Page 18 of Unhinged
“I think it’s the scent. It’s overpowering, man. It’s taking everything in me not to do the same.” His eyes dart nervously, and I understand his struggle. The scent is a heady mix of jasmine and oranges—intoxicating and almost too strong.
“Let’s go.” I head down the stairs, my own pulse quickening as the scent envelops me. It’s confusing; the beta we’ve got here smells so much like an omega, it’s messing with my instincts. This isn’t right. She’s got a kid—she’s not omega-like at all.
Entering the basement, I see her tied to the chair still, but Arrow is pacing back and forth behind her like a madman. His eyes are wide and he’s pulling at his hair; he looks insane.
Acid gasps and I turn to look at him. He’s staring at her too, but his eyes hold sadness and shock. What the fuck is happening right now?
“Mom!” the kid screams, ripping his arm away from me and running to her.
“I’m alright, baby. Don’t worry about me,” she soothes him. Her eyes, however, are wild, darting between her child and us.
“Alright, you saw your kid, and he’s fine, so tell me what I want to know!” I snap.
“Ease up, Gears!” Acid growls, and I turn, scowling at him. How dare he undermine me in front of someone.
The beta’s voice quivers as she adds, “He’s got a bruise on his wrist.” Her gaze shifting to the boy as she rubs her thighs together in an anxious gesture.
“Mom, tell them whatever they wanna know. You need to go home and take your meds,” the kid begs.
“What medicine?” I ask.
“None of your business,” she gasps, narrowing her eyes.
“She takes blockers. She’s an omega,” the kid snaps, unwrapping the rope from around her ankles.
The revelation hits me like a ton of bricks. I freeze, staring at the two of them.
“An omega?” Arrow’s stance becomes rigid, and his eyes widen.
“So, what, the Alpha Slayer is your alpha? You’re protecting the kid’s dad. That’s respectable, but my offer still stands. Tell us who the Slayer is, and you two are free to go.” I try to keep my tone firm, but inside, the pieces are falling into place.
If she’s bonded to the Slayer, of course, she wouldn’t be willing to talk. I didn’t see a bond mark, but they’re not always in visible locations. Still, it means we’ve kidnapped, and Acid has slapped around an alpha serial killer’s child and omega.
This complicates things immensely.
“No. I said if he had one mark, the deal was off,” she growls.
“Mom!” the kid yells at her and my brows shoot up at him scolding her.
“Stay out of it, Judge. This is between me and them. It’s gonna be okay.”
I take a few steps toward her, but her son stands in front of her, eyes wide and ready to defend his mom.
“Nice try, pipsqueak. Your mom and I had a deal, and she’s going back on it. That can’t stand.”
“At least take him upstairs, so he doesn’t have to see this,” she pants.
I nod to Acid, who hesitates for a moment before moving toward the kid. He darts out of the way, positioning himself behind her chair, his arms tightly wrapped around her.
“Arrow,” I bark, needing his help to manage the situation, but he doesn’t move. He just stares at me, shaking his head slowly.
“I can’t. How do you not notice?” Arrow whispers as he leans against the wall, running his hands over his face.
Acid reaches for the kid again, lifting him up, but the child’s scream pierces the air. “She’s the Alpha Slayer! My mom is the killer!”
I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. There ain’t no way this tiny woman is the Slayer, let alone an omega at that.
“Judge. Baby, you know?” she asks, a tear rolling down her cheek as her words falter.
