Page 17 of Venom Island
I shake my head. “They wouldn’t have been much use to them. I mean, you saw the state my brother’s in…” I trail off and clear my throat. “But if the Alpha in question offended a friend, perhaps Carlos would trade the Alpha away as recompense.However, seven is a high number.” And Carlos wasn’t one to give up his resources.
Unless he was tired of caring for those resources.
In which case…
“It’s possible he has them rotting somewhere,” I say, thinking aloud. “Somewhere he can’t smell them or hear them. Somewhere they can’t escape. But I have no idea where that would be. Maybe one of his many trading points. Or, more likely, in a place no one would ever think to visit.”
“That’s not helpful,” Ander mutters.
“I know. But that’s how Carlos worked—he never made anything easy.” Hence the intricate assault on Bariloche Sector. Carlos left traps everywhere, turning his lands into a literal minefield, one we navigated all the way to his compound.
Ander blows out a frustrated breath. “Well, maybe Riley can find out more from the Omegas, then.” He grimaces. “Assuming any of them can be woken up.”
“Some of the other Alphas may know, too,” I say. “Knowing Carlos, he tortured them with potential fates. Perhaps one of his former taunts will reveal where the missing Alphas are being kept.”
Ander nods. “All right.” He crosses his arms, his stance rivaling mine. “So tell me about this Omega you’re interested in.”
I arch a brow. “Who says I’m interested in an Omega?”
“Elias. And he’s an excellent judge of character. But we’ve started a new program in Andorra Sector that requires our Alphas to woo the Omegas, not just claim them. I hope that won’t be a problem for you.”
He says that last part like it’s a threat more than an explanation, making it clear that if I do have a problem with this, thenweare going to have a problem.
“Winter and Kari can vouch for my opinions on consent andwooing,” I inform him flatly. Although, I can’t help the twinge of sarcasm on the final word, because who sayswooing? Ander Cain, apparently.
“Hmm,” he hums. “You’re alive, so you must have treated both Omegas well. Otherwise, Kaz and my brother would have killed you by now.” There’s a hint of amusement underlining his tone, but I have a hard time believing he’s truly amused.
Something tells me Ander rarely finds humor in much of anything.
“Has she said where she wants to go yet?” he goes on, slightly changing topics. “Your Omega, I mean.”
“She’s not my Omega,” I correct him. “And no, I don’t believe she has.”
“That’s not what Elias said,” he drawls.
I frown. “She told him where she wants to go?”
“I was referring to thenot my Omegabullshit you just spewed,” he tells me, his expression now matching his amused tone.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Ander Cain can find humor in things.
“He said you practically shoved him out of the way when he tried to talk to her,” Ander goes on. “He was surprised you didn’t piss all over her, too.”
I roll my eyes. “Your Second exaggerates.”
“He does,” Ander agrees. “But as I said, he’s an excellent judge of character.”
I grunt. “We just met.”
“In my experience, that matters little to our wolves.”
Well, he’s right about that. My wolf sniffed Caja out in that cage, her scent immediately intriguing him. Then those pretty eyes found mine, and my world went sideways.
“You’re a good Alpha, Enrique,” Ander continues. “I’ll respect whatever decision you make regarding the Omega. Just make sure she agrees with said decision. It’ll make your life a lot easier.”
“That sounds like another statement driven by experience,” I tell him, ignoring his comment about me being agood Alpha. I’m not even sure what that means anymore.
“You have no fucking idea,” he mutters as a message populates the air over his wrist. “Dušan,” he says to me. “Shadowland Sector Alpha. I need to take this.”
