Page 48 of Nightmare Island

Something ugly twists in my gut—definitely the barbecue meat. Has to be. Certainly not the way she’s looking at him like he’s dessert. He doesn’t seem to be responding to her, yet my heartbeat’s a frenzy right now. On fire.

I mean, it shouldn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. We’re not a thing. I want to heal and most likely look for a way to leave and go track down my brother in Romania.

Except, didn’t Ghost just spend the past few days making me feel like I was the only Omega he saw? Or maybe that’s his signature move—make each of us feel special until we’re all in his little harem like Awa’s group of men. For all I know, he’s got a whole rotation schedule worked out.

Monday: brooding stares at me.

Tuesday: Eve gets the smoldering looks.

Wednesday: Probably some other Omega I haven’t met yet gets the full Ghost experience.

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the bonfire’s heat.

“I’m Nic,” the Alpha says.

Turning to him, I mumble, “Oh, you’re still here.”

His hand brushes my arm, lingering too long, as he moves to stand in my way. The touch makes my skin crawl, and I shove him away.

“I was actually just leaving.” I try to move past him, but he doesn’t move. The playful facade drops from his face.

“Why so rushed?” His fingers wrap around my wrist. “Night’s just getting started.”

My stomach lurches. “Fuck you!” I yank my arm back, but he’s stronger, much stronger. In a heartbeat, he shoves me against the tree, his mouth crushing against mine, tongue down my throat. I gag, driving my hands against his chest. The taste of alcohol and something bitter floods my mouth. I jerk my knee up instinctively into his groin.

He grunts but doesn’t release me. Terror spikes through my body, then freezes as a thunderous growl rips through the night air. The sound isn’t human. It isn’t even wolf. It’s something ancient and terrifying.

Nic’s suddenly gone from my space. Through blurred vision, I watch Ghost materialize from the shadows like a vengeful spirit—eyes blazing gold in the firelight, shoulders curled forward, chest puffed. The sound coming from his chest makes the hair on my arms stand up.

Other Alphas are gathering from the party, but my attention is on Ghost and Nic. Ghost is holding him off his feet by his throat. The man is gurgling, clawing at Ghost’s grip.

“You dare fucking touch what’s mine!” he roars.

Okay, so I’m his, but then he lets Eve drape all over him?

Awa’s at my side in seconds, grabbing my arm. “We need to go. Now!” Her voice is urgent, scared.

“But—” I start to protest.

“Trust me,” she cuts in, already pulling me away. “You don’t want to see what happens next. When Alphas get jealous, it’s ugly.” She shakes her head, tugging harder.

My feet finally move, and we’re running, the sounds of snarls and shouts fading behind us. My stomach churns as a horrible scream fills the night, one of pure torture or fear. My stomach turns. Part of me wants that creep to suffer and wants Ghost to make him pay for touching me, but another part feels sick knowing what’s happening back there, knowing it’s because of me.

We sprint across the compound, past confused onlookers, until we reach the safety of my room. Awa pushes me inside, her usually calm face tight with worry.

“Lock the door,” she orders. “Don’t open it for anyone but Ghost or me.”

“Awa, what’s going to happen back there?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing that wasn’t earned. But these things… they can get out of hand. The bloodlust spreads like a disease among Alphas. Stay here.”

Then she’s gone, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. I pace the room, unable to sit still. My lips still feel bruised, and I scrub at them frantically with the back of my hand, trying to erase the memory of Nic’s touch.

Every sound makes me jump—footsteps in the hall, voices outside, the creaking of the old building. I count my breaths, trying to calm down, but the adrenaline won’t fade. Even staring out the window shows me nothing as my window looks at a different part of the yard.

Suddenly, the door bursts open.

I flinch hard, backing away until I hit the wall. Ghost fills the doorway, and my breath catches in my throat.

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