Page 137 of Switch Heater

“It’s the drug he had me inject you with. It doesn’t sever your bonds, but while it’s in your system, you won’t feel them, and they won’t be able to feel you,” she whispers.

Fear threatens to take over, wanting me to hide and cower away while I wait on my alphas to save me. Except, I’ve said it time and time again. An omega I may be, but that does not mean I can’t save myself. I know I can. I just can’t let the dread win.

Omegas can be fearsome beings, especially when we’re threatened, or our family is threatened. Unless you’ve been traumatized and beaten into submission like this omega locked away, body covered in scars.

Breathe, Rip. Just breathe.

“Hey,” I call out softly to the girl when I feel I have my emotions under control.

I wait for her to look at me.

When she does, I see glassy blue eyes full of so much pain and pure torment.

“What’s your name?”

She sniffles, wiping her nose on her arm.

“Cozette. My... My parents called me Cozy. But I haven’t been called anything but Omega in a long time,” she says, a tremble in her voice.

“What a pretty name. It’s nice to meet you, Cozy. Officially,” I give her a lopsided grin to ease her.

Cozette stares at me in shock with big doe eyes, sniffling. When was the last time this omega experienced kindness? When was the last time she felt safe?

“Why are you being nice to me? It’s my fault you’re here. I should have just let him kill me. It’s too late for me, but you... you have people who love you. Care for you. And I took that from you all because I’m selfish and didn’t want to die! You should hate me! I’m so sorry! I’m sorry,” she cries, wrapping her arms around her legs and rocking herself back and forth as she chants repeatedly how sorry she is.

“Cozy... Cozy, listen to me.” She quiets but doesn’t stop rocking, resting her head against her knees. “Are you listening?”

She nods, just barely, but I see it.

“This isn’t your fault, okay? You were afraid for your life, and for good reason. I might have wanted to blame you at first, but I can see your terror, your brokenness. I can’t blame you for wanting to live. The only one to blame is Victor. Okay?”

She looks back up at me with wide eyes and parted lips. “But if I had just ignored him and not followed you into that bathroom, you’d be home with your bonds right now!” she hiccups, trembling.

I sigh a defeated sigh. I really hate that my fun night out ended like this. Me, tied to a chair, my fate completely unknown.

“And you were only trying to keep yourself alive. I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if I’m being honest. Self-preservation is a powerful motivator,” I sigh, then think of something else to ask her. “Did he also send that alpha? The one that I caught following me? Or do I just have shit luck and end up with two stalkers?” I ask tiredly, wishing more than anything this was just a really shitty dream.

“Yes, that’s Jeremiah,” she sighs. “He calls him in when he can’t get what he wants on his own terms. They call him the Ghost because it’s so easy for him to disappear and stay out of sight. This is the first time he’s failed Victor and I haven’t seen him since the last time he sighted you. Victor was angry when he didn’t grab you that night at the carnival, saying he should have gotten your omega, too, so he could better keep you in line. Jeremiah has never refused Victor before, but for some reason, this time he did.”

“How did Victor know where I was last night? How did he know I didn’t have my alphas with me this time?” I ask, keeping my voice down.

She swallows, her throat bobbing. “Victor has eyes everywhere. He was offering a lot of money to whoever could get you to him. The way he raged when you started only going out with your alphas present was terrifying. The longer it took to get to you, the angrier he became. And then last night, everything changed. The beta that carried you out called him, and this scary calmness washed over him,” she pauses. “Ripley, you need to know. He has brought several omegas in since I’ve been here. I’m the only one to have lived this long. They never make it long once he gets through with them. They’re too mouthy, too disobedient, or refuse to bow to his whims. He doesn’t like that. He likes obedience. Subservience.”

Obedience. Like an animal.

Victor wants a pet that he can destroy and fuck if he so chooses. He found a toy that he could break in Cozette, but he must be getting bored and want a new one if he took me. It’s the only reason I can think of for him taking me.

He’s got a rude awakening coming his way because I don’t intend to walk away with him still breathing.

I swear on my bonds, no matter what it takes, Victor will die by my own hands. He’s been a danger to omegas for far too long and if the legal way isn’t going to get him, then I will. I just don’t know how I’m going to get free to do it yet.

“I promise you; I will get you out of here, Cozy. I don’t know how yet, but I will,” I swear to her.

“I love that you’re still optimistic, even tied to a chair. I was, too, for a while. Now, I am much more cynical. I’ve seen what he does to the omegas he brings here. Hell, I am one of those omegas. I might still be breathing, but inside? I’m already dead, Ripley,” she says with a defeated smile. “If you do manage to get free, don’t waste your time trying to get me out of here, okay? I’m already a lost cause, but you have people waiting for you. People that want you back. Just get yourself to them. Don’t worry about me.”

I shake my head. I refuse to even consider leaving her in this hellhole for another moment. If I can get free, I will take her with me. And I’ll rip Victor to fucking shreds for every terrible thing he’s ever done to her and anyone else. For all the omegas before me that lost their lives to such a monster of an alpha.

Alphas are supposed to protect and cherish omegas, not beat them and lock them in cages. Not torture and kill them. I’d never be able to forgive myself if I got free and left the broken omega behind. I don’t want to hear about her death on the news. Cozette deserves peace and happiness and to see what real alphas are like. How a real alpha treats his omega, like they’re the most precious thing in the entire universe. She deserves to be handled with a gentle hand after all the pain she’s endured. She deserves to be loved.

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