Page 27 of Omega Alliance

She startles at my touch for a moment, but then leans into it. "Yes, please."

And then I pick her up and run. We have a lot of ground to cover, and we need to get back to the others fast. They don't even know they're in danger, and knowing that any call can be tracked, I have no choice but to wait and tell them in person.

Which means we need to hurry.

thirteen

SIN

“Ican walk,” I shout as Levi sprints through the trees, holding me tight to his chest. “Let me walk!”

His face blanches as he pulls to a stop and sets me on my feet. “S-s-sorry,” he mutters.

“You’re fine.” I reach for his hand and tug him ahead, knowing he wants us to hurry. “This is all my fault, anyway. I’m sorry I was so, so stupid. Running away like that.”

“What Kieran said—” he begins, his strong features etched in stone.

“No, it’s okay. He was right. I just wasn’t ready to hear it.”

Levi finds my side and watches me as I pour my heart out to him.

“You did claim me when you helped me escape. You claimed responsibility for whatever happens next, and I consented to that claim when I accepted your help, when I agreed to go with you to the safe house.” I let out a huff as I continue to pick my way along the trail I left earlier that morning. “It’s just I think you made a mistake. The four of you already have a greatpack dynamic, and me? Well, I’m fucked up real bad. I’ll only mess things up for you. Just look at what I’ve put you through already.”

Levi stops and lets go of my hand, then reaches beneath his jacket and pulls out a small black gun. “Take it,” he says, holding it out toward me.

I stop, turn, pad back to him, but don’t accept what he’s offering. “I don’t know how to shoot. You better keep it in case more goons come searching for me.”

He lifts his jacket to reveal a second handgun strapped to his side and smiles. “I always have a backup.” He steps forward and grabs my hand, placing the gun within my grip.

“It’s heavy,” I say in surprise.

Levi nods and gently wraps my fingers around the handle. His touch is surprisingly tender as he looks into my eyes. I’m half expecting some bold declaration of love to match the one Dani gave me earlier, but instead he’s all business. “It’s important to feel the weight of the weapon in your hand so you can anticipate its kickback when firing. Keep your grip steady and keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you want to shoot. Understand?”

I nod, but Levi isn't done yet. He explains how to turn off the safety switch, then how to take aim at a distant target before he finally tells me it's okay to try it out. His hands linger on mine for a few moments longer than necessary as we work together, his touches sending tingles up my spine that make me both excited and scared all at once.

As we stand there in the woods with him teaching me such a powerful new skill, I feel mental barriers around us begin to weaken and crumble away. Our bodies move as one intricate unit despite the fact that we’re hardly touching; his breath fanning gently across my neck causes delicious shivers of pleasure to course through me as our eyes lock onto eachother for what feels like an eternity but is only mere moments in reality. In this moment between us, no words need be spoken. Everything I need is there in his gaze—warmth, protectiveness, and raw desire.

I feel myself surrender to it by degrees, but now is not the time to explore those particular feelings. I swallow to ground myself in the environment and shift away from him in an effort to regain some control.

Levi’s gaze lingers on mine for one long moment before he clears his throat, breaking our connection, and says gruffly, “Now try it yourself. Just remember… safety first."

Without any further prompting, my body takes over and I lift the gun up to shoulder level, pointing it towards an unsuspecting birch tree. With my finger out of the trigger guard and my other hand gripping the weapon tightly, I close one eye to take aim, then flick the safety off. Holding my breath, I slowly squeeze the trigger and let loose a single shot that echoes throughout the woods.

BANG!

Levi gives me an approving pat on the shoulder and smiles. “Not bad," he says, his voice soft with admiration. "You learn quickly." His smile widens and a dimple forms in his cheek as he looks at me with pride.

I return his wide smile as a slick of his unidentifiable perfume wafts toward me. It only distracts me for a moment before I remember to reactivate the safety and tuck the gun gingerly into my waistband.

Once my weapon is secured in place, I take Levi's outstretched hand and continue through the forest at his side, the two of us linked together in a new and special way.

A sense of personal accomplishment wells up inside me. Not only have I escaped danger unscathed, but now—armed with Levi's training—I'm capable of protecting myself the next timetrouble comes calling. I feel like less of a burden now, like maybe I can contribute something to Pack Thorin once the dust settles a bit and the immediate threat of my recapture dissipates.

We don't speak much as we continue through the forest, undoing my previous journey. Levi keeps us moving at a brisk pace, offering to carry me again if I get tired but also reminding me that we can’t stop until we reach the safe house.

My muscles throb and the new tattoo on my inner thigh stings from not being able to properly heal, but I keep putting one foot in front of the other. If I can force my body to be strong, maybe one day my mind will follow suit.

Because what I told Levi is true. I'm seriously fucked up, but I'm also starting to believe that maybe—just maybe—that can change, that I can heal, thanks to this new pack who's got my back.

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