Page 33 of Dark Revolution

We are both broken, my Alpha and I, but maybe together we can forge a new life, one without pain or misery. It’s a dream, I know, but even lowly omegas are allowed to dream. I step into his pants, fighting back a soft moan as the abrasive fabric brushes against my skin. They’re baggy enough that I can pull them on without too much discomfort, but it doesn’t stop the wounds from crying out.

Frowning, he watches me, fingers poised like he’s about to take over, but he still lets me do it. He gives me the dignity of dressing myself. Once pulled up around my hips, Jaxxon brings his hands to the front of his own pants and fiddles with the belt. For a moment, my brain fuzzes as memories of another belt and another set of hands flood my mind.

He’s not Caulder. Besides, with Langston in the room, he wouldn’t dare touch me; at least I pray that’s the case. One by one, the belt clears the loops, and for a brief second, I wonder if he’ll ever use that on me. I’ve heard of children being taken in hand with their father’s belt, but I’m not a child, and Jaxxon is for sure not my father. I’m not sure if that really means anything, though, since he did take me over his lap.

Heat infuses my cheeks as I take a moment to study his hands. They’re so strong and sure as they grip the leather. Sucking my bottom lip in between my teeth, I look up at him, my breath catching in my chest at his molten gaze. Before I can break the spell, he steps closer to me, gripping my hips as he draws me to him.

My eyes are locked with his as he threads his belt through the loops on my pants, each scrape of the leather over the fabric clawing at my insides until my panting breaths fill the space in between us. I have no clue what’s happening here, but I don’t want to leave this moment. For the first time in years, I feel safe. With Jaxxon, I know no one will harm me, not even himself. Pulling the leather through the buckle, he cinches it tight, jerking on it hard until the band is flush against my waist.

“There. These pants aren’t going anywhere now.” His head dips low until his lips are a breath away from mine. Is he going to kiss me? Do I want him to? Yes! My body screams out for his, begging him to take me, to teach me what it means to be an omega, but my brain can’t relent. I can’t get past the events of the last week or so. My body wants everything now, but my mind and heart beg me to reconsider.

Millimeter by millimeter, he drops lower, and my body soars. It’s going to happen. My first kiss. The scent of his breath washes over me, infusing with the heat from his body. My head swims as he engulfs me in him. Closing my eyes, I tilt up my lips, granting him a silent invitation to kiss me. It never comes. I ease one eye open and stare up at him, scowling at the playful smirk tilting his lips.

Why all that buildup for nothing? He pulls his hand back, and my body follows, yanked forward by his movements. Glancing down, I note the silver chain locked onto the belt. That mother fucker. I grip the metal in my hands and tug, knowing it won’t break, but needing to try. I guess he was serious when he said he wasn’t going to leave my side.

“All in good time, Annora.” My name is just a whisper on his lips, but they slam into me like a gale. “Your mind and body are broken. After I heal you, then I’ll fuck every inch of you until any other male that touched you is nothing more than a nightmare.”

Langston clears his throat, turning back to face us. “Been here far too long. We must get you to a safe house soon.”

Fear floods my system, dispelling the cocoon of arousal he was weaving around me. For just a moment, I was able to forget. Jaxxon shut my mind down until nothing but his voice, the heat of his skin, and the intensity of his gaze surrounded me, shoving everything else out. Scooping me into his arms, Jaxxon follows Langston out, both of them studying the pathways before us.

“We have to go back to the Dead Lands. It’s the only place they won’t come for us.”

No. Not there. I can’t go back there. That’s where all of this started.Gripping the front of Jaxxon’s shirt, I lift up my gaze to his, pleading with him in unspoken words. His lips thin as he slides his hand up to cup my head and lay me against his chest. Again, his purr goes deep into my body, leaving me limp in his arms. I can’t fight him when he does this.

I want to slam my fist against his chest and demand he takes me back to my house, but I’m overpowered by the strong purr vibrating my insides, loosening my muscles until I’m slack in his arms. “I know your fears, little omega, but know this. They will have to kill me to ever get to you. I will not allow another Alpha the chance at bringing you harm. Trust me.”

Trust him. As if I have a choice. As if an omega has any choice. Frustrated tears pool in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I’m done crying. I’m done being weak. I may be an omega because of my designation, but there’s nothing in my genetic code forcing me to remain helpless. Jaxxon may think he’s doing the right thing in keeping me locked up, but all he’s doing is postponing the inevitable.

The High Echelon Alphas are ever-reaching. Dead Lands or no, they will come find me. I refuse to let them find a weeping mess that can’t even stand up for herself. If they want a fight, they will find one. If Jaxxon refuses to see reason, then I’ll find a way to leave. Today wasn’t very well thought out. It was spur of the moment, impulsive.

With enough time, I can plan something much better, and once I escape, I’m finding Karis. He can’t keep me away from my sister any longer. In my heart, I have to believe she escaped, and if that’s true, going home will do nothing but reignite the anguish in my heart. I’ll allow him to take me to this new lair of his, but he can’t stop my mind from looking for a way out.

It doesn’t matter that his scent is magic or his lips cause yearnings deep inside that I didn’t realize existed; Jaxxon will never be my master. Dynamic or no dynamic, he hasn’t earned that place in my heart. I’ll lay underneath him and work beside him, but I will never allow myself to be tied to him. The only foreseeable problem is the claiming mark. I have to leave before then. Once he claims me, I’ll no longer have power over myself, and I’ll be damned if I let Karis suffer because of me.