Page 111 of Pack Fever

Relief washes over me because that’s exactly what I need to hear. We have a weapon for a fast escape.

Mimicking his actions, I use the wall for support, managing to stand despite the awkward angle of my bound hands. I turn my back to him, allowing me access to his pocket, my fingers fumbling for his pocket as I attempt to locate the knife.

“Not there,” Reed hisses softly, a hint of urgency in his voice. “The pocket’s on the inside of my pants; you gotta go in from the top.”

I pause, casting a dubious glance over my shoulder at him. “Why do you have a pocket there?”

“For such situations,” he remarks sarcastically.

The tension in the air grows thick as I roll my eyes.

I press my bound hands against the top of his pants, searching for the inner pocket he mentioned. My fingers trembling slightly, I finally slip inside, grazing the heat of his skin. He’s making small moaning sounds, which only distracts me.

“You’re enjoying this too much,” I say.

“Not at all. I hate you having your hand down my pants.” His sarcasm is in overdrive today.

I fumble for a moment before my fingertips brush against the small, cool metal of the pocketknife. A wave of relief washes over me as I grasp it, ready to cut us free from our bindings and face whatever comes next.

Reed’s hands are free first, and he quickly takes the small blade from me, his movements precise and efficient as he slices through the plastic ties binding my wrists. I’m shaking and constantly glancing at the door, scared that we’ll get busted.

“It’s going to be okay,” he whispers in my ear, his breath on my neck sending tingles down my spine.

Of course, it’s the wrong time to be turned on by Reed. Things between us are still confusing. He’s there for me and all my Omega needs, but the closeness between us is still evolving into what I have with Jasper and Seth.

Free of his ties, Reed is kneeling in front of me, cutting me free at my ankle, then glances up with that ridiculous smile that melts me. Short, dark blond hair is messy around his face.

Finally, he gets to his feet, towering over me. Then he checks his pockets.

“Of fucking course. They took my phone. Motherfuckers.” He sighs.

“I’m glad you’re with me,” I say softly.

He turns to me, pushing a stray lock off my face. “Me, too. I’d be beside myself if you vanished, and I had no idea where you were.”

Wait. Did he just admit to missing me?

Blade in hand, Reed cautiously approaches the door, his body tense, ready for whatever might lie beyond. I stay close, my heart pounding in my chest as he peers out into the dark hallway. The air is heavy with the scent of decay, the narrow corridor barely lit by the faint, flickering light bulb hanging from the ceiling.

We move out in silence, Reed taking my hand in his, our steps light as we navigate the shadowy passage. Every creak underfoot has me cringing. I strain my ears, certain I can hear the low murmur of voices, the occasional whimper that might be someone else caught in this nightmare. The uncertainty is maddening, the fear of the unknown a constant weight pressing down on us.

The house is a maze of dark, narrow hallways, each turn revealing nothing but more peeling wallpaper and the stench of rot. And no one around but those murmuring sounds I keep hearing now and then. Where in the world are we?

I keep glancing over my shoulder, my heart in my throat. I don’t even care at this stage to know who kidnapped us or why. I just want out of here.

As we round a corner, a figure looms out of the darkness, the sudden appearance so shocking, I barely have time to register the guard before the barrel of a gun smashes into Reed’s face. The sound is sickening, a brutal crack that echoes in the cramped space, and Reed crumples to the ground without a sound.

A scream tears from my throat, raw and filled with terror.

“You aren’t going anywhere, bitch!” the guard barks, coming for me.

It takes me two seconds to notice he’s not wearing a Nexus uniform. Seeing the scars on his face, the torn T-shirt, the location… nothing rings of a government institute.

“Don’t touch me,” I snap, retreating. “Who the fuck are you?”

He lunges for me, and all I see is darkness swallowing me.

Chapter

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