Page 49 of Omega's Reign

Saying a silent prayer to the universe, I hit the number and clutch the phone. My heart races. It rings and rings, and I worry that Jose won’t answer. I wouldn’t. Not from an unknown number. If they want to talk, they’ll leave a message, is my motto.

But I can’t do that.

“Hello? Hold on. Don’t hang up.” The soft, masculine voice whispers. “I need a minute.”

I reach out and grab Andrew, gripping his leg. I can’t believe Jose answered. What if this is a trap? Maybe that’s why he’s making me hold on. He might be looking for our location, and assume that...no. They can’t be like that. That’s too much paranoia on my part.

“Hello? Lana, are you still there?” Jose asks, his voice low.

Lana? I wonder who that is. I’ve never heard that name before, and I wonder if Jose uses his phone to contact his mother’s family. His family. I’m sure Hector would never allow him to see them, especially if he ever found out he’s been lying to him this whole time about his order.

I clear my throat. “This isn’t Lana, but please don’t hang up. I’m begging you. You need to hear me out.”

Silence greets me, and I’m not sure if he hung up after all, my pleas falling on deaf ears.

“Tell him who you are,” Andrew whispers, slowing down to pull into an empty parking lot. “Just get to the point. It’s easier that way.”

I swallow the burning in my throat, my anxiety causing unbidden tears. “This is Holly. I’m sure you know why I’m calling, and I suggest you hear me out, considering that I know you are passing.” I feel terrible even saying the words out loud. For some reason, murdering assholes doesn’t feel as bad as threatening an omega who isn’t much different than me. He has been dealt a shitty situation and he’s doing what he can to make it through just like I did by faking my death.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jose says, his voice deepening. “It’s dangerous for you to call. If Hector finds out—”

“Then he’ll know the truth about you. And I really hate that I have to do this, but I need your help. Don’t you want to live a life without worry? Without having to hide from your own flesh and blood because of the order you manifested into? This is what I’ve been trying to do. Your uncle has been nothing but a brutal monster his entire existence. If you think for one second that he isn’t, then you should just open up to him. All I’m asking is for your help. I need to be able to send a team in to retrieve my pack. You don’t have to be involved after that. I can protect you. I don’t know what you think will be accomplished by your uncle working with one of the Pack Regimes, but they’re going to get nowhere. I promise you that. This is your chance to put this all behind you.”

A soft growl reverberates through the phone. “I don’t want to be in the open. I fucking hate that my body betrayed me.”

“Do you know why?” I ask, keeping my voice soft, hoping that he continues to hear me out. It’s a miracle that he hasn’t yet hung up. “It’s because of alphas like your uncle. They have instilled in everyone’s heads that omegas are only good for one thing. But that’s not true. Alphas are nothing without us. Don’t you get that?”

“Nothing has been done to prove to me otherwise,” Jose says. “I’m sorry I can’t help you.”

“Jose, wait. Please. I’m begging you. If you do this for me, you can have whatever life you’d like. You won’t go down for Hector’s crimes. You’ll be able to find a pack who respects you. Please. You have to help me. Think of all the omegas that will fall by the hands of alphas if you just continue trying to pass as someone you’re not. I’ve been there. It can’t last forever. But this reformation I’m trying to accomplish will. There is no other option for me.” I dig my fingers harder into Andrew’s thigh, begging the universe for Jose to hear me out.

“I thought you were stepping down. You could just step down and get your pack back. I don’t even have to be involved if you just—”

“You know they’ll never allow it. I need this as a guarantee. Please.” My desperation clings to me, sending my heart beating rapidly.

Jose doesn’t respond for a minute, and I glance at the phone, nervous that the line disconnected. But he’s still there, the timer ticking along as fast as my heart beats.

“Holly?” Jose asks, his voice shaking. “I’m afraid. If I get caught…”

“It would be better to get caught now than in the future. Don’t you think? Hector is not a good man. The rest of the Righteous Waters Pack are despicable and undeserving of their name. I’ll protect you. My team will ensure you are safe. I just need you to get them in. Will you do that for me, Jose? This is bigger than them just being the ones I love. I need them to help me with my position of power in my territory. They are important. And so are you.” I open my eyes and glance at Andrew, meeting his gaze as he stares at me intensely, his eyes locking me in place. I wish I could dive into the depths of his gaze and lose myself in his soul. I need the comfort he brings me to engulf me, protecting me from this existence.

“So all I have to do is get them in?” Jose’s words hum in my ear.

I nod even though he can’t see me. “Yes. I will handle everything else. Make sure to pack a bag. You will be gone before your uncle even knows what happened. We’ll all be free.”

24

Rise Up

Isaiah

“Just a bit more. I almost got them.” I growl under my breath, twisting and shifting my wrists, rubbing them against the binds. Whoever tied the knots in the ropes didn’t do a very good job, probably because we’re surrounded and can’t exactly just make a run for the exit. I can hear voices outside of this uninhabited bedroom of the dirty apartment.

“Be careful, Isaiah. There are cameras. If they see you move too much, they’ll come and check on us. It’s best if they stay busy. We need to give Holly time.” Beckett rests his head against my shoulder, acting as if he’s exhausted. I know his adrenaline runs rampant, and it’s taking all his strength to not thrash and fight. He’s angry that we are in this position, and while so am I, I’m thankful that Holly isn’t here with us. I’m grateful that Righteous Waters was too ignorant to see that Andrew might already be madly in love with her even if he hasn’t admitted it to any of us yet. He’s already agreed to a future with us. It’s what gives me hope. Because Holly will make sure he is strong. She will ensure that everything ends up in our favor. That’s how much faith I have in my beautiful omega. Nothing can get between us. We didn’t get this far just to have the world strike us down.

Fuck that.

“I don’t want her being put in danger. We need to figure this shit out before she is forced to step down. I know that they won’t return us so easily. They’ll want to make sure all remains quiet until they figure out how the hell they’re going to deal with everyone else.” Jordan speaks through his teeth. I doubt the camera in the corner can pick up every single sound in this room. Especially over the loud talking in the hallway.

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