Page 46 of Omega's Reign

And I’m pissed. He and his pack have put on an act that could fool the world. It fooled me. I’ve only ever been annoyed by his smug attitude. He was always first to tell me to settle down like I’m some sort of disobedient omega.

“Get out immediately or the next one goes into Jordan’s head.” Spencer saunters forward, smiling wider.

My stomach churns. Just the thought of Jordan getting hurt leaves me breathless. Protecting my pack is the most important thing in the world. I’ll let Hector escape if it means no bloodshed will occur with the men I love.

I slide closer to the door, holding one of my hands in the air. “I’m coming. You don’t have to act rashly.”

Beckett growls deep in his throat, hesitating in the front seat. We have no time to discuss things or figure out a plan. And before I even get a chance to touch my hip, Spencer grabs my phone and tosses it. A few of his pack members surround the rest of my guys and take all their electronics away. The motorcycles clatter to the ground, and I’m shoved away from the Jeep, now remaining idling in the middle of the street.

“It has come to my attention that you have been performing unauthorized arrests. I felt it necessary for the safety of the Pack Regimes to intervene. You have started a war during a time where we’re just mending from another. And frankly, I’m tired of the Gilded Sand predecessors causing so much trouble for the rest of us. Things were fine the way they were. But then you had to step up, trying to fill a position you do not belong in. You need to understand your place and take it without intervention from your brothers or the Silversteins.” Spencer tips his head as he studies me, getting close enough into my personal space that I can smell the onion fragrance of his nature. It’s stronger than ever, and I know it’s because I’ve stopped taking the suppressant pills that have helped diminish my innate senses as an omega. Some alphas that have once smelled good now smell incredible, especially Beckett and Andrew, but the alphas that I didn’t really have a particular opinion about now smell disgusting.

I gag and cover my mouth. “What do you expect to get out of this? You’re one person and there are many other leaders, including my brothers. Don’t you think they would disagree with your opinion? This is treason.”

Spencer surprises me by tightening his hand to the back of my neck and squeezing, forcing my face to his. Tears burn my eyes but not because I’m afraid. Because his stench makes me nauseated. His touch grosses me out.

“Get your fucking hand off her,” Beckett says, shoving the beta that tries to restrain him. Jerking his neck, Beckett bashes his head into the man’s, sending him to his knees.

The others take his place and grab Beckett, shoving him to the ground, aiming a gun to the back of his head.

“No! Don’t hurt him!” My voice cracks with my scream.

Spencer raises his hands, stopping his men. “Like I was saying. I’m in control now, princess. You need to tell the Silversteins to settle down and to behave since they obviously have been pussy whipped into listening to an omega.”

I gasp a few breaths and nod my head, turning to look at Beckett, Jordan, Isaiah, and Wesley. They all kneel on the ground now, scowling and looking like they are about to destroy the world. If only it wouldn’t result in their deaths. I turn my attention to Andrew, who quietly stands with his hands on his head beside Dale. The two of them are not seen as a threat because they’re not part of my intended pack. They don’t know Andrew and I are starting to build a relationship with each other. That we all agreed that he is meant to be part of my pack, with all of us taking our territory name of Platinum Shores.

“Please, listen to them. Don’t fight. It’s not worth it. They know they have fucked up and will only hurt you. Just comply.” I swipe my hand across my face, ensuring that no tears from my fear escape. I will not cry. I will not bow or break.

If only I believed that. My brothers have taught me that ever since I manifested as an omega, but it’s hard to believe it in this reality. In this moment, when everyone looks down at me.

“Good,” Spencer says when no one moves or argues. He turns back to me, loosening his fingers on my neck just a little. “Now to answer your question. The Pack Regimes will not disagree with this because I’ve already thought things through with a more worthy pack. You will renounce your reign. You will tell everyone that you are unfit for leading a territory.”

This fucker. Of course, he’d command me to do something like that. My brothers already know I’ve been struggling with all of the constant battles for power. They’ve already heard from Beckett that he wasn’t sure if he could do this. It would be believable if I told them that I no longer wanted to reign and that Beckett and his pack agreed.

It’s in this moment that I realize I’m not a hero. I will not give up my pack to ensure my territory is safe. I have to do this. As much as I want to ensure that every omega is treated as they should be, I can’t stand the thought of my guys getting hurt or worse. It’s not a life I could live through. I’m not a perfect queen. I’m not a good person. I have blood on my hands just as they do.

“You will kill them whether or not I do,” I say, my voice low. If I raise it any louder, I know it’ll crack again.

“Now what kind of man would that make me? I know better than to do something so rash. If we were to kill them, then everyone would know. I prefer to do this in a more amicable manner. The war can end here. You’ll give up your territory, and kindly pass it over to me to do as I see fit, which means fulfilling the restitution the Righteous Waters Pack deserves, and you can run home to your brothers and be the good little omega they never taught you to be with your men. Or you can continue as you are now without them. It would not be my fault if Righteous Waters retaliated for what you have done. I’m sure that some of the other leaders of the Pack Regimes would agree. The fact that you’ve heard this—make your choice, princess.” Spencer smirks at me, his cocky attitude boasting with his pride. He thinks he’s won. And maybe he has.

Because there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the Silversteins.

“Holly, he’s lying. He’s not going to keep us alive.” Beckett grinds his teeth with his comment. “Don’t give up the territory. People need you.”

I blink rapidly, my emotions trying to get the best of me. “And I need you.” Turning to Spencer, I yank away from him and raise my head. “If you hurt them, I will kill you. Don’t think I’m not capable. I will address the Pack Regimes, and I expect to have them back immediately or else you will be found out. And enemies of mine are enemies of my brothers and all our allies.”

“If they behave, they will be fine. You have my word. The Righteous Waters Pack will not touch them as long as you fulfill your end of this agreement.” Spencer looks to his men. “Take them away. Leave the bodyguard. Gilded Sands will know something is wrong if he is not there.”

A bit of hope ignites inside me, watching as one of the betas pushes Andrew forward. That means I don’t have to do this alone. We can get out of this. Spencer is an idiot if he thinks he can just take something that doesn’t belong to him.

I just have to hold onto my faith that the Silversteins are strong enough to pull through. I know that they sometimes doubt their capabilities, but I believe in them. They just need to hang on.

“I want a second with the Silversteins,” I say, fisting my hands.

“Only the alpha,” Spencer says, spitting with his words.

I gulp a couple breaths, anger rolling through me and giving me the strength I need to step forward. Beckett glowers at me as if complying with Spencer is an act of betrayal. And if that’s the case, then it is what it is. I’m not going to be the cause of our destruction. I will not let them be a martyr.

I won’t be one either.

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