Page 69 of Hunting Their Omega

I woke to a throbbing ache in my head. My surroundings were foreign, and panic surged through me as I struggled to recollect how I got to the dimly lit room. I tried to lift my hands to my pounding temple but stopped short when I noticed the bindings. My lungs tightened with fear. I had no clue where I was or who had taken me.

I reached for my wolf, but she was dormant, sleeping. They’d probably drugged me. Whatever they’d used made my bond hazy, and it slipped through my fingers when I reached for it.

A floorboard creaked behind me, and I forced myself to stay calm. I kept my eyes closed, feigning sleep. I’d have a better chance of getting information if they thought I wasn’t conscious. Alaric’s training barreled through my sluggish mind. I needed to gather as many details as possible and determine the best course of action.

Though every instinct in me wanted to run, I remained still. Two wolves conversed nearby, and I kept my breaths shallow and controlled as I eavesdropped. Their words sent shivers down my spine.

“. . . forgot to mention she was already pregnant,” one of them grumbled in a harsh, guttural voice.

The blood froze in my veins. What did he say?

“So, what do we do? Wait until she whelps before mating with her?”

Pregnant? My head spun as I processed their words. A child—mychild—was in danger.

I shut down my thoughts before I could spiral. I had to get out of there for the sake of the life growing in my womb. I had to give my pup a fighting chance. I tried again to reach for my bond. It flickered but remained dark—not solid enough to get a message across.

Another voice, gruffer than the rest, hissed, “It’s still early. The scent is so faint I almost missed it. We could just get rid of it.”

Fear mingled with my fierce protective instincts.

“It’s probably better that way. No telling which wolf is the sire.”

Footsteps approached, and a body leaned over mine. I slowed my breathing.

“It wouldn’t be hard. I could probably do it while she’s still unconscious. She would wake up never knowing what she lost.”

Someone grunted in agreement. “I can’t stand the sound of wailing females.”

I had to keep them talking to distract them from their vile intentions. My heart raced, but I clamped down on my fear, focusing on a plan. I couldn’t let them harm my child.

I fluttered my eyelids, feigning confusion. “Where . . . where am I?” I asked, my voice trembling.

The three men from the woods stared at me, their eyes glinting with malice. The grimy, skeletal one was closest to me, and I kept my expression vulnerable even though I wanted to bare my teeth.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, committing to my role. I had to buy time while I plotted my escape.

“Who are you? What do you want with me?” I asked.

I covertly glanced around at the damp, moldy room. We were in an old, barely used cabin from the look of it. There were spaces between the boards that let in a draft, and I could smell pines.

So, we were in the woods then. Probably east because that’s where they caught me, which meant I was likely in unsanctioned territory.

The burly, brown-haired male sneered, his gaze predatory. “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you? I’m surprised you didn’t wake sooner.”

I held my tongue, not wanting to provoke him.

“You’re carrying a pup,” he taunted, taking a step forward. I shuffled backward until my spine pressed against the wall. “And I’m going to replace it with mine.”

Dread coiled within me, but I forced myself into a sitting position and stared at him incredulously. I had to make them believe that harming the child would wreck their other plans.

“You can’t,” I exclaimed, my voice shaking with false conviction. “If you harm the pup, it will damage my ability to bear healthy pups in the future.”

They exchanged dubious glances, their skepticism evident. I scrambled to find a more persuasive argument.

“I . . . I’ve heard of cases like this,” I stammered. “An Omega’s body isn’t built to withstand that type of exertion. It will damage my womb, and I won’t be able to carry any pups afterward. Please, you’ll ruin your chances of healthy offspring if you harm my baby.”

“Should we risk it, Jo?” the skeletal male asked the hateful one, who I assumed was the leader.

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