Page 18 of Pack Owned
“Right. Unless you’re hiding a grizzly, follow me,” he demands like he should know my place here. As if!
My stomach growls traitorously loud again. Great, now he knows I’m starving. I hate giving him even that small concession, but it’s been hours—at least—since I’ve had anything to eat. The thought of food, any food, sets my mouth watering, despite the dread coiling tight in my belly.
“Fine,” I snap, more out of spite than anything else.
In the kitchen, a plate sits on the battered old table, a sterile white slab with a sandwich sliced in half next to a glass of water like some sad parody of hospitality. My fingers itch to swipe it all onto the floor, to reject anything these Alphas offer, but my stomach rumbles in traitorous hunger, impossible to ignore.
Dane stands like a sentinel by the door, his stance rigid. “Eat,” he orders flatly, leaving no room for argument.
I eye the exit but already know it’s stupid for me to try to make a break for it with this Alpha watching me. Swallowing hard, I take a bite of the sandwich. No surprise that it’s dry and tasteless, sticking to the roof of my mouth. Even guzzling the water doesn’t help.
“Done?” Dane asks needlessly when I push the plate away, most of the food untouched. With a jerk of his head, he motions me into the living room.
The fireplace crackles with a small flame as the blond Alpha—Liam I think his name was—tends to it. His presence is like a force field tugging at me, even as my mind rails against the instinct to submit. This is the one who carried me from the bus wreck, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone so ruggedly built.
“Can I look around?” I shift from foot to foot, antsy. “Stretch my legs?”
Dane’s jaw tightens, but he gives a curt nod. “Don’t leave the cabin.”
Taking that as permission, I do a quick sweep of the rooms, half-hoping and half-dreading to find the others here, too. Only three tiny bedrooms and two bathrooms—no sign of Casey, Danica, or Jess. A twisted sense of relief washes over me that they aren’t being kept imprisoned like me, but worry for their fates gnaws at my gut.
When I return to the living room, I hover awkwardly. Do I just sit here and twiddle my thumbs? Try my luck again? Making a break for it is useless while outnumbered.
“Sit,” Dane commands, patting the couch beside him like I’m a dog being summoned.
Stifling a glare, I obey, dropping onto the worn cushion. For now. I let my gaze drift to the dancing flames as I calculate my next move. Wait for them to sleep, then run like hell into the night...
The door bangs open, and Ryker storms in, making me jump.
“Where the hell is Liam?” he bellows.
I recoil from his anger, and the old familiar knot tightens in my throat.
I can’t stand that even here, among these three strangers, what Gary tried to do to me still has control over me. I hate him.
“Chill, I’m right here.” Liam appears, shaking off his rain-damp jacket. A waft of damp earth and pine hits my nose as he enters. “Just did a perimeter check for our... guest.”
The tension in the room is thick enough to choke on it. These Alphas practically radiate power, yet my gaze darts between them, looking for weaknesses, openings to exploit.
“We need to talk. Outside.” Ryker’s tone brooks no argument. He throws me a dark look before heading out, Liam trailing behind him.
For a blessed few seconds, I’m alone. I strain to hear their muffled voices through the door.
“...not what we agreed on. And they increased the payment for her and the others. Double payment,” Ryker’s voice rumbles.
Oh, crap! I clap a hand over my mouth, muffling a gasp. They’re going to turn me into Nexus for a reward?
Liam says something, but I can’t make it out.
“Whose fault is that?” Ryker snaps.
A cold dread seeps through me.
“Our very own little Omega mate,” Liam says. “Can’t tell me you don’t feel that pull.”
I stumble back, knees shaking as his words sink in. Mate with these scumbags? Hell no. My grip tightens on the windowsill, keeping me upright. They’re just using me to get paid.
“Liam’s right,” Dane pipes up. “She’s our meal ticket outta this mess, like it or not.”
