Page 32 of Reckless Consequences

“And Aria’s network of rescued Omegas,” Theo contributes.

“Quinn’s military connections,” Ryker includes.

The list continues, each addition strengthening my initial calculation: we aren’t just five individuals anymore. We’re the center of something larger—a network of interconnected variables that Sterling never accounted for in his equations.

“Seven days,” I say, focus returning to our timeline, the constraint creating clarity rather than limitation. “We have seven days to destroy everything Roman Sterling has built and ensure he can never rebuild it.”

For Theo, it’s about protecting other omegas from being commodified. For Ryker, it’s about preventing militarized designation warfare. For Jinx, it’s about destroying the system that tried to cage his chaos. For Cayenne, it’s about stopping her father from weaponizing her own biology against her.

And for me? It’s all of these, and something mathematically improbable yet empirically certain: it’s about defending the sum that has become greater than its parts. Defending pack.

Cayenne’s hand finds mine, our fingers interlacing perfectly. “Are you strong enough for this?”

The question carries multiple layers—concern for my physical recovery, awareness of the virus still dormant in my system, recognition of the complex task ahead. But beneath it all lies the more fundamental question: Are we, together, sufficient for this task?

My answer comes from something deeper than numbers and probabilities:

“Yes.”

Because this is what Sterling fundamentally misunderstood in all his genetic manipulation and designation engineering. He saw designations as isolated variables to be controlled and commodified. He calculated outcomes based on biological imperatives and evolutionary advantages, missing the critical factor that transforms his equations from correct to catastrophically wrong.

He never accounted for what happens when those systems choose to integrate—Alpha and Beta, Omega and Alpha, all combinations flowing into something greater than the sum of their parts.

He never accounted for pack.

And that will be his ultimate miscalculation.

Chapter9

Cayenne

“Five days,”Finn says, his voice steady and sure. “We have five days to destroy everything Roman Sterling has built.”

Five days. 120 hours. The countdown to humanity’s freedom ticking in my head.

My fingers remain interlaced with his, that strange new intimacy we’re all still adjusting to. His eyes flicker to our joined hands briefly—long enough to confirm he feels it too—bonds stronger than they’ve ever been, pack connections flowing between us with startling intensity.

“If we’re staying here to plan,” Ryker says, eyes already checking exit points and defensive positions, “we need supplies. Food, medical, tactical.”

“And better tech,” I add, glancing at my laptop with obvious disappointment. “This setup is barely handling the encryption on Sterling’s files.”

Jinx stretches, arms reaching overhead, his shirt riding up to reveal a strip of toned stomach and the edge of claiming marks disappearing beneath his waistband. I want to lick that trail of marks right down to where they vanish under denim, taste the salt of his skin mixed with the wild pine of his scent.

“I’ll check the perimeter, set up new security measures.” His eyes meet mine with wicked amusement. “Also, Glitch, might want to block your emotions a bit better through the pack bond. Your...appreciation of my stretching just broadcasted to everyone.”

Heat floods my face as I realize he’s right—the new bonds are raw, unfiltered, transmitting emotion and sensation with embarrassing clarity.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Finn says, humor lighting his eyes despite his level tone. “It’s perfectly natural. Though perhaps we should discuss establishing some mental boundaries.”

“Or not,” Theo suggests, mischief playing at the corners of his mouth. “I rather enjoy feeling what makes our Beta’s heart race.”

“Can we please focus on not starving to death before we save the world?” I redirect, though I can’t quite suppress my own smile. “The pantry has three protein bars and half a bag of coffee. That’s it.”

Finn immediately reaches for a notebook. “We need provisions for five adults for five days, plus additional supplies for any tactical operations.”

“I can work with whatever you bring,” Theo offers. “But I’ll need actual ingredients if you want anything better than survival rations.”

Ryker nods once, decisively. “Cayenne and I will make a supply run. Jinx secures the perimeter. Finn and Theo inventory what we have and create a comprehensive list of what we need.”

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