Page 182 of Filthy Royal

Instead, he snatched up his supply pack, and they were off.

29

SCARLETT

“It won’t be too much longer now.” Damien’s gentle hold on her wrist contracted slightly as he turned into another tunnel, her following close on his heels, his gaze shifting from side to side as he scanned for danger. “I know you’re anxious to be together again.”

It was true.

Usually, she’d be happy spending time alone with her Alpha, especially when they’d had so little of it for so long. But these weren’t “usual” circumstances. Guards were after them and until she and Damien were safe at the hideout with Luc, Kadon, Anya, and Maddox, she’d remain tense.

“I just hope they’re all okay.”

“They are,” Damien assured her, not for the first time. “Maddox and Anya aren’t even on Darvish’s radar. Luc is, but he’s got Stormhart with him, and together, they’re formidable. You’re the one the guards are actively hunting, but I’ll keep you safe.”

“I know.” But she was still worried.

Mostly because, despite all the obstacles they still faced, she hadn’t felt this settled—or happy—in a long time.

And that terrified her.

After four planetary rotations of hells, she’d gotten used to bad. She didn’t know how to deal with all this good.

The first bit of good: Damien knew about Luc and Kadon and was fine with it, which was huge.

Of course, she understood that Damien’s acceptance didn’t wipe away all the challenges and prejudice that awaited her brother and Kadon. Plus, Kadon’s and Luc’s lives were at risk, particularly if Darvish ever released his incriminating vids. But with a family like the Skolovs backing them, they’d be better protected than ever. Moreover, her and Kadon’s rotations of pretending to be something they weren’t were over, and now her brother and her friend could truly explore what was between them. They deserved every happiness.

The second, huge, piece of good: Damien was going to help her find the incriminating vids—and she’d help him find his sister—and together, they’d bring down their enemies.

Never in a million planetary rotations would she have thought, when she stood in that luxury box with Prince Jai crowding her, afraid and hopeless, that she’d soon be where she was now: Damien at her side, her heart full of hope.

The only blemish on her happiness, besides their separation from the others, was her gift. The darkness still swirled inside her, not as strong as before, but there, restless, waiting to pounce.

However, Damien kept insisting she wasn’t a monster, and, Goddess, she wanted to believe that. Wanted to trust that he was right, and her gift could be handled. It helped that, despite the bruising, she’d managed to breathe through her fury and control it when they’d fought those guards. So maybe,maybeshe could make it work. Maybe she could have an ending different from the one of death and sacrifice she’d thought was her only option.

Thanks to Damien.

Clasping the hand wrapped around her wrist, she squeezed tight. “I am so glad you came back to the Golden Dome, Alpha.” Her words were a whisper. “I had no idea I’d ever feel joy again, but with you, I’ll never say never again.”

“Omega.” His voice a low rumble, then he risked a glance her way, his expression severe. “Save those sweet words for when I can taste them—and your pussy—on my tongue.”

But she could tell from the light in his eyes that he liked hearing them too. Even if he was correct, and now was not the time.

Refocusing, she scanned the space for threats, shifting to look over her shoulder. A faint light bobbed along the corridor—growing closer with every heartbeat.

Fear swept through her. “Damien. We’ve been spotted.”

He looked over his shoulder. Then, with a curse, he swept her into his arms and sprinted in the other direction, moving faster than he would if she were on her feet, trying to keep up.

“Freeze!” A streak of laser fire flashed past, barely missing Damien’s shoulder.

Scarlett shrieked in fury, the darkness inside her roaring to alertness.

Another laser fired. “We said stay where you are. Or the next shots won’t be warning ones.”

Darting left, then right, Damien tried to avoid taking any one path. But at least ten guards were on their tail, which meant ten lasers pointed their way. Damien was fast, but he couldn’t dodge them all, and they didn’t have Anya there to drain their weapons indefinitely.

Damien must have come to the same conclusion because he skidded to a halt. “Okay.” He shouted so his words carried to the guards. “We’re following your demands.”

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