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“Because it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the packs discover who is responsible for kidnapping their omegas and, if we’re lucky, attack separately,” I say, walking toward the exit. “The meeting is over.”

“And if we’re not lucky?” someone calls out.

I look over my shoulder. “They band together and attack at once.”

No one responds for two beats as I continue to the exit.

“But the packs don’t band together. They never have and they never will,” someone else calls out.

I pull open the door and smile. “Then I hope this isn’t the first time.” I look at Franklin. “The omegas?”

He follows me out. “What about them?”

“I want to see them,” I say as the door slams closed behind us.

“We have no reason to hurt them,” Franklin says.

“I’d like to see that for myself,” I say insistently.

And I wait.

After two seconds, he nods and walks past me. “They’re this way.”

As we walk, I take in my surroundings.

“You look like you might have a question,” Franklin says.

“I’m surprised at the workmanship.” I focus on him. “Aerin said you built this home yourselves.”

He throws back his shoulders, his posture proud. “Yes, we did. It wasn’t easy, but we wanted to create our new home ourselves. I imagine you did something similar in Winter Lake.”

A pang of homesickness hits. I strive to hide it. “I brought together people who didn’t have a pack. Nothing like building a home.”

“No,” he agrees, stopping at a door and twisting the handle open. “Your task would have been harder. Working with people usually is.”

As he steps aside, I walk in.

“Hi.” I smile as I greet the omegas.

They stare at me from their positions around the room. Some have books open in their laps as they sit in the bunk beds. Others were playing cards or some other game at a table but pause to study me.

None of them say a word.

No one is bleeding, looks hurt in any way, but their stares are nothing less than wary.

And since I saw no lock on the door, I imagine there have been enough warnings given to them about what will happen to them if they step out of this room.

I recall the terror in Aerin’s eyes when I opened her door, and she flung a lamp at my head.

She was scared enough not to leave her room.

What has Franklin told these women?

“Well, I just wanted to say hello. I’ll make a point of coming to see you every now and again. You met my mate Aerin recently.” I pause as I wait for a response.

Their expressions don’t change.

Conscious Franklin is standing just behind me, there’s little I can say or do to reassure these women that I mean them no harm, that, in fact, I intend to free them as soon as I figure out a way how.

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