Page 31 of Dark Revolution

Chapter 10

Annora

I easemy way across the cold tile, gripping onto whatever will help hold me up. Though I’m grateful for the chance to change into some clothes, what I really would love is a hot soak. If I were at home, I’d climb into my shower and let the jets pummel my broken body until I managed to resemble a human once more.

Stopping at the sink, I force myself to look in the mirror, knowing full well what horror show awaits me. I don’t let my gaze waver as I slide one side of the cloak off and then the other until I’m completely bare. I need to know the damage so I know how best to treat it. Lifting my wrist, I stare down at the strange symbol, knowing it represents who I am, but it’s still not me.

A sob lodges in my throat as I crumple to the ground. Agony blossoms through my body as I crawl my way over to a wall so I can prop up against it. Just that small bit of movement feels like way too much. I draw my knees to my chest and rest my head as I rock back and forth. I can’t even check on Karis. Will my new Alpha even let me message her?

Fuck. I told her not to bring her datacom. Even if I wanted to, there would be no way. The only hope would be to try and get to the enclave myself? But that would still be a lot of moving parts. Wringing my hands for a moment, I think through my limited options. Gods damn being a female. It doesn’t matter if I am omega or beta, we are still slaves to our masters.

Every day I had kept an ear out, pushing past my pain to see if Karis’ name ever popped up in conversation. It didn’t, but that doesn’t mean anything. She has enough suppressants with her that she should last a good month or so, but I’m fairly sure the enclave won’t allow any outside food. Gods, I hope it even exists. I’ve only heard rumors of it, but anywhere is safer than here.

My thoughts are a jumbled mess, and I don’t know how to even start unraveling them. In the very center, making up the core, is my new owner. So far, he hasn’t forced himself onto me, but I know it’s just a matter of time. Langston can’t be around forever. Tremors flow through my body, and I wrap myself tighter, forcing the scary thoughts at bay. Nothing good will come over panicking. I have to think.

Being in this bathroom is the perfect spot because there’s enough of his scent to calm me a bit, but not so much to overwhelm me and remove my ability to think. The fact that anything about him soothes me is irritating beyond belief. He’s the enemy, no better than Caulder. It doesn’t matter that his purr reverberated deep inside me, shifting things until my world narrowed down to him.

It must be Alpha sorcery. Nothing else can explain my reaction to him. My body tries to tell me he’s safe, but there’s no way that can be true. Even Langston, if provoked, will probably turn on me. The only solution is to escape and possibly reach the enclave myself. With Karis there, it won’t be so bad.

Biting down on my lower lip, I force back a sob as pain races through my muscles when I move. I have to fight past the discomfort. I have to get dressed. Taking in deep breaths, I keep repeating my mission until it’s done. Put on the shirt. That’s all I have to do. Just put on the shirt. Glancing down, I notice there aren’t any chest bindings, but that’s okay. I don’t plan to be where Alphas can see me.

Agony floods my system, firing along every nerve as I slide my arms and head through the holes. The fit is a little snug but covers everything it needs to. Now, just put on the pants. Breathe and put on the pants. This part isn’t as hard. Once I get my feet in the holes, I’m able to lie down, letting the cool tile ease some of the soreness as I wriggle the cloth over my hips.

Both Alphas converse at the door, their voices getting louder every minute. They must be getting closer, waiting to hear if I need their help or not. More than likely, they’re waiting to catch me off guard before pouncing. By now, I know the Alpha mind intimately. They think they’re coy and clever, masking their baser desires with offers of help and false chivalry, but it all comes down to one thing for them - the one thing I can never give anyone, much less an Alpha dog.

The pants are tight around my hips, the fabric biting into both old and new wounds. It’s almost soothing, like being swaddled, but I probably won’t get too far in them. They’re too tight to let me run if needed, so I’ll have to find something else. Groaning, I force the pants down, crying out as it scrapes against my legs and hips.

Silence.

At my sounds of distress, both Alphas stop talking. Fuck. I can’t let them come in here. Not yet. Frantic, my eyes dart about the bathroom. There’s got to be something I can make into a skirt.

“Annora. You okay in there? Do you need me to help you?”

My Alpha’s voice rumbles through the door, stirring up something deep inside of me. Squirming, I slide away from it, forcing my brain to cut off anything positive as he keeps speaking. It’s not like Caulder. Caulder’s voice had a higher-pitched, whiny edge to it. My Alpha’s voice booms like a male.

Shaking my head, I tiptoe over to a few cabinets. I can’t refer to him as mine. He’s not. No one can own an Alpha, and that’s the problem. They can own me - hell, even a sanctioned beta male could own me - but as an omega, I can’t own anything or anyone. A tear splashes onto the back of my hand as I struggle with the door.

I need to open it but keep it quiet. A loud pounding at the door kickstarts my heart, freezing me for a moment. “Annora, answer me. Are you all right? Are you hurt?” The words are laced with a growl. It’s not feral or unleashed like Caulder, but the order is there plain as day. Falling to my knees, I huddle into myself as I answer him. “I’m fine, my Lord Alpha. I’m just moving slowly. No need to assist me.”

I’m close enough to the door that I can hear his ragged breath on the other side. What does this mean? Is he angry? Aroused? Fear fills my veins, giving me the burst of adrenaline I need to finish the job. Now that I’m no longer trembling like a small flower in a rainstorm, the cabinet door opens easily. No doubt he’ll smell the change even though I try desperately to hide it.

It’s not just towels in here, but linens of all kinds. Praise Ilaria! Grabbing a sheet from the pile, I glance around the bathroom and pick up some pins and other clamps to hold it together. It’s not the prettiest thing, but this sheet now sits on my body like a loose pair of pants, giving me the room I need to maneuver.

His bulk slides back from the door, scraping against the aged wood. Both Alphas are talking again, no longer paying attention to what I’m doing. It’s what I need to put my plan into action. The large window next to the sink is low enough that I should be able to crawl through and get away to safety without much issue. My only prayer is there are no bushes or plants to impede my escape.

I slip the latch off and pause, listening again for the Alphas. They’re still talking, which means I haven’t set off any weird alarms or anything. Taking a deep breath, I use the bulk of my remaining strength to push the window open, freezing as it sends out an obnoxious screech into the air. No need for an alarm, this piece of shit window just told on me without needing any of that. There’s no way they didn’t hear.

The pounding resumes, and I continue pushing at the glass. No point in stopping now. “Annora. Annora answer me. Get away from that window.”

Loud thumps as their bodies slam against the door spur me into action. The window itself doesn’t want to budge any further, but I can crawl through if I can get the opening a little wider. Pain blossoms across every available surface of my body as I push and shove against the glass. I don’t care how much it hurts; freedom will be worth it.

The door splinters behind me as the glass gives way, sending me toppling over the side. My shriek of alarm is cut short as two powerful arms scoop me up before I can even touch the ground. Fury rolls off of my Alpha in thick waves, nearly choking me on the acrid stench. “Please.” I reach up, sliding my fingers across the expanse of his chest. “I -.”

“Save it,” he growls, hoisting me up higher into his arms so that I’m firmly planted against his chest. Despite the anger emanating off of him, there’s still that soft, solid purr. Unable to resist, I bury my face into his clothes, inhaling his spicy, masculine scent. How could I have been so stupid?

Once we’re inside, he slams the door shut and passes me off to Langston. The displeasure in his gaze is enough to make me wither inside. It’s the disappointment under all the anger that guts me, but what was I supposed to do? Langston sits down, keeping his arms locked around me in an immovable embrace.

“What the fuck were you thinking, Annora,” Langston scolds me. This time, my Alpha lets him, pausing just long enough to glower at me as he scoops up some belongings. “You realize Caulder is probably looking for you. Do you really want to give him that opportunity? I thought you were smarter than that.”