Page 43 of Omega Alliance

And before I can move or demand any more answers, the man by the window advances on me so swiftly I'm not even able to brace myself as he jabs something sharp into my neck, and my knees give out beneath me before everything fades to black.

twenty

SIN

"Turn it off," I demand, reaching over Kieran for the remote control. "We already know they're after me. It doesn't really help to be reminded of it every five seconds."

He sighs and clicks off the television. "They know someone on the inside helped. Makes me wonder what else they know and are choosing not to share."

"You're worried about Dani," I supply, rubbing a slow circle on his back to comfort him. It's natural he would worry. She was the one on the inside, the cog that set this whole plan in motion. Of course she’s vulnerable.

I’m worried too. And yet I'm also amazed by how much more comfortable I feel with the pack these days. It's amazing how far I've come, how patient they were while I struggled to get here.

Kieran turns to me, aggrieved. His cheeks are hollow and eyes tired. "I worry about all of us, Sin."

"I could turn myself in. That way the four of you will be off the hook," I suggest carefully. It's a thought that keeps returningto me, one that I keep sweeping aside. I want to be happy, but not at the expense of people I'm quickly coming to care a great deal for.

"Why would you even suggest that?" he asks with a hiss.

I shrug. "The Alliance took my life from me, but you can still have yours."

"But Sin, don't you see? We don't want a life without you. That's why we got you out of there. That's why we're fighting so hard to keep you hidden, keep you safe. Unless… you don't want us?"

"I do want you. More than you could possibly understand," I whisper. He doesn't get it. Is that because he's not willing to consider that everything could go very, very wrong for us? That these last couple days of safety could simply be the quiet before one very big and very deadly storm?

Kieran's next words come out in a thick rumble. "Then why are you trying to run back there? I thought you said you were done running away?"

He doesn't understand that by turning myself in, I'd actually be running toward something—toward a more secure future for the pack that is quickly winning my heart. If we stay together, all five of us could be destroyed. But if I turn myself in? The four of them could be free. And they'd still have each other, even if they lost me.

"It's worth thinking about," I say as hot tears threaten to spill. I want this pack to be mine so much, but not enough to condemn them to an uncertain future. They need to know that there's a way out if they want it, that I'll understand, that I'll forgive.

"No, it's not," he growls, then grabs both my wrists and pulls me tight to his chest. "We fucking chose you, Sin. Not just because you're an omega. Not just because you're beautiful, but because you're you. We want you. We chose you. When will youstop questioning that?" As he speaks his words vibrate through me.

"You don't even know me," I rasp. Suddenly my throat is very dry. I feel like I could choke.

"You don't know yourself!" he argues back. "We're all taking this thing one day at a time, getting to know each other, learning how we fit together. Unless you're the one looking for an out."

"N-no," I stutter and let that first tear fall. "I want to stay."

"Then what's the problem? Stop trying to fall on your sword. You'll need it for the coming battle."

I nod solemnly. "Sorry," I whisper.

"Don't do that. Don't apologize. Just stop trying to leave. We knew what we were getting into when we decided to go against the Alliance, and you know what? You're fucking worth it. You're worth everything, Sin. Jesus, I've never seen Dani so happy. Jax is dying to be here with us, and don't think I haven't noticed how you have Levi wrapped around your pinky finger too." He lets go of my wrists, letting them drop to my lap.

"What about you?" I ask softly, staring up at him with a wet gaze.

He raises one eyebrow in challenge. "What about me?"

"Are you wrapped around… me?"

He lets out a soft laugh. "I'd like to be, but we haven't quite made it that far into our relationship yet."

I lean closer. "For the last seven years, every alpha, every man I've met has wanted something from me. Usually to hurt me." I'm nervous as hell, but I lean forward so that our lips are but a hair's breadth apart. "Do you want to hurt me, Kieran?"

His hands thread through my pink tresses and he presses his forehead into mine. "All I want to do is take that pain away. Let it go, Sin. I know it's heavy, but I'll carry it for you."

I choke on a sob. Here, I was trying to lighten the moment by flirting, but instead I've merely upped the intensity. Dani wastedno time in declaring her love to me that first night, but these words from Kieran now, they feel like so much more. Like they could be the beginning of forever.

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