Page 65 of Beta Lies and Cursed Lives
“We’ll provide you with directions and a vehicle. But what’s your plan?”
“Wipe them all out,” I seethe, my fists clenching, the beast in my chest chomping. “Those monsters experiment on Cursed; they torture and murder us. Even one of my mates was sent there—as a child!”
Willow waves her palm toward me and pulls back, like a calming wave. “We understand that, but you can’t go in there without a real plan of action.” She turns, and Caius pulls up a map and some aerial photos on the large screen. “Tenebrosa was next on our list after the academy, but I think now we can hit Tenebrosa first. I’ll send word to my people on the inside.”
Anger flares in me, hot and raging. “You have people inside Tenebrosa working with those monsters?” My voice is a growling hiss, my head throbs.
Colt gives me a concerned look, but I ignore him.
Willow eyes me silently for a moment. When she leans her palms on the desk in front of her, there is a new energy around her, commanding and controlling. “Listen very carefully, little girl.” Her tone is eerily calm. “I have given my life to this cause. I have given up more than you will ever understand to free our people and topple this undeserving regime.” Her jaw squares, voice lowering to a near menace. “My people risk their lives every day, living undercover, doing what they must while also doing whatever they can.”
“Our people will help you free your father,” Caius interjects. “If he was sent there in the last year, he’s still there now. No prisoner has been transferred in that time, but there was a transfer of power recently.”
So, Major Tomlin made good on part of his promise. “Do you have news from inside?”
“Things have been very quiet since Dr. Vera Song took over the facility,” Willow tells us.
“Do you know anything about this doctor?” Rai asks.
Willow's eyes sparkle. “Oh, yes. She’s one of mine.”
My brows draw tight, Tomlin’s voice whispering in my mind. “If I did it, my authority would be questioned. I wouldn’t be able to put someone I trust in charge of the facility.”
“We’ll discuss the rest of the plan at first light.” Fury turns my vision red, and I open my mouth to argue, but Willow interrupts me with a stern voice. “You are growing impatient, and I do understand. But this rage is not all you. You’re growing feral, Miranda.”
I scoff, humorless laughter bubbling. “What?”
My Alphas stiffen around me, like they know something. In my peripheral, Aubrey backs into a corner across the room, as far away as he can get without leaving.
“The pack bond is very tenuous at the start,” she says. “What makes it stronger is the connection between each member being solidified. The longer you go without a full bond, you put yourself and your mates in danger. Especially you. As the only Omega in your pack, you’re a central piece—the keystone, so to speak. You need your Alphas’ bonds to reach your optimal strength, and they need yours as well. The balance will bring control over your magic, making it as easy as breathing. Believe me, I know.”
Willow takes a deep breath and holds my gaze. “For your sake and the sake of our missions, I can’t allow you to leave here until you’ve mated with all your Alphas.”
Aubrey
I don’t know what I’m doing out here.
I take that back. Caius and Willow are why I’m standing outside the door to the room Miranda was assigned in the bunker.
No, that’s not right either. I’m here because Iwantto be. Because my Omega is in there, and she needs me, whether she knows it or not. And I need her, too.
But how am I going to tell her?
If I touch her and my curse isn’t affected, and I try to speak...I could kill everyone in this underground bunker.
I want to growl, but of course I can’t. Instead, I pace, my sneakers tapping against the tile floor in the hall, my arms crossed over my chest, and I’m certain a scowl on my face.
When the door I’m hovering near swings open with a violent gust of air, I stop in my tracks and turn to face the woman who has tortured me for months. Or, maybe I’d done that to myself, I realize, as I stare into those silver eyes of hers. But her beautiful face is marred by anger, her head tilts to one side, lips pursed, behind them her tongue runs along her teeth.
“I could hear you huffing and pacing around out here,” she says, tone clipped. “What do you want?”
I blink. The aura around her is dark, abnormal. It pushes against my chest with great force, nearly choking me.
Feral.I’d never encountered a feral anyone before, let alone a Cursed Omega.
“Well?” she demands, her voice a near growl, low and guttural.
My eyes widen despite myself. All I can do is gesture toward the room behind her, which makes Miranda roll her eyes and turn from me to enter the room. I follow and close the door behind me, cross my arms again, and watch her.
