Page 41 of Omega Alliance

A smooth voice rises with the steam. Not Dani's beautiful soprano but Kieran belting out one of the songs we listened to in the car yesterday.

I smile to myself before raising my voice to ask, "Did Dani head out for supplies already?"

The shower curtain is thrust open, and I leap back. Kieran's mossy green eyes peer out and meet mine. He holds my gaze as he slowly steps out of the shower, pulling the curtain closed behind him.

"Sorry," he growls as he reaches for a towel. "Didn't mean to startle you."

I shake my head and offer him a smile, taking another small step back to give him space so that he can dry himself off. "It's okay."

He looks away, tucking the towel around his waist and avoiding my gaze. His usual alpha swagger falters. "I, uh… I took a morning run and thought I'd clean up before Dani returns. Levi's out on watch."

"Are we leaving soon then?" I mumble, a surprising pang of sadness taking hold. We weren't in this place long, but it definitely led to some experiences I will always treasure.

He runs his hands through his hair, sending a few errant droplets of water flying toward me. "Just as soon as you and Dani are ready."

"Best to get it over with," I agree. "Do you mind if I take a quick shower?"

"All yours." Kieran motions toward the abandoned shower stall gallantly, then leaves to give me some privacy, and I find myself grateful that he didn't mention what took place last night. He must have heard by now, and at the very least he saw us all sleeping naked and wedged together like chicks in a nest.

Seems I really am Dani's little bird, after all.

I play back the events of last night as I allow the hot stream to soothe my aching muscles. And I find that Dani has treated my tattoo with a fresh layer of balm and plastic. Realizing she did this for me while I slept sends a fresh wave of love washing over me.

These are good people.

My people.

I hum one of the catchy songs we listened to on our drive yesterday as I lather up my hair. It's pink now, but soon that will change. I wonder if I'll be able to get my old blonde color back some day, what the pack will think when they see me looking the closest I've been to my natural self in a very long time.

It won't be much longer now. Dani will return with the supplies. I'll get my hide-in-plain-sight makeover, and we'll attempt to leave the OA territory. It's a big day, an important one.

Dangerous too.

But it's one we must survive in order to secure the future we all seem to crave so desperately.

I will be strong. I can do this.

I finish my shower and wrap a large fluffy towel around my body before padding out into the main room. Kieran is there sitting at the end of one bed with his elbows on his knees and a scowl on his usually handsome face. The television is on, but the volume's so low I can't make out what's being said.

"What is it?" I ask, sinking down beside him as my heart clenches within my chest.

He grunts something unintelligible then grabs the remote from his lap and increases the volume. It's still pretty quiet, but I can hear the reporter speaking now…

No wonder Kieran looks so upset.

JAX

I'm at my lab in Toronto, trying not to agonize over the fact that I’m isolated from my pack in their hour of need. Conventional nerd lore rules, "never split the party," but I did just that, opting to separate myself in order to help keep them safe.

I'm not supposed to be the protector. That's Levi's role. And I need to trust him, Kieran, and Dani to make the right decisions in my stead.

The whole world is searching for Sin, and sometimes I think it's almost a miracle that they haven't been found out yet. For each day that passes, we’re a little safer, our future that much more secure.

And eventually I'll be able to rejoin them. I just need to figure out how to do that without inviting too many questions. The pack will be crossing the border that divides the OA territory from the rest of the super state, and they'll be doing that today. It's the most dangerous part of their journey yet, but if they can make this then there is hope for us yet.

God, I hope they make it.

I want to help, but I'm too nervous that I'm being watched or monitored somehow. That's the problem with being the person who invents the tech. I know how it works. I know what it can do and what liberties it can cost us.

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