Page 37 of Omega's Reign

I tuck my phone into my bag and lean back in the passenger seat next to Andrew. He’s been silent since I left the meeting room, stomping my way to the elevator. I’m shaking because of the interaction with the alphas. A part of me is so pissed off. How dare they try to manipulate me by using my order against me—claiming that I’m the one who has a problem. That’s far from the truth. The only problem I have is that I have to prove myself at all. They wouldn’t question me if I happened to be an alpha.

They probably wouldn’t question the Silversteins if they were all alphas. But Beckett is the only one. I see why he wanted to bring another member to our pack. But now? I don’t even know if it’ll make a difference. I don’t even know if Andrew would truly want this life. I’m not even sure I do. But my pride won’t let me give up. Like the other leader said, I have to set a good example. I need to show other omegas that they’re not beneath anyone. They’re not intended just to breed. To satiate an alpha’s needs. We are meant for more. Like my brothers have always said, an alpha is nothing without their omega.

“Where to, Holly?” Andrew asks, breaking the silence. I’m pretty sure he’d stay here with me all day if I didn’t say anything. He wouldn’t make any decisions without my prior approval. He respects me as much as the Silversteins.

I tilt my head back and rest it on the headrest. “Away from here. I don’t care.”

“Back to the palace?” he asks, seeking confirmation.

I lift and drop my shoulders. “No, not there.”

He shifts in his seat and nudges me with his hand. “You have to be more specific. We can’t just drive around. It’s not safe.”

Groaning, I bow forward and let my blond hair cascade over my face. “Take me to the omega compound.” I haven’t been in weeks, entrusting Beckett’s sisters to handle the packless omegas as they wait for their chance to find alphas they adore and who will care for them in the way they need.

I know that I’ve been taking longer than expected to have my shit together, but I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for them. And the fact that my current alpha leaders in Platinum Shores have lied about the state of their omegas pisses me off. It makes me worry about trusting anyone with these men and women who need protectors. They need someone safe and helpful. And right now, I only see myself as that someone.

“Sure thing.” Andrew puts the car into drive and reverses from the parking spot. He turns on soft music to help fill the silence.

I shift and stare out the window, watching the buildings go by as we leave the one neutral territory that all of the Pack Regimes share. There are only betas in Golden Woods, and everyone leaves each other alone. This would be the place I would run to if I were hiding my order. It makes me wonder how many hidden omegas thrive here without anyone really knowing.

They will show themselves if and when they’re ready. That’s why the rest of the leadership doesn’t concern themselves with it.

It takes over an hour to return to the borders of Platinum Shores, my territory formerly a part of another region. I’m closest to Gilded Sands but the farthest away from anyone else. Luckily most of my border is shoreline and easy to protect.

Not that there are any wars happening. Our region is still reeling from the last.

Andrew rests his hand on my knee, gently drawing my attention to him. In his peripheral vision, he offers me a smile while keeping his gaze on the road. I never thought I could be comfortable with another man outside of the Silversteins, but I also never thought I would be an omega ruler either.

It’s the kind of good surprise that I love in life. It’s what helps me keep my focus on the future.

My thoughts wander to what I’m getting myself into, weaning myself off the suppressant pills. I’m not ready for children, so I’ll have to figure it all out. My heat will come, and if I fully succumb to my nature, I could have the kind of surprise I’m not ready for.

“Beckett’s calling,” Andrew says, tapping the screen on the dashboard. “Do you want me to—”

Slamming the brakes, Andrew fishtails, the vehicle shaking like crazy. I whip my attention to the road, spotting a black van burning rubber in front of us.

I don’t get a chance to ask Andrew what’s going on before something thuds against our trunk, jolting the sedan.

My body cools at the sight of Hector wielding a gun. He aims it at the back window.

Glass sprays everywhere.

17

Dangerous Past

Holly

“Stay down,” Andrew commands, stomping the gas pedal, sending us barreling forward toward the black van.

Something plinks off our car, the bang of metal startling me.

It takes everything in me not to try to sneak a peek. But I know what monster lurks behind us. What calamity lies before us.

Jerking the wheel, Andrew turns left, cutting across the empty street to zoom down an alley. A car blocks the alleyway exit, stopping us in our tracks. We’ve been trapped. Hector’s psychotic laughter echoes through the air, coming in through the broken back window.

“Holly, get the gun out of the glove compartment. There is an alcove to the right. Do you see it?” Andrew motions with his head, keeping his gaze split between the car blocking us in and Hector coming up from behind.

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