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“Quiet,” Virgilhissed.

We went silent as the two alphas strode down the hall towards us. Virgil stood tall and self-assured.

“Gunner, sir,” he greeted the otheralpha.

“Delta here told me there was a disturbance at this omega compound,” Gunner said casually, looking from Virgil to us. “Isthistrue?”

“I’m not sure what he meant bydisturbance, sir. I’ve handled the situation,” Virgilreplied.

A scowl crossed Delta’s face. “He was sneaking around in the middle of the night with theomega.”

“As I told you before, it was part of a rigorous training exercise to help our new alpha soldier,David.”

Delta looked like he wasn’t sure whether to believe that or not. He turned to Gunner, waiting for his opinion like a lost puppy. I wanted to rollmyeyes.

“I see,” Gunner said. “How is David’s training going, bytheway?”

All eyes turned to me. I didn’t wince against the pressure. Knowing I had to protect Niko, and that I had Virgil on my side, I felt more powerful than ever since I first arrived in ScarletRidge.

“It’s going well,”Isaid.

Gunner smiled. God, he was ugly. “Good. I’m sure Virgil has taughtyouwell.”

I caught Delta’s frown out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly I felt smug that he was praising Virgil right in frontofhim.

“Well,” Gunner said, turning to Delta. “I don’t see anything amiss here. Thank you for wastingmytime.”

Delta looked mortified. I forced myself not tolaugh.

“But, while I’m here…” Gunner turned to Niko, who instantly froze like a deer in headlights. “I’d like to have a little talk with this omega.Alone.”

Alone? Myheartsank.

“Yes, sir,” Virgil said with a stiff nod. I caught his eye, but his expression revealed nothing about his emotional state. As much as it hurt, I knew I had to do the same. I couldn’t let Gunner use my affection for Nikoagainsthim.

I said nothing as Gunner strode confidently past me towards Niko. I watched Niko shrink under the topalpha’sgaze.

“Come with me,” Gunner saidtohim.

I bit my tongue. There was nothing I could say. Not right now. Virgil stared at me, hard, confirming that I had to stay put and mind mymanners.

Niko’s gaze met my own. Pain clawed at my heart. We were being separated once more, and once again, there wasn’t anything I could doaboutit.