Page 15 of Venom Island
“Enrique!” Elias calls from the field, his gaze intense as he stares at the other Alpha. “I need your language skills.”
Enrique nods. “Be right there,” he says in a normal voice, then looks at me once more. “Eat, Caja. I won’t be pleased if I come back and find out you haven’t touched anything other than water. So please try, okay?”
I shiver, liking his subtle dominance. It’s reassuring in a way that pleases my wolf, making me long to obey him. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Enrique,” he corrects me. “Call me Enrique.”
“Yes… Enrique.”
He smiles. “Muy bien, pequeño tesoro,” he murmurs.Very good, little treasure.“I’ll be back to check on you in a bit.” He runs his knuckles down my cheek like he has a few times before, then pushes away to jog toward Elias.
I enjoy the view again.
Then I focus on the food, just like he requested.
And hope he returns soon.
Chapter 4
Enrique
Several Hours Later
“Your brother madeit to Andorra Sector okay,” Ander says as he walks toward me. “He’s currently sedated and in a padded room.”
I nod, a pang of guilt stabbing me in the gut.I should have gone with him.
Yet there wasn’t anything more I could do for him—or his mate—right now. And being here helping the others clean up my former sector felt better than sitting around, waiting for a doctor to update me on my brother’s feral condition.
I’m not even sure if he can be rehabilitated. Being there with him would force me to face that potential fate, which I’m just not ready to embrace. So if I’m being totally honest with myself, I stayed here as a distraction.
And perhaps for a certain little brunette with beautiful eyes,I admit, picturing Caja’s pretty face.
I checked on her an hour ago and found her sleeping in a makeshift nest made of blankets. The other Omegas in hergroup were in the nest with her, all of them resting. Exhaustion mingling with relief no doubt knocked them all out.
They likely won’t sleep well, but at least they’re feeling safe enough to relax for a bit.
I run my fingers through my hair and roll my neck, my muscles cracking along the way. It’s been a long few days.
Actually, no. It’s been a long fewyears.
Playing Carlos’s games for nearly a decade took a toll on my soul. But it was the only way to help my brother. The only way to try to protect his mate and her sister. The only way to beat the bastard at his own schemes.
Carlos was a mastermind, his penchant for chemicals and toxins borderline genius. Unfortunately, he used those talents for nefarious purposes.
To avoid being one of his victims, I pretended to enjoy his pastimes. He rewarded me with a mate, one who chose another over me. Which was fine. I only went along with the mating charade because I knew Carlos would send me Kari as a wedding gift. He thought I favored her among the other Omega playthings. In truth, I just wanted to save her. Because she was the sister of my twin’s mate.
Everything I did was with a purpose.
That purpose was finally fulfilled.
So what now?I wonder, glancing around the darkened field to the few remaining Omega groups left.Where do I go from here?
“You all right?” Ander asks, reminding me of his presence. Not that I could forget he stood a few feet away—his Alpha aura basically bled into my skin—but I was a little lost in my thoughts. In the past. The future.The unknown.
I clear my throat, debating how to answer him.
I could lie and say I’m fine.
