Page 215 of Unhinged Omega

I catch it one-handed, scowling at the dull, pitted blade. It's clearly just a wall decoration, but it's better than nothing. And I've killed with less.

"You're a piece of shit, you know that?" I growl.

"So I've been told," Geo replies, already returning to his book. "Close the door on your way out."

A fresh wave of moans and piano notes drifts down the hall. That decides it. I can't stay here another minute listening to this. I turn on my heel and stalk toward the exit, the sword gripped tightly in my fist.

My boots echo on the concrete as I storm through the tunnels of Geo's underground empire. The guards eye me warily, hands drifting to their weapons as I pass.

At the main entrance, a young alpha stands at attention, his rifle held across his chest. He straightens when he sees me approaching, eyes darting nervously to the rusty sword in my hand.

"Sir? You're not supposed to?—"

I don't let him finish. In one fluid motion, I slam him against the wall, the dull edge of the sword pressed against his throat.

"Your gun," I say softly. "Give it to me."

His eyes widen in fear. Good. Fear I can work with.

"I-I can't," he stammers. "Geo will?—"

"Geo will what? Kill you?" I lean in closer, letting him see the cold certainty in my eyes. "I'll save him the trouble. Your gun. Now."

His shaking hands fumble with the rifle. I snatch it from him, checking the magazine. Full. Better than I expected.

"Where did Raven go?" I demand, keeping the sword at his throat.

"Who?"

I roll my eyes. New recruit, clearly. "The pretty blond alpha. About this tall." I gesture with my free hand. "Fancy clothes, blue eyes, mouth that doesn't stop running."

Recognition flickers in his eyes. "Oh, him. He left with some shady-looking guy a while ago. Heard them talking about heading to a brothel."

That gets my attention. "A brothel?"

The guard nods rapidly. "That's what it sounded like."

I step back, tucking the rifle into a holster on my belt. It's a tight fit, but it'll do. The guard blinks in confusion, but I'm already walking up the rusted stairs leading up to an even more rusted hatch.

The sunlight stings my eyes after the artificial lighting of the underground complex. I squint, giving me a moment to adjust to the harsh glare reflecting off the wasteland's bleached earth. The wind carries the ass-bitter taste of radiation and dust, a familiar flavor that reminds me I'm back in my element.

Out here, I know where I stand.

Out here, the rules are simple.

Kill or be killed.

Geo's underground market isn't far from the skeletal remains of what was once a small town. Rusted signs, half-buried in sand, guide travelers to the entrance. Around it, makeshift stalls and tents have sprung up like weeds, catering to those unwilling—or unable—to navigate the politics of Geo's domain below.

He'd better watch it. If he's not careful, he's going to end up a mayor.

I know exactly where I'm headed. The Alpha's Alpha, Raven's "tacky" sex club. The memory of Cosima's barb, and the look on his face, still brings a small smile to my face.

Not a bad place to gather intel, I have to admit. The Reinmichian and Surhiiran elite might sneer at it publicly, but many find their way there under cover of darkness. Alcohol andsex loosen tongues, and Raven's whores are trained to listen and remember. They're better informants than most.

It's where I would go if I were looking for information on someone like Azarel, this mysterious alpha Cosima wants so badly. The jealousy that floods me at the thought is as unexpected as it is unwelcome.

I've never been the jealous type. Never cared enough about anyone to feel threatened. But now...

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