Page 2 of Captured

It took a bit of scrambling and a few breathless moments where she thought she might slip, but eventually her fingers curled over the edge of the roof. The building was only one story beside the cistern, likely containing an office or lobby, before it grew four more floors where it housed the bulk of the equipment that cleaned the water. The rooftop sloped up toward the rest of the building but wasn’t steep enough to cause any issues as she balanced on it and paused to look around again.

No darker bits of shadow moved in the space below her, racing to reach her before she escaped. Only one face stared up, surprise written clearly across the young features.

It took a moment for Flea to map out the clearest route away from the water that would keep her above the ground for a few blocks. She’d learned long ago that rooftops tended to be safer, and few thought to block them when they were trying to corner someone. Her ability to climb has saved her skin more than once.

She shot another glance down at the kid, her heart begging her to help, but she knew she had nothing to offer. She couldn’t take the kid with her because it would put her in danger, and with no supplies all she had to offer was knowledge.

Taking a risk, she moved to the edge of the roof and crouched.

“If you’re scared or in danger, the best place to hide is up. Alphas tend to be too heavy and bulky to move along the rooftops without slipping or falling through unless they’re careful. Find a place with a soft roof that’s blocked on two sides, then narrow the routes to them with debris.”

It was hard to tell the kid’s age or gender beneath the filth covering its flesh, malnourishment leading to tiny frames even in adolescents. She worried for a moment that the child didn’t understand her until its lips pressed into a thin line and it gave her a nod.

Knowing she’d done what she could, Flea stood and turned away, moving along the path she’d chosen. It had been a difficult lesson, learning to harden her heart against the softer urgings her dynamic felt, but it had kept her alive, and now she was free again. She had to focus on staying that way.

Chapter Two

Gra’ar

“Ineed you to find someone for me.”

Gra’ar kept his gaze on the alpha in front of him. It wasn’t unusual for him to be sent on missions to hunt down fugitives. Too dominant and headstrong to work with a team, it was the best way to make use of him while keeping him out of the way and on somewhat of a leash.

“She’s a pain in the ass and I’m sick of the problems she’s caused me. You’re going to bring her back, before she gives the others ideas.”

His brow rose at the knowledge that the person was female. It was rare for the soldiers and terrorists he was sent for to be female.

“Alive?”

His question froze the other alpha in the midst of his pacing. Eyes widened before the male’s brow furrowed.

“Of course I want her alive! She’s an omega! No matter how difficult she is, they’re too rare to…”

The other alpha waved his hand in the air, going back to his pacing without finishing the sentence. Despite the detachment he usually tried to maintain, Gra’ar had to admit the man had his full attention with that information. He’d been told he was meeting with the Director of the Collection Center at Decloui for a new assignment, but this wasn’t what he’d expected.

“You’re sending me to find an omega?”

The Director turned to face him, stopping his pacing once again.

“Yes. What did you think you were brought here for?”

Gra’ar shrugged one shoulder, keeping his face neutral. The answer seemed obvious to him.

“An alpha.”

Whether it was for stealing an omega, abusing one, trying to break in, or some other reason, he’d assumed his target was an alpha male. He never thought he’d be hunting down an omega.

His groin tightened even as his mood soured. He had no issue doing what he was good at, but chasing down some runaway female seemed like a waste of his time and skill. As much as his instincts thrilled at the idea, there were better things he could be doing.

“No, she’s one of the omegas we brought to the center to be matched. We’ve tried her with five different alphas, and she keeps finding loopholes to get out of it. Then she ran off as the last one was taking her to his ship. I told him to keep a close eye on her.”

The last was muttered as the Director leaned forward to brace his hands on the table between them, head hanging as he shook it before straightening again. Gra’ar hadn’t taken the offered seat when he’d entered the meeting room, so the other male wouldn’t put himself at more of a disadvantage by lowering himself. A large alpha and an ex-soldier, the Director was still smaller than him, especially if he extended his wings.

“Her name is Fledorina Fara, though she insists on being called Flea. She’s a human omega, born and raised on Decloui on the lower levels, so she’s familiar with the territory. Returning there seems her most likely course. Gangs roam the lower levels along with feral animals, and she needs to be found before she’s taken or injured. She doesn’t have any supplies. She’s also well into her twenty-first year and could go into heat at any time. It would be a waste if she was bonded to an alpha down there.”

Gra’ar’s cock twitched at the mention of the omega going into heat. He’d served the military for a long time and earned the right to claim a female long ago, but omegas were expensive, and he’d never felt the desire to even look at the Market.

That didn’t stop his body from responding the way it was designed to. He was still an alpha after all.

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