Page 6 of The Comfort of Pain (The Black Market Omega #1)

Beth

It doesn’t take long for us to reach a camp, or at least it feels quick. My body is still thrumming with adrenaline, making it hard to focus.

“I’ve got a deposit,” Kent says, and I look around.

This must be the Morder.

There are people everywhere, rushing around the biggest tents I’ve ever seen in my life. Alphas dressed in suits disappear into a fancy red tent. Several rugged-looking alphas sit at what looks like a makeshift outdoor kitchen, drinking and laughing. Their clothes aren’t as nice, but it’s clear from the state of their shoes that they wore their best outfits. A few betas mill about, each one in a white button-down dress shirt and simple black tie. It's how I imagine a server might dress. Not that I’ve ever been to a restaurant, but I’ve read about them in books.

“Is she injured?” a female beta asks. Judging from her soft tone, she sounds young. Maybe too young to be working here.

“She’s got a few bumps and bruises but nothing too bad.” Kent adjusts me, forcing my body higher on his shoulder. I grip the back of his shirt, praying I won’t fall.

“Why is she covered in blood?” the girl asks.

“Kent.” A she-alpha’s strong voice cuts over the noise. She sounds pleased. “What have you brought me?” A hand drifts down my back and I go still. “What on earth happened to her?”

“I’m sorry, Angelica.” Kent’s tone is deeply respectful. “This one is dangerous. She killed Stone.”

“Really?” Angelica’s voice pitches higher, almost as if impressed.

I want to see her face. I’ve never met a she-alpha before, and I’m dying to know if she looks as big and scary as a male. Does she have bulging muscles and vicious eyes too?

“Yes, ma’am.” The beta sounds so apologetic. “I know you’ll want to place her, but I wouldn’t. She’s too feral. I recommend disposing of her.”

“Dispose of me?” I lift up and then slam my fists into his back. “Screw you!” I yell and Kent releases me, letting me fall off his shoulder. My feet hit the ground and I almost fall over. Kent grips both of my wrists, keeping me upright.

If my ankles weren’t still tied up, I’d make a run for it. Or at least, I’d try.

“Sorry about Stone,” Kent says to the she-alpha behind me. “There wasn’t much I could do.” He gives a half-hearted shrug.

“I’m not worried about that.” Angelica lets out a dismissive snort, and I look over my shoulder, curious to see her face. And she is stunning. Long black hair, icy blue eyes, and lips the color of crimson. She’s also very tall. At least six feet. But no massive muscles. She still looks incredibly strong, but feminine, with a slender waist and delicate hands. “I’m sure Stone got what was coming to him.”

“He did,” I say. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline or shock, but I suddenly feel very reckless. “And I’ll kill anyone else that touches me!” I try to jerk away from Kent, but he holds me in place, his big hands squeezing even harder.

Angelica doesn’t even blink, completely ignoring what I said. Instead, she simply looks me up and down with cold indifference, taking in my blood-soaked clothes and messy hair. The corner of her red lips lift at one side, pleased with what she’s seeing. “We might have to wait until next month so we can clean her up properly,” she looks at Kent, “but I think we’ll get a good price for this one.”

“Really?” Kent’s brows shoot up, happy to hear that.

“Let me go,” I snarl, trying to lift one knee, but it doesn’t move. The tape around my ankles is too tight. “My fathers are out there right now looking for me. They’ll kill you when they find me.”

“She doesn't seem affected by the presence of alphas,” Angelica says, ignoring my threat.

“I’m pretty sure she’s a northern omega.” Kent grabs my other arm as well, holding me firmly in his vice-like grip. “Born and bred out here.”

“Stop it.” I try to lean away from him, but the beta pulls me closer, holding me so tight I can’t move.

“Don’t worry, omega,” Angelica smiles down at me. “We’ll take good care of you.”

Something pinches my upper arm and I snap my head around as a needle is pulled out of my arm. A beta in black scrubs gives me an apologetic smile as he places the needle into a little jar.

“Don’t be scared.” His voice is soft, making him hard to hear over the crowd of people all around us. “This will help you relax.” He’s tall and thin with lush brown hair and tanned skin. He kind of reminds me of Linden.

“Thank you, Dr. Plume,” Angelica says to the beta. “Please do a full work-up, but there’s no hurry. This isn’t going to be displayed tonight.”

The doctor nods, then waves someone over. I turn to see who, but I suddenly feel very dizzy. The forest begins to sway all around me, and my eyes drift shut.

“That’s right,” the doctor coos as if speaking to a baby. “Let the medicine take you away.”

I open my mouth to tell him to fuck off, but the words won’t leave my mouth. I’m swimming. Floating. Flying.

No.

That’s not right.

I’m not flying. I’m being carried, but it’s not Kent whose big arms cradle me. I stare up at the beta holding me. He’s another stranger. A man with dark skin and soft eyes. Why does everyone here have nice eyes?

“It’s okay, omega,” the man says, smiling down at me. “You’re safe here. We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

I want to believe him.

The light overhead disappears and it takes me a few seconds to realize we’re inside a tent. Looking around, I realize there are no alphas in here. It’s just betas in dark blue scrubs and omegas sitting on tiny cots. They all have weird collars wrapped around their necks.

“Where are we?” I ask, but the words sound like mush. My tongue refuses to work.

“Back here,” the doctor says as we edge around a thin partition.

I’m gently placed on a metal table. The surface is hard and cold, making me whine. I try to sit up, but I can’t. It’s like there’s lead in my joints, making my body stiff and heavy. Warm hands grip the waistband of my leggings, pulling them down my legs. “No.” My voice is a weak whisper. “Stop.” My shirt is pulled over my head.

Am I naked? I can’t really feel anything through the fog slowly filling my mind.

“Don’t worry.” The doctor’s face comes into view. His eyes are so dark they look like two holes in the center of his face. “You’re safe here.” He shines a light in my face, and I snap my eyes shut. But then two strong fingers pry my eyelids open, blinding one eye, then the other.

“What are you doing?” I try to roll away as the doctor presses something hard into my ear. I see the tiny light attached to the weird object as he moves to look inside my other ear. At least it doesn’t hurt. Slowly, the fear in my belly eases as the doctor looks into my mouth, then feels the sides of my neck.

“Her mating gland is in perfect condition,” the doctor says.

“And her hymen?” Angelica asks as the doctor moves my legs.

I lift my head up so I can see the she-alpha’s face. She has an intense look in her violent blue eyes. They’re so bright and vicious, like two daggers cutting into every inch of my body.

Something cold pushes inside my pussy, making my body lurch. I whimper and lift my hips to escape the object, but rough hands force me back down against the table.

“Don’t struggle,” Angelica says firmly, pushing against my hips, and my body instantly obeys. “Relax and let us take care of you.”

I nod, eager to obey. I hate this.

The doctor stares between my legs. I want to lift my knees and squeeze them together, but my bones won’t move. My hips are rusty hinges, stuck in place. “All done.” The doctor lifts his head, then gently presses my legs together for me. He moves me, helping me to lie on my side, and my heart settles. “She’s not pure, but her secondary hymen is intact.”

Angelica smiles wide and her glowing eyes slide to my face. “What a good omega,” she purrs, and my body tingles. “Saving yourself for the right alpha is so important.” Her long fingers channel through my hair and my back arches.

What is wrong with me?

“These bruises are concerning.” The doctor’s hands skim across my hip and down one thigh. “We aren’t showing her today. Correct?”

“That’s right.” Angelica lets out a heavy sigh as she looks down at me. For some reason, I feel pathetic under her harsh stare. “We can’t show her in this state.” She pulls her gaze off of my naked body, finally looking at the doctor. “We’ll keep her housed until next month.” She leans down again, smiling sweetly at me. “How old are you, sweet girl?”

“Twenty…” I lick my suddenly very dry lips, “five.”

Angelica’s eyes go wide, and the doctor’s head snaps up. “Twenty-five?” he asks as if it’s hard to believe. “Oh, my.” He looks at the she-alpha, fear pouring out of his dark eyes. “We can’t wait too long, ma’am. Not at her age.” He shakes his head as if it’s a shame. “Unmated omegas start to drastically decline after twenty-five, and most don’t live to see thirty. Omega?” He looks down at me, his eyes wide with concern. “Have you had any prolonged heats? Strokes? Seizures? Intense bouts of aggression or depression?”

I open my mouth to ask if this is a joke, but nothing comes out.

“This isn’t good,” Angelica says followed by a pained sigh. “Perhaps I can find a buyer today. I can’t afford to have a perfectly good omega die while waiting for the next auction.”

“Do you want me to have a one-sheet created for her?” the doctor asks.

“Yes,” the she-alpha says family. “But we need to add a warning.”

“A warning?” The doctor’s dark brows pull together.

“Kent says she’s dangerous,” Angelica smirks. “Apparently, she took down an alpha all on her own.” I don’t miss the excited lift in her voice.

The doctor’s black eyes go wide, and he takes a step away from the table. “This tiny thing?” He points at me like I’m a slab of meat.

“Yes. It seems we have a dangerous omega on our hands.” Angelica chuckles. “I’m interested to meet the pack willing to take her on.”