Page 52 of Omega Alliance

We don't have to wait for long. The helicopter must have been stationed nearby for just such eventualities. Maybe they always knew I'd be coming and were simply waiting for me to walk into their trap rather than bothering to give chase.

Our journey back to the city is a long one. Even if Dani and I wanted to talk, the rumble of the helicopter's whirring blades is deafening, making it hard to think, let alone speak.

And as much as I want to remain alert and ready for whatever comes at us next, I find myself dozing off from the stress and fatigue of the day. At least this way I'll rebuild some stores of strength to aid me when it comes time to fight.

By the time the city looms into view, the sun has long been absent from the sky. I nudge Dani awake, and we both watch with wide eyes as our aircraft makes its landing atop the complex's expansive roof.

Two uniformed officials march out and jerk me and Dani from the plane, then lead us through a lone door and down a tight flight of stairs into the main building.

They haven't handcuffed us, nor have they separated us. And this worries me.

Don't they expect us to fight back? Or do they know something we don't?

The men force us to walk swiftly, and I have a hard time matching their long strides.

Dani attempts to fight them off but makes no progress for all her efforts. Instead, they laugh at her insults, completely unfazed. When she loses her footing and stumbles, they drag her back up and force us to keep moving at the brisk pace they've set out.

Rather than fight against our captors like Dani, I bide my time, waiting for a better opportunity to act. Something is up, and I want to know what it is before I make a plan.

I may only get one shot, and I have to be ready to make the most of it.

We turn a corner, and dread descends upon me as I recognize the long corridor. Down the way, a door slides open with a hiss, and the officials shove us inside before departing.

The door slams shut, and Dani immediately begins to pound on it with her fists. "Hey, what are you doing, you psychos? Let us out of here!"

She doesn't recognize this place, but I know exactly where we are. We've been tossed into the glass room where so many of my nightmares have taken place, both waking and otherwise. The large plush bed that used to occupy the inside has been removed, leaving the entire space stark and empty.

It's different, but the same.

And now Dani is stuck in this hell too.

I can't think. I can't breathe. Fear takes hold of me so completely that I sink to the floor, clutching my knees to my chest as I let out a horrible, choking sob.

Dani kneels at my side, placing a protective hand across my back. She's about to speak, to say whatever it is she thinks can make this situation better, but before she can, the door on the other side of the glass opens, admitting a figure I've only seen once before but recognize in an instant.

He wears the insignia of the Omega Alliance. His face is tan with a heavy brow, hook-like nose, and one cruel green eye. The other is covered with a fabric patch. "Hello, Sin. Dani," he says. "It's so nice to have you back."

"Let us out of here, you asshole! I'll kill you," Dani hisses while I choke on another sob.

All the strength and confidence I've built over the last several days seems to have vanished. I am that scared young girl waiting for my mother to come home all over again.

"So feisty for a beta," the man remarks with a dry laugh. "I always knew I liked you, Dani, and I bet our watchers will like you too."

"Wh-what do you mean?" I stammer. If he's speaking, then the least he can do is explain. I'm still scared out of my mind, but I need to do something. Dani doesn't understand how the OA operates from the inside, not like I do.

His one good eye narrows on me. "My sweet Sin, surely you didn't think you'd actually managed to escape? You're a brightergirl than that." He tuts and clicks his tongue as if I am nothing more than a misbehaving puppy.

My mind reels with all the aspects of my escape and continued evasion that seemed a bit too easy—the special dress from Jax, how easily Levi was able to blend in with Pack James, the ignored tracker beneath my skin and makeshift disguise—all the little strokes of luck that had to come together for the pack to extract me in the first place.

Turns out they weren't luck at all.

"You let me go?" I ask as a shiver rushes through me.

"Ahh, there it is." This man—this director—smiles at me with approval and approaches the glass. And even though I know he can't reach me through the barrier, I still shrink away in equal parts fear and disgust.

He chuckles to himself. "I'm surprised it took you so long. I'm also a bit surprised that you willingly came back to us, but then again you didn't really have any other place to go now, did you?"

I shiver again, more violently this time. Here this horrible man is giving voice to all my worst fears, proving that everything I went through, everything I gained was nothing more than a finely orchestrated lie.

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