Page 4 of Hunting Their Omega

It was expected. Every member of my unit would crave at least one biological child from our pairing.

The facility, the building where the official Hunt for the claiming of Omegas took place, jutted into a clearing ahead, a metal beast nestled among the trees. It drew my gaze with its cold, harsh facade. I had never seen a building so large, and the idea of stepping inside was overwhelming. A slithering fear crept up my spine, freezing my blood.

We pulled into a lot, and the engine’s hum gave way to silence as we parked. The door to my left opened, and I jerked away from the Alpha’s hand before he could grab me.

“I can walk, asshole,” I snapped.

“Watch your mouth, breeder,” he growled, “or your unit will be getting what’s left of you.”

I glared at him as I slowly stepped out of the car. He didn’t have to clarify what he meant—I understood. The other official, a Beta male, just stood there looking annoyed, as if I were interrupting his day. He jerked his chin forward, and I started walking, my body tensing when the Alpha caged me between them.

The inside of the facility was just as imposing as the outside. It was inhospitable and bare, the glinting metal rigid and reminiscent of a prison. Ignoring the mixture of curious and hostile looks from the other officials passing through the halls, I allowed the guards to direct me into a large open room with fold-out chairs organized in four rows of six. Women sat in groups, speaking softly among themselves, and officials lined the walls, acting as their jailers.

I scanned the room and saw a girl with warm bronze skin and eyes the color of blossom honey. She was beautiful, but that wasn’t what made her stand out. It was the look of quiet determination on her face, the absence of the fear I sensed in the others. I took a seat by her.

“First time?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Do we do this more than once?” I asked, confused.

“Not if you’re caught.”

Her words raised a million questions, but knowing we didn’t have much time, I settled on one. “What happens if you’re not caught?”

She looked at me from the corner of her eye as if deciding whether to trust me. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Five times. Survive five Hunts, and you’re free.”

“Free? They let you go?”

“A hidden clause. A rule we are supposed to be told in the boarding houses which they conveniently leave out.” She bent down, pretending to tie her shoe so she could whisper, “There are others. Omegas, free. Living in sanctioned land. If you make it, head to the woods and follow the doves etched in the rocks.”

Before she could say anything else, a loud bang came from the front of the room. She sat up, spine straight, and eyes ahead. Three men strolled in, all wearing violet robes. Council members. The air in the room thinned as one with graying hair stepped forward and clasped his hands behind his back.

My mind reeled as a wonderful, dreadful surge of hope flared inside me.

Survive the Hunt. Five times.

“Welcome, Omegas, to the Hunt,” the man said, not bothering to introduce himself. “It is an honor and a blessing for each of you to be here to fulfill your duty to society. It is our hope that by this time next year, each of you will have breathed life back into the packs you are chosen for.”

I rolled my eyes. What a joke.

“The Hunt begins at sunrise,” he continued. “Each of you will be fitted with a claiming collar. In the morning, you’ll be released into the surrounding forest. You’ll have a twenty-minute head start to run or hide. The goal is to make it across the terrain tothe other side of the property. When the twenty minutes are up, we’ll release the units. They will hunt you. Do not be alarmed if small skirmishes arise—the males will not hurt you. When your collar is claimed, you are claimed,” he said with authority as if he were addressing naughty children.

“Your unit will complete the bond, and afterward, you’ll be free to leave for your new homes.” He clapped his hands twice, his eyes sparkling with twisted glee. “Now, make two lines. We’ll fit your collars and take you to your quarters for the night.”

We stood. The honey-eyed girl gave me a knowing look and turned to join the line.

Determination filled my lungs, and my wolf growled in agreement.

I wouldn’t be easy prey for the unit who sought to claim me. I refused to go down without a fight.

Chapter 2

Wynn

“Can you smell anything?” Bishop asked Alaric as we exited the car.

“Besides the eager desperation of the other units? Not much can get past that stench,” Alaric replied.

“I think he was referring to the females,” I inputted, taking in the sharp, clinical steel building before me.

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