Page 59 of Unhinged
He shakes his head, his eyes wide, pleading. “I didn’t—please, I didn’t mean—” But I don’t give him a chance to finish.
I drive the blade in fast, a quick jab to the shoulder. The sickening sound of flesh tearing is drowned out by the deafening pounding of my heartbeat. He screams—loud, guttural, but his screams mean nothing to me. Nothing.
But Brydgett? She doesn’t flinch, not for a second. She watches, her gaze as cold as steel, hungry and calculating. Her lips twitch with something dark, something almost…satisfied. I’m seeing her for who she really is–the Alpha Slayer. There’s no pretending, no hesitation. She’s not just giving orders—she’swaitingfor me to finish, almost like she’s studying the precision of it, the way I carry out the violence. She enjoys it, and that realization hits me hard.
In all the stories I’ve heard, I never truly understood the weight of them. But now, in this room, watching her—it's clear. She thrives on this.
With one final motion, I drive the blade deep into his chest, the steel sinking with sickening precision. Eric’s body goes limp, collapsing forward as the life drains from him. Blood spills from the wound, pooling beneath him.
“Well, that was fun,” Brydgett says, wiping her hands clean as if she’s just finished a simple task.
I stand there for a moment, my chest rising and falling with the heavy breath of adrenaline still coursing through my veins. It’s done. I’ve done what she wanted. And, strangely, in this twisted moment, I’m okay with that. Because it’s not just about her taking charge anymore. It’s about the fact that sheownsthis.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
GEARS
I pull my phone out of my pocket, hitting Keg’s number with a swift press of my thumb. The ring cuts through the silence as I glance over at Brydgett, who’s still sitting in the chair looking every bit the badass she is. She's a sight—stubborn as hell and just as beautiful. But right now, there's a different fire burning in me, not the one I usually get when I look at her.
"Keg," I say, "get the other prospects down to the basement. We need a cleanup. Now."
There's a grunt of acknowledgment from the other end, the sound of rustling as Keg probably moves to get things together.
“Got it, Prez,” he replies before hanging up. I shove the phone back into my pocket, a quick motion that feels more mechanical than anything.
I turn back just in time to see Brydgett push herself to her feet, her eyes locking with mine—challenging and wild. I’ve heard of feral omegas before, but never truly believed the stories. This right here in front of me is truly feral.
“Well, boys," she begins, "this was fun. But I have an alpha to hunt and take down.”
And that’s when it hits me like a punch to the gut. It’s not just that she’s dangerous—it’s that sheistheAlpha Slayer. There’s a coldness in her now, a disconnection from everything human. She moves through this world like a predator, completely unbothered by the violence she’s capable of. I’ve heard the rumors, sure, but seeing it up close, watching how she carries herself... It’s real. This is real. She’s every bit the monster we thought, and something about it makes my cock harden… she was made for us.
I don’t give her a chance to move, grabbing her wrist before she can make a step toward the door. There’s an immediate pulse of heat under my fingers, a sharp contrast to the icy irritation in my veins. I’m not sure what bothers me more—the fact that she thinks she can do this alone, or that she’s still carrying the weight of everything she’s been through, and won’t let her alphas help her. The hunter mentality in her is there, but so is the softness. She’s barely holding it together, and she doesn’t even realize it yet.
My alpha demands I protect her in any way I can, even if that means adding fuel to her burning fire.
"Stay," I growl, forcing her to meet my gaze. The fire in her eyes flickers but doesn’t die. It only shifts, something like amusement sneaking in. She’s challenging me again, daring me to stop her. But now, I’m not just seeing her as a partner—I’m seeing her as aforce.
She looks up at me, her eyes wild, unyielding. For a second, we stand there, staring at each other, fighting for dominance. She’s an omega, yes, but she’s not mine to command—not yet. Her pulse races under my grip, but she doesn’t give an inch.
"No," she responds, the word practically a hiss.
Her defiance is like a flame, but I’m not backing down.
"You’re hurt and still healing."
"I’ll be fine." Her tone is firm, but I can hear the strain, the lie wrapped in that boldness. She doesn’t fool me for a second.
Arrow steps up then, pressing a hand to my arm and gently pulling it off Brydgett’s wrist. His touch is light but firm, a reminder of just how well we work together.
"Please, stay. We can help you." His voice is soft, but there’s an urgency behind it.
Brydgett pauses, a flash of doubt crossing her face. She looks at both of us, then glances toward the door. It’s a battle, I can feel it—her pride fighting against her need for safety, for healing.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity of silence, she sighs, her shoulders slumping just a little. "Fine," she mutters. "But only until I’m healed, and I can take care of Judge myself."
Arrow smiles, that rare, easy grin of his. “Deal.”
And just like that, she’s ours—at least for now. We head upstairs together, all three alphas flanking her, a silent show of solidarity.
