Page 19 of Captive Beta

“Breathe. Breathe. You’re safe.” The cedar-scented guy touches my cheek, surrounding me in even more of his pheromones. “You’re safe.”

I shake my head. No, we’re not safe. Not at all.

The Hearts could be here at any moment, and if they find out who they are, they’re…

They’re…

My stomach rolls and this time, it keeps rolling.

I turn away and my stomach empties itself. Though it doesn’t give any relief.

Fuck…

Honey scent surrounds me and I start perfuming, not able to control my emotions, not able to not react to my mate, to my Omega. My pheromones aren’t as strong as those of an Alpha or an Omega, but I still have them and I can’t help not trying to mix them with hers.

Vera touches my hand, her skin warm, or am I simply cold? “Where are the kids? Are they safe?” Her voice is insistent, tense.

“Kids?” The guy with cedar pheromones seems confused.

“Yes. They were transporting a group of kids here.” She tugs on my hand, waiting until I look at her. The blood on her face is now streaked, like she tried to wipe it off, and she’s only in her underwear, the dress discarded on the floor behind her. She doesn’t seem to care about any of it, all her focus on me and on the kids.

When I finally meet her gaze, it’s soft, worried. “Where are they?”

I point to the door that I put the chair against. “They’re safe.”

“Good.” She seems to relax some, turning to the second guy who came inside. “We’ll need a car. We can’t leave them here.”

The guy nods, raising his phone, like he’s ready to call someone.

“You have to leave.” My voice squeaks. “Right now. If they find you here…”

They can’t.

They really can’t.

I can be without them, but only if they’re still alive. I can’t have their death on my conscious.

“They?” Vera frowns. “You mean the Hearts?”

I nod. Trying to push at her shoulder.

She needs to leave.

She can’t stay here!

“Are they coming to pick you up?” Her voice is insistent and she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to get up and get out of here.

I nod again, more frantic.

“When?” The cedar guy stands up, looking around, calculations running through his head.

“I don’t know. Only the guards know.” I look to the two bodies on the floor. I don’t think we’ll be getting any information out of them any time soon.

“We can’t wait for backup from the house. I’ll call in some favours from people in the city. Just as protection until the others are here.” He kneels, his hand warm on my shoulder. “We’ll make sure nothing happens to you or the kids.”

This isn’t about me. I don’t care what happens to me.

I open my mouth, trying to form a sentence, but nothing comes out.

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