Page 3 of Unruly Omega

Probably I’d never know what made me try the one on the left, opposite the lab entrance on this day, but I did, and instead of sending me to the floor twitching from the electrical shock, the door opened. And I went through the doorway and on down a hall I had never visited before. After a few twists and turns, I came to another door, this one with a green lighted sign over it.

“Exit?” I mumbled. It had to be a trick. Those who had charge of me enjoyed playing them from time to time. I should go back. In fact, I did, but the door I’d left open behind me was closed. And when I reached for it, in the silence of this enclosed space, I could hear the electrical hum.

So, rather than courage, what sent me out the exit was lack of options. That exit door led to the parking lot.

But now that I’d found myself here, what should I do? I climbed up into a squat and ran along the road, flattening myself when any cars passed. I could have tried to hitchhike, but even I knew a guy in his underwear would be a suspicious sight to the average driver. Plus, I saw no other building in any direction. Meaning, the vehicle that stopped might well be one of my tormentors.

I hadn’t shifted in a very long time, and only then because it had been induced by some sort of injection in the port they’d implanted in my shoulder. But if I ever could, now was the time.

Chapter Three

Locke

Over the years, we’d built a network of communication with our fellow shifters and groups of trusted humans. The humans kept their ears to the ground about things going on and news we didn’t hear on the television, and packs shared information across the board.

Not that we were a pack.

We weren’t.

Community was the word I would use.

“Hello.” I answered my cell while helping restock the pantry after a run to one of the big-box stores. The caller ID said the number was unknown, so I took care not to say my name.

“Locke, this is Reggie. I have information.”

“Is it Benson? Is he okay?” It had only been a few days since my friend had left but, if he was in trouble, there would be hell to pay.

“What? No. Benson is fine. I’ve heard something about a local lab. One of our human contacts called me this morning.”

“What is it?” I felt my way to the seat behind me and sat down, bracing myself for the bad tidings. Unless they were shutting down all the facilities, there was no good news. I doubted he was calling to tell me that. There would be more zeal and relief in his voice.

“There was an escape from one of the labs. The one that’s closest to you.”

That wasn’t saying much. The closest lab to us was over fifty miles away.

“Are they reporting how many are missing? Is it only shifters?”

We shifters weren’t special. They wanted to research monsters and other supernatural creatures. We were the first, but we weren’t the last. We have heard they might even focus on their own species in some labs. Their torture.

“I don’t know. That place was only for shifters as of our last intel.”

“Okay. If you see anyone, send them my way. We have room.”

“Of course. Benson said you always stay prepped. I just…” He paused and cleared his throat. “We want you to know that you have the support and respect of our pack. If you need anything or find yourself in trouble, don’t hesitate to call. We know what you do for shifters like Benson, and we’re grateful.”

Huh. I didn’t know Reggie very well. A few phone calls here and there. He wasn’t my bestie by a long shot.

Until his last statement, I would barely have called him a friend.

“I appreciate that. And while we’re on the subject, I’m grateful for your acceptance of Benson. For his sake and his mate’s as well. He’s a good man.”

“He is. We’re grateful to have him here. I’m actually thinking about making him a beta.”

My chest warmed. This was the end game for everyone we took into sanctuary here. Benson was a success story but not all were. “I think he would be a great beta. Thanks for the information. We’re going to be ready. And if you speak to any other alphas, please let them know we will take in anyone they encounter. Shifter. Monster. Whatever.”

“Will do. Talk to you later, Locke.” He hung up the phone before I could respond.

I went directly to Markus. I tended to bark out orders, but he had a way of gathering everyone without them getting pissed off in the process. I knocked on his open door. “Are you busy?”

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