Page 137 of Unhinged Alphas

My heart races. What are they really after? "Why?" I ask, fighting to keep my voice steady.

"Your genetic diversity is quite remarkable," another scientist chimes in, her eyes gleaming with excitement. I get the feeling that's scientist code fornot being quite as inbred as the other omegas their breeding programs select for. Just like the one my mother escaped from in Reinmich. "We believe you could be the key to some groundbreaking research."

Alarm bells go off in my head.

I don't like the sound of that at all.

The scientists exchange glances, their excitement dimming slightly. "We understand your hesitation," the first doctor says soothingly. "But I assure you, it's all perfectly safe. And who knows? The results could benefit omegas everywhere."

I almost laugh at the transparency of it all. They're desperate, that much is clear. But why? What do they really want from me?

"What's in it for me?" I ask flatly.

One clears her throat. "Well, do you have any special requests? I'm sure you don't like being across the hall from that… that monster, do you? Having to look at it all night must not have been pleasant. It's no wonder you didn't sleep well."

Are they serious? They thinkhe'sthe problem?

"I'll comply," I say, my voice low and steady. I don't even know why they're putting up a pretense of caring about my compliance, when they could just force me like everyone else. The only possibilitythat occurs to me is somehow more disturbing than the other doctors' callousness.

They care.

They are scientists, after all. At least some of them doctors. They probably went into this convinced they were doing this to help people. "But I want something in return."

The scientists lean in, their eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement. I've got them now.

"Let me go," I say, watching their faces fall. Better to start with a big ask so they'll be more likely to honor the second. "Or, if that's too much to ask, just tell me about the other two who came in with me. Are they alive?"

Silence falls over the room. The scientists exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between them. My heart pounds in my chest, but I keep my expression neutral.

"We can't divulge information about other assets," the lead scientist says finally, her voice clipped.

I bristle at the word. "They're people," I snarl. "Not property."

"I'm afraid that's all we can say on the matter," another scientist adds, her tone apologetic but firm. "Now, will you comply? Or willyou fight us?"

There it is.

"Fuck your rapport," I snap. "And fuck you."

The doctor's lips thin, but she maintains her composure. "I understand you're frightened and confused. But I assure you, we mean you no harm. Omegas are very special, you know."

I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. "Yeah, I've heard that before. Funny how being 'special' always seems to involve being locked up and fucked with."

She has the decency to look uncomfortable at that. "I know this must be difficult for you. But please try to understand… the work we're doing here could change the world. For the better."

"For who?" I demand. "For omegas? Or for the alphas and every beta that licks their boots?"

They stare at each other for a moment, then nod and move all at once, surrounding me.

Something inside me snaps. In an instant, I'm on my feet, hands curling into fists, nails biting into my palms. "You can't keep us here like this!" I shout. "We're not your lab rats!"

The scientists back away, eyes wide with alarm. One reaches for an intercom on the wall, but I'm faster. I lunge forward, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back. She cries out in pain and I use her as a shield, backing toward the door.

"Let me out," I growl, tightening my grip on the scientist's arm. "Or I'll?—"

I don't get to finish my threat. The door bursts open and a team of security guards floods the room. They're on me in seconds, wrestling me away from the scientist. I thrash and kick, managing to land a solid punch on one guard's jaw before they overpower me.

"Get off me!" I scream, biting at any flesh I can reach. It just so happens to be the guard's fingers. My lucky day. I clamp my jaws down in an almost instinctive response to them being stuffed in my mouth and keep biting down until I feel the familiar, satisfying crunch, followed by a spray of blood down my throat that makes me choke.

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