Page 11 of Dark Revolution

I can’t even see the Alpha that’s tormenting me, but I hear the sneer of derision in his tone. “Please, my Lord Alpha. I would request you remain seated so that I may serve you. I am here to see to your pleasure.” The stench of alcohol overwhelms me as yet another Alpha slides up behind.

Panic races through my bloodstream, standing every hair on end. Nothing is more dangerous than a drunk Alpha. Before I can move, a pair of hands grab my arms, yanking me backward until I slam against a firm set of abs. They ripple against me as this second Alpha laughs and drags me towards the rowdy group.

Once I’m out from under the tray, the first Alpha’s face comes into view, and everything stops. I can’t breathe; I can’t speak. My vision blurs as I stare up at him. It’s the Alpha from earlier. He stares down at me, eyes sliding up and down my form only to settle back onto my face. Maybe he’s already too drunk to realize it’s me.

Even though I wore a costume, there’s still a chance that something might spark in his memory. How many tiny betas are there, really? I’m mentally kicking myself as he sets down the tray and stalks forward. Desperation claws at my chest as I find myself sandwiched between two Alphas. With my respirator in place, I can’t smell the pheromones they’re exuding, but I don’t have to.

Sexual aggression rolls off of them in waves as they skim their callused hands over my arms. Goosebumps explode over my body as they continue their perusal, never touching anything they shouldn’t, but coming close enough to call my virtue into question if the wrong person sees.

“Please.” My voice squeaks, and I swallow, prepared to try again. “I -.”

“You look familiar.”

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Are you one of the normal girls here?”

“My Lord Alpha, I am a server that works here fairly often. Please. I am pristine. I must ask that you stop touching me before we both get into trouble.”

“Pristine? Working here? I doubt that.” His words rumble against my body, and nausea rises up my throat. The only thing I have left is my honor. Without that, I’m nothing. I twist about in the grasp of the Alpha behind me, but he holds firm.

Again, the stranger from today looks at me with an intensity I wish to hide from, but he doesn’t let me. Instead, he grabs my chin in between his thumb and forefinger and stares deep into my eyes. Did I put in a different pair? Does he suspect it’s me? After a moment, his eyes widen, and my heart plummets. He does recognize me.

Leaning forward, he runs his nose up the column of my neck, actively scenting me. “You smell different, Renegade.”

“My Lord Alpha, please -.”

“Don’t, ‘My Lord Alpha’ me, beta. I know exactly who you are. Shall I drag you to the council now and reveal to them your crimes? Or shall I extract payment for my silence here?” His fingers curl around my breast, digging in until all I can think about is pain. No man has touched me there, let alone hurt me in this way.

Tears well up in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I can’t do anything to trigger a potential blood lust. Going limp, I drag my brain away from what’s happening to my body, distancing myself until the pain is nothing more than a ripple of discomfort. “I’m pristine,” I croak out, choking on unshed tears. “I swear it!”

“Caulder, Derek, unhand that beta.”

My tormentor draws back, eyes flashing as the simmering rage becomes apparent. “She’s not pristine. There’s no way.”

“Caulder.” The mysterious voice is closer now, a violent growl lacing his words. “You will step away from the beta. There is an easy way to ascertain the truth. If she is found lying, you may resume, but you both know the law intimately. Let. Her. Go.”

The two Alphas separate, leaving me swaying in the gap between them. Another Alpha, swathed in a long, red cloak, reaches out his hand and motions for me to step forward. A High Echelon Alpha in the flesh. Not just any High Echelon Alpha, though, but the man that rules them all - Varnack. Trembling, I make my way towards him, my brain racing with arguments and counter-arguments.

If the Alpha Caulder reveals how he knows me, will I have to defend myself here? Or will they allow me a proper trial? The smirk on Caulder’s face sends a frisson of fear down my spine. He gloats like he’s already won, like he can already taste my blood upon his lips. I’m so deeply entrenched in my own thoughts and worries that I miss the table sitting in front of the plush couch.

“Strap her down.”

“My Lord High Echelon Varnack. Please. Don’t do this!”

He sneers down at me, his eyes narrowing to slits. “You dare address a member of the High Echelon, beta?”

“Please!” My pained cries fall on deaf ears as the two Alphas grab me again and place me on the table. Cold metal pins my wrists to the smooth, glassy wood, and I lose all sense of self-preservation.

Even if they end up killing me, I can’t let them defile me without a fight. I kick my legs out, sending the edge of my dress creeping up, revealing an expanse of pale skin. With my arms immobile, Caulder and Derek turn the table like it weighs no more than a sheet of paper until my head faces the rest of the club, and my legs face the window.

As if it was choreographed, a line of Guardian Alphas come into view, blocking the other partiers from the nefarious actions just feet away from them. I thrash about, fear making me move. No one would know if they killed me right now. With the barricade of Alphas, no one would dare encroach on this scene and save me.

“That’s right, little beta. Cry for me.” Caulder slides the tip of his tongue up my cheek, following the trail of salty tears, lapping at it as if it were a delicacy. Try as I might, I can’t hold them back. They flow in earnest as Derek fastens my ankles down to where all I can do is move my hips back and forth in a desperate attempt to free myself.

“Settle.” A warm hand settles over my stomach, rendering me unable to move anymore as the High Echelon Alpha makes his way towards my splayed legs. I attempt to draw my knees up, closing off access, but Derek stops them from moving.

Inch by inch, the hem of my dress slides up until it pools about my waist, leaving me in just my undergarments. Keening wails gurgle out of my throat, only to be silenced by Caulder’s hand pressing hard against my lips.