Page 24 of Omega Alliance

And so I hold my breath as I unlatch the front door and slowly step out into the night. Stars winks at me from above, reminding me that someone is always watching even when I think I’m alone.

I move swiftly but on light feet, doing my best to avoid the fallen leaves that crunch upon contact, threatening to alert the others. After a few minutes, I pause and glance back at the old house over my shoulder. It stands tall and still, unaware that another of its occupants is departing permanently and abruptly.

I brought that picture of the beta couple with me. Of course I did. Having these two strangers with me as I flee means I’m not entirely alone. I don’t know what happened to them, but I like to think they made a safe escape. That they’re living happily in the warm embrace of somewhere new.

There won't be a happily ever after for me, but I can at least fight to ensure more pages get added to my story. My saga so far is one that I cannot be proud of.

How foolish I was to long for freedom when all it’s brought me is a new kind of danger. I press my hand over the photo tucked safely in my waistband as I take my first step into the dense forest. Soon I won’t be able to see the house in my purview, which means Dani and the rest of Pack Thorin will be lost to me forever.

It’s better that way.

My life was never meant to be their responsibility. It is mine and mine alone as long as I should choose to live it.

Sometimes my thoughts become dark, and I wonder whether death would be better than whatever lies ahead. But something within me balks at the idea of ending it all. Something steady and sure and just as strong as the hardwired biological attraction to each of the alphas that I can’t fathom and don’t want.

I wanted Dani.

Me. The real me, that person inside that I scarcely know.

But choices have consequences, and the consequences of being with Dani are too much for me to bear.

I’ll never be able to live a normal pack life like she and the others can. That possibility was lost to me the moment my omega nature manifested. In a world of absolutes, I am an unknown and nobody likes unknowns. Especially not me.

As I merge deeper into the woods, my pace quickens, but still I’m unable to keep up with my violently crashing thoughts.

I run and run until I can’t run anymore. Both my mind and body have become exhausted. I need rest.

Admitting a temporary defeat, I tuck myself against a thick tree trunk and pull a blanket of dead leaves over my head to conceal myself, and then, at last, I fall asleep.

Iwake to find that the sky has transformed from the deep purple of my escape to a light and muggy gray. The sun will rise soon, and when it does, I’ll need to stay low to avoid detection. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to sleep so soon. I should have waited until I was farther away from Pack Thorin.

I pull myself up from the soggy pile of forest detritus and stretch out my limbs. I need to add some distance to my trek before the watchful gaze of the sun pins me in place.

My legs cramp as I start moving and my stomach gurgles in protest, but I will them to behave. My heart is galloping as I slink through the woods.

Does this forest never end?

Based on the map Jax showed me on his phone, I have a long way to travel if I am to escape Alaska and the Alliance. He also mentioned that this territory was inhospitable and difficult to traverse.

But I am determined.

It pained me to leave the phone behind, but it wasn’t mine to keep. I also suspected that it would make me easier to track for anyone who was looking. I don't understand technology well, but I know enough to be wary of it.

As long as I’m in the forest, I should be safe. But what happens when I reach an area that is populated with people? I have the most recognizable face on the planet. Even if Imanage to hide my bright pink hair and unnatural violet eyes, my network of tattoos will surely give me away. The world watched me receive each one. They know the designs every bit as intimately as I do. And from watching me over the past several years, they know my movements, voice, habits.

They know everything about me.

Except what I’m going to do next.

Not even I know that.

Not yet, anyway.

twelve

SIN

Eventually the forest becomes more sparse, inviting an enormous mountain range into view. This means I will either need to turn around and retrace my steps or prepare to venture through the impossibly tall mountains.

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