Page 59 of Beta Lies and Cursed Lives
“This city was once a central hub for the North,” Willow says over her shoulder as she and Caius guide us around the grounds. The snow is packed and slick beneath our feet as we traverse the streets, hugging buildings as we go. Which makes me feel ridiculous after we all walked through here out in the open a day ago.
“That building was the city hall,” she continues. “We did some converting to make it into a hub packs can stay while they’re traveling or running.”
I swallow hard. How many packs are out there right now, running and hiding? Just wanting their freedom. The genetic dice was rolled and came up “Cursed,” leaving one path in life.
“We’re headed for our bunker in the north.” She leads the way over sidewalks, hopping over railings with less effort than I. She’s done this a lot. She knows the route like the back of her hand.
Caius scrambles over to Willow and leans into her ear. When he pulls back and falls in line, she nods before speaking over her shoulder at us again. “Not much further now.”
Rai was in front of me in the chain, Colt behind me, and Aubrey behind him. Colt has been in a very good mood all morning, I notice with a little smugness. And Rai, he’s been grinning at us both since we met in the hallway before breakfast. The room he’d slept in was right next to mine, so...I assume there’s no hiding what happened. Not that I would. Just thinking about how we mated causes heat cramps, and I can’t have that happen. I’ve already been battling a headache since I woke up.
“We can walk in the open once we cross this street.”
So we do, and not hugging the ice-crusted stone and brick walls is definitely a reprieve.
Willow hangs back and falls in step beside me with a side-eyed look. “Are you feeling all right?”
I blink at her in surprise. “I’m fine, thank you. And thank you for helping us.”
Her smile doesn’t reach her blue eyes. “I wish it wasn’t necessary, but this is how the world is now.” She gestures at me with her chin. “Headache?”
“Uh…” Yes? How did she know?
A grin stretches across her face. “You’re very expressive,” she says quietly. “You keep rubbing your temples.”
I let out a puff of laughter. “I didn’t realize. Yeah, I have a bit of a headache.”
“We have medical supplies at the bunker. I’ll get you some pain medicine.”
“Thanks.” I give her a close-mouthed smile, to which she nods, then jogs ahead to Caius’ side.
The building we finally prepare to enter is all the way at the back of the old village, the icy wall towering right behind it. As Caius opens the door, a roar rolls through the air, sending the hairs on my arms on end.
“What is that?” I breathe.
Rai and Colton stand on either side of me as Aubrey stands off to the side and searches the sky, which draws my gaze upward as well.
In the distance, a mass of nearly black clouds swirls in the sky, melding tightly together. Thunder rolls before lightning cracks loudly, the flashing light almost blinding.
“I didn’t think there were thunderstorms in Iceland,” I whisper, feeling a bit foolish for admitting it.
“They’re very rare.” Willow approaches us and looks up at the storm. As she gestures at it, she explains, “That isn’t a natural storm. It’s a signal.” Her gaze sweeps across all of us. “There are thousands of Cursed living out from under the Beta Council’s thumb. We thrive, despite the circumstances. Many of us live in a settlement not far from this old city.” Willow’s head tilts upward. “That storm is an Omega sending messages to local infiltration units.”
“Infiltration units?” Colt repeats in question.
Willow smiles at him. “The Rebellion is everywhere.” She looks back at the storm, watching for a moment. “The message is in the lightning flashes.” As she releases a long breath, she whispers, “It’s almost time.”
“Time for what?” Rai’s brows draw tight, feeling the same tension I can.
Willow turns back to us, her voice distant as she replies, “To take the academy.”
My heart nearly stutters. “You’re going to save the Cursed there? How?” I breathe.
“I’ll explain inside.”
I look into the eyes of each Alpha before we follow her through the door of the small building. Willow leads us to the back, where Caius is waiting by an enormous metal door, thick with an electronic panel on the side.
“Not exactly a hidden entrance,” Rai comments.
