Page 27 of Fall of the Alpha

Their families had been friends, which had necessitated a relationship. Perhaps it had been more companionship than true friendship, but Alek had not thought Redmond would hate him.

Had Redmond always hated him, and he just hadn’t known? Hadn’t suspected?

Still glaring at Alek, Redmond lifted his chin.

“We were told you were captured. Kidnapped. Clearly, you’re here by choice.” Redmond’s gaze flicked down to Alek’s empty hands, crossing between the small space between himself and Trace. Alek shifted away from the Alpha automatically, stepping away from Redmond at the same time, as if he could hold himself apart that way.

But Trace reached out, his large hand curving around the back of Alek’s neck as a soothing purr rumbled through him… and Alek relaxed.

Redmond’s eyes widened. Now it was his turn to appear shocked.

“I was kidnapped,” Alek said. “Now I’m here by choice. And to learn more about my father since I clearly do not know him as well as I thought.” Not that he’d ever thought he knew his father all that well. He knew his father’s expectations for him, and that was about it.

At least, he’d thought he’d known.

Now, he wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

Behind Redmond, Cora leaned over. The sound coming from her was not at all a soothing purr, like what Trace had used to calm him. It was a low, threatening growl, somehow all the more intimidating due to its softness. It vibrated up Alek’s spine, so he could only imagine how it felt to Redmond, who was much closer to her.

“Now, you’re a very lucky Beta, Redmond. When we’re done with you, we’re going to send you back to Grigori. There’s a message we want you to pass along for us. But first, we have a couple questions for you.”

“Do your worst.” Redmond jerked his head upward, baring his throat like he expected Cora to slice it open.

That was when Alek realized the male was afraid of the Alphas, but he wasn’t confused by the fact that Aria—an Omega—was standing unmolested in a room of them. He wasn’t terrified the Alphas would tear him apart.

He knew.

He knew they were lies.

Of course, he did—he was a spy.

Had he ever been one of the ones talking about how unwary Omegas were torn apart by Alphas? Or how the suppressors were necessary to keep everyone safe?

Alek couldn’t remember. The beliefs, the horror stories, were so often told that he was not sure who had said what.

But Redmond knew it was bullshit. And he certainly had never spoken upagainstthe prevailing beliefs.Thatwas something Alek was sure he would have remembered.

Chuckling, Cora ran her hand over Redmond’s throat, making him shudder.

“Silly Beta. We don’t need to hurt you. We have an Omega.”

Lifting her head, Cora crooked her finger at Aria. His eyes widening, Alek started forward at the same time that Aria skipped toward Redmond. She did not seem at all concerned with her own safety. Neither did Cora or Trace. Trace’s grip on Alek’s neck tightened, holding him in place, as Aria plopped down in Redmond’s lap.

His eyes widened, head rearing back.

“Now, the funny thing is, if you were more used to being around Omegas, she might not have as much of an effect on you,” Cora said amiably. “Territory Betas are mostly desensitized unless an Omega is in heat. You, on the other hand…”

Redmond was sweating, his face turning as red as the print on his cheek as Aria made a cute little chirping sound and wriggled around on his lap.

“Get her off me!” He sounded as if he was being strangled.

“As soon as you tell me what I want to know.”

18

OMEGA VS BETA

Alek

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