Page 172 of Filthy Royal

Damien’s eyes narrowed. “Anya?”

26

SCARLETT

“Cut them off at the next tunnel!”

“This way!”

The nearby shouts bounced off the walls, punctuated by heavy footsteps. Lots of them.

With her hand held tight in Damien’s, Scarlett lengthened her stride, trying to keep up with her charging Alpha as he led their party of four away from the voices.

Darvish had sent at least twenty Consortium guards after them.

“Get the female. Kill the rest!” More shouts from those in pursuit.

Scarlett ran faster.

At first, she was certain they’d made it away in time. Within a heartbeat of Anya issuing her warning, Damien had reacted.

He’d had her wait in the grotto while he had a quick discussion with his siblings. Then he’d returned, dressed her in one of his extra shirts, and led her back into the other room, where he’d issued the briefest of introductions before snatching up a pack of supplies, weapons, and his charred camouflage cloak.

Then they were off.

She’d been so relieved when they made it out without issue. But she’d had time for only a few deep, relaxed breaths before the pounding of footfalls had started and the chase began.

It hadn’t let up since.

She tugged on Damien’s hold. “Leave me. Let me use my gift to take them down once you’re away.”

His grip tightened, and he pulled her along at an even faster pace. “No.”

She’d tried this suggestion before, receiving the same response. “But—”

“Quiet. I need to hear what’s coming our way.” He raised his voice slightly. “Maddox, do not fall behind or let Anya falter.”

“As if.” This was from Anya. The kid just grunted in response.

Damien had positioned his sister in the middle and Maddox at the rear of their lineup.

It had to be said that this was not how Scarlett had hoped to meet Damien’s adored sister for the first time.

Damien had shared stories about all his siblings, but his deep affection for his sister in particular was obvious. Which made Scarlett acutely aware, with every step she took, of her impossible-to-miss flushed cheeks, sex hair, the bruises and scrapes care of her gift, and the taming chain that bounced at her hips and throat as Damien’s spare shirt clung to her damp skin.

Anya, in contrast, looked stunning and unruffled. She wore her long, midnight hair tied back in a braid, and her outfit of fitted pants and shirt, while unconventional for an omega, was a smart choice while on the run. She was gorgeous, of course, just like all the rest of the Skolovs, with a faint red tinge to her skin that was lighter than her brothers’. She had the same carved cheekbones and stunning eyes, but she also had full red lips that gave her a sensual air. She was tall for an omega, at least half a head taller than Scarlett but equally curvy.

However, what struck Scarlett most was the graceful way Anya moved. She had a strength and confidence unlike any Scarlett had ever encountered in an omega and a fierceness that was shocking. Although young, she held herself like a queen. Like an equal to the males around her.

And Scarlett had caught the female staring at her as if she knew every moment of Damien’s unhappiness and fury and had absorbed it as her own.

So, a first good impression seemed unlikely. Not to mention that they were currently running for their lives thanks to Scarlett’s inability to keep her gift in check.

Or, equally troubling, that her gift was acting up even now, battering at her ribs to be set free. Which meant it was taking all her energy just to beat it back down and breathe through the pain while her lungs worked overtime to keep up with Damien’s far longer strides.

She honestly wasn’t sure how much longer she could do it.

The last thing she wanted was to shame Damien in front of his family or make him regret the extraordinary time they’d shared in the grotto. But she couldn’t pretend. What she’d feared was coming to pass. Everything in the grotto had been perfect, but it hadn’t been real life; this was. And her gift was finally extending beyond what she had the ability to control. So, as much as she wanted to make a good impression, she couldn’t ignore the danger she represented to them all.

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