Page 138 of Unhinged

Tina pauses, her eyes narrowing as she considers me. A slow, almost pitying smile spreads across her face. "I can't give him what he needs... what he wants," she says softly. "So we picked you."

My stomach twists up so bad I think I’m gonna puke. Picked me. Like picking out a new car. Or a pet.

“You'd think you'd have been more grateful for the life we gave you.”

Grateful. Grateful forthis.Grateful for all the shit they did to me.

Good omegas are supposed to be grateful. Good omegas are supposed to stay quiet and sweet and thankful for the attention. But I’m not good. I never was.

"You're sick," I spit, the words barely audible.

Tina leans in real close, and her hair brushes my cheek and her breath is all sweet and gross in my face.

"Maybe if you’d been better," she whispers like it's some big secret, "he wouldn’t have had to be so rough."

That’s when I strike.

I hook my legs around her waist, yank her in with everything I’ve got. She gasps, stumbles forward—and I go for her. Sink my teeth into her scalp, but all I get is a mouthful of hair.

She screeches, thrashing, tearing away from me. I let her go. Gladly. Because I’ve already tucked the prize into my cheek. She staggers back, wide-eyed and panting, one hand clutching her head.

“You’ll pay for that,” she snaps, voice shaking.

Then she drops the rag in the bowl, like she’s done, and just walks out. The door slams shut behind her. The lock clicks. And I’m still here. Bleeding. Chained up like an animal.

No alphas. No pack. No one to scent-mark me safe. Nothing but the smell of blood, fear, and rot thick in my nose.

Nothing but the sound of my own heart pounding way too loud in my ears.

I hang from the chains, my body aching, my mind racing. I think of Acid's fierce protectiveness, Arrow's steady presence, Gears' unwavering support. I cling to the hope that they're out there, searching for me. I have to believe they are.

The silence of the warehouse is deafening, but I refuse to let it break me. I won't give them the satisfaction. I am not theirs. I am not broken.

I have to think of something else.

Acid’s voice in my ear, low and pissed, but never at me. That stupid lighter he clicks open and shut when he’s gonna smoke. The way he watches me like he can see right through all the bullshit I hide behind.

Arrow’s hands. Big. Strong. The way they hold me, touch me like I’m something he’s scared he might break if he’s not careful.I can almost feel his scent too, crisp the way it usually wraps around me and makes everything safe.

Gears laughing under his breath when he thinks nobody’s watching. Calling me trouble, but the good kind. Making me feel like I belong somewhere for once. Making me feel wanted. Needed. Like a real omega should be.

I shift just slightly, tongue pressing the prize against my molars. I don’t spit it out. Not yet.

I need to be smart.

Tina definitely ran to tell Earl what I did. And he’ll come storming in here, puffed up and pissed off, like he always does. I need to be ready. I need to make sure he’s not coming right back in here before I use what I took.

This has to count.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

GEARS

I rub the back of my neck, pacing the length of my office like it might shake loose answers. The leather couch creaks as Arrow shifts, legs wide, one hand fisted over his mouth while he stares at the floor, his laptop balanced on his lap. Acid’s by the door, arms crossed, chewing the inside of his cheek.

Not one fucking sighting. Not from the boys on the street. Not from Nikola. Nothing.

Where the fuck did Earl take her?