Page 69 of The Omega Trials: Part One

Sinclair

Iwouldn’t say everything’s perfect. Far from it. I’m still a prisoner to a system and pack I didn’t choose to be a part of. I’m constantly worrying about my grandmother, torn between wanting to check on her and staying as far away as possible. I don’t want to bring the Echelon to her doorstep, and I don’t want her to know about my situation.

She already lost one daughter to the omega houses. She knows how to mourn that kind of death. I’d rather her think that’s where I ended up than know the truth.

So, while things aren’t perfect, they are a hell of a lot better than they were. It’s been almost a week since the games and we haven’t been informed of the next Trial, so our days are mostlyfree. Though there is a lingering cloud on the horizon from knowing that at any moment, the next Trial could begin and turn our world upside down.

For now, at least, Ecker and Bishop have been using their spare time training me. Today, we’re working on the lawn by the lake on the west end of the Estate. I’m winded and my muscles sting, but it feels good, having something productive to pour my energy into.

I’m squaring off with Ecker. Sweat drips down his temples and sharp nose, his dark eyes shifting as he assesses me. I throw a punch and he weaves around it, but we practiced this and I counter with an uppercut to the chin.

“Good,” he cheers after I make contact, looking completely unaffected by a hit that’s making my knuckles ache despite ample wrapping.Oh, to be a noble alpha.“But next time, don’t stand back looking surprised you landed a punch. Keep working body shots until they regroup.”

The Beryll pack comes over to say hi, and Bishop greets them before they reach me and Ecker. They’re dressed in swimsuits, with towels thrown over their shoulders, ready for a dip in the lake. Paisley waves to me, and I wave back.

“Hey, focus.” Ecker snaps his fingers.

“Let’s be done for the day,” I push.

He shakes his head with a crooked smile. “Let’s go a few more minutes. It’ll be good for you to practice with distractions.”

I exhale and raise my guard. “Okay.”

I throw one combination, none of which even graze him. Then, in less than two seconds, he has me on my back on the grass. My heart races. His face hovers over mine, his breath sawing in and out. My wrists are pinned by my head.

“God, what I would give to fuck you right now . . .” He drags the tip of his nose along mine and my stomach squirms withdesire. “You want that too, don’t you? My cock buried inside your dripping pussy?”

“You can’t,” I breathe softly. Bishop still hasn’t given permission for him to take me that way.

“Doesn’t stop me from wanting to.” His lips brush against mine. “I think about it all the time, you know.”

With butterflies in my stomach, I gently kiss him back before whispering, “You do?”

“Yeah, baby girl, all the damn time.” He ghosts his lips lightly over my jaw, sending sparks skittering across my skin.

I bite my lip. “What do you think about?”

“I think about taking you any chance I get, no matter where we are or how many people are around.” I gasp as he nips my neck. “Making you wear dresses every day with no panties so that you’re always ready to sit on my cock. The way you’d squirm as I stretched your tight pussy, all the while trying to keep a straight face and not give us away.”

My breath hitches. “Then what?”

“Then I would—”

“Ecker,”Bishop’s voice calls, and we both snap out of the golden haze we were quickly slipping under.

Ecker sits back on my thighs, his knees on the outside of mine. He smiles. “Came to join us for some sparring, Ti?”

My good mood deflates as I look up to see Titus has joined us with his ever present scowl. Ecker gets to his feet and offers his hand to pull me up after him.

“Omega.” Titus nods with a sneer.

“Titty.” I arch my brow and cross my arms.

He rolls his eyes and turns his attention to the boys. “There’s a lead I want to check out off campus. I shouldn’t be more than a few hours, but keep your phones on you.”

Ecker blows out a laugh. “I haven’t checked my phone since we got here—now that you mention it, I don’t even know where it is.”

Bishop shakes his head. “I have mine. I’ll make sure it’s charged and nearby. What’s the lead?” I’m assuming this has to do with whatever he’s been researching in the library lately.

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