Page 3 of Unhinged Omega

How is that even a scent a person can have?

But even when it’s the usual smoky pine and wet dreams and sandalwood bullshit half of them smell like, the revulsion is instant. It's an almost allergic reaction my body has to every alpha's scent.

Well, noteveryalpha.

"What's the matter? Still not in a chatty mood?" she asks, her raspy voice grating on my nerves.

"Who the fuck are you?" I spit out.

Her lips twist into a grin that makes her look like a hyena, stretching the scars in the corners of her mouth. "And here I heard the great Arthur Maybrecht's daughter was a prim and proper little housewife."

I snort, raising an eyebrow. "I am when I'm in the company of civilized people. Not criminal trash."

To my confusion, she lets out a loud, hearty laugh. "You really don't remember your old pal Lex, do you?"

Old pal?

I search my foggy memories, but come up empty. How the hell did I get here?

Lex clicks her tongue, setting the tray down on a rickety table by the door. "Guess I lostthatbet. Thought for sure the lifeless doll routine was an act." She shrugs. "But Jamie was right. Three days is a long time to keep it up, anyway."

"Three days?" I whisper, more to myself than to her. Has it really been that long? Assuming she's telling the truth, anyway.

"Give or take," Lex says, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms. "You've been in and out. Well… mostly out. Had us worried for a bit there."

I scoff. "I'm sure you and your merry little band of omega traffickers were all beside yourselves with concern."

"Hey now," Lex says, holding up her hands in mock surrender. Her palms are badly scarred, like she wrapped her hands around a hot iron. Judging from the burned motor oil smell, maybe she did. "Flesh is about the one thing Nikolaidoesn'ttrade in."

“And who the hell is Nikolai?” I demand, trying to keep my voice steady. "Is that who those bastards sold me to?"

Lex's face twists into a confused frown, but the frown smooths out as quickly as it appeared. A low chuckle rumbles from her throat. "Oh, you'll find out tomorrow night. He should be home by then."

I curl my lip at her. This alpha gets under my skin more than most, and that's saying something.

"In the meantime," Lex continues, gesturing to the tray, "you'd better eat up. Wouldn't want your daddy to think we've been starving you."

A weird flicker of hope sparks in my chest. Are they... giving me back?

No. It can't be that simple.

Nothing ever is.

Lex's eyes drift over my body, lingering on my curves. "Hate to see those curves waste away," she adds.

The spark of hope is replaced by a familiar surge of anger. I force myself to my feet, ignoring the way the room sways. My legs feel like they're made of lead, but I manage to stumble over to the tray.

Without hesitation, I grab it and dump its contents all over Lex's boots. Some of it splashes on her coat, too. Good. She can ruin it with even more bleach.

For a moment, she just stares. I brace myself for the blow I'm sure is coming, but instead, that obnoxious laugh fills the small space again. She kicks the tray away, sending it clattering across the floor.

"Careful, now," Lex warns as she turns to leave. "Keep showing those claws and Nikolai just might decide to keep you."

The cell door slams shut behind her, leaving me alone with that ominous statement echoing in my ears.

Who the fuck has me now?

The lights flicker out, plunging me into darkness. Lex probably turned them off out of spite. As if that's supposed to scare me.

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