Page 37 of Hunt

"Sarah, it's me. It's Bella."

For a moment I’m met with nothing but silence, almost like she doesn’t want to believe it. I don’t blame her after I just disappeared without a single word on my birthday.

"Bella? What's wrong? Where the hell have you been? Are you safe?" The questions tumble out one after another, and I can tell she’s up and pacing back and forth.

“I wouldn’t say safe, exactly, but I’m not dead.” My attempt at a joke falls flat. “Listen, I don’t have a lot of time. I’m sure you heard what happened to the Carbones by now.”

“Uh, yeah, the whole fucking town is in an uproar about it. They say Hector Silas and Dante killed their own fathers and then fled. Is all that true?”

More true than she even realizes.

“The simple answer would be… yes.” She curses on the other end of the line. “But the real answer is complicated. I can’t explain it all, but I need you to know that they had no choice. My pack betrayed me. They made a deal with the Carbone elders to sell me off. They tricked me into moving there so I could infiltrate Black Pharma.”

“Holy shit,” Sarah breathes. “Okay, so why’d they have to kill them?”

“It was either that, or let those bastards win. They deserved what they got, Sarah, I promise.”

“Okay, okay, what does this mean for you? Where are you?”

There are so many ways I could answer that question. But I have to keep it simple.

“I’m with my old pack. When the guys killed their alphas, we had to run until we could get the situation under control. They have a lot of friends in that city and we couldn’t risk it. But my dads found me. They forced me to come back home, and now they’re about to hold an auction.”

Sarah curses again. “Okay, so how do I help? I can help, right?”

I smile tugs at my lips. Somehow I knew she’d pick up exactly where we’d left off. My instincts about this rare alpha female were spot on. She’s the most ride or die friend I could have ever asked for.

“Nothing on this front. I think we have it covered, but I need to ask you a favor. It’s a big fucking favor and it might be dangerous…”

I feel like shit for even asking, but I’m down to no options.

"Sarah, it's about my sister Rosa. She's being held at this illegal gentleman's club in Oregon called The Red Room. It's run by some seriously twisted fuckers who specialize in omega trafficking."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to ask. "They've got her drugged up and working as a stripper and...and a prostitute. I'm going fucking crazy imagining what those bastards are doing to her in there."

Sarah is quiet for a moment, processing the horrific revelation. "Jesus Christ, Bella. That's...that's beyond fucked up. I'm so sorry."

"I need to get her out of there, but with everything going on, I can't just waltz in there myself. I’m on the other side of the country, and I… That's where you come in." I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white. "I hate to put you in this position, but you're the only one I trust. You’re an alpha, so they won’t be interested in you. Do you think...fuck, can you go to the club and find a way to talk to Rosa? I need to know she's still alive. That there's still a chance to save her from that hellhole."

"Of course," Sarah says without hesitation, her voice fierce with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes, Bella. You just give me the details and I'm there."

Relief floods through me, so intense it nearly brings me to my knees. "Thank you, Sarah. Holy shit, thank you…”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I prepare to share the sordid details with Sarah. "Okay, so this place is called The Red Room. It's located in Portland, hidden behind the facade of a high-end gentlemen's club. But the truth is, it's a front for an omega trafficking ring owned by my pack."

My stomach churns as I force myself to continue. "They buy omegas from powerful packs and put them to work, but once they're inside, they're trapped. The bastards running the joint keep them drugged up on heat-inducing cocktails, forcing them to perform for alpha clients...and worse."

I swallow hard, bile rising in my throat. "Rosa's been there for years and I had no fucking idea. She's one of their 'featured entertainers.' God only knows what they've made her do. Hector and Silas tracked her down. She’s in bad shape, Sarah…"

Sarah's voice is tight with barely contained rage. "Those sick fucks."

My voice cracks as I continue, "They keep the omegas locked up in these lavish suites above the club when they're not...working. High rollers can pay extra for 'private dances' and god knows what else."

I take a shuddering breath, steeling myself. "The guys have an informant. He said Rosa is being kept in the Crimson Suite. Apparently it's reserved for their most...popular girls."

Nausea rises in my throat at the thought of what my sweet, innocent sister has endured. "I need you to get in there, Sarah. Book a private room, throw money around, whatever it takes. Just...just see if you can talk to her alone. Let her know I'm coming for her."

"I'll find a way," Sarah says, her alpha timbre resonating with fierce protectiveness. "I've got some connections in Portland. I'll get into that suite and make contact with Rosa, Bella. I swear it."

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