Page 25 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

The way it always is.

“Yes, yes,” I say, tears springing to my eyes, fear coursing through my body. “I’m sorry. I will.”

Tears track down my cheeks.I have to obey the ultimas. I have to keep my thoughts to myself. Speaking up won’t do me any good. I just have to get out of here.Still, the ultimas’ gazes never leave me.

Lance speaks, his voice gentler, but still intimidating. “He just means that we’ve noticed you favoring some of your potential mates over others.”

The mates that haven’t killed anyone?I guess they’re right, I am favoring them.

“I’m so sorry,” I choke out.

“Don’t act like you aren’t aware of what you’re doing,” Hector snaps. “It’s clear you favor certain alphas, but it is not up to you, an omega, to decide who her mate is. Not once a claim has been made. Before that, we give you omegaslongleashes to decide who you connect with. But something you didmusthave made Kurt think there was a bond between you. You can’t just lead him on and then pretend otherwise now because of made-up stories in your head.”

“Of course,” I say, my voice wavering. It’s like I have no control over my body—I have to agree with them, defer to them. “I’ll do better.”

“Faye,” Lance says, “you can look up here.”

I force myself to meet his eyes, and when I do, there’s a layer of kindness there that soothes me the slightest bit. His blue eyes are earnest, and his expression is concerned. Like maybe seeing an omega absolutely terrified of the man who’s claiming her is something he doesn’t feel good about.

“I have the sense that there’s something you’re not saying,” he says, tilting his head. “You can tell us. We are here to protect you, Faye.”

Immediately, I have a flashback to the first time this happened, trying to get anyone to listen to me when I tried to explain what had happened to my brother, how it was Kurt who had killed him. Nobody cared, nobody listened. Not these three men. Not my alpha. Not any of my people, except Addilyn.

Then I think of Serra, and I know she deserves better than this. She deserves better than the death she got. Hell, she deserves better than these three men not serving Kurt the justice he so rightfully deserves just because of his powerful daddy.

If nobody ever stands up against Kurt, he’ll just keep doing whatever he wants, hurting people and taking innocent lives.It seems important that I say something. That I speak up any time I have the chance. I don’t feel strong, but I wonder if anyone ever really does.

“Okay,” I say, trying to calm down, knowing that the more hysterical I am, the less likely they are to believe me. “Kurt is a murderer. I personally saw him kill my brother, and I don’t feel safe being around him, even though I know none of you believed me about what I saw. When we found Serra in the forest that day, she had been killed exactly the same way. I suspect he also killed her. Itoldyou as much! I feel nothing but loathing for Kurt, nothing but pain, fear, and grief when I look at him. There’s not a single part of my soul that’s compatible with his. What’s more, deep in my heart I know he’s only claiming me ashis omega to hurt me further. I mean, you all just recently had him apologize for choking me and attacking me in my room. Surely the evidence is pointing to this not being a match.”

I run out of words and just stop talking. Waiting. Glad I got it all out, even while knowing deep inside that my words won’t matter.

“That is averystrong claim to make about a member of Pack Obsidian,” Hector says, and my heart sinks. “Not to mention the son of Dexter. They are an honorable family”

I shudder at the sound of Kurt’s father’s name, shrinking back and away from the ultimas. Rumors of the cruelty he’s capable of have floated through every circle, even reaching me, when I was still involved with my pack.Why is everyone pretending those rumors don’t exist?Because it’s safer that way, I guess.

Lance’s voice is soft. “They are an honorable family, but sometimes mistakes are made. Surely, in a circumstance like this, we can make an exception and separate this match without them continuing to explore their supposed bond.”

“Breaking the rules of The Selection? Ridiculous!” Hector growls, and I flinch. “And all over the words of one troubled omega.”

“Troubled or not, she seems to know how she feels,” Lance tells him, casting him a strange glance.

“And her feelings matter more than the son of the alpha to Pack Obsidian?” Hector snaps.

Lance sighs. “We’re not supposed to base our decisions on which alpha we might piss off.”

“But we are supposed to base them on one emotional omega being upset?” the other ultima challenges.

Both men glance at Brock, who has sat silently, watching the conversation. My body tenses, and I look at him too, getting the distinct impression that his words will be the deciding factorhere, and praying that this might be the moment I’m allowed to untangle myself from Kurt.

“Whether or not your claims are true,” Brock says, staring at me, his expression thoughtful, “it’s unfortunate that you have to spend time with someone that you have these feelings for. But those are the rules—you must explore the mating bond. If it is how you say, it won’t develop. But according to the rules, you must at least give it a chance.”

Damn it.

I fully believe that the ultimas may have never seen an alpha claim an omega they didn’t feel a mate bond with, because such a thing is unheard of. If Kurt claims me, for example, then meets his mate in another year, he will not be free to claim her. Men wait, sometimes for many years, to meet their mate, because they’re worth waiting for. And because they wouldn’t want to risk not being able to claim her later, since alphas only get one mate. But these men have never seen someone as twisted as Kurt before. He’s claiming me because the idea of being able to hurt me for a lifetime is more valuable than a real mate.

I just wish I could get them to see that.

My head bows in defeat.They’re going to keep making me be around Kurt because this system isn’t made to detect people like him. I won’t be free of him yet.The room is silent around me.

---