Page 27 of Unhinged

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

brYDGETT

I can still feel the sting where the IV had been, but the rush of adrenaline in my veins drowns it out. My mind’s spinning, and my body’s not ready for what’s about to come. But I’m awake now. No more pretending I’m anything other than what I am.

I roll my shoulders, the tightness in my muscles reminding me how long I’ve been out of it. I wish I could stay in this half-dazed state where nothing feels real, but life’s not waiting for me to catch up.

The three alphas tower over me like some kind of fucking nightmare, and for a second, I almost wish Judge had stuck around.

Arrow stands closest, his presence unnervingly steady, while Gears and Acid linger near the door, their eyes locked on me.

But then again, maybe it's better this way. This is my shit to deal with.

I pull the blankets tighter around my shoulders, suddenly feeling exposed, vulnerable. I try not to let it show. I’m not some damsel in distress. Never have been, never will be.

Eric.

“You have Eric?”

“Yeah. We’ve got him. And he’s waiting for you.” Acid speaks evenly, like he knows exactly what effect his words will have on me.

I can feel the cold sweat dripping down my back, the throbbing in my side reminding me that I’m still alive.

But I’m not going to let that show. I’m awake now, and I’ve got unfinished business to deal with.

Ike did what he could with my side, so I know I’ll be fine.

Pain’s just a distraction, nothing more.

“Take me to Eric. We have things to discuss,” I tell them, pushing myself up further in bed so that I can slide my legs over the side.

"First, we need some answers." Gears sounds steady, but there’s urgency in his words. "What the hell happened? Why are you in this mess?"

Oh, great. The mighty alphas have spoken. I shake my head, feeling the pressure of their eyes on me. Part of me wants to shut them out, keep the story locked up tight where it belongs. But the way they look at me—like they’re waiting for me to break—I can’t keep up the act forever. Not with them.

I roll my eyes, biting back a sarcastic comment.

If they expect me to bare my soul to them, they’ve got another thing coming.

I’ve been through enough shit to last a lifetime.

But even as I cling to that resolve, a sliver of doubt creeps in.

Because no matter how much I want to keep it all buried, there’s a part of me that wonders—what if letting them in wouldn’t be so bad?

“Start talking,” Gears barks, the weight of his command making me freeze. I shoot a look at the three of them, each one looking at me with barely contained fury. They’re waiting. They’re expecting me to explain.

I sigh, my head falling back against the pillow.

"What do you think happened?" I snap. "You really want to know? You think I’m some damsel in distress you can fix with your little tough guy act?"

"Stop," Arrow says, his voice more soothing than the others, but I see the anger in his eyes. "We’re not here to judge. We’re here to understand. So, tell us. Who was the guy that shot you and why is he after you?"

I exhale slowly, weighing my options. I could keep it all locked up, never say a word.

But I can see the concern in their eyes, the desire to protect me, and something inside me stirs.

They might not know everything, but they deserve to know.

And honestly, I need to say it. I need them to understand why I’m so fucked up.

I lean back against the bed, my hand instinctively brushing over the spot where the bullet wound still aches. I want to ignore it, pretend I’m stronger than the pain, but the reality is, I’m not invincible.

“Alright,” I mutter. "It’s a long story. One you won’t like. But you want the truth?"

They nod, waiting. Gears looks like he’s ready to tear someone apart, and Acid's fists are clenched. But it’s Arrow, the one who always looks calm, who holds my gaze, his steady presence somehow more unsettling than the others.

“Earl and Tina adopted me when I was younger,” I begin. “When I had my first heat spike and Tina was out… Earl broke down my bedroom door and raped me.”

A sound tears from Gears’ throat—a low, guttural growl that vibrates the air between us. The sharp tang of mango and patchouli floods the room, his scent spiking with rage.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to keep going. “And Tina... when I told her afterward, she just laughed. Told me, at least now, she won’t have to worry about him cheating on her with some random whore.

The silence that follows is suffocating. Acid’s scent spikes next—bergamot and lemon turning harsh and bitter, cut with the dark bite of blackcurrant. He’s practically trembling, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he paces like a caged animal.

Arrow doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. His scent—apple, plum, and sandalwood—rolls out warm and steady, but there’s something darker curled beneath it. Controlled fury. The kind that waits for the right moment to strike.

“I ran away. Couch surfed for a while. Then I ended up in Ridgeville, and Ike found me—homeless and taking care of Judge.”

Gears' breath catches in his throat. “Judge is... the product of that night?”

I nod, barely able to keep my gaze steady. “Yeah. Ike took us in. Let me stay in the gym, taught me how to defend myself. After a while, he moved us to his house. Trained me, made me who I am today—the Alpha Slayer.”

“So that guy who was shooting at you... that was Earl?” Arrow asks, calculating.

“Yup,” I snap, the anger bubbling up again. “Fucking bastard. He was saying all kinds of shit—how I was his, how he missed me. He knows Judge is his, but he can’t have him. I’ll die before I let him get his hands on my son.”

“We won’t let him get his hands on either of you,” Gears growls—it sounds like a promise—dark and lethal.

Acid’s nostrils flare as he growls, dangerous. “That son of a bitch. Earl and Tina... they’re both dead.”

I shake my head sharply, a fire burning in my chest. “No. They’re mine to kill. And you can’t tell Judge. I’ll tell him when he’s old enough to understand. Promise me that.”

Arrow's face is tight with anger, but he nods. "We promise. But Brydgett, you need to tell him. Sooner or later, you have to face it."

I roll my eyes, a humorless laugh escaping my lips. "Yeah, well, he’s not old enough to hear about Earl or Tina. Not yet. He won’t understand that even though the night he was created was the worst night of my life, having him is the best thing that’s happened to me.”

I can feel their frustration rising, but they’re not pushing me further. They don’t understand, but they’re respecting my wishes.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, a grunt escaping me as I try to stand. Every muscle in my body protests, but I power through it.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Arrow barks.

I roll my eyes, barely holding back the sarcasm. “I was planning on making a run for it, but thought I’d pass out in style first. You know, for the dramatic effect.”

I sound like a dick. I know it. But it’s the only defense I have right now.

Acid leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, his eyes scanning me with a mixture of concern and disbelief. He lets out a short, humorless laugh before his gaze drifts to my side. His face hardens. “You’re lucky Ike’s a damn miracle worker,” he mutters. “You should be dead.”

I blink, letting the words settle in the air like a bitter taste. “And here I thought I was just that badass,” I quip, the corner of my mouth twitching into something resembling a grin.

But my voice turns serious, steel creeping into every word. “Now, I’m going to see Eric.”

That gets their attention. They freeze, exchanging glances.

“You’re not fully healed,” Gears warns, concern evident in his words. "This isn't the right time."

“I don’t give a shit,” I snap. “I’m not waiting any longer. If you want to help me, then help me get to him. I need to see him. Now.”

They exchange another set of looks, but none of them dare question me. They’ve seen me at my worst; they know better than to think they can hold me back.

My scent sharpens. It’s tinged with frustration that I can’t hide. The air is thick with it.

“Fine,” Acid grumbles. "But you're not in any condition to?—"

“Just get me to him,” I interrupt, frustration bubbling up. I’m done with waiting. Done with the silence. I want answers from Eric, and I’m going to make sure he gives them to me.

Just as I start to rise, the world tilts, and I lose my balance.

They finally relent, helping me to my feet and steadying me as we move toward the basement.

The cold air hits me first, like a slap in the face, the smell of cement and oil filling my lungs.

I push past it, focusing only on the task at hand.

Eric. My betrayer. The one who sold me out for whatever the hell reason.

When we reach the basement door, I can hear his voice from the other side—weak, panicked, just the way I want it.

They open the door, and there he is, dangling from the ceiling by chains around his wrists, forced to stand on his tiptoes.

His body sways slightly with the weight, and I can see the strain in his posture—just the way I want him to feel.

For a moment, the world holds still. The blood in my veins feels like it’s turned to ice, but I don’t care. I stand there, staring at him, watching the fear flicker in his eyes.

And then I speak. My words are cold and sharp, breaking the silence.

“Surprise, Eric,” I say, a smile tugging at my lips, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Bet you didn’t expect to see me, did ya?”