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OLIVER

I have no fucking idea what just happened. The shouting from outside stopped a few minutes ago, which is around the same time the doctor left. Probably because he finally felt safe to do so.

Before leaving, he checked Vincent's vitals since the poor alpha passed out. Still kneeling beside Vincent, I can only worry my lip and clutch his good hand to my chest.

Doc's pinched smile and hesitant departure lingers on my anxiety. Emmett's still staring at the door with a frown marring his handsome features. I, too, am replaying the man’s words.

"It's the mate bond. Mr. Katz is fighting something in the connection with his omega."

Physically, Vincent is healing as he should be, but mentally and emotionally, he's struggling. More than struggling.

I do the only thing I can and keep a tight grip on the alpha beneath me in hopes I can tether him to life. Knowing what I do about mate bonds, whatever Maya is going through, so is Vincent. And vice versa.

Pinching my eyes shut, I try really damn hard not to think about what’s happening to our omega, especially if it has one of the strongest men I've ever met in a scary state of unconsciousness.

Vincent should be awake. He should be talking to me, telling me he's okay, and offering me reassurance that Amaya will be just fine. That he will be just fine.

My god, we aren't even a legit pack, but I feel like I lost Vincent the same way I lost my girl. One of them, I have to help one of them.

The low murmuring on the other side of the door is background noise as I absently hope Samuel doesn’t kill Paul. I really don't want to get kicked out and banned from Vincent’s side.

"Do you think he can hear me?" I murmur, still gazing at Vincent's bruised jawline. Unable to help myself, I trail my finger across the purple flesh while I await Emmett's reassurance.

Heat envelopes my back, then my alpha rests a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure he can, Oli." He hesitates, but adds in a whisper that sounds like he’s hesitant to believe. "Maybe Maya can hear us too if their connection is strong enough."

My head snaps around so fast I almost fall off the bed. "What?!" I hiss. "You fuckin' know their connection is amazing, so you're telling me she might have heard Paul?!"

Emmett gives me a sad nod while bending and wrapping an arm around my waist. "Talk to him, my beta. Talk to them . Tell them we're here and we won't ever give up on them."

I gulp, trying to swallow the ball of emotion that steals my voice. Emmett knows; he feels the need for me to help them in some way. He could easily take over and talk to Vincent, but he gifts me the opportunity.

"Vince, Am–Amaya," I croak. "Fuck baby girl, if you can hear me, hang on. Please. We're coming."

Swallowing, I shift on my knees. Maya is strong. She doesn't need me to keep begging her to survive. She needs to know we're okay. "Vincent is okay. He's worried about you, but we're here with him. He's safe. We're safe. And we won't stop until you're safe too, baby."

Focused on Vincent's eyelids, I don't notice Sam peeking his head in the room. "Guys, get out here."

Glancing over my shoulder at Emmett, I wait for him to release me. I hate the chill that replaces his warm chest, needing his comfort now more than ever. But Samuel sounded serious.

Maybe he really did kill Paul.

I contemplate whether or not that would upset me as we bustle our way into the hall. Giving Vincent a final look, I close the door quietly behind us. To say I'm shocked when I turn around would be an understatement. Three alphas and Kate seem to have joined our nightmare.

"Dora," I greet with a smirk, adopting the nickname Amaya gave her and hiding behind a dash of humor.

She huffs and the alpha wall behind her growls. Beckett's eyes are a little more deadly when he glares at me, but that's just because he's protective of Amaya. As friends , I have to remind myself.

In a sickly sweet voice, Kate says, "Dickhead."

Sam snorts, shocking the shit out of me enough to take my eyes off the angry men. "You can laugh?" I mock gasp.

He flips me off and turns the gesture into a wave at the dark-haired guy behind Kate. "Listen."

Glancing at Emmett, then back at Vincent's room, I decide we're wasting time shooting the shit. I need to get back to Vincent.

"My name is Remy, it's nice to meet you," the newcomer says, only for Kate to mumble, "Is it?"

I bite back the urge to throw more sass. "Oliver and Emmett," I reply with a nod to my alpha.

The alpha beside Remy with shiny ringlets and ebony skin inclines his head. "Nick."

"Nice to meet you," Emmett greets. "Beckett," he addresses the final alpha who definitely hates us. He doesn't respond, making me bristle at his obvious rudeness to my pack.

We’re fucking trying!

"Kay." Kate claps, and it gives me sick satisfaction when Paul jolts. "Let's get this show on the road. To recap, Remy is an OPS officer and is assigned Amaya's case. Every missing omega has a team trying to find them, but they're all trying the same technique."

Before I can ask, she continues. "We have a plan. But we need Vincent." For once, the ire in her gaze when she stares at us is gone and in its place is fear and desperation for her friend. My omega.

Paul curses, scuffing his feet and balling his hands. Everyone narrows their eyes at him. I pale. Vincent is not in shape for anything right now and I have no idea what the pressure of his omega's safety weighing on his shoulders would do to his mental health.

"What do you need him to do?” I ask.

"He bonded Amaya, right?" Kate asks, and I nod. "He should be able to track her through their connection. Like a game of hot and cold."

Fuck.

Silence descends. Emmett, Sam, Paul and I share a look. Vincent is practically fucking comatose.

"What?!" Kate snaps, stomping her foot and making her alphas close in.

I clear my throat. "He's not going to be of any help right now."

"Why?"

"Doc says something is wrong with the bond. And well." I glance at Paul. “He's mentally and emotionally unstable, guilt-ridden and… I don't really know," I answer, worry strangling my tone and dragging my gaze to the tile floor.

Raspberry bubble gum bursts through the hall in agitation, but with the touch of her three mates, Kate takes a deep breath and calms. "Call him," she whispers in defeat.

Nobody moves, us having no idea who she's talking about.

"Call him, Remy," she repeats, tone assured.

Samuel steps forward, arms crossed like he's ready to defend the man lying in the hospital room behind us. "Who are we calling?"

My heart warms and thumps double time with the hope that things are going to be different once our family is all together. Where are you, baby girl?

"Someone who can help Vincent," Nick replies with a gleam in his eye that I can't read.

I narrow my gaze. "Help how?"

"Trust me, he'll help Vincent navigate the mate bond," Beckett says with a smirk. "He might piss you off a little, but he's our best shot."

In no position to turn down help, I swallow the urge to ask more questions.

Whoever this guy is, he better fucking help.