Page 11 of Pack Obsession

"I’m Axel," my escort says, settling into another chair with lethal grace. Up close, that scar through his eyebrow is even more distracting, especially when he tilts his head to study me. His black t-shirt does nothing to hide his impressive muscles, and just staring at him can easily have me fantasizing and losing my mind.

"That’s Logan." Axel nods to the serious one with steel-gray eyes. "And Nash." The man with glasses who’s watching me with a frown at the bridge of his nose.

Logan lounges back against the leather with a false relaxation, one ankle crossed over his knee. His dark brown hair is still damp at the temples, and a jagged white scar disappears beneath his collar. He’s all sharp jawline and broad shoulders that make his Henley look painted on. There’s something almost sinful about the way he moves, as if he knows exactly what effect he has on Omegas.

Nash might look softer at first glance with those glasses, but there’s nothing gentle about the way his forearms flex or how his dirty blonde hair falls across his forehead in a perfectly messyway. A hint of stubble shadows his jaw, and when he glances up, those amber irises with gold flecks catch the light like something feral. He’s built leaner than the others, but every movement suggests hidden strength.

My attention swings back to Axel, who hasn’t taken his attention off me. I try not to stare. Really try. But it’s like trying not to look at a thunderstorm—impossible and probably stupid since it might kill you. His black hair falls around his face, but it’s those ice-blue eyes that really do it—the way they cut right through me, as if he can see every secret I’ve ever tried to hide. God help any Omega who has to face that look for too long… a.k.a. me.

"Charmed. I’m Casey, but I assume you know that already," I drawl, channeling every ounce of attitude my brother taught me. "Do you always kidnap girls before introducing yourselves, or am I special?"

A laugh rumbles from Axel, deep and rich, and damn my treacherous heart for skipping at the sound. This is why Omegas are supposed to be kept safely locked away—Alphas are literally designed to make us lose our minds. Even Beta females aren’t immune to their perfect genetics and overwhelming presence. I’m surrounded by three prime specimens, and my hormones are having a field day, despite my brain screamingdanger!

I shift in my chair, trying to find a position that feels less vulnerable. The leather is butter-soft against my bare arms. Everything about this place speaks of capability and resources.

"I know you kidnapped me for that asshole, Julian," I blurt out before they can start whatever interrogation they have planned. Might as well get straight to the point. "Save us all some time, and just tell me what he’s paying you."

"Is that so?" Logan’s voice is careful, measured. A soldier’s tone, used for interrogations, I bet. "Tell us more about him."

"What’s to tell?" I force a laugh that’s only slightly hysterical. "He’s a psychopath and serial killer in the making, if you ask me. Stalks and hurts Omegas, walks over anyone in his path. That paint a clear enough picture?"

"Not particularly," Nash murmurs, pushing his glasses up. "Details would help."

"Details?" I’m twisting the ends of my hair nervously. Old habit. Bad tell. I force my hands still. "How about the fact that he gets off on causing pain? That he collects Omegas like some people collect cars? That he—" I cut myself off, the memories threatening to choke me.

"And you’re his fated mate." It’s not a question the way Axel says it, but there’s something dark in his tone that has me looking up sharply.

"What have you been snorting?" The words burst out of me. "Fated mate? I’d rather die. We dated, and then I saw the real monster hiding behind those perfect white teeth. I guess he’s become a bit obsessed since I broke things off."

The tension in the room shifts. I see it in the way Logan’s jaw tightens, how Nash’s fingers are still on his thigh, and how Axel’s knuckles crack as he flexes his hands. For a moment, none of them look civilized. I stiffen in place, unsure of their reaction.

"You give me to him," I finally say into the heavy silence, "and he will kill me."

Nash tilts his head, studying me. "Has he threatened to do that?"

"Not in so many words." I unconsciously rub my inner arm, where the scars lie hidden beneath the sleeve. "His actions speak pretty clearly, though." I turn to Logan, remembering the phone call I overheard. "Look, I appreciate you not telling him you have me. Just... tell him you never caught me, and I’ll be on my way."

No one moves. The only sound is the tick of a clock and my own too-fast heartbeat.

"We can’t let you go just like that," Logan says.

"Why the hell not?" I surge to my feet, unable to stay still. Three pairs of Alpha gazes track my movement, but none of them tense up. They know I’m not a threat. Or they are aware I can’t escape. Probably both.

"Julian’s frantic," Nash explains, his voice gentle in a way that makes me want to scream. "He’ll be watching your home, your friends, your family. Where would you even go?"

"Not your problem." But my response wavers because he’s right. I have nowhere safe to hide.

"This was meant to be a simple job," Axel mutters, more to himself than me. "Clean retrieval."

My eyes light up. "I’ll pay you whatever he’s offering." It will take me time to save up the money…

"You can’t afford it," Nash cuts in, not unkindly.

"Have you got anywhere else to go?" Axel leans forward, those beautiful eyes with long lashes intense. "If we decided to help you?"

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. They’re right; Julian will be watching everything—my brother’s place, my friends’ families, probably even has Nexus convinced I’m his mate. Speaking of which, the government will also be searching for me for escaping from their bus, making returning home impossible. Hawaii beckons in my dreams, but I was so young when we lived there. No contacts, no plan.

Panic rises, threatening to drown me. I’m trapped. Completely cornered. If Nexus finds me first, Julian will find a way to claim me as his Omega. So, either I run blind and hope Julian doesn’t find me, or I end up back in his training room, learning new lessons written in scars.

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