill my lungs with the spicy aroma of cloves.

Cloves .

The hairs along the back of my neck rise and I freeze in my tracks.

Clove trees don’t bloom in the fall. They only flower in the spring. It doesn’t make sense for the lush plant to smell so strong right now. But alphas are known to smell like cloves….

Leaves rustle, but this time it’s right at my back. Awareness threads down my spine as something big and warm moves closer. Then the soft sound of feet settle right behind me.

Honestly, I pray it's a vicious bear. I’d rather die as someone’s meal than snatched by a wild alpha.

Bracing myself, I slowly turn my head, looking over my shoulder. A wall of thick muscle greets me. Swallowing hard, I force myself to look up, up, up. The alpha looming over me looks to be about a thousand feet tall. He has short, unnaturally white hair with pock marks on both cheeks, and his clothes are dirty like he’s been wandering the woods for days.

“You look lost, little girl.” the alpha smiles, making the marks on his face pull deeper. “Are you all alone?”

Fear makes my abs tense, and I jerk backward. My feet catch on a twisting root, and I fall onto my ass. Pain bursts across my hip, but I ignore it, clambering back onto my feet.

The alpha laughs, and strong arms wrap around my upper body, crushing my back against his hard chest. “Not so fast,” he says as he lifts me into the air. “Where is your pack, little one?” He turns both of us, clearly looking to see if someone might jump out a save me. “Don’t you know it’s dangerous for omegas to roam the woods by themselves?”

“Let me go!” I yell loud and clear, shocking even myself. “My pack is nearby,” I warn as I wiggle and squirm, trying to escape his powerful hold. But it’s no use. He’s too strong. “They’ll rip you limb from limb.”

The alpha chuckles, pushing the vibrations into my back. “We’ve been following you all night.”

We?

Fear and defeat grip me, and I squeeze my eyes shut tight. Who knows how many alphas are circling me right now.

“You’re all alone and you know it.” The alpha manhandles me, spinning me around in his arms so we’re face-to-face. He pins my arms at my side, flexing his big muscles and squeezing my ribs. His dark eyes zero in on my cheek, then the dried blood caked around my mouth. His brows draw together. “Who beat you up?” And I swear I can hear a hint of worry in his voice.

“The same alpha that’s going to kill you if you don’t let me go,” I say with all the confidence I can muster, but my voice pitches high. Scared. “Save yourself and let me go.”

For a second, the alpha just stares at me, thinking. Then he tips his head back and lets out a booming laugh. He has several gold fillings along his back teeth, and his breath smells bitter. “If you had anyone with you, I’d already be flat on my ass.” He adjusts me a little higher in his arms, holding me even tighter.

I swallow thickly, trying to think of what to do next. But it’s hopeless. I have no way out of this.

“Fuck, you smell good.” The alpha licks his lips, then drops his head into the crook of my neck. He inhales long and loud, making my stomach churn. Then his wet tongue snakes across my skin. I shutter as he laps at me, leaving a trail of slobber. “I’ve never been this close to an omega before,” he says, nipping at my throat.

Disgust and fear bubbles in my gut, forcing me to breathe deeply through my mouth. “I’m warning you.” I lash out, slamming my fists the best I can into his sides, but I’m at an awkward angle and have no real strength.

“That’s right,” the alpha hums with pleasure. “Fight a little harder. I like it rough.” He presses his hips forward, making me feel his hard cock through his jeans. Bile rises in my throat and I thrash with everything I have. Kicking out, I bring my knee back, then swing forward, connecting hard with the alpha’s crotch.

A brutal roar leaps from his chest and his hands fly to his groin. And I fall, slamming into the cold ground. Pain cuts up my spine, crippling me for a moment. But right as I move to stand, someone steps out of the bushes just next to me.

“Goddamnit, Stone.” A bald alpha looks down at me, and the last of my fight dies. I’ll never outrun two of them. “We need her unharmed.” This alpha is just as big as Stone but he has weirdly kind eyes. “Let me help you up.” He reaches for my hand, carefully holding it as he helps me steady my feet. It’s weirdly gentle for an alpha.

I stare at his face, trying to figure out his subtle aroma. It’s not right. It’s a soft scent. Almost calming. He’s definitely not an alpha.

“Are you a beta?” I ask, not really believing it. This man is huge. Betas don’t get this big.

The bald man looks past me, not answering my question. “You good?” he asks the other alpha— Stone .

“That little bitch is mine, Kent!” The enraged alpha takes two steps before stopping to take a breath. His face is bright red, veins popping along his temples, and he has a slight limp. I must have got him good.

“Please let me go,” I beg the beta. “I got turned around. I have a whole pack of alphas looking for me. My fathers will kill you when they find you,” I speak in a rush of words. “Please, Kent.” I use his name, hoping he feels some kind of sympathy for me, but judging from the look on the beta’s face, he doesn’t really care. “My pack will hurt you.”

Kent’s eyes narrow and I can’t tell if he believes me or not.

“Give her to me,” Stone barks.

I half-expect the beta to obey, but he pulls me behind him, putting his body between me and Stone. “Fuck that,” he says with just as much attitude.

A shadow crosses Stone’s face and an angry rumble leaves his chest. “Listen here, beta ,” he says the word like it’s an insult. “I found her. She’s mine and if you think?—”

“Did you already forget what your fucking job is?” Kent snaps, clearly not bothered by Stone’s harsh, alpha tone. “You're supposed to be looking for prime omegas to add to the auction. Not destroying the merchandise.” He looks Stone up and down. “This is why your kind shouldn’t be snatchers.”

Hopeless defeat cuts through me. They’re snatchers. I’ve never met one before, but my mother has told me many stories of omegas she knew that were abducted and sold at some kind of black market. She said men who sell our kind are cold and often violent, and if I ever found myself trapped with one, I should aim to kill and nothing less.

“I was bringing the girl to Angelica.” Stone gently palms his crotch. I hope his dick rots and falls off. “I didn’t destroy shit.”

Kent’s dark eyes drift down the side of my face and over my mouth to the front of my bloody shirt. “What did you do to her?”

“Nothing!” Stone’s voice rises, clearly pissed. “I found her that way.”

“He’s lying,” I say, desperate to get away from the alpha. “He hurt me, and?—”

“Shut up!” Stone roars out the forceful command and my mouth snaps shut. “I didn’t fucking touch you and you know it!”

“Goddammit, Stone.” Kent glares at the alpha. “Angelica took a chance by giving you this job, and this is what you do with it?”

Stone’s eyes go comically wide. “She’s lying!” His booming voice makes me flinch. “The bitch kicked me in the fucking balls!” His fangs flash as he speaks. “She needs to be taught a lesson.” His hand moves to his belt, resting on the hilt of a big knife. I zero in on it, flexing my fingers. If he comes any closer, I’ll grab it and stab the asshole.

“Angelica won’t be happy about this,” Kent says, pulling the alpha’s attention away from me. “No one is going to want a battered omega.” He holds my upper arm with his other hand, looking me over. He assesses every inch of me, from the top of my head, down to my dirty feet. “It’s going to take forever to clean her up.”

I frown, fighting the urge to tell Kent that he looks pretty shitty too, but right now he’s the only thing protecting me from Stone. I open my mouth to beg Kent to help me but nothing comes out. The lingering effects of Stone’s command still grip me, making it difficult to speak.

“We need to go.” Kent releases me. “We’ll be lucky if we get to the Morder by nightfall.”

“Morder?” I struggle to whisper the single word. I pray it’s not the black market, but that’s the only thing it can be. Right?

“Turn around, omega.” Kent ignores my question as he pushes one hand into the bag hanging at his side. He pulls out a roll of tape, then he forces me to turn. “Hands behind your back.”

My heartbeat skyrockets. Bitter fear flooding my veins. “What are you doing?” I manage to ask.

“I’m going to tie you up,” Kent says as if it’s no big deal.

Stone smirks then leans in. “If you don’t want to be tied up, I can always fuck the fight right out of you.” He tugs his waistband up, making the knife at his side shift.

“Shit,” Kent says right as a rhythmic bell echoes all around us. “Give me a second.” I glance over my shoulder, watching as he pulls a phone out of his pocket. He brings it to his ear, then turns away from me. “Yes, ma’am?” The beta goes quiet. “Okay.” He looks at Stone, pushing me toward the alpha. “Don’t let her out of your sight, and do not hurt her.” Then he walks off, leaving me with the asshole.

“Are you kidding me?” I try to run after Kent, but Stone grabs my wrist and jerks me back.

“Don’t you worry, Kent.” Stone smirks down at me. “I’ll take good care of her.” There’s a flash of something evil in his eyes, making me back up.

“Wait!” I yell at Kent, praying the beta will come back, but he keeps his ear pressed to the damn phone, telling whoever is on the other end that he’s “ on it ” and that they can “ count on him. ”

“Looks like it’s just us,” Stone smirks as Kent walks off.

I pull in a deep breath, ready to scream my head off, but before I can make a sound, Stone’s hand flies out. He grips my throat, squeezing so hard I can barely breathe.

“No,” I wheeze, trying to pry his hand off of me, but he’s so strong.

“You are a fucking liar ,” He snarls the last word, flashing his pointed canines. “I didn’t fucking touch you and you know it.”

My eyes dart all around us, trying to find Kent, but I don’t see him. It’s like he’s vanished. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, and Stone squeezes my throat tighter. The pressure in my face doubles, and my lungs burn with the need for air.

“I didn’t touch you and you know it, you fucking bitch.” The venom in the alpha’s voice is shocking. “But if I’m going to get blamed for your bruises, then I might as well make it worth it.”

He crashes his mouth to mine so hard his front teeth break the delicate skin along my bottom lip. Copper blood mixes with his overpowering clover scent, and my stomach heaves. Relief slams into me when he releases my neck, grabbing my waist instead.

I suck down painful breaths of air through my nose, trying to listen to all the sounds around me. I pray Kent will return soon. But I can’t hear anything other than Stone’s moaning as he grabs my breast through my shirt. I should be trying to run away, but years of fighting that instinct keeps me rooted in place.

“So good,” Stone groans, then forces his tongue between my lips. “You taste like sugar.” He forces me to walk backward, pressing my back against a rough tree. He pushes his weight forward, making me feel every inch of his horrible erection. “Does your pussy taste as sweet as your lips?”

Fear and disgust swirl within me, and I close my eyes tight. He grabs a handful of my hair, jerking my head back. His other hand grazes the waistband of my leggings.

“Stop,” I grit out, pushing against his chest with everything I have, but he doesn’t move an inch.

“You know,” Stone growls into my mouth. “You kicked me in the dick.” He leans back, keeping his hips pressed against mine. Grinding into me. “The least you can do is kiss it and make it better.” He jerks my hair, forcing my head to one side. “And if I feel any teeth on my shaft, then I will knock every single one of them out of your head.” He grits his teeth, staring directly into my eyes. “Do you fucking understand me?”

“Yes, sir.” I nod the best I can as my hands fall down his chest to his belt. My fingers graze the hilt of his dagger. The smooth leather feels warm in my hand. “I understand,” I say as I tighten my grip. My hand trembles, praying he doesn’t notice. Thankfully, Stone crashes his mouth to mine yet again, clearly too excited. I hold my breath, then lift the blade. Thankfully, it easily pulls free from the sheath, and I tense.

“Fuck, I’m going to enjoy you.” Stone growls, squeezing my breasts especially hard. His cock grinds against my belly, and my back digs into the tree. I can feel every scratch and bruise on my battered body. “I’m going to make sure this pussy remembers me forever.”

He nips at my throat as his hand falls between my legs. He palms me through my leggings, and I slowly raise the dagger. I’ll only have one chance. One slice of the blade. I have to make it count.

“Are you wet?” Stone pushes one hand into my waistband.

My heart pounds.

Rough fingers brush the top of my slit.

And I bring the knife down with all my might.

It slides into Stone’s neck with no resistance. The movement is so fluid I’m scared I didn’t actually hit him. But then Stone leans back, releasing me.

He looks so calm for a man with a blade sticking out awkwardly from the side of his throat. I swallow thickly, terrified I haven’t actually hurt him. But then his eyes go wide and the muscles in his jaw pop out.

“Wha…” Stone’s voice is strained as his fingers fumble over the hilt of the dagger. He grips it, his face burning bright red, before flashing white. Sweat blooms across the alpha’s forehead and his eyes go wide.

I lean away from the alpha the best I can, pressing my back firmly against the rough tree bark. I want to run away, but Stone’s hips keep me pinned in place.

“What the fuck?” Kent yells somewhere in the distance. His heavy feet stomp through the forest, racing straight to us. But the beta is too late.

Stone grunts as he pulls the dagger out of his neck. Blood spurts in long jets. It sprays across my face, coating the forest floor and hitting nearby trees.

“Don’t remove it!” Kent comes to a stop right behind Stone. His hands ghost over the alpha’s gushing wound, but he doesn't actually touch him. “Shit.”

Stone’s body shifts against mine, making my spine grind against the tree. I suck in a pained breath, praying for the asshole to hurry up and die already.

It’s taking forever.

Then, all at once, Stone goes stiff and he pitches to one side. His body hits me, taking me with him as he falls. I’m crushed beneath his weight, and once again I can’t breathe.

“Fuck!” Kent spins, looking all around us. The trees are quiet. No birds. No wildlife. Not even a breeze. “I can’t…what…” Kent looks down at Stone’s dead body, then at me. I simply return his stare, not sure if the beta is going to kill me or save me. It’s hard to tell if the look in his eyes is from shock or rage.

“Please, help,” I finally ask, trying to push the dead alpha off of me, but he’s so damn heavy.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Kent drags Stone’s limp body off of me. The beta looks shocked, his wide eyes flickering between Stone and me.

“Are you going to kill me?” I ask.

The beta jolts, snapping out of whatever trance he’s in. “I’m not a fucking monster,” he barks, before grabbing me by the forearm and pulling me onto my feet. My knees shake, making it hard to stand. “Goddamnit.” He looks me up and down. “You look awful.”

I don’t look down at myself. I know I’m covered in blood again, but this time, it isn’t mine.

“Let’s go.” Kent bends, draping me over his shoulder. I don’t fight him. I can’t. I’m too numb.

I just killed someone.