Page 1 of Denied By the Alphas

chapter 1

. . .

Carmen

“I’ll call you later,” I said quickly into the receiver as I hung up. Harsh knocking sounded on my bedroom door before he barged in, eyes blazing with anger.

Henry, the leader of all packs, wasn’t happy about my best friend and her pack escaping the compound. I had to warn her what was happening.

“Where’s Ruby?” Henry demanded, his voice low and threatening. His eyes bore into mine, searching for any hint of deception.

“She’s on her honeymoon!” I shouted, now fed up with Henry. If he thought he could bully me like other omegas, he was completely wrong. At the same time, I wondered why the hell he was so concerned about her whereabouts.

“Don’t lie to me, Carmen,” he snapped. “You were just talking to her. This is crucial.”

“I’m not lying,” I said, breathing hard. I just wanted him out of my apartment so I could have some peace.

Earlier today, he had been questioning me in my living room until I’d had enough. I shouldn’t have called her, but I didn’t want to give out information that could get her or herpack in trouble. Henry walked into the living room of my tiny apartment, and I followed.

“Do you want some water or something?” I asked flippantly, just to show him he wasn’t welcome.

He took deep breaths; his short, angry frame looked almost comical as he stood in my sparsely furnished living room.

He grabbed a sofa pillow and began ripping it to shreds. Feathers flew everywhere.

I stood there frozen.What the hell was his problem?

“No, I do not want water,” he gritted out.

I stared at him, shocked while he breathed hard, his face red with fury. I didn’t even want to question him. At this point, I just wanted him gone. He was like an angry toddler.

“Okay,” I said in a low voice.

He dropped the remnants of the pillow and rubbed his face vigorously.

“I don’t understand why the packs are leaving the compound,” he said. “Am I really such a horrible pack leader?”

“Of course not,” I lied, trying to appease him even though I knew he was wrong for not allowing the packs of the compound to be free.

Alphas were free to go wherever they wanted, but they had a set number of days and always needed to report at the checkpoint. On the other hand, omegas like me always needed an alpha to leave the city.

“Then tell me where the Crawford Pack is,” he demanded again.

“As I said, they’re on their honeymoon,” I repeated, terrified but holding my ground because I had no idea where they went.

His alpha scent of tobacco filled the air as he stalked toward me. I tried to move farther away, but my back hit theedge of the kitchen counter. Henry gripped my arm, and I gasped when he became physical.

This alpha was seriously losing his mind.

“Let us both hope you’re telling the truth because if I ever find out that you’re lying to me,” he hissed through gritted teeth.

“I swear I’m not. I don’t even know where they went,” I said, and something about my final answer seemed to appease him. He released my arm and nodded to his three guards.

Without another word, Henry and his guards left my house through the front door. I stood there for a second in pure shock before finally running over to lock it. I sagged against the door as I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself. I had just been on the phone with clients for my babysitting business before Henry showed up.

This afternoon had turned into a complete nightmare.

As I collapsed onto my squishy couch, I glanced around sadly at the feathers scattered across the floor. My place wasn’t great, with wear and tear everywhere. The dirty yellow wallpaper hung from the walls, was dotted with small holes. This apartment was the most affordable option I could find on my own until my business would take off. I tried to process everything that had just happened.

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