Page 15 of Feral Omega

"I'm not worried," I say in a flat tone. "But if you really like these, I know exactly where you can shove them."

For a split second, I think I see a ghost of a smile flicker across Ivy's split lips. But it's gone so fast, I can't be sure it was ever there at all.

Emilia's face flushes an angry red. She huffs, holding the collar and leash away from me like I'm gonna give a shit that she's decided I don't deserve them anymore. "Suit yourself, then. But don't come crying to me when she runs off or causes trouble."

"I think we'll manage," I reply dryly. "Now, if you'll excuse us."

I place a hand on the small of Ivy's back, guiding her toward the door. She flinches at my touch, but doesn't pull away. Even through my coat, I can feel her spine, the way her muscles tremble and tense.

We make our way back to the elevator in silence. I keep my hand on her back, more to steady her than to restrain her. She's unsteady on her feet, wobbling in the thin-soled slippers they've given her. My jacket engulfs her, the sleeves hanging well past her fingertips and the hem falling past her knees.

As the elevator doors close, shutting out the dank stench of the lower levels, I finally breathe. Ivy sways slightly, gripping the handrail. I study her profile, the delicate curve of her cheekbone, the dark fan of her lashes against too-pale skin.

God, she's beautiful.

But so fucking fragile.

I was already worried about bringing an omega into a den of rabid dogs, but this feels downright criminal. What the hell am I getting myself into? I'm no caretaker, no protector of vulnerable omegas.

I'm a soldier, a killer. The leader of the most brutal pack of alphas in Reinmich.

The Ghosts aren't exactly known for our nurturing nature.

But I couldn't—can't—just leave her here. Not in this hellhole, chained and beaten and treated like less than human. No one deserves that.

Not even a "feral" omega.

The elevator dings, the doors sliding open to reveal the lavish foyer. Ivy blinks in the sudden brightness, shrinking back into my coat. I guide her forward, ignoring the curious stares and whispers of the staff and the other omegas.

As I lead her out to the car that'll drive us to the chopper that will eventually return us to her new home, I can't help but wonder…

What have I done?

Chapter

Seven

IVY

The chopper's blades whir overhead as we descend toward a sprawling compound nestled in a valley between snow-capped peaks. I clutch the oversized leather jacket around my shoulders, the alpha's scent still clinging to it. Pine and smoke, with an undercurrent of something darker. Something more primal.

Thane. That's his name.

I sneak a glance at him from the corner of my eye, trying to reconcile the brutal reputation of the spec-ops team known as the Ghosts with the man sitting across from me.

Broad shoulders, chiseled jaw, eyes like shards of obsidian. A face that could have been carved from stone. Leonine. Regal.

And yet, when I gathered the nerve to spit in that face, he didn't retaliate. Didn't backhand me into submission like any other alpha would have. Just wiped it away with a flicker of amusement in those otherwise unreadable dark eyes.

Unreadable.

My least favorite trait.

I burrow deeper into his coat, telling myself it's only for warmth. It doesn't mean anything. I won't let myself believe it does. I've seen too many omegas fall for an alpha's act, lured by a few scraps of feigned kindness, only to end up broken and bleeding.

Or worse.

I won't let my guard down. Not around him. Not around any of them. I don't care if he hasn't forced me to kneel at his feet.

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