Page 56 of Omega Inked

"But they're not the only ones there. Liam and Phoenix...they're untested. New to our operation. I don't think they'll..."

I stop listening.

I can't take this.

I turn away from the bar and scan the room, looking for anyone who might be able to help me. But the cantina is full of rough-looking men and women, most of whom are armed. I don't stand a chance against them. I'm just a little rich girl omega who's in way over her head.

Then...something shifts.

It's like I canfeelmy pack again--closer than they were before, closer by the second. My heart races as I shove myself out of my seat and race toward the door, leaving an unfinished beer as the door swings shut behind me.

A few people have gathered near the lift to the docks when I get closer, including Lex, the receptionist from the tattoo parlor. I grab her by the shoulder and she glances back at me from where she looks out at the sea.

"Is it them?" I ask, breathless.

She nods. "Yeah...we just got the message. They're on their way back, no casualties."

Relief washes over me like a tidal wave, and my knees go weak as I lean against the wall. The tears come fast and hard, the pent-up emotions of the last few days breaking free.

Lex puts an arm around me, holding me steady. "It's okay, honey," she murmurs. "They're coming back. You'll see them soon."

Without a word, I push my way past Lex and towards the docks. The sea air is cool against my skin as I watch the boat come into view. I can see them now, standing at the front of the boat, their arms around each other, looking exhausted but whole.

I break into a run, my heart pounding in my chest as I finally reach the edge of the dock. Phoenix is the first to see me, and a smile spreads across his face.

"Hey, beautiful," he calls out to me as the boat pulls up to the dock. "Did you miss us?"

I don't say anything, just launch myself into his outstretched arms. He catches me easily, holding me tightly to his chest, and the place where he tattooed me earlier burns--but I don't care.

Liam is there a second later, throwing his arms around me--and when I pull back, I see Mercer with a smile on his face. There's a group of omegas behind them, their scent dulled by suppressants, and my eyes widen when I recognize the little brunette in their midst.

"Jade!" I cry.

She breaks away from the others, running towards me with tears streaming down her face. She looks a little worse for wear, her face bruised and her clothes stained with blood and grime. Still...she's okay.

She's okay.

"I can't believe it," I say, hugging her tightly. "I thought you were gone."

"I thought I was too," she says, her voice trembling. "But they came for us. Your pack, they saved us."

I turn to look at Phoenix, Liam, and Mercer, my heart swelling with pride. They did it. They saved Jade and the others. They're heroes.

"Wait," I say, my brow furrowing. "Where's Kendra?"

Phoenix's smile fades, his expression turning somber. He gestures for us to follow him off the dock and towards the Raft's main building. I walk with my pack, my heart pounding with fear.

"What happened?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mercer takes a deep breath before answering, his voice low and serious. "Kendra was...she didn't make it out with us. She stayed on the train."

I stop in my tracks, shock and grief washing over me. The words don't make sense. Kendra was supposed to be safe with the rest of the omegas. She was supposed to be coming back with them.

"How?" I manage to ask, my throat tight with emotion.

"They had her in a separate car," Liam says. "And we were outnumbered. As far as I know, she's on her way to the auction house. I'm sorry...we wanted to save her, but it could have put us all at risk."

I feel the tears streaming down my face as I try to process what they're telling me. Kendra, my friend, is gone. Taken to some auction house where she'll be sold like a piece of meat. The thought makes my stomach churn.

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