Page 43 of Beta Lies and Cursed Lives
“Everyone report to Training Ground One immediately and be seated.”The male voice that rings through the P.A. system is devoid of emotion as it tells us to move, repeating the same command two more times.
Thoughts are abuzz all around, fearful and curious. This is all very irregular, and everyone knows it.
When I arrive, it’s with a sea of others, but I find Mira and Rai instantly and rush over to them. “Where the fuck have you two been?”
They look at each other, despite Rai’s blindfold, then back at me. Mira’s thought pushes into my brain. “We’ll talk after.”
I’m not a patient person, but she’s right. This isn’t the time. I frown as we make our way to the mid-level bleachers and sit together, Rai to my left and Mira to my right. When we sit, Mira asks aloud, “Where’s Aubrey?”
My body stiffens. They haven’t seen him either. And that lapdog Laurant told me…
I look at her. “Later.”
She doesn’t protest, though she obviously wants to, just like I had. It’s written all over her face. Her thoughts are easier to read now that she’s near me, and that comforts me in a strange way I’ve never experienced. But there’s still some barrier between us that didn’t exist before, and it makes me fidgety.
When thoughts in a language I don’t recognize begin to flood my brain, my gaze snaps up to the center of the room, where I find several Cursed soldiers wearing GBE uniforms, their collars bright halos around the dark camouflage material. One turns to another and whispers to him, and I can see the red patch on his upper arm indicating he represents—isownedby—the Kingdom of Russia.
Two men in suits stand off to one side, talking to each other, and while I can’t understand their thoughts, I can feel the intent behind them. One of these men, the taller and youngest of the two, is angry beyond reason and filled with hatred.
He walks to stand alone in front of the lined-up soldiers and, without a word, demands our attention, which we give him in silence.
When he speaks, his accent is thick, his voice booms without a microphone. “My name is Damir Ivanov. I am second seat in the GBE Council.”
Well, shit. This can’t be good. The thoughts all around agree.
“I came here today on official business. An auction. But what I find instead is weakness. Freedoms no Cursed should be allowed. You are all allowed to live and laugh and do what you please. This ends. Now.” He impatiently snaps his fingers a few times at an entryway, and before there’s any movement, I hear them: Frenzied and fearful thoughts, hateful and defiant.
Four are marched in at gunpoint, two male Alphas, one male and one female Omega, additional soldiers walking drag behind them, wielding collar control boxes.
The world stops turning.
“They’re my life.”
“I am proud to die for them.”
“This wasn’t supposed to happen…”
“I love them!”
I am looking at our future; mine, Rai’s, Aubrey’s, and Mira’s.
These four are a pack. Cursed, and a pack. Mated.
Discovered.
I forget how to breathe as they’re brought before Ivanov and put on their knees, facing all of us. Both Omegas are crying, their tears stain their shirts. The two Alphas have obviously been beaten, their faces bruised and swollen, blood staining their shirts and some still dripping to the ground from noses and eyes.
“Some of you have beenveryfree,” Ivanov spits. “Spreading lies about a rebellion of Cursed mongrels coming to save you.” His hateful gaze sweeps across the bleachers, like he’s trying hard to peer into our souls. “There is no rebellion.”Lie. He knows there is. “No one is coming to save you.” Another lie. He’s afraid of something...someone. “And those who spread these lies, those who decide to go against the law and...matewithout the Council’s consent, will pay the price. And make no mistake—you freaks of nature willneverbe given permission to procreate outside of a laboratory. And if you get that privilege, it will be with an audience in attendance. Your offspring will be taken from you the moment it is born. It will be raised to be a soldier from infancy, and you. Will.Never. See it again.”
Mira gasps beside me, soft enough I don’t think many could hear it, and I want so badly to comfort her. Take her from this place. But I can’t even hold her fucking hand in public.
This Beta monster’s hatred stems from something deep. Something he’s hiding, maybe even from himself. While I can’t understand the words in his mind, the emotions are clear as day. He means everything he says.
The thoughts of the pack, however, I understand very well.
“How did they find out?”
“We were so careful!”
