Page 31 of Sweet Torment

The hell? Pretty sure my contract says no forced drugs. I was firm on that after everything the guys went through. I’m not about to be anyone’s pet.

“Still are. Can’t stall her heat anymore. Dr. Montgomery wants her cleaned up before transport, best we can. We’ll have to do something with this hair.” Fingers lift my hair. I want to bite, but I keep still.

“But she killed his daughter.”

“Not our business, and remember what you signed, honey.”

“You ever peek at her file? I caught a video of her shooting a buck out in the woods. Field dressed it right there, bare hands, blood everywhere. Not exactly omega behavior.”

How the fuck did Montgomery get footage of me hunting?

Unease creeps in. How much does he know about the things I’ve done?

“Where was that even from?”

“No clue, but the file’s thick. She’s been a patient since she was a kid.”

Unwilling fucking patient.

“Don’t you think it’s weird Dr. Montgomery’s in today? He seemed normal when I passed him in the hall earlier.”

“Whitney’s been unstable for a while. Maybe he saw it coming. She did drug him before breaking in with her little friends.”

“Still…”

“We don’t get paid to ask questions. Pass me the suture kit.”

I wake up in a different room. Maybe the same one I started in. It’s empty except for me and the bed I’m in. I reach up and find the collar still in place.

My hand drifts to my hair. It feels almost weightless. Barely shoulder length now. I feel weird. I try to remember if it’s ever been this short. I don’t think so.

“Good morning, Ms. Quinn.” I gasp as Dr. Montgomery’s voice comes over a speaker in the room. “I trust you’re doing much better now.”

I stare at the ceiling but don’t answer. Let him talk to himself.

“The breach last night was… unfortunate. Your wounds have been treated. None are life-threatening.” No emotion. Not a flicker of grief for his own daughter. Just a clinical report. “You’ll be transported to the preserve this afternoon. The helicopter ride is approximately one hour.”

Business as usual, then.

How are there no repercussions for four dead bodies?

“Upon arrival, you’ll receive further instruction and your supply pack before release.” A pause. “All suppressants have been discontinued. It’s only a matter of time before your body presents naturally.”

My skin prickles. This is it.

“The alphas participating in the trial have been vetted,” he drones. “Each signed explicit behavior agreements and passed psychological evaluations.”

Right. Because a piece of paper and a shrink have ever stopped an alpha from taking what they want.

“Tonight, you’ll meet the participants at dinner. A formal introduction before release.”

My body goes rigid. “Dinner? Like a date?”

“Think of it as an opportunity to assess your pursuers.”

I chew the inside of my cheek. I guess it could be worse... not a bad thing to know the wolves before I hit the woods.

“Fine. And the collar? Are you going to take it off?”