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Tears sting my eyes, my body trembles, and I can’t suck in a solid breath. I feel so stupid. Why did I come up here? I should have screamed when we were still downstairs. It never occurred to me they would do this, lock me up until I gave in.
They have no idea what I’m capable of. Then I laugh because I’m trumped up like a stuffed pig, and I’m not going anywhere. I’m not capable of anything.
I just need to be rescued, and then I can wallow in how pathetic I am, getting myself tied up, failing to get the information that could help the other omegas. I’m not Ophelia. I’m not brave or strong.
But no matter how much the tears sting my eyes, they don't fall. And no matter how hard the ribbon digs in and the ropes bruise, I don’t stop struggling.
I am strong. Dammit, I put up with my mother for years! I did everything and it was never enough. I am fucking done!
I don't care what it does to my skin, I tug and pull, and it hurts like hell. I'm getting out of this. I am brave. I am strong. I can do this.
Taking a deep breath, I shimmy and flex, pulling my ankles to my teeth and start chewing through the ribbon. My ass is on display, and I'm flailing around like an idiot, but I don't care, I am getting out of this mess.
And that's how my mate finds me.
Chapter 33
Iggy
"Alright, Iggy, you win." Melanie shoves a tray into my hands and points to the pantry. "Go eat this in silence."
I look down at the tray of appetizers, cock an eyebrow, then look back at Mel. Her head tilts, and she's tapping her foot impatiently. When I paced the kitchen, it annoyed her. When I crowded the door to glimpse Imogen, it annoyed her.
To keep themselves busy, channeling their energy and worry for our mate, my brothers finally just started helping Melanie with the gig while she directed employees to prep, plate, and serve.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" I set the tray down on the table behind me.
"Eat something. Keep yourself busy. Stay out of the way."
I growl, not intending to scare her. I'm just frustrated. She softens, "Look, I know you're worried about her, but she's in a room full of other people. And she's with Phe."
As if she were summoned, Phe barges into the kitchen, frantically searching around. Red and Cass abandon their trays and crowd her.
"Where's Imogen? What the fuck Phe, you're supposed to be with her."
"Yeah, about that… you haven't seen her, have you?"
Phe's mates trail into the kitchen after her, and Sully pipes in. "Actually, I can't seem to find Stevens either.
"What?" My brothers and I shout. I spin on my heel to head out of the kitchen, but Red grabs my shirt. "Get the fuck off me," I shrug out of his grip.
"Think, Iggy. You're lookin' ragey, but we need to think."
"I'll think after I have eyes on her."
"I'm the only one they don't know, and I'm technically wearing a disguise. I'll go," Cass says. His hair is in a man bun, he shaved his beard, which does make him look different, and he's wearing the catering clothes and button-up vest, unlike Red and I, who couldn't be bothered to even put it on.
My fists clench, but I snap, "Hurry the fuck up."
Cass nods and disappears out the door, past the real caterers and staff. But he returns a minute later with Theo. "Stevens are here. I just saw them. No Imogen." Cass's face is tight. He's worried.
I'm fucking worried. I look back at Sully. "Were they gone at the same time?" Turning to Phe, without giving him a chance to answer, I ask, "Would she have gone to look without you?"
Phe shakes her head. "No, I don't think so. I got caught up talking to Fletcher. I'm sorry, Iggy. It's been like twenty minutes since I last saw her. We looked all through the party, I checked the bathrooms…"
Something doesn't feel right. "We need to ask Stevens where the fuck Imogen went." I turn back to the door. Fuck the plan. I need eyes on my mate.
Red grabs my shoulder again, "Wait. Man, think. If you storm out there, they'll just kick you out."
