Page 21 of Faith and Fury

I try to visualize it—that fierce, scarred, radiant omega plonked on my couch, watching cartoons. A part of me wants to ask Micah to take a photo.

I quickly put the phone down.

***

Afternoon rolls around, and with it, a handful of hospital reports.

The omega Jaxon found in the ring with Faith—likely Faith’s final conquest—is healing up nicely. She won’t be discharged for a couple more days, but her refuge mother is planning to swing by the ward to introduce herself.

No traces of infection have come back on the rogues we tested. Thank god. It’s not uncommon for disease to run rampant in underground organizations like this one—sexual disease, especially.

It’s like Faith explained: the ringleaders were careful. They made sure their prisoners got fresh air, clean water, and at least one meal a day.

But honestly … in an arena of that size, filled with that many rogues, it’s almost unthinkable that sex wasn’t a bigger issue. There’s no way the ringleaders could stop their prisoners from getting together.

I grit my teeth. Faith and her mate can testify to that.

That’s when I check her file.

Vitamin D deficiency …. Vitamin C deficiency … B12 deficiency … low ferritin levels bordering on anemia. Nothing too unexpected.

Then I flip over to the next page.

Substantial traces of estralide discovered in patient’s bloodstream, matching that of other samples. Likely the result of long-term dosing.

Note: effects will wear off in the coming weeks.

It all makes sense now. Estralide is the scientific names for hospital-grade blockers. They’re hard core—potent enough to double as contraception—and definitely not for commercial use.

The text goes on, in bold:

Symptoms of withdrawal include but are not limited to: fever, heart palpitations, nausea, fatigue, excessive sweating, and emergency heats.

My blood runs cold. Faith has been in the arena for three years. If she’s been taking estralide all that time, she won’t just be withdrawing.

She’ll be falling apart.

I realize I’m standing, pacing the office as I read. There’s no way Faith can stay with us now. She needs to be in a hospital, where they can look after her—maybe ween her off more gradually.

No. I stop myself. I can’t break her trust like that.

Whatever happens to Faith now … it’s her body. Her call.

If she wants to stay at Wilder Den and help us track down the remaining ringleaders and rogues, I’ll respect that. But if she’d prefer to be on her own, being treated for what is sure to be a very grueling couple of weeks, I’ll respect that too.

Though I can already guess, in my sinking gut, which route she’ll choose.

Chapter Thirteen

Faith

I’M STAYING.

The Wilder alphas stare at me with varying expressions. Micah looks concerned—though that’s nothing new. Jaxon puffs up his chest like he’s got something to be proud of. And Caleb just sighs.

“I figured as much,” he says.

I flip over the notepad, writing on the other side: YOU SAID I HAD WEEKS. THAT’S PLENTY OF TIME TO FIND FANG.

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