Page 146 of Mercy & Her Devils

“And why don’t you want us to take these calls?” Fletcher asks, suspicious.

“You don’t need to take those urgent calls because you’ll find out what’s happened the moment that you return to Haven.” Gabriel is enjoying this. “Actually, if you put on the radio and listen to the news on the way back, you’ll hear sooner.”

I lock gazes with Fletcher.

He looks panicked.

It’s like part of him has already worked out what’s going on.

Antonio whoops.

“Tell me now,” Raylan bellows. He’s losing his shit at being controlled, when he’s spent his life as the dominant Alpha who runs a pack and entire town. “What act of terrorism have you committed?”

“Why, none.” Kai attempts to look innocent. “You’re our witnesses and alibi that we’ve been here…with you…all the time. We simply heard the news that the resistance have worked out a way to interfere with the technology in Companion chokers and Reject bracelets for five minutes.”

Fletcher pushes himself painfully to his feet. “That’s impossible.”

“You have no idea what’s truly possible.” I can’t keep the words in any longer. “You think Omegas are weak and that everybody thinks the same as you. But more and more people are resisting your way of treating Omegas. Pack bonds are precious and powerful.”

“Sacred,” Kai adds.

“Society is changing,” Gabriel says. “You’re the old wolves who are going to be left alone, abandoned by the pack.”

“You want anarchy.” Raylan looks around us in shock. “Civil war. The Traditional way has worked for hundreds of years. The system of Companions has stopped orphans becoming a burden to the state. We economically prosper with one of the lowest crime and poverty rates because of the strict ABO pack hierarchy, backed up by the state use of Alpha Centers and the Institute. If those are dismantled, then you threaten our country’s prosperity and peace.”

“Maybe,” I say, softly. “But it’s worth it for everybody to have freedom.”

“Peace and prosperity can still be a cage.” Lark’s eyes blaze.

“Or a lie that politicians spin to keep people in their place, too afraid to speak up.” Gabriel’s lips are set in a hard line. “In the army, I was taught to follow orders. Obedience and discipline were the most important thing. But they’re not. Doing the right thing is, no matter what it costs you.”

“And what was the right thing today?” Fletcher is paler than I’ve ever seen him.

Gabriel straightens his shoulders, clasping his gun loosely in his hands.

This is the killing blow.

My revenge.

His gaze meets mine.

I know then that he wants to give me this moment.

Freeing Millie was for Lark.

But Gabriel’s intense focus on this had been about destroying Fletcher for everything that he’s done to me, as well as my dad who forced me into a bond.

Gabriel marches forward, grabbing Fletcher by his collar.

“There’s more than one way to kill a man,” he hisses.

Fletcher flinches.

Then as the rain drenches both Alphas, Gabriel drags Fletcher towards me. He forces Fletcher to stand in front of me like an offering.

Fletcher attempts to raise his eyes to mine, before he ducks his head.

Hell, that feels good.

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