Page 106 of Pack Rivals, Part One

Axel's body stiffens and a cold shudder scoots down my body. Immediately, I sense something is wrong. The smells aren’t right. Not the familiar aromas of Courtney's apartment. Strange scents. One of them alpha.

Axel lowers me gently to my feet.

"Wait here, sweetheart," he whispers.

I grab his arm. "They might still be in there. There might be more than one."

Axel's face becomes murderous. Far more lethal than it did in the car when he'd learned Angel had kissed me. "That isn't a problem," he tells me and shaking off my grip, he disappears inside the apartment.

I wait on the threshold, bouncing on my toes, unsure what to do. I peer behind me down the dark staircase.

Where's Courtney? She was going out tonight. Was she in when this happened? Is she okay?

"Bea!" Axel calls, opening the door wide. "There's no one here. It's safe to come in."

The place is a mess. The cupboards have been ransacked, the contents spilled all over the floor and the countertops.

"Looks like a burglary," Axel says, coming to wrap his arm around my shoulder. "I'm sorry Bea."

"I need to call Courtney, check if she's okay. And the cops, I guess too."

"I'll handle the cops. You call your cousin."

I dial her and explain what's happened, relieved to hear her voice and know she's safe. She's out with her work colleagues but I can hear her leaving immediately, exiting the noisy bar and walking out onto the traffic-filled street. I tell her I'll see her at home soon and then hang up, gazing around the apartment in despair.

Axel hangs up a moment later.

"I don't know where to even start clearing up this mess."

"What have they taken?" Axel asks me.

I peer around again. "I … I don't know." The TV is still hanging on the wall and Courtney's laptop stands charging on the table where she left it. "Maybe my jewelry." I walk through into my bedroom and gasp. It's far worse in here than out in the kitchen-diner. All my belongings are scattered across the floor and the bed. The sheets have been stripped, the mattress overturned, my makeup and cosmetics thrown about.

I spot my small jewelry box straight away, though. Under a pile of my underwear. I pick it up and flip open the lid. It's all still there. My necklaces and bracelets, rings and earrings.

I carry it back out to the living area and show it to Axel.

"Nothing's gone I don't understand it. I mean, maybe they took something from Courtney's room but–"

"I don't think they came to steal your possessions, Bea."

"Then what were they doing?" I ask, surveying our ruined apartment. "Just trashing our home for fun. Is that how people get their kicks in the city?"

"I think they were here to steal you."

I stare at Axel open-mouthed. He can't be serious. I know it's been a running theme ever since I arrived here and learned I was an omega. I know everyone is concerned about my safety. But to break into my apartment to – what? – abduct me?

I laugh. "That would be insane." He goes to argue, but I cut him off. "Besides, Silver Boston has two of his men watching my apartment."

"Does he now?" Axel says in a low voice. "Fine job they're doing."

I walk towards the sink.

"What are you doing?" Axel asks me as I duck down to pull out a dustpan and brush and cleaning products from the cupboards.

"Clearing up this mess."

"Don't," he says. "I'll have someone come round and do it for you."

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