Page 46 of The Omega Trials: Part Two

“It’s not so much nerves as anticipation.”

She laughs louder than probably intended and claps her hand to her mouth then whispers, “Yeah, I bet you can’t wait to see them beat the shit out of those assholes.”

“Do you think they’ll cry?” I joke, and she giggles.

“God, I hope so—oh my god, is that them?” She bolts to her feet and points into the distance.

At least four men walk in our direction across the vast lawn. I jump up too, and we scurry around the corner of the hedge so they don’t see us. It’s not that we aren’t allowed to be here, but my guys wanted me to stay out of sight.

“Is an Elder with them?” I hear Ecker ask.

“Looks like it.” Titus grunts.

I press my cheek against the roughly shorn leaves to get a look inside the garden. Blue flowers bloom in every quadrant and in the center. The golden animal heads poised on columns like busts gleam in the sun.

Titus’s shoulders are unusually loose. He’s clearly more comfortable preparing to get in a bloody fight than he is in the suit and tie required at the brotherhood nights. Bishop scans the garden like a hawk, as if he’s constantly analyzing and strategizing behind those hazel eyes. And Ecker bounces on the balls of his feet like a kid waiting in line for a roller coaster. He looks way too excited for this.

They couldn’t be more different, but they still share so many of the same traits. The earned confidence with which they hold themselves, the strength they emanate. And the slight air about them that makes you think they might just becompletelyunhinged.

Unhinged and mine,I think fondly, and both Ecker and Bishop’s heads turn right toward where I’m standing. Bishop tongues his cheek, and Ecker smirks slightly. They must have felt me admiring them, and I feel an equally smitten rush come through our bond.

Titus’s mocking tone gets my attention. “Aww, had to go running to Daddy, didn’t you, Yves?”

I spot the Cyan alphas and Elder entering through the other side of the hedge. Exhilaration races as I hurry back to my original peephole. Paisley follows right next to me.

“You’re not as discreet as you think you are, Cerulean,” the Cyan Elder answers.

Yves’s lip curls and he looks like he’s holding back a mouthful of retorts, biting his tongue in front of his Elder—or hiding behind him.

He’s so goddamn pathetic,I scream internally. Ecker subtly glances my way with a small snort. He must have sensed my annoyance. Bishop nudges him, and he returns his focus to the pack in front of them, fixing his smirk into a scowl.

Titus holds his hands out. “Well, now that everyone’s here, can we get to it?”

Ecker and Bishop fall into fight ready stances on either side of him.

“No. There will be no more of this ridiculous infighting.”

“They attacked our omega!” Ecker shouts and lunges forward. Bishop’s quick to fling his arm out to hold him back.

The Elder lifts his chin. His stork mask looks particularly garish with the sun streaking down the long beak. “You should have protected your omega better,” he says coldly, but you can hear the mocking delight behind it.

Bishop surprises me when he snaps and barks loudly, all composure gone. “Are you fucking serious?”

The smug sneer on every single Cyan alphas’ face makes my blood boil. Paisley squeezes my shoulder as I seethe silently.

“Fine, then just Yves and me,” Titus offers. “One fair fight between pack leaders and we’ll put all this to bed once and for all.”

“No infighting of any kind, between any alphas or packs,” the Elder reiterates.

“This is bullshit.” Ecker shakes his head with a scoff.

“This isfinal.And just so we’re clear, Miss Sinclair, would you please come out with the Beryll omega?” My stomach drops at the Elder’s demand.

Paisley gives me a nervous look, and I try to reassure her with a confident nod as we stand up.

We walk around the perimeter of the hedge and into the garden. I don’t hide my glare as I pass the Cyans and go stand by my alphas, making sure that Paisley is tucked behind all of us. Ecker slings his arm around my shoulders, and Bishop flanks my other side.

“I hope it was made abundantly clear the day of your ceremony,” the Elder begins. “But in case you’ve forgotten, let me remind you the cost of disobeying the Echelon is paid by yourfamily.” His frigid, evil eyes find mine as he stresses that final word. My heart freezes as my blood instantly chills at his impeccably clear implication. “This is your only warning. After that, consequences will be swift and sure.”

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