Page 95 of Break Me Knot

Asher stands, and we follow suit. His handshake is firm, purposeful. “I'll start building the case. We need to be thorough, airtight. One mistake and they'll bury us.”

I tighten my grip. “We're going to burn their whole fucking system down. No more disappeared omegas. No more hidden abuse. No more.”

Halfway to the precinct doors, Cole suddenly splays a hand over his chest, his pine scent sharpening. Zane frowns, his hand rising to his chest in the same spot Cole’s fist is clenched. He jerks to a stop at the same time a tremor spears my center. Not physical, but something deeper, more visceral.

A force plucking the string to my soul.

The sensation is different than our pack bond.

The familiar connection still hums, steady and strong, but this... this is something entirely different. An electric current pulses through me, a desperate flutter that makes my whole being tense and alert. My mind snaps to the one source deeper than any connection possible between sentient beings.

It originates from our scent-match.

It links back to Mira.

Simultaneously, we reach the terrible conclusion. We've not bonded yet, but the connection exists. It's likely been building the entire time we've been near her—breathing in her scent, tasting it right off her skin in her perspiration, her slick. She’s already a part of us.

Terror floods us. Purest fear. The kind we promised she'd never experience again.

“Mira,” Zane chokes out. “She's afraid. Really afraid.”

Cole is already moving, his phone in hand, fingers flying over the screen. “She's not answering.” His voice cracks with barely contained panic. “It's going straight to voice mail.”

“We have to get back to the penthouse,” I bark, already running. “Now!”

“I’m coming too,” Asher snarls.

I’m grateful. I’ll take all the males I can as we bolt to our SUV and tear out onto the open road.

Chapter Forty-Two

Mira

Aburst of rage explodes through me, hot and bright and unstoppable. How dare they? How dare Mercer think she can take this from me? Take me from my alphas, from our nest, from the future we're building?

I’m so used to fear that it slides right off me. I’m no longer paralyzed. Not like I used to be when I had nothing but survival on my mind. Now I have everything to live for andshe will not take that away from me.

Orfrom my mates.

Incandescent light spears through me, power igniting my bones from a deep inner well I never knew was there.

The air around me crackles with omega rage. I’m no longer the docile, submissive creature they expect. I’ve been transformed into a person with rights. Needs. Wants. Desires.

And she doesn’t get to take that away from me again.

My body moves on pure instinct, muscle memory from Cole's training taking over. His voice rings in my ears: “Use their momentum against them, Little Mouse. The heel of your palm is harder than you think.”

I amdonebeing afraid.

I pivot hard, the movement catching Elliot off guard. His grip loosens. I bring the heel of my palm up in a savage arc, just like Cole showed me. The impact when I connect with his nose is satisfying, a sharp crack followed by a burst of warm wetness.

Elliot staggers back, blood streaming between his fingers. His expensive suit is ruined, crimson staining the pristine white shirt. Fierce pride flashes through me despite my terror.Idid that. I fought back and I broke his fucking nose.

Silence reigns around me. I take advantage of the split second of shock and run.

I sprint through the parking lot, my feet slapping against the concrete as Lars and Hugo's heavy footfalls thunder behind me. My lungs burn, heart threatening to burst through my chest.

“Get her! Don't let her reach the street!” Mercer's enraged screams echo off the concrete walls, making it impossible to tell which direction they're coming from. The sound bounces and distorts until it’s like she's everywhere at once. Once that would have locked every bone in my body. Now it makes me put on an extra burst of speed.

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