Page 19 of Pack Owned
Bile burns my throat. To them, I’m nothing but a commodity to pay off debts. I lean in, desperate to catch more, when a loud clatter makes me flinch. A small ornament lies shattered on the floor from the windowsill.
Dane returns first, his gaze flicking around the room before settling on me.
“Don’t try anything stupid, Omega.” The edge is still there in his tone, but it’s softened a fraction.
I glare back but stay put. For now.
Liam enters, followed by Ryker stomping inside. Scraps of their conversation are on auto-repeat in my head—something about me being their ticket out, their “meal ticket.”
Escape.
It’s the only option before they try to sell me off, like yesterday’s news. My skin prickles with unease just being in the same room as these Alphas. And Ryker’s icy glare could chip diamonds.
“Fuck,” I mutter through clenched teeth, hands twisting the hem of my shirt. Every fiber of my being screams run, but there’s nowhere to go except maybe through the damn wall. I could hide in one of the bedrooms, but they all have freaking bars on the windows like this is prison.
I need to run as soon as I effin can. Just gotta play it cool and wait until their guard lowers.
“You do what we tell you, got that Omega?”
“Easy there, Ryker,” Liam throws over his shoulder with a smirk.
I manage a shaky laugh as his gaze flicks to me. Is he seriously trying to play Mr. Smooth right now? I lock eyes with him, schooling my features into a mask of indifference. Praying he doesn’t see the panic clawing its way up my throat.
Just play it cool, Kayla. Wait for an opening... if there is one.
No, I can’t think like that. I’ve survived Stepdouche all this time. I can survive this.
A heavy silence descends. I can practically feel the hostility radiating off the Alphas in waves, feeling as though it would knock me off my feet if I wasn’t already sitting down.
Ugh, so much for Nexus. I had thought they were my ticket away from Gary and his groping hands.
I grip the edge of the sofa, knuckles white. Stay alert. Stay alive. When a chance to bolt comes, I’ll take it or die trying.
“My turn for babysitting duty.” Liam plops onto one of the recliners beside the couch. His scent—sandalwood and sea breeze—washes over me, instinctively calling to something primal I have to tamp down hard.
There has to be a way to drive a wedge between them, play them against each other. Divide and conquer. In these Alphas’ games, I’m the wildcard they never expected.
“So, Kayla...” He leans back, eyes raking over me in a way that makes me want to squirm.
He must read the shock on my face because he chuckles. “We received pictures of you and the other missing Omegas along with their names and basic information. But I want to know more about you. Tell me about yourself.”
I shrug, laying on thick. “Oh, you know, the usual Omega Institute delights… reading, writing, mastering the art of being a perfectly obedient little doll.”
He arches one eyebrow skeptically. “That so? Yeah, I don’t buy that act. You don’t exactly scream ‘model student’ to me.”
Keeping my face impassive takes effort. “What can I say? I’m a model student.”
“Somehow, I doubt that’s the full story.” His gaze is penetrating, trying to see right through me.
I meet his gaze head-on, my voice dripping with mock sincerity. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’m about as thrilling as watching paint dry.”
A low chuckle escapes him, sending shivers crawling down my spine despite myself. “We’ll see about that, Kayla.”
The door creaks open before I can fire back a witty retort. Ryker fills the doorway, and my silly heart thumps harder in my chest. He throws a pile of clothes at me with a grunt.
“Clean up. Your scent is giving me a migraine.”
I snag the clothes, my eyes flashing daggers. These Alphas may think they have me cornered, but they are so wrong.
