FeralAlphas
AnOmegaverseRomance
SierraKnoxly
CardiumPress
EbookISBN:978-1-922736-28-4
PaperbackISBN:978-1-922736-29-1
Allrightsreserved
Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedorusedinanymannerwithoutwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightownerexceptfortheuseofbriefquotationsinabookreviewor socialsharing Formoreinformation,contactsierra@sierraknoxlycom
Warning:theunauthorizedreproductionordistributionofthiscopyrightedworkisillegal.
This is a workof fiction Names,characters,businesses,places,events,locales,andincidents are either the products of the author’s imaginationor usedina fictitious manner Anyresemblancetoactualpersons,livingordead,oractualeventsispurelycoincidental
CoverartbyCatCoverDesigns
Author Warning
Ifyou’relookingforaslowburnwithlotsofplot,pleaseclosethisbooknow IwrotethisbookpreciselybecauseIlovehow omegaversegivesanexcuseforferalsexuality(withcumeverywhere).There’slotsofsexinthisbook thisonemighteven sendyouintoheat.Onehornyalphahasanearpermanenthardon.Justsaying.
So,ifyouleaveareviewonthisbookthatsays“toomuchsex”pleaseatleastgivemeanextrastarintheratingbecauseI includedthiswarning.Andifyouleaveareviewthatsays“notenoughsex”...pleaseseeatherapist.Jokes.Maybe. Enjoy
PS: Omegaverse is an alternative reality where humans have different physiological attributes. This book has all the knotting,nesting,growling,scenting,bonding,andslicking.There’saglossaryatthebackofthisbookyoumaywanttocheck outifyou’renotfamiliarwithomegaverseterminology
Othercontent:threatofsexualassault,sexualharassment,inhumanetreatment,slavery,deathmatches,violence,MM,talk ofeuthanasia, suicidal thoughts, sex/sexual activitywithbarelysane men, dom/sub relationship, dub con, mentionofcancer (backstory)
IwastoldI’manomegawithoutaheat alie
Thetruth?Myheatsweremedicallysuppressed,andnowI’vebeensoldasasecretweaponinabrutalundergroundwhere feral alphas are pitted againsteachother infights to the death. Whenthe Omega Crimes Bureauraids the ring, mydreamof havinglovewitharealpackseemswithinreach,butfreedomisneverthatsimple Iwon’tleavemyferalalphasbehind,andwhatsanepackwouldacceptlivingwithtwoviolentkillers?
32 Rose
33.Rose
34.Kye
35.Colt
36.Rose
37.Colt
38.Rose
39.Rose
40.Luka
41.Rose
42.Kye
43 Rose
44.Luka
45 Luka
46.Colt
47 Luka
48.Liam
49 Rose
50.Colt
51 Kye
52.Luka
53 Rose
54.Rose
55 Luka
56.Luka
57 Colt
58.Luka
Epilogue OneYearLater
Glossary
NotefromtheAuthor
~InMemory~
Afterword
AbouttheAuthor
Alsoby
Acknowledgements
O-4
Omega;anametherestoftheworldsayswithawe,butformeit’sasynonymforfailure.Becausewhatgoodisanomegawho can’tgointoheat?That’swhatbondsapacktogetherandintwenty-sevenyearsoflife,I’veneverhadone. Noheat.Nopack.Simpleomegamath.
“Where’sO-12?”IaskalittletooloudlyasIslideintomyseatattheroundclinicaltable.Theorderliesatthedesksringing theroomglanceupfromtheirlaptopsinthesamewaylibrarianssupposedlydoifyoutalktooloudlyinthestacks I’venever beentoalibrary,soIwouldn’tknowforsure.
O-9, the omega directlyopposite me, gives me a sultrylookthroughher darklashes and leans across the table “They’re sayingshegotadoptedbyapack.”
Myheartsinks.Notforher,ofcourse.TheomegaIaskedaboutdeserveseverygoodthingcomingherway.Now,evenwith atwistedlegandallthepainfulphysicaltherapyshe’sundergone,shestillgetstolivetheomegadream gainingapackand leavingthisfacility.
Everyonecomesandgoesthroughthisomegacenter,gettingtreatmentfortheirailments Everyoneexceptme Istayandpray mybodycatchesuponeday,butitneverdoes.
IreachoverandgrabthepackofUnocardswithaforcedsmile “That’sgreatnews!I’mgladherphysiotherapypaidoff” ForthefewyearsO-12livedhereatthecenter,shealwaysseemedinpain,soshedeservesaluckybreak.
No,thesadnessclawinginthepitofmystomachisallforme,butself-pityisn’tgoingtohelpanyone,anditcertainlywon’t getmeapack Webrokenomegasonlygettogathertwiceaweekbetweenourvarioustreatments,soIwon’twastethistime wallowing.
Iwavemyhandtowardthepetitebrunetteteenagersittingonmyleft “O-18,yougofirst”
Shesucksonherlowerlip,theperfectimageofasweetanddelicateomega.“Whatifshedidn’t?”shewhispersassheplays acard
Red-headedO-11flickshairoverhershoulderanddrumsfingernailsonthetable.“Didn’twhat?”
Thesmall omegaglancesoverhercardslikethey’realady’sfan.“Didn’tgetadopted.Shecouldbedead,butwe’dnever know because we’re locked inour rooms all day” Her tone twists witha sneer, clearlyunhappywithher currentsituation Can’tblameher.
Ireachoverandrestmyhandonhers “They’retryingtohelpus,O-18 Togetbetter”I’veseenitbefore,thedistrustfrom theneweromegas.It’struewe’rekeptisolatedandunderconstantmonitoring,butthisisallthat’sleftforusrejects.Wedon’t getthefancyroomsandtheredcarpetwelcomesthewholeomegasreceive theonesontheTVgettingoutoflimousinesfor galas.
Plus,ourillnessesmakeusmoresusceptibletoinfectionsandwhatnot.
O-18turnstolookatme,revealingthefamiliarblistered,purpleskincoveringthesideofherfacethatgotherlandedinthis medicalbranchoftheOmegaCenternetwork.Theruinedfleshrunsallthewaydownherneckandshoulder,obscuringwhat sheclaimsisabrokenbondbite “Howlonghaveyoubeenhere,O-4?” “Allmylife.Gotnoparents,sowasraisedinthechildren’swing,andtransferredhereafter,well,afterImatured.” O-11snickers.“So,what,aboutforty-fiveyears?”Redheadsreallyareallsnark. Ipokemytongueatherastheotheromegaschuckle.“Twenty-seven,actually.”Although,itdoesfeelliketwicethat,some days.Nothingtodobutread,watchTV,usethegym,paintabit,andplayUnowiththeotherbrokenomegas. Oh,andendlessroundsoftestsandmedicalexaminations
O-18’sbrowspop,butthelookonhercuteovalfaceischallengingratherthansurprised.“So,how’sthattreatmentgoingfor
you,O-4?”
Islapdownagreendraw-twocardandsmileather.“AtleastI’mnotonthestreets.”Ican’tlethergetundermyskin.God knowsI’vehadmydowndayspiningforapack,andIdon’twanttospiral Sheshakesherheadasshepicksupthetwoextracards.“Youwouldn’tbeonthestreets.Imaynotremembermuch,orfeel mybond anymore, thanks to this ” Her cards flutter toward the brutal scars onher shoulder “But somethingfeels wrong Don’ttellmeyoudon’tsenseit.Outthere,weomegasaretreatedlikegoddesses.Inhere?Morelikerats.”
O-9 glances atme as she plays her card, her jet-blackhair swingingacross her sharp cheekbones as she studies me for a minutebeforesheturnsbacktotheteenager.“Goeasyonher,kid.It’snotO-4’schoicetobestuckheresolong.”
Iflashheragratefullook.She’sdamnright.Andsheknowswhatit’slikebecauseshe’sbeenherealongtimetoo. “Nottryingtobeabitch,”O-18grumbles “Justpointingoutfacts Imean,wedon’tevenhaverealnames Ican’tseemto rememberanythingfrombefore.”Herwordstrailoffassherunsherfingersoverthewarpedskinonhershoulder. O-9sighs andtaps a nail onthe table “Yeah,we’re all like thatfromtrauma or whatever,butthis place is legit Andour alphaswillgiveusaname,everyoneknowsthat.”
Inodinagreement,butit’shalf-hearted Mychancesofgettingalphasshrinkwitheverymissedheat “Fine,fine.”Thelittleomegachewsonherlip,thenleansinandwhispers,“Butthenextoneofustogetoutofhereshould checkwiththeauthoritiestoseeifthisplaceisreal.”
“That’ll be me,” O-11 coos, tapping her bottomlip “I’ma brilliant actress bet you didn’t know that” She arches her browsattheyoungergirl.“TheOmmeywooddirectorsneedmefortheirnextbigmovie,sothey’recomingtogetme.”
The teenager giggles “Sure they are” She hasn’t been here long enough to figure out our lovely O-11 is being serious Someone’sforevercomingtogetherandit’salwaysforsomedifferentreason,buttheyneverdo.Schizophrenia,Ithinkthey callit.Ormaybeit’sacopingmechanismafterbeingafailurefortoomanyyears,butatleastshegoesintoheatperiodically. Mostofusdon’tliketalkingaboutwhywe’rehereinthemedicalcenter,anyway.Thatwouldmeanadmittingwe’reflawed. Iglanceoveratthebetastaffwhoarethetrueactorshere,lookingstudiousontheirlaptopslikethey’regettingatonofwork done,butareprobablyplayingSolitaire Evenwiththeireyesgluedtothescreens,Icanfeeltheirattentionlockedonus
After twenty-seven years here, I know themall by name. They’ve kinda raised me. They wear pale blue lab coats, the officialOmegaCentercolor,andtakemybloodatleastonceaweek,alongwithissuingmeals,bunchesofpills,andwhatever experimentaldrugistheflavoroftheweek.Nomatterhowkindtheyare,it’sonlyajobforthem.
Butthisismylife.
“Uno,”O-18declares,playingawildcardandchangingthecolortoblue.
O-11’sheadsnapsaroundtoglareattheyoungestomegaatourtable,herreactiondelayed.“Theyarecomingforme!”Her temperflaresbrightasherhair Irestmyhandonherforearm.“Yes,Eleven.Theyare.”
“Noone’scoming”Thescarredomegasnorts,droppinghergaze “We’reforgottenandunwanted” “Don’tsaythat!”O-11shivers,andmythroatfillsupasIwatchher.
“Please,don’tupsether,”Imurmur,catchingO-18’seyeandbeggingsilently.
Thetinyomegashrugsoneshoulder “Whynot?It’sdelusionaltothink ” Iwince,andshakemyhead,butit’stoolate.O-11jumpstoherfeetandpicksupherchair.“They’recoming!They’reright outside!”Shehurlsthechairtowardthedoor “I’llshowyou!”
Theorderliesspringintomotionasthered-hairedomegagoesonarampage,throwingchairsandshovingatableacrossthe floorwithaterriblegratingsoundthathurtsmyears
Heromegascentflareswildly,outofcontrol,andIdragO-18underourtable,Unocardsflutteringaroundusasthetroubled omegajumpsupontowherewewerejustplaying.Thesickly-sweetscentshe’sputtingoutmakesmegag,thefranticwoman’s paniclacingthefruityodorwithasouredge
At least my sniffer isn’t broken. Afterall, scent is like the primary, animalistic language of people, so we can instantly distinguishthealphas,omegas,andthebetas
Blue-cladlegsswarmandaloudthumpsoundsoverheadastheygetmyfriendundercontrol.Iclickmytongueandfrownat O-18aswecrouch “Youjustcouldn’tletitgo,couldyou?”
Theteenagerpressesherfingerstoherlips,blueeyeswide.“Ididn’tmeanforhertogocrazy!” “Well, there goes our meet-up.” Isighand restmyforehead onthe table leg, eyeingthe younger girl throughmyescaping wisps of dirty-blonde hair She must have been stunning before the fire ruined half her face Nature makes omegas both beautifulandraresothatalphaswillnurtureandprotectus.Butsometimesnaturegetsitwrong.
“Comeout,ladies,”Jackie,mylong-termnursecalls “She’scalmernow,butIthinkit’sbestifyouallreturntoyourrooms” Islipoutfromunderthetable.O-11quiversagainstthetexturedwhitetabletop,eyeswideandvacantunderhermopofred hair,andatinybulbofbloodgrowsonherbareupperarmwheretheyinjectedasedative. Idabthespotawaywiththehemofmyloosehospitalgownandrubmyhandupanddownherback.O-11doesn’trespond. “Comeon,”Jackiesaysfirmly,andIturnawaywithasightofollowheroutthedoortomyroom.
“Will she be okay?” It’s beena while since the psychotic omega had a fit, whichis preciselywhyO-18 didn’tknow she couldescalate.
Jackienods “I’msureshewill”
Iscuffmywhitetennisshoesalongthepolishedconcretefloorintheartificially-litcorridor.“Mytreatmentsdon’tseemto beworking”
Jackieflicksmeathinsmile.“Don’tsaythat.Yourlastbloodworkshowedsomeimprovementintheomegamarkers.”
“Enoughtogointoheat?”
Shehesitatesandrunsahandaroundherstiffbunoftawnyhair.“Couldbe.”
I glance along the windowless hallway. Can’t blame the younger omega for feeling trapped in here when there’s no windows Somethingaboutpathogens,IthinkJackiesaidwhenIaskedaboutityearsago ButtheconversationwithO-18got methinking.
Ilickmytonguearoundmydrymouth “Well,ifwedon’tseeanyimprovementthismonth,canIgostudytogetaregularjob orsomethinglikeabetawould?I’mwastingmylifeinheredoingnothinganditseemslikeIwon’teverimprove.”
She swipes her cardagainstthe door tomyroom “Iwasn’tgoingtosayanythingbecause Ididn’twanttoexcite you,but there’ssomeonecomingtomeetyoutomorrow.”
IspinsofastIknockmyhandagainstthedoorframe.“Apack?”
“Careful!” Jackie twitches in alarmand dives into the cupboard full of medical things to hand me a single-use icepack, crackingittocombinethechemicals.
Ismile Ifthis was some illegal place like O-18 hinted at, the staffwouldn’tcare abouta few bruises, and theywouldn’t havelookedaftermealltheseyears.
“Whocaresaboutthat!”Isnatchthegelpadandrestitonthebackofmyhandtopleaseher.“Who’scoming?”
Jackieshakesherhead.“Ican’tsay,butwiththerecenttestswe’vedoneandrisingmarkers,wenow believeyou’remore likelytogointoheataroundalphas.Butpromisemeyou’ll eatandsleepwell.”Shechecksmyskinforbruising.“Youdon’t wantblackbagsunderyoureyeswithguestscomingtomeetyou”
ExcitementpulsesthroughmesohardIspasm,runningonthespottoletsomeofthewildenergyout.“Yes!Yes!Iwill.But can’tyoutellmetheirnameoradescription?Anything,something?”
Jackiemimeszippinghermouthshutandpointsformetoputtheicepackbackon.IgrinasIwrapitaroundmyarm,feeling the cold slowly seep into my skin as the chemical reaction works. Funny, they can make this thick liquid turn fromroom temperaturetofreezingcoldinaninstant,butinthetenyearssincemymaturity,theyhaven’tbeenabletofigureoutwhyIcan’t gointoheat.
Butsomethingisfinallyhappening!
“I’llbringyourdinnertrayearly,sopleaserest.Anddon’tcollectanymorebruises!”JackiefrownsatmeandIsaluteher outthedoor,promisingtobegood
It’seasiertopromisethandobecauseIcan’tthinkaboutanythingbesidesthepossibilityofgettingapack.Imean,tobefair, shedidn’texactlysayanalphaiscoming,or thathe’slookingfor apack,butfor myentirelifethat’sall I’vedreamtof,soI can’thelpfixatingonthepossibility,evenifit’sslight ButshedidsayI’dbearoundalphas,right?Thattheymightbeableto bringonmyheat.
Butifthat’sso,whydidn’twetrythatsooner?
ThethoughtbugsmeasItossandturn,tryingtosleepbuthearingeveryvoiceinthecorridorandcatchingeveryscentinmy room
Alphas;theunknown,magicalPrinceCharmingsIseeinthemovies,sweepingintoaiddistressedomegasandsoothetheir heatsandsoulswithalphacontrolplustheirlegendaryknots.TheoneswhowillgivemealovelyomeganameonceI’mpartof theirpack
Agiggle slips throughmylips, and Ipress myfists to mymouthto blockthe sound. I’mtoo old to be actinglike a giddy schoolgirl,yetthat’swhatI’mdoing O-18iswrong.We’reheretoreceivetreatment,and,finally,afteralltheseyearsI’mseeingresults.
Iroll over onmybedandflipmypillow tothecool side,thenwill myselftofall asleepsoIdon’tlookanyolder whenI meetmyvisitorinthemorning.Tomorrowcouldbethedayeverythingchanges.
O-4
Footstepsmarchalongthehallwayoutsidemyroom,andIretreatfromthedoorwaytomakespaceinthesmallarea,wriggling inexcitementwhenmysensitiveearshearthesoundsstopinfrontofmydoor.
“DesignationO-4.Twenty-sevenyearsold.Blond,five-footsix.Firstheatsuppressedfortenyears.Isthatwhatyouwant?” Jackie’s voice filters under the door. Suppressed? What does that mean? She’s my main nurse but although her voice is recognizable,shesoundsdifferenttoday Detached
Anunfamiliar,raspyvoicewithanaccentreplies,“Let’stakealook.”
Iscrambleontothebed,chestachingasifmypoundingheartispushingagainsttheskin
Thesolidwhitedoorslidesopen, andmyblue-coatednursewalksinwithpapersunderonearmandthemedkitinherotherhand,followedbyawirymanwith tattoosuphisarmswhoreeksofcigarettesmoke.Judgingfromtheunderlyingscentofhim,he’sabeta,likemostofthestaff here
MyshouldersslumpalittleasIprocessthefacthe’snotanalpha.
Jackiedropsher caseonthedeskwhilethenewcomer eyesmeupanddownappraisinglyandnods “She’sprettyenough Canyouguaranteeshe’sbeenheatfree?”Weaknesssteelsupmylegs.OfcourseI’veneverhadaheat.
Withanannoyedsmackofthepapersinherhand,Jackieshakesherhead “Wouldwestillbeinbusinessifwedidn’tliveup toourword?”
She hasn’tlookedatme yetandIdraw back,a squirmysensationtuggingatmystomach.“Jackie? What’s goingon?” She doesn’tsoundatalllikethegentlenursewho’sbraidedmyhairandbroughtmeartsupplies
The mansmirks atme and thatquirkofhis cracked lips sends jitters downmyspine. Ihiss angrilyto release the nerves knottinginside,whichmakeshiscruelsmiledeepen “AndIseeshe’sfeisty” Thenursearchesherbrows.“It’snoteasytosuppressfirstheatsfortenyears,youknow.”
Iblink Suppressheats?Whatisshetalkingabout?“Whoisthisman,Jackie?”Everythingfeelswrong,andmymusclestense likemybody’stellingmetorun.
Theybothignoremeandthesmoke-crustedmanscoffs.“Yeah,thepricetagsaysasmuch.Butsolongasitsendsthedogs feral,we’llpay”
Myheartsinks.Thewordsbuzzthroughmyhead,andIknow theymeanbadnewsforme,butinwhatway,Ican’tfathom. Jackiehasitallwrong Ihaven’tbeenabletogointoheat,butifIcorrecther,doesthatmeanI’lllosemyonlychanceatgetting outofhereandjoiningapack?
Stillnotmeetingmygaze,Jackieunzipsherbag.“Alright,inaccordancewithpolicy,I’lldoahealthcheckwhichyou’llsign offon,andthenyoucantakeher.”
“Idon’twanttogoanywhere!”Icry,givingmyfiercestsnarl.
Sheshrugs “Youdon’thaveachoice,sweetheart”Shetipsherheadattheotherman “Helpmegetherinthebrace”The iceinhertonestabsatme,chillingmysoul.MaybethisisanightmareandI’llwakeupinamomentinacoldsweat. Iwhinesoftlyandbackintothecornerofthewall Ihatethebracemorethananythingintheworld NotthatI’veseenmuch oftheworld.Oranyofit,beyondthesefourwhitewallsandthesterilehallwaysbeyondleadingtoasmallexerciseyard,the pool,andmoreexaminationrooms.
BothJackie and the manignore mystatementand leanacross the bedto grasp mywrists withpainful strength. There’s no pointresisting,soIsettleforunhappyprotestwhinesasI’mpushedtotheothersideoftheroomwheretheystrapmywrists andanklesintothecuffsboltedonthewall
“Whatthefuckisthatsoundshe’smaking?”Thewirymanlooksmeoveragainandadjustshiscrotch.“Ifit’saffectingeven
me,thedogswillgofuckingnutsoverit”
OnesideofJackie’smouthtiltswryly.“Neverheardadistressedomega?” “Notlikethat”
Jackieshakesherhead.“Itiswhatitis,andIdon’tneedtoknowwhathappenstoheroncesheleavessokeepyourplansto yourself”
I’mleaving?Surelynotlikethis.Iclenchmyhandsintotightfists.“Jackie?WhereamIgoing?”
Sheunlocksthecupboardslottedintothewallandsilentlypullsouttheheartandoxygenmonitors,ignoringme Iglareattheman.“WhereamIgoing?Whatkindofdogs?”
Hechokesonalaugh.“Whatdoessheknowabouttheworld?”TheykeeptalkingaboutmelikeI’mnotevenintheroom. Jackiestrapsthebloodpressuremonitoraroundmyupperarm “ShewatchesTVandreadsbooks AlltheOsreceivebasic numeracyandliteracyeducation,butthat’saboutit.Wealsogivethemhobbiesformentalstimulation.Thisonelikestopaint andplaycardgames”
Themanlaughsandflashesmeadarksmile.“So,you’vegotquestions,hey?Guessyou’lljusthavetowaitandfindout.” Jackiewritesmybloodpressureandtemperaturedownonaform,thenplacesherhandseithersideofmydresscollar She avoidsmyquestioninggazeassheunbuttonsthesimplegown.
“Stopthat!”Icry,thrashingagainstthebonds.Ifthismanisn’tanalphafromapackoradoctor,heshouldn’tbehere,andhe shouldn’tbetalkingtomethisway “Leavemealone!”
Sheignoresmeandstripsmebarebeforesteppingback.“VisualinspectionoftheO.Noteanybruisesorscarsontheform.” Shehandsittotheguywho’srunninghisheatedeyesdownmybareskininawaythatmakesmewanttoshrinkintothefloor Thisisallwrong.Ipressbackagainsttheunyieldingwall,wishingIcouldcamouflageintoit.
“Now those are some nice fuckingtitties,” he coos, runningthe end ofa penacross mychilled skin. Ibare myteeth, heat burning through my cheeks. I undergo enough medical tests to be used to being stripped, but not in front of strangers, and definitelynotoneswhoeyemelikeI’msteakonaplate.
“Jackie?”Iwhimper,butsheturnsawaytofill inpaperwork,actinglikeIdon’texist,likewehaven’tlaughedandshared favoritemoviesforsixyearswhileshe’sbeenworkingwithusbrokenomegas.
Themanwhoshouldn’tbehereinspectseveryinchofme,kneelingforalongtimetolookbetweenmylegs,andanew,sour maleodorhitsmynose.Iclosemyeyesashispentracksupmythighsandrestsbetweenthefoldsofmypussy.Iwanttokick himaway,butmyanklesaretrappedinthebrace.
Jackieslamsmypatientfileclosed.“Ifyou’redone,signtheformandtakeher.”
Tearsburnbehindmyeyesasthemanpopshislipsandrises.“Sure.Nonoticeablebruisesbutonescarontheleftknee.”He doesupthebuttonsonmygown,hisknucklesburningcoldagainstmyskinwhenhenot-so-accidentallybrushesme Isnapmy teethathim,powerlesstodoanythingelse.
Jackieputsthemonitorsawayandrelocksthecupboard “Shehadafall whenshewaseighteen Nothingserious”Yeah,I felloffthesteppingmachineinthegym.EventhoughI’msecuredupright,Ihavethatsamefallingsensationrightnow. Iwatchthroughhalf-closedeyesastheybothsignaform,andshehandshimasmallbox.“Itusuallytakesafewmonthsfora suppressedO’scycletostabilize,butyoucanforceapre-heatwithinthreehourswithtwoofthose Anotherdosebringsona trueheat.She’sallyours.”
“What?”Igasp “Howcanyouforceaheat?Whatdoyoumean?”Irattlemyrestraints,aheavypoundingsoundthumpingin myears.Isthatwhatshemeantbysuppressed?Myheats?No,thatcan’tberight.Fortenyearsthey’vebeentryingtocureme. Jackieseesme,butit’slikelookingataghost Onlyherbodyisintheroom,she’slefthersoulbehindsomewhereelse Theman’seyesflicktomeagainandhegrinsashesays,“Pleasuredoingbusiness.”Hisashybreathwashesacrossmynose andIquiverasIholdmybreath.
Shenodsandpicksupherbag
Business?I’maperson,notanitemfortransaction.Fearclawsupmyspine.“Jackie?Don’tdothis!”Ibeg,tearspricklingat thebackofmyeyes Idon’tunderstandanyofthis “Weren’tyouhelpingme?” Herlipspresstighttogetherbeforeshefinallylooksatme,eyeshard.“Goodbye,O-4.You’vebeenagoodpatientforus,but nowit’stimeforyoutoleave”
Istareather,shockturningmybrainwhiteandsilent.Leave?Andgowhere?Withhim?
Arudesnortbreaksthroughmyhazeandthemangripsmychinandturnsmyfacebacktohim.“O-4?That’snotmuchofa name for a prettyomega like yourself Hmm” He tilts his head side-to-side and his nostrils flare as he breathes in “Ithink Rosesuitsyou,becauseanose-fullofyourscentisgoingtocreateafuckinggardenparty.”
Ihiss athim,buthe presses uponmyjaw,closingmymouth “None ofthat!Myname’s PetrovandI’myour master now, Rose,soyou’llberespectfulanddowhatIsay.”
TheminuteheremoveshishandIspitout,“Omegashavepacks,notmasters!” Helaughs.“Sure,realomegasthattheworldknowsabout.Butyou,prettylilthing,nooneknowsyouexist,dothey?You’re comingforaridedownintothedarkworldwithmethatwillbeyourhomeandyourgrave,andthelongeryoufightit,themore
painyou’llget.”
Asharpspasmcutsthroughmyheart.Myalphapackaresupposedtogivemeaname,notsomeonelikehim.
Hereleasesthestrapsaroundmyankles Ilashoutathim,buthepreemptsmeandcollarsmythroatwithonepowerfulhand “I’mplayingnicerightnow,Rose,butifyoumakememad,you’llregretit.”Heleansinclose,fillingmynosewithsmokeand afull-bodiedaromaI’veneversmelledbefore “Ispecializeintrainingferalanimals,soyouwon’tlikeitifyoupushme”His handtightensandmyairwaychokesshuts.
Somethingaboutthedarklookinhiseyespromisesviolenceandashiverrunsacrossmyskin Igaspandgrabathiswrists, silentlybeggingforairasmylungsburn.
Hewaitsamomentlongeruntilmyeyesarerollingbeforehejerksaway,andicyairrunsdownmyquiveringthroat.Ilean forwardonmyknees,gaspingthesweetoxygeninraggedgulps
Ithoughtonlyalphascouldhavethiskindofintimidatingpresence,butasJackiesaid,whatwouldIknowoftherealworld whenI’ve spentall mylife ina fake hospital? Theytold me Iwas here to getwell, because Icouldn’tcycle like a normal omega,butmylong-termnursesaidI’dbeensuppressed.Didtheydothistomeonpurpose?
Hottearsburnupthebackofmynose
Petrovgrabs mebythewristandpicks uphis copyofthepaperwork.As heleads mefromtheroom,Iglancebackatthe only home I’ve ever known. On the easel sits a canvas I haven’t finished, a man with big shoulders leaning on a railing overlookingtheocean,hisfaceunfinishedasalways IthinkIseehiminmydreams,butInevercandepicttheface Hollow,likemyexistence.
EverythingIthoughtIknewwasalie
Petrov leads me downthe white hallway, squeezingmywrist whenIthrow a final beggingplea to one ofthe other staff members.Theorderlytensesanddisappearsintoaroomwithoutevenlookingmyway.
“Give it up, Rose. They’ve washed their hands of yousince the money’s beenexchanged.” Petrov tugs me into his side. “You’reminenow.”
Thestenchofcigarettesisdisgusting,butthere’sanotherscentonhimthatIwanttoburymynosein Itakeasecondwhiffas inconspicuouslyasIcan,buthecatchesmeandlaughs.“Eversmelledthatbefore?” Reluctantly,Ishakemyhead “That’salphascent.”
Myeyeswiden.I’venevermetone,outsideofbooksandmovies.FromwhatJackietoldme,they’reforbiddeninanomega center,incase theysetus all off.Iassumedshe meantupsettingO-11withall her delusions,butnow Iwonder ifshe meant heatsall along.Butifhesmellsofalpha,doesthatmeanhe’stakingmetoone?Maybemyhopesofapackaren’tdestroyed afterall
Myso-calledmasterpausesbeforeasecuritydoorandeyesmeforamomentbeforeshruggingoutofhisjacketandhelping meputmyarmsin “It’scolderouttherethanyou’reusedto,”heoffersashepunchestheexitbutton,andthedoorsslideopen “Gottaprotectthemerchandise.”
Ipullittightaroundme,hiswrytonemakingmeshuddermorethanthechillthatblowsinthroughtheopening.
Acarwaitsforusintheshadowedtunnellitbyafewoverheadfluorescentlights,thethickexhaustfumesmakingmecough asPetrovbundlesmeintothebackseatandgivesorderstothewaitingdriver.
“Go’agoodone?”thered-hairedmanupfrontasks,sweepingmewithalookintherearviewmirrorbeforeshiftingthecar intogear.
“Yeah,realnice Suppressedfortenyears”
Thedriverwhistlesunderhisbreath.“Thatoughtadoit.”
It’s justa casual commentfor them, butthey’re talkingaboutmylife, builtona house ofcards and lies thatcrumble with everysecondthatpasses Myheatshavebeensuppressed?HowcouldIneverrealize?O-18wasrightafterall Isuckmylip betweenmyteethandpressdown,willingtearsnottofall.
Shadowsinterspersedwithlimpyellowlightingflickerlikeacrazedcarouselforseveralminutesbeforewepassthrougha gatewaythatslides shutthe momentwe’re through, and Iblinkinsurprise to see it’s camouflaged like the side ofthe hill. I scootacrossthebackseatandgluemynosetothewindow,takingmyfirstlookattheoutsideworld
“What’supwithher?”thedriverasks.
Petrovscoffs.“Probablyneverseengrassandtreesbefore.”
He’s not wrong “Can I put the window down?” I ask, wanting to be as close as possible to all the beauty I’ve only experiencedthroughscreens.Yeah,mymindandheartareamess,buttherollinghillscoveredintreeswithfernsandbushes belowcaptureallmyfocus
The glass slides downhalfway, and a cold breeze slaps into myface, bringingme a thousand new scents. Iliftmynose, savoringit.
“Anotherdogforthekennel,”thedriversayswithalaugh,butIignorehim.EverythingisnewandIplantoenjoyitwhileI can,evenifmyworldiscollapsing.
WhenIgetacrickinmyneck,Isitbacktorubit,eyingthetwomeninthecar.“Whereareyoutakingme?”Idemand. Petrovsmilesandscratchesathisstubblybeard.“You’llfindout.It’smorefunthatway.” Icurl myhands into fists butthere’s nothingIcando The car’s movingso fastI’d die ifItried to throw myselfout, and there’snosignofcivilizationaroundhere.Bothmenhaveveinymusclesstretchingtheirshirts,andoldwhitescarscovertheir handsandwristslikethey’reusedtoputtingupagoodfight
WedriveforsolongIdozeoff,scrunchedupagainsttheedgeofthedoorandthebackseat,onlywakingwhenIfeelthecar slow down Daylightfades andobelisks oftoweringsteel andconcretereplacethelivingtrees andfields,andeverywhereI lookcrowdsofpeoplebustleonthesidewalks,thickasthecarszoomingthroughthestreets.
“Welcome toLavershamCity,Rose.” Petrovwinks atme.“Enjoythe view ofthe top,because it’s probablythe onlylook you’llget”
Ifrown,lookingaroundthetoweringbuildings.“Thetopofwhat?”
Hedoesn’trespondasthecarturnsawayfromthehigh-riseskyscrapersandtowardanindustrialzone,theacridsmogbiting mynosehardenoughformetocoverit.Acementmixerpullsoutofafencedyard,andacranetowersoverahalf-doneblock ofsteelandbrick I’veonlyeverseenthissortofthinginmoviesbeforetoday Thedriverrollsupthewindowandthenthecar tiltsforwarddownarampwayintodarkness.
Heputshiswindowdownlongenoughtowaveapassatarustedboxbesidethecarasheinchespast,andtheconcretewall attheendofanabandonedcarparkslidesopentorevealanothertunnel Myheartbeatpoundsloudlyinmyearsasweidleinto thedarkrecess.
Petrov watches me witha smirk, the shadows obscuringthe upper half of his face “These are the blacklands, omega Laversham’sunderworld.HomeofGromKennels,thecountry’sfinestfightingmutts.”
Thosewordssinkthroughmyskin,bitterlycoldanddarkasthebarely-littunnel.Thechillstayswithmeasweturnintoyet anothertunnelandparkinakindofgarage.Theheavywhirofindustrialfanssoundsoverhead,dragginggustsofairthroughthe undergroundmaze.
ThemomentPetrovtugsmefromthecar,Igagontherancidair,thickwithpowerfulscents Petrovlaughsatmeandliftshis nose.“Icanbarelysmellit,butitmustbeoverwhelmingforyou.”
IwanttojerkfreeandrunasfarawayasIcanget,butashrillsoundlayeredunderthewhirringfanscatchesinmyearsandI hesitatelongenoughfor Petrovtodragmeinsidethebuilding.Thechorusofgrowlsandsnarlsgrowslouder asheshutsthe door,lockingusinsidethisburiedbunker.
Petrovsnortsandflipsonalight.“Meetthedogs.They’regoingtoloveyou.”
AlltheairleavesmychestasIstaredownthedoublerowofbarredcells,eachfilledwithamuscled,nakedmanwhogrips thebars,strainingtoseeus Nosesliftintheairastheangrychorusgrowswilder,andIdraw backasthebrown-hairedone closesttomefrothsatthemouth.
Further downthe line, a manwithbleached-hair strains up againsthis bars, eyeingme witha narrowed gaze The violent intensityinhislooksendsastrangeshiverdownmyspine.
Instinctandthethickmuskintheairclicktogether.Everysingleoneofthesecagedmenarealphas.
Ibackawayfromthedoublerowofcagedmen,runningintoPetrov’schest.Helaughsdarkly.“What’sthematter,littleRose? Aren’tyouattractedtothem?They’reourprideandjoy.”Hishandsdigintomyshoulders.“TheGromalphasaresomeofthe bestinthecircuit,andwithyoubeingourlittleaceupthesleeve,they’reabouttobecomethechampions.”
Aterrifiedwhineslipsthroughmythroat,andIslapmyhandsovermymouthaseveryalphasilencesforamoment,before rattlingthebarsholdingthemback Theireyesdigintomeinapredatorywaywhichsendsmyheartratespiking
Thefrothingoneclosesttomeletsoutahowlthat’sdefinitelymoreanimalthanhuman,andtheydon’tseemtocareonebit thatthey’renakedinfrontofotherpeople Theonlysilentalphaistheonewithbleachedhair,whobacksawayfromthebarsat thesoundofmyvoice.
“Whatarethey?”Imurmur,repulsedbutunabletodragmygazeaway.
Whatifoneofthesewildalphasgotholdofme?They’dtearmetoshreds,andI’dnodoubtgomadifonebitmeandforged analphabond.That’sifthey’reevencapableofbonding.Myheartsinksattheprospect.
“They’re fighting mutts,” Petrov says proudly He pulls a rod out of his pocket and flicks it, revealing a two-foot metal extension. Hookingme under the arm, he shoves me downthe aisle betweenthe cells, the alphas growlingand callingout unintelligiblewordsaswepass Whensometrytotouchmethroughthebars,hesmackstheirarmswiththerod,resultingin howlsofpain.
IlockeyeswithanothersilentalphaattheendoftherowwhosegrayeyesflickfrommetoPetrovwithwariness.Hisblack hairhasbeenbuzzcut,andafaintfacialhairshadowstainstheoliveskinofhisroundedjaw Ashiverpassesthroughme,and mykneesgoweakenoughtobuckleasIcatchawhiffofhisscent.IpullawayfromPetrovforaseconddose,wantingtobury myfaceinthataroma
Thealphastiffensandthrowshischestagainstthebars,andIflinchbackwithahiss.
“Careful, Rose They’re as wild as theycome and they’ll either tryto kill youor fuckyourightthroughthose bars ifthey catchyou.”Petrovchuckles.“NowI’mcuriouswhichitwouldbe.”
Hesnapsouthisrodwithaharsh“No!”andthesharpcrackagainstmetalandskinmakesmejump.Itleavesaweltagainst thealpha’sbarechest,buttheprisonerdoesn’tevenflinch,hiseyesneverleavingmine Likehe’susedtothepain IgulpandfollowPetrov’spushtoacellattheendofthecorridorwhichfacesbackintotheroom.Realizationdawnsonme withclearhorror,breakingopeninfullforcewhenheunlocksthecelldoor
“DoIhavetostayhere?”IcrossmyarmsagainstthesuddenchillonmyskinandjerkbackagainstPetrov’sgrip.
“Welcometoyournewhome,luv.You’rerightontimeforfightnight.”HepullsoutthecasehegotfromJackieanddigsinit fortwotablets.“Now,areyougoingtotakethese,oramIgoingtohavetoforcethemdownyourthroat?” Didn’tJackiesaysomethingaboutheatsandthosepills?IcurlbackmylipsinasilentsnarlandPetrovgrins.“Hardwayit is”
Isquealashewrestlesmedownontothebed,kneelingonmyarms.Theopenroomeruptswithbestialnoisesasthealphas reacttomycries,andtearsleakfrommyeyesasPetrovpushesthepillsdownmythroat Themanwhodrovethecarbrings himabottleofwaterandhepoursitbetweenmyrigidlips,soakingmydressandhalfdrowningme. Ispitas muchofitbackathimas Ican, butthe pills go down. This is all wrong. I’msupposed to be a pack’s treasured omega,lookedafterlikeI’mroyalty,butthisisworsethanaprisoncell. Petrovbacksup,flickingwateroffhishandswithagrunt.“Welikeabitofspiritaroundhere,butwedidn’tbringyouinto fight”
Ipressmyhandsagainstmybruisedthroat.“Whatdidyougiveme?”
“Itwillbringonyourfirstpreheat.”Heliftshiswristandspeaksintohiswatch.“Setatimerforthreehours.”Petrovswings outofthe cell and the metal door clangs shutbehind him. Irushforward to grab the cold bars and he smirks coldlyatme. “Hopefullyrightontimeforthestatesemi-finals” “Why?Areyougoingtofeedmetothem?”
Hesnorts “Onlyifyoumisbehave!”
IchokeasIglanceatthefumingalphassnappingateachotheracrossthehallway,lookingliketheytrulywouldeataperson alive Thisroomattheendgivesmeaglimpseintoeachofthefourteencells Orcagesbecausethat’swhatthesesmall,barred roomsreallyare.
“Pleasedon’tleavemehere!”Ibeg.Thenakedmenaresoagitatedtheymightevenbreakoutoftheircellstogettome.
“Stopstressing!You’llbesafeinhere,soperfumeupandthenwe’llthinkaboutmovingyou”Hesalutesme “Seeyalater, Rose.”
Ibackawayuntil myknees touchthe narrow bed,collapsingonmyass as Ilose mybalance Heats? Perfume? I’ve never doneanyofthatbefore,butsuddenlytwolittlepillsaregoingtoreturnthecyclethat’sbeenmissingmywholelife?
I’mexcitedtofindoutI’mnormal,butalsodevastatedthatit’sbeenforciblytakenfrommeallthistime andnowforcibly started.LikeI’msomekindofomegavendingmachinedispensingheats.
TheconcreteflooriscoldonmybarefeetsoIdraw themupontothebedandhugmyknees,mydirtyblondehairspilling over myarms There’s nothingto do butmeasure the walls, trace the ridges inthe ceiling, and sneakglances atthe rows of alphacages.
While there’s fourteen cells, two of themseemempty Once Petrov and his pal leave, the alphas mostly settle, although there’saconstantlowhumofgrowlingcomingfromthatendoftheroom.Butthedark-hairedoneclosesttomehasn’tleftthe bars.Instead,he’sangledhisbodytowatchme.
I’dbelyingifIsaiditwasn’taratherfinebodyunderthecrisscrossofwhitescars.Broadshoulders,sculptedmuscle,and shadowedeyesgivinghimamysteriouslook.AndattheendofatrailoffinedarkhairsnestsacockthatI’mguessingissixor seveninches It’srigidenoughtorevealthefaintbulgeofaknotatthebase,whichI’veheardswellsupinsideanomega It’s supposedtofeellikeheavenforboththealphaandhispartner. Iswallow,mymouthsuddenlydamp I’mnottrying tolook,butthenmaybeI’mnottryinghardenoughto not look Ishifttotheheadofmycotandhugthepillow.“Canyouspeak?”Icallsoftly.
Hestiffens,eyes dartingtothecageoppositehimas thealphawithbleachedhair movesintoview.Thedark-hairedalpha visiblybristles,hisshouldersquiveringandhisstomachflexing.
After all I’ve heard fromthe beta orderlies and the gossiping with my fellow omegas, I thought alphas were like gods, untouchable and fearless, but these men are little more than the dogs Petrov named them My heart aches with a hollow sensationI’veneverfeltbefore.
“I’lltakethatasano”Isighsoftly,losingmylastshredofhope Howcannoonehavetaughtthemtospeak?Well,Iguessit makessenseifyou’regoingtotreatpeoplelikeanimals.
Thealphafromtheoppositecellswivelstowardthesoundofmyvoiceandhisnoseliftsintheair.Hishairhasbeenbuzzcut too,butthebleachedtoplooksunnaturalwhenhisbrowsarethickanddark Hischeekshollowlikehe’sunderweight,andthe eyesabovethemslantdown,narrowingashesweepsmewithalonglook.Fromherehelooksshorterthantheotheralphas. Ilickmydrylips Ifthey’re respondingtothe soundofmyvoice,shouldIkeepgoing? “I’mO ah,no,I’mRose” Ibite backthetearsthreateningtospillasIconsidermyname.Ithoughtmyfuturepackwouldgiftmeanamewhenwematched,but itseemsallthedreamsIclungtoareshatteringaroundme Nospecialname,nopack Justthisroomfullofferalalphas
“I’mnotsureexactlywhyI’mhere,butIfeellikeIshouldapologizeforwhateverhappens.”Iopenmyhands,indicatingmy body.AfaintflushrunsupmyneckasIconsiderwhatitmightmeantogointoheatwithallthesealphasintheroom.Doesn’t anomeganeedanalphatobreakherheat?
Iglancethroughmylashesatthesleekmen,wonderingifPetrovtrulyplanstoletthemhaveme.Oneortwo,Icouldmaybe survive, butanymore and Imightdie And whataboutnestingand the firstheatbeingspecial? Ichew mylip, swallowing downathickstoneofself-pitylodgedinmythroat.
Theblankethasanannoyingwrinkle,andIwriggleovertosmoothitout AminutelaterI’muponmyfeettopacetheroom, steppingouttwelvefeetbyninefeet.Atthefarend,there’saridgeinthewallmarkingasealeddoorway,meaningIdon’teven have a solidwall atmyback.Besides the bed,whichis bolteddown(Ichecked),there’s a tinywashbasinandmetal toilet whichiscoldasiceonmyasswhenIuseit
Fromacrosstheroom,Inoticetheblanketonthebedhasn’tevenbeentuckedinontheends,andIfixthatposthaste,before sittingbackdownanddraggingthepillowintomylap ButI’mnotplanningonsleeping,soshouldIfoldtheblanketupandlay itatthefootofthebed?
Ifreezeinplace.AmInesting?Iclapmyhandstomycheeks,findingthemhot.AftersomanyyearsofthinkingIwasbroken, now it’sstarting,butsurroundedbygrayconcretewalls,metal bars,andasingleblanketinsteadofaspecial nest.Mythroat constricts withtears instead of joy. The thickness travels downthroughmychest to lie inmyabdomen, leavingme feeling
heavyandachy.
Jumpingtomyfeet,Ireturntopacingtheroom.Sweattricklesdownmyshoulderbladesandmynosetinglesasanunfamiliar scenthitsme,thickandfloral MylegsquiverwithaneedIdon’tevenhavewordstoexpress,weightedandemptyallatthe sametime.Theacheinmybellygrowsstrongerandawhimperslipsbetweenmyteeth.
Thealphasintheroomsenseittoo,theirnoisesrisingandgrowingdeeper IfIclosemyeyes,itreallysoundslikeapackof dogssnarling.Ithrowmyselfontothebedandpulltheblanketovermyhead,butit’stoothintoshutoutthelustfulchorus.
Theworstthingis,saneornot,partofmewantstosqueezethroughthebarsandoffermyselftothem
The painis tolerable now, but if it gets worse, I’ll be inreal trouble. Maybe omegas candie without help. Fear tiptoes acrossmyskin,leavingatrailofgoosebumpfootprintsandIclutchatmythroat,findingitdifficulttobreathe.
Mypussythrobs withsexual urges that leave me quiveringas Ihuddle onthe bed Iclose mythighs together against the strangedesiretothrustagainstsomething,oreventotouchmyself.Nothinghelps.Iclampmyhandovertheheatedpulsesinan attempttoholdmyselftogether Eventhegroundseemstohum,whichmeansmysensesmustbecompletelydeteriorating MyownscentistoocloyinglysweetwithoutanalphatooffsetitandIchoke.Ineverhadtoconsiderthis,butwhathappens if an omega doesn’t have a pack to help her through a heat? Would I get desperate enough to seek out one of these wild creatures?NotthatIcanreachthem.
Ipeekoutofmyblanketandimmediatelylockeyeswiththeblack-hairedalpha.Hehasn’tmovedthewholetime,standing rigidlyagainstthe bars,gazingatme His nostrils flare andquivers runthroughhis body,buthe’s notsnarlinglike the other menalongthecorridor.
Ican’thelpwonderingwhatthatcoiledtensionmeans Wouldhetearmythroatoutwithhisbarehands,orwouldhisinstinct toprotectanomegaoverridewhatevertorturethey’vesubjectedhimto?
BythetimePetrovcomesbacklater,I’mmoaninginpainandbarelycoherentthroughfever. “Oh,fuckingalpha’sballs,wouldyoutakeawhiffofthat?”Hesoundselated. Astrangeranswershimwithadeeplaugh.“Andlookhowworkedupthemuttsare.” “Hechoseagoodone,”thedriverfrombeforeadds Ihugmypillowwithadeathgripastheywalkthelengthoftheroom,lookingintoeachofthecages.Thealphasinsidethrow themselvesagainstthebars,attemptingtoreachthethreemen,growlingandscratchingliketheyhaverabies
Thetall strangercomescloser,andIcatchtheunmistakablewhiffofanalphacoupledwiththedominatingauraI’veheard aboutallmylife.Hisbroadshouldersseemtofillmylineofsightandthemusclesinhisarmsbunchlikegrapesashecrosses hisarms.Oninstinct,Idropmyeyesmomentarilyashestopsinfrontofthebars. “Fuck,Petrov.Areyousurethisisjustapre-heat?”Thestrangergripsthebars. “That’swhatthequacksattheclinicsaid,boss”
Thebossgroansandrunshishanddownhiscrotch,strokingaridgeinhispants.“NomatterwhatIsayafterthis,donotlet meintherewithher,youhear?It’ssobloodypowerful,Iwouldn’tbeabletoholdbackuntilthetrueheat” Petrovsnickers.“She’senoughtofloatevenyourboat?Nowonderthedogsaresoresponsive.”
AfainttimerbuzzesandPetrovcheckshiswatch.“Firstmatchisabouttostart.Let’sgetreadytoloadthechute.”
Throughthe fever fog, I watchas theyreturnto the end of the roomand activate a panel onthe wall The caged alphas vibratewithrage,theferocioussoundspouringoutofthembeyondbelief. Ikneelup,clutchingmyachingbelly “Whatareyoudoingtothem?”
Thebossswivelsmyway,thefaintestofsmilestugginguphisdarklips.“They’regoingouttofightinthering,darling.”
Aseriesofwarningbeepssounds,andPetrovspeaksintoaradio,confirmingsomething Thenagratingsounddragsatmy bones. The boss pulls outa metal rod, longlike the one Petrov used, butmysensitive ears pickup a cracklingsound as he shovesitbetweenthebars.
Thealphainsidesnarlsandbacksintohiscell wherethewall opens,releasingathunderingsoundfrombeyondour room Shocked,Ileapoffthebedandgrabthebarsastheroarofthousandsofvoiceshitmyears. Ididn’timaginethefloorvibrating;thewholebuildinghumswithahugecrowdsomewherebeyondthisroom Myknees give wayand Isinkto the floor, still grippingthe bars. Ishould have puttwo and two together whentheyfirst calledthealphasdogs
I’vebeensoldtoanillegalfightingring.IheardaboutthemonceontheTVnewsyearsago,butnevertookmuchnote.Now it’sasrealasmyownburningskin.
Thebosswalksbacktome “I’lltakeyououttheretoseeit,butnottoday”Hesniffstheairpurposely,andhisjawticksas hegripsthebars,toweringoverme.“Fuck,you’refillingtheairlikeanoilburner.”Withpurposefulmovementshethrustshis hipsforward,grindinghishardonagainstthebars
Painandheatbloomthroughmybody,makingme twitch,andmoisture slides betweenmylegs.Ilockmytremblingknees togetherwithasharpgasp,nauseaandlustwarringwitheachotherinmyachingbelly.
Thekennelboss’sblackeyeswiden.“Fuck!Ichangedmymind,Petrov!She’sslickingforme!”
“Forgetit,boss!Yousaidyou’llwait.You’vegotaperfectlysexybetaoutthereinyourseat.”
He swears darklyandthrusts a few more times,intense eyes pinningme inplace withanunexplainable alpha control that setsmybloodonfire.Butnomatterhowmuchthisheathurts,noteventosavemylifewouldIaskhimtohelpme. Thebossjerksawayfromthebars,throwingasearingglanceoverhisshoulder “Ilookforwardtoyourrealheat,darling” Throughtheopenhatch,twoalphasscreamateachotherandthecrowdroars,justasferalasthefighters.
Colt
“I’mnotpaidenoughfor this,” Igrumble as Iflickthroughthe foot-highstackofreports onmydesk,lookingfor the easiest onestoprocessfirst.Smallvictoriesandallthat.Istillhaven’ttypedupmyarrestreportfromyesterday.
Isighand pull the blue file toward me;we justcaughtthe guypeddlingunregistered haze, so Ibetter do thatfirstbefore Minstromgetsonmycase.AsSpecialAgentinCharge,hetakeshisroleseriously.
Or worse, the self-righteous LiamAndrews mighttake a crackatme aboutmypile ofreports, since he’s always tryingto needleundermyskin.Eventhoughhe’syoungerthanme,he’sservedinthebureaulongerandearnedhisSeniorSpecialAgent rank
AsItypeuptheoffender’sdetails,Iquiverwithmusclememoryofthechase.Ofcoursethedealerdidn’tlistenwhenItold himnottorunbecausenoonewantstodothreeyearsinprisonforhandlingillicitomegascents,soIhadtotakehimdownby force Everythingwasdonebythetextbook,butIhaven’tbeenabletoshedthenigglingsensationI’vemissedsomething It’sa gutfeelingI’velearnedtolistentoafteryearsintheBureau.Anothergrumbleslipsbetweenmygrittedteeth.
“What’sgotyouworkedup?”
Itwitchandspintofindmyworkpartner,Felina,drapedovermyofficepartition,danglingatakeoutcoffee.
“Thatforme?”
Thecheekybetasmirks.“No,I’mjustwavingitinyourfaceforfun.”
Isnatchitandtakeasipwhileshepretendstocomplain,bothofusknowingsheboughtitforme.Felinawalksaroundthe partitionandstandsbehindme,notquitetouching Hermuteddamp-forestscentandtheunthreateningbetapresencecalmsme andmythoughtsclear.
“Thishazeisbotheringme”Ipulltheevidencebagacrossthedeskandliftittothelight,revealingthehome-madebottle “I justrealizedit’snotthesamemakeasanywe’vepulledbefore.”Itapmyfingerontheplastic-coveredglass.“Couldtherebea newsupplieronthemarketwehaven’ttracked?”
Sheliftsoneshoulderinalazyshrug.“Didyoutakeawhiff?Maybeyoucantraceitorsomething.”
“Of course I didn’t,” I replyhotly, appalled at the idea of gettinghighoff the oil laced withanomega’s heat scent. The goldenliquidsloshesasItiltthebag Betasusetherefined,commonlynamed‘haze’forsexorgiesandsometimesalphasuseit togetthemthroughrutiftheydon’thaveanomegatohelp.
Not all haze is illegal since Omegas cansell their ownthroughregistered outlets, but illicit tradingstill happens, which usuallyoccurswhenanomegaisheldagainsttheirwill.WhichispreciselywhyI’ll nevertouchillegalhaze.Inmyjob,you seeallthehorrorstoriesoffragileomegasbeingtakenadvantageofbyothers.
Felinawinksatme.“Well,I’lllooktheotherwayifyouwanttotakeithomeforfurtherinvestigation.Spiceupthenightwith Luka.”
“Ido not need ”Isnapmylipsshutandglareather She’salwaysteasingmeaboutmyrelationshipwithanotheralphaand eventhoughit’sallinfun,Ireallyshouldlearnnottobite.Ishakemyhead.“SomedaysIquestionhowyouevenmadeitinto theBureau,Fel Anyway,Idon’tneedit”
Heranswerisinterruptedbyafamiliardeepvoicethatsetsmynervesonedge.“WhatdoesColtneednow?” Ispininmychair,throwingaglareatmypartnerbeforedraggingtogethermymostdeadpanface.“Nothing,Liam.Allgood here.”
LiamAndrewssmirksandleansagainstthehalfwall.“Funny,IswearIheardsomethingaboutyouneedinghazeathome.” Igritmyteeth,wonderinghow longhe’sbeenlistening Canthismanever openhismouthwithoutpissingmeoff?“That’s definitelynotthecase.Did you needsomething,orareyoujustheretogossipaboutmyprivatelife,Liam?”Goodagentornot,
LiamAndrewsisamanIprefertospendaslittletimeaspossiblewith Hebristlesatmytone,hislonealphaaggressionridingclosetothesurface,buthecoversitwithanothergrin.“No,Icameto tell you Minstrom called everyone into the meeting room five minutes ago” He knocks his knuckles against the wooden partitionand smirks. “Youwould have seenthe message ifyouweren’tgossipingaboutyour need for haze to improve your lovelife”Hechucklesashespinsaroundandwalksaway,hislong-leggedstrideeatingupthefloor ofthecaptivitycrimes department.
“We’llberightthere,”Felinacallsafterhim,passingmemycoffeetodistractmefromthefumingragewhichboilsupinside mychest.
Mygripdentsthecup.“IswearI’lldeckhimoneofthesedays.”
Felinasighs,turningseriousforonce “Canyouaffordtobeputonunpaidsuspension?” Iwince.“Goforthejugular,whydon’tyou?”
Shegrinsbackandholdsthedooropenforme “Youtaughtmewell,boss”
Isnortandshakemyhead.We’reequally-rankedpartners,butasabetashenaturallydeferstome.Despiteherroughwords, thementionofmylackofmoneydriesupmyangerasfastaswaterdousedonfire Aspecialagent’swageisbarelyenoughfor afamilyoftwotoexiston,letalonegetahead.Withhistrauma,Luka’sstillunabletoleavethehousesoitallrestsonme.
Minstromlooksdownhisnoseatusasweslideintoseatsatthebackofthebriefingroom.“Thankyouforfinallyjoiningus, agents”
“Sorry, sir,” Imouth. Yeah, Idefinitelycan’tafford to lose mypay, notafter Ibungled the bitofinheritance Igotonbad financialchoices
Our boss shakes offthe interruptionwitha bob ofhis baldinghead. He mightbe a stickler for rules, buthe’s still a good leader, and knows how to get the best out of his team. “As I was saying, the darkweb sectionpicked up chatter about an upcomingevent,whichwebelieveisanillegalfightingring,possiblyusingcaptivealphas.Theonlyleadwecurrentlyhaveis thatthematchwillsupposedlybehappeninginourstate.”
Allthealphasintheroomgrowlinresponsetotheideaofbeingheldagainstourwills
Itgoesagainstmybetterjudgmenttospeakinacrowdedroom,butmyproblem-solvinginstinctsdemandit.Iraisemyhand andMinstromnods “Inthecase Ihadyesterday,therewas a new haze sample andIthinkitcouldbe a new supplier onthe market.”
Henods.“Seeifyoucanfindatrail,itmightleadustothefight.”
Oneofthejuniorbetaagentsraiseshishand.“Wouldhazebelinkedtoafightingring,sir?”
Minstrom’sovergrowneyebrowsrise.“YoueverbeentoanMMAmatch,Bronte?”
Thebetashakeshishead
TheBureauspecial agentinchargeleanshisarmsonthelectern.“There’salotofpeoplegettinghighatthoseevents,and morethandrugshappeninginthecheapseats,whichmeansplentyofpeoplearelookingforahitofsomethingspecial Going tobemuchworseatanillegalalphafight.”
Thebetaflushesandnodswithunderstanding.
Ourdirectorknockshisknucklesagainstthepresentationdesk “Thiswillbeourprioritycase,andtheassistantdirectorof theOCBwillbepersonallyassessingyourresults.Thoseofyoulookingforpromotions,thisisyourtimetoshine.”
Myheartleaps He’sallbutconfirmingtherumorthey’relookingtopromoteanewsupervisoryspecialagent Icouldeasily dotheroledespitebeingayearawayfrommakingspecialagent,andapromotionmeansanextra$15,000,whichLukaandI couldseriouslyuse
Money’s halfthe reasonwe don’t have a pack. That and neither ofus have ever scent matched withanomega. It’s been twelveyearssinceIpaidmyfeeandputmysampleintotheDarinianOmegaCenterandI’veneverheardback,exceptforone falsealarmyearsago
Iclenchmyfists.I’mgoingtocrackthiscasenomatterwhat. Felinanudgesme,wakingmeoutofmydazeasthemeetingbreaksup “Didwegetputonateam?”Iask “Luckyoneofuswaslistening.”Sherollshereyes.“Yes,we’reteamedwithyourfavoriteperson.” Iwhip around intime to catchLiamsmirkingatme, and he lifts his brows and strolls over, followed byhis paired beta “Well,thisshouldbefun, partner.Let’sgotakealookatthathazeyougot.” “I’mnotyourpartner,”Isnapback.
He shrugs “Coulda swornthat’s whatMinstromordered one minute ago” Liamswans ahead ofus, tappingthe top ofthe doorframeonhiswayoutlikeateenager.Thebastardhasayoungster’senergytoo,despitebeinginhisthirties.Youngerthan me,butonerankhigher MyfirstcurlsuparoundthecasefileMinstromhandedoutearlier Felinaleansintowhisper,“Thinkhappythoughts,andtellyourfaceaboutthem.” Despitemybadmood,Ismileather gentleteasing.It’s nosecretarestingscowl faceis mytrademark.“This is our case, Fel,”Isayfirmly,watchingLiam’swideshouldersweavearoundthedesks.
“Damnrightitis,boss.”Shemeetsmygazewithafierylookinhereye.We’rebothoverdueforabigcaselikethis,andno
Mykeyjams inthe lockas Iturnitanda curse slips betweenmyroughenedlips.Damnoldhouse is fallingapart.Imake a mentalnotetogetthemetaloiloutandsprayitasIjigglethecaughtkeyuntilitreleases,andmyfrontdooropens
Steppinginside,mybreathcatches,asitalwaysdoesasIlookdownatthemankneelinginthefoyer.Mygazeslidesdown hisnakedbodytothebighandsrestingflatonhisknees,theknucklestattooedblack Thickblackbandsofinkwraparoundhis arms aninchbelow bothelbows before turninginto blockylines thatweave across his upper arms like livingart, covering overthegangmarksfromapastlifethatstillhauntshim.
Tattoosaside,Lukahimselfisaworkofart.Hiswavyblondhairrestsonhisshoulders,theendsbrushingagainstthewing tattscirclinghisthroat.Iknoweveryscar,everycurveofhisbicep,andthesandpaperscratchofhisfiveo’clockshadow.And therebetweenhiskneesisthatdeliciouscock,alreadyjuttingoutwithexcitementandproudlydisplayingthesilverglitter of hisPrinceAlbertpiercing.
Thisfamiliarmomentofsilencehelpsmeshiftgearsfromworktohome,andIsuckinafreshbreath “Hello,Luka Haveyou beengoodtoday?”
“Yes,Sir.”
“Youdidn’ttouchyourself?”
“Idid,butIdidn’tcome,”headmits,notmeetingmygaze.
Idropmysatchelonthesidetableandcrossthesmallspacetostrokehishair,partoftheroutinewethriveon “Hmm,well, I’llletthatslidetoday.HouselooksgreatandisthatbreadIsmell?”
“Yes,Imadesourdough”
Mymouthwaters as Ioffer himmyhand.We mightbe poor,butI’mfuckingspoiledbymysubeventhoughhe sometimes forgetstolookafterhimself.“Didyoudrinkallyourwatertoday?”
Hehesitates,andthenthatblondemopofhairshakesbackandforth “No,Sir”
“Showme,”Igrowl.
Heleadsthewayintothekitchenwherehiswaterbottlesitsontheislandbenchwithlessthananinchleftinthebottom,a clearlycontrived rebellionagainst our agreement. Iswallow downa chuckle and clickmytongue. “Are youtryingto be a brat?”
“No,Sir.”Despitethewords,thoselightblueeyesflicktowardmeunderhislashes,judgingmyresponse. IunholstermygunandlockitawayinthecabinetdrawerbeforeIspeakagain.“Dowehaveanagreementthatyou’lldrink allyourwatereveryday?”
“Yes,wedo.”
Ishakemyhead Strangelyenough,Ineveraskedtobehisdom ItwasLukawhodiscoveredthislifestyleasawaytofend offhisanxiety,andI’ddoanythingheaskedme.I’msurehe’stheonlybeing,manorwoman,whocanhandleallofme.
“Passmethehairtie,Luka”
Hiscockjumpsasheslipsthesignalofhiswillingnessoffhiswristandpassesitover.
Iguidehimontothebarstoolandtakemytimefinger-combinghishairbackintoaponytail.AlthoughI’mhomeandLuka’s sofuckingly,beautifullydistracting,Istillcan’tgetthatassholefromworkoffmymind
Well,takingcareofLukaproperlyisabouttodriveeveryotherthoughtaway.
AsItieoffthehairband,Ipickupthewaterbottle “YouknowIhavetodosomethingaboutthis,Luka”
Henods,tryingnottolookeager,andfailing.Itiltthebottletomylipsandfillmymouthbeforekickingoverthebarstool andturninghimsoIcantraphimagainstthebench.IpryopenhismouthandtilthisheadbacksoIcansealourlipstogether andpasshimthewater.
Hesquirms,resistingmeforamoment,andIwrapmyhandaroundhisthroat.“Swallow,”Iorder. Heshiversandobeys ThreemoretimesImakehimdrinkfrommymouthuntilthebottle’sempty,andthenIthrowitacross thekitchenintothesinkwithenoughforcetomakealoudclatter.Hejumps. “Ifyoudehydrateandgetsick,whathappenstome?”Iask Hehangshishead.“Sorry,Sir.” “That’snotgoodenough!Bendoverthetable.”Idrawbacktolethimescapeme.Ishouldtakehimtothebedroomandgo overhiminchbyinch,butI’mimpatientandirritatedtoday,andLuka’ssohornyformehe’svibrating.
Igrababottleoflubeoffthebuffetcabinetandsetitonthetablewithadeliberateclankthatmakeshimwhimper.Iwatch
hisdelicioussmoothassasheobedientlybendsoverthekitchentablewhileIkickoffmyleathershoesanddropmypants.
Needhazemyass!Mycock’salreadythreateningtoexplodejustfromlookingathim.
Idropthelubeintomyhandandslatheritoverhispucker,andhewidenshislegstogivemebetteraccess He’ssoobedient, you’dneverguessheusedtobeanenforcerforoneofthecountry’smostdangerousmotorcyclegangs.
“I’mtakingthishole,Luka,becauseyoudidn’ttakemyinstructionstoday”Ipressmyslickfingersaroundhisring,teasing himandlooseninghimup.
“Sir,”hewhines,pressingbackintomytouch
“Handsonthetable,”Iorder,mypulsespeedingup.Fuck,he’stoomuch,laidoutthisway,amealformytaking.I’venever beenadombefore,andIwouldn’tbetoanyoneexceptthisman,buttheroleplayletsmebecompletelyinchargeinawayI nevercanbeatwork Ihadtolearnitthough,readingonlineforumsandjoiningadoms’chatgroup
Islidemyrock-hardcockbetweenLuka’scheeks,andhegrowlssoftly,thefaintesthintofhisalphaspiritshiningthrough. Thesoundthatwouldbeawarningtoanyotheralphaordomgoesstraighttomydick
Withafewplunges,Islidemyselfinsidehisass,strokinghisbacktoencouragehimtoletmein.Myfingersfindknifescars onhis backas I rove his body He was a shattered manwhenwe first met, skinand bone, half of thembroken Now he’s healthyandallIhave.
“Luka,”IbreatheasIthrustdeeper,hungryformoreofhim.
HegaspsasInudgehisprostate “Sir?”
“It’sjustyouandme,youknow.Unwantedbytheomegas,andwhatpackwouldhaveus?”
HishandscurlintofistsasIgriphishipsandravishhisass,thrustinghimhardagainstthetablewitheverystroke
My breath rasps in my throat. “So, I need you ” Fuck, he feels so good, clenching around me, that my balls lift in anticipationandfirerunsthroughmybelly.“Needyoutostayhealthy,understand?”
“Yes,Colt,Sir!”Heliftshisheadwithawhine,bodytensing.
“Areyouready,Luka?”
“Soready!”
Iclampmyhandaroundhiscock.“Don’tcome.”
“Fuck!”heyells,tryingtothrustbackontome Islaphisassonceinwarningandhisbodyspasms “Please,Sir?”
Evenhiscriesarebeautiful,butI’mnotrelentingtoday.Ifhewantstoplayatdisobedience,thenI’llgoalongfortheride. “HolditwhileIuseyourprettylittlehole.”Myhipssnapforward,andIgroan,sweatticklinginmyhairline.“Iwillownthis bodyasIpleaseuntilwebothdieofoldage,hearme?”
Hewhines,nodding,andIreachforwardtograsphishairtailroughly.“Iaskedifyouheardme!” “Yes,Sir!”
The rawness in his voice coupled with the taut lines of his hyperextended back send me over the edge and I groan and shudder,burningthroughmyreleaseinthickspurtsintohiscavity Hiscockinmyotherhandpulsesandleaksalittle Ithrustafewextratimesasmycocksoftens,justtofeelthestickyslideinside,thenpullfree.Imassagetheredhandprinton hisassforamomentasIcatchmybreath.“Kneeluponthetableandfaceme.”
There’ssomethingaboutthewayhekneelswhichissoassertiveandsexy,despitehisloweredeyes Iwouldn’teverhave askedamantokneelforme,butwithLuka,it’sdifferent.Everythingisdifferentwithhim.
Idrawthebarstoolovertothetable,watchinghisgroinpulsewithsensitivityateverysound
“Openyourlegs,”Idemand, andheobeysimmediately.“Youlookthemostbeautifulinthisposition,”ImurmursoftlyasIrestmyhandsonhiskneesand openmymouth,whichisnowpositionedattheperfectheight “In,”Icommand,tappingmylips
He rests his hands on my shoulders and slowly brings his hips forward until the arc of his piercing rests on my mouth, hesitantasifhe’snotsurethisiswhatIwant.Isuckhimin,andhemoansdeeplyasmytonguecaresseshistip,playingwith thering He’sbigenoughtoblockthebackofmythroat,nearlychokingme,butit’sthecold,strangesensationofmetalonmy skinthat’salittlehardtotake.
HisbellypulseswithhisshatteredbreathsasIworkhimoverandhishipssnapforwardtofuckmymouth Onehandstrokes acrossmyshortmilitarycutandhecriesoutandtenses.“Sir?”hebegswhenIwithdraw. “Comeforme,Luka,”Iorderbeforetakinghimbackin
He floods mymouthinseconds, whimperingand cursingunder his breathas he thrusts desperately. Ihold itinmymouth, forcingbackmydesiretoswallow.
Whenhe’sdone,hepullsout,pantingashisshouldersdroop,relievedoftension
Idraw himdownontomylapandhookmythumbintohismouthuntil heopens,andthenIseal myfilthymouthtohis.His eyeswidenandhewhimpersasIfeedhiscumbacktohim
Onceheswallows,Iwipethecreamfromourlipsandsmirkathim.“Rememberthis,thenexttimeyoudecidetorebel.” Heswallows,chestheavingwithbrokenbreaths.“Yes,Sir.”
Luka
Isuppressagroanandlickmymouthclean.Holysludgeballs,thismangetsmehot,andnowfilthytoo.He’swilderthanIam today.Ileancloserandheacceptsmysilentrequest,offeringmeakissthat’snotsoslick.
Thekitchentimergoesoff,makingusbothtwitchandhesnorts.“Bread?” Igrin.“Yeah.”
Hedragsmeoverhislaptoreleaseme,handslidingacrossmystill-hardcockasImove “Gosortitout Thenwaitforme onthebed.”
MyheartleapsasIwashmyhandsinthesink Ifnootherpackwillhavehim,I’lldoeverythingIcantomakehimhappy It’s theonlywayIcanatoneformysins.
Thesinnerandthesaint,that’sus ifsaintscomeginger-hairedandpricklyascactus. Icheckthe ovenand turnitoff, leavingthe door ajar for the bread to cool slowly The scoringonthe browncrustlooks perfectwhichgivesmeasenseofprideaftermanyfailedattempts.Funnyhowonceuponatimeonlydroppingabodywould givemethisself-satisfaction,butnowkeepinghousewellfulfillsme Maybethere’shopeforafailedhumanlikemeyet ThestingonmyasscheektellsmequiteabitaboutmySir’sday.EventhoughIdefiedhim,he’srarelyroughwithme,andI peekthroughmylashesasIwatchhimcollecthisshoesandtrousersandheadintoourbedroom
Itakemytimetogivehimspace,stirringthechowderintheslowcookerandsettingoutthebowlswe’llneedlater,before thoroughlycleaningthediningtablewejustruttedallover.Oncethat’sdone,Ifistmyachingcockafewtimesandlickmylips, imaginingwhathehasplannedasItrackdownthedusty1960’shallwaycarpet,followingaworngroovedownthecenter Irunmyfingersacrossthecloseddoor intotheother mainroom,theonewedidupwhenwethoughtanomegachosehim fiveyears ago IthinksomethingdiedinsideofColtwhenhewentinandshebackedout,claimingitwas ascentmismatch Morelikelyshefoundouthisonlypackwasacriminalwho’ddonetime,ormaybethatwe’redirtpoorandunabletospoilher likeaprincessdeserves
Weshouldhavechangedthisbaby-pooorangecarpetinsteadofoutfittingaroomthat’llstayemptyforever.ColtsaysI’mall heneeds,butwhatifhehasachancewithanomegawithoutme?Imean,that’severyalpha’sdream,includingmine,tohavean omegatocuddleandcarefor,torutwithandcherishineveryway,andmaybeonedaymakebabieswith Well,thatpartisn’tmydream.ThiscursedDNAofminedoesn’tneedtoliveon.
Ipopintothesecondbathroomtocleanmyselfupproperlyandthensettleonmykneesonthebed,listeningtothesoundsof theshowerasColtfinishesunwinding.Imaginingthewaterslidingdownhisbigbodygetsmehotwithinminutes.
Coltloveshisjob,butit’sgothiminachokehold.Evenafterweeat,he’llbebackathisdesk,pouringoverpapers.Itmakes mefeelsoguilty,sittingathomedoingnothing,andtheguiltierIfeel,themorethedarknesspressesintosuffocateme.
Suckinginadeepbreath,IflattenmyhandsonmykneesandcountmybreathinguntilColtcomesoutofthebathroom,cladin atowelwithhisbeardtrimmed
“Sitdownandtalkwithme,Luka,”hesaysashepatsabitofmoisturizeronhisface.Ithinkhislittlebitofvanityhintsathis secret, albeit withered, hope that he’ll match with an omega one day God knows I’d have himeven if half his face was missing.
IrockonmyheelssoIcansprawlbackwardonthebed.“Roughday?” Hesnorts.“Theworst.Youcouldtell?”
“Yeah,kinda.”Iflickanescapeestrandofhairoutofmyface.“Whathappened?” “FelinaandIgotpairedwiththeasshole!”
Iwince,knowinghow muchhedislikesthebrawnyalphaLiam,eventhoughhe’sagoodagent.LiamwastherewhenColt
firsttookmeunderhiswing “Ugh!Onanewcase?”
“Yeah.”Coltnods.“Thebigcaseisanundergroundfightingring,butwe’rechasingahazeleadIpickedupyesterdaythat mightbe related” His mood shifts as he closes the walk-inslidingdoor and comes to the bed, bracinghimselfwithhands eithersideofmylegs.“Ifuckinghopeitis,Luka,becausethisisthecase.”
HishazeleyesblazewithdeterminationthatlightsmydarkspiritsupandIreachouttocuphisheavyjaw “Thepromotion’s onoffer?”
Hedropshisheadontomychest,sotrustingasheexposeshisvulnerableneck;Idon’tdeservethattrust,butit’shisconstant beliefinmethatkeepsmesane.“Yeah.IfIcancrackthisone,love,Icantakebettercareofyou.”
IstrokehisnecktoprovethatI’mincontrolofmyself.I’dneverhurthim,butI’vesnappedplentyofnecksbeforetoday,a facthewellknows “YoualreadytakecareofmemorethanIdeserve”
Coltgroansandshakeshishead,hisspikyhairscrapingatmybarechest.“Notwithmescrewingupourmoneysituation.” Myheartleapsintomythroat Howonearthcanhethinkso,whenI’mtheonespongingoffhisgenerosity?“Don’tsaythat,” Ireplybitterly.“Youtriedyourbest.It’snotyourfaultallthosesharestanked.I’mtheonenotcontributing.”
He rises and presses his trigger finger to mylips “Hush It’s mypleasure to provide for mysub” Eventhoughhe never wantedtobeadominthefirstplace,he’sembracedtherolesodeeply,researchingitlateintothenightsafterhefirststarted puttingthepiecesofmebacktogether,andevenjoiningadoms’grouptolearnhowtobemymaster.
AllIhavelefttorepayhimwithismybody “CanItouchyou,Sir?” “Youmay.” He nuzzles intomyneck,releasinga hitofhis alpha pheromones as he breaths inmyskinscentsodeeplymy pulsesputters
AllmyanxietymeltsawayasIputmyarmsaroundhimandpressintohisbroadchest.Rubbingintohimleavessomeofmy bodyscentonhisskinandhegrinsdownatme,onehanddriftingbetweenmylegstomyachingcock.
“MakingsureI’myours?”
Tinglesrunupmyspineashishandclosesaroundmyerection.“Isthatalright,Sir?”EventhoughIcontrolmyalphascentso itneverspillsout,itstillfeelslikeI’mmarkinghim
Hemassagesmetwicebeforeanswering,“I’llallowittoday.”
Ipuffoutabreathandwrithecloser,meltingintohistouch Justashesteppedintothedominatingrole,hefistsmycockwith certainty,knowingallmyweaknessesandmakingmemoan.
Heleansover andnibblesonmylips.“How manyorgasmswill ittaketomakethiswoodsettletoday,doyouthink?”He fingersthesensitiveslitonmycockandmybreathcatches.
“Five,”Iguess,draggingonearmfromaroundhisnecktotoywithhisnipples.Sincehedoesn’talwaysallowmefreetouch, I’llmakethemostofit
HehumshappilyasIflickhistightpeaks.“Five?Mysubsureishungrytoday.IfIdoitright,Ibetfour.”
Ichuckle Mostalphasgetpermanenthard-onsduringrut,butIhavethespecialprivilegeofhavingitnearlyallyearround Thefactthisalphaputsupwithmyneedsisamiracle.
HeasksmetograbthelubefromthebedsidetableandwhenIarchoverbackward,hebitesmynipple,makingmegasp.The soundmakeshimchuckleagainstmyflushedskin “Eitherway,itlookslikeI’mgettingmyworkouttonight Whoneedsfancy homegyms?”
Ipasshimthelubebeforesilentlystrokinghischeek Once,beforethefalse-positiveomega,heusedtosayweweretraining foranomegaheat,buthedoesn’tsaythatanymore.
Onthesidetableliesthetwobillsthatcametoday,bothduethedaybeforehispaycomesin IfIthinkaboutittoohard,I’ll enduparockingwreckinthecorner.OnceI’mrelaxedandnothardasconcrete,I’llbringitupwithhim.Maybe.
“Openyour knees for me, mygorgeous fuck,” Coltsays, lubinghimselfup. Icomplywithaneager moan, lettingthe dull needsofadultingslipawayinfavorofecstasy
ThescentofmeltedbutteronfreshbreadlingersasIclearthetableandpilethedishesinthesink.Isupposeit’sagoodthing welivealone,sinceotherswouldprobablybetraumatizedeatingoffthesametablewepolishedwithcumafewhoursago eventhoughIdidwipeitclean.
Coltimmediatelydisappearsintohisoffice,hismindalreadyonthebigcasehe’shopingtoblowwideopen.Hedeservesa win.Aslongasyoudon’tneedmuchchatorgratitude,Colt’seasytobearound,whichisfinebymebecauseIdon’tdeserve any.
AfterI’veputeverythingbackexactlyinpositionandwateredthecoupleofhouseplantsthathaven’tyetdiedlikemostthings Itouch,Itakeanotherlookatthetwobills.
Three-fiftyforwaterandtwelveninety-fiveforpropertytaxes
“Fuck!”IhissundermybreathasIdropthembackonthedesk.IfIgotajob,itwouldhelp,buteverytimeI’vetried,Iend upwithpanicattacks,lashingoutatenemiestheauthoritiestellmeonlyexistinmyhead TheonlythingIsuccessfullyattendis mygrouptherapyonceaweekand,surprisingly,theoccasionalchurchservice.Mostchoirmusicrelaxesme.
So,Ineedtodosomethingfromhome,butthere’sonlytwothingsI’mgoodat,andkillingpeopleisnolongeranoption And Isureain’tscrewingaroundontheonlymanwhodoesn’tlookatmelikeI’mtrash.
Witha faintgrowl Ishove the bills into mydrawer. I’ll ringthe water companytomorrow and requestanother extension. PickingupmysudokubookandmyscratchedEarPodsandphone,aswell asabottleofsparklingwater,Iheadtotheoffice andwaitatthedooruntilColtacknowledgesmypresence.
“Comein,love”Hetossesthatwordoutsoeasily,asifitdoesn’tmakehimagiftofHeaventoloveabrokenthinglikeme “Yes,Sir.”Isetthewateronhisdesk,thendragthebeanbagfromitshomeinthecornerandplopitdownbyhislegs.The beanscrunchasIsettleintoplaceandflipopenmypuzzlebook Numbers,order,housework,andsubmission;fourthingskeep mefromspiralingintolawlesschaos.
The Arsenic Brothers broke me. That’s what they do to people who fail missions, only it used to be my task to do the breaking Butthefuckertheycalledintoreplacemedidn’tdoagoodenoughjob,becauseIdidn’tdie ColttapsmyshoulderandIpulloutoneearpiecesoIcanhearhimclearly.“Whatareyoulisteningto?” Iwince,knowinghewon’tliketheanswer “RephneliumandtheGreaterDarinianChoir” “What?Thatoldfart?”HehissesindisgustlikeIknewhewould.“Bastardgaveawayallhisearningsinsteadofsupporting hisfamily.Stoplisteningtoafuckerlikehim.”
We share a wry grin, because we both know I’ll keep listening, and his hatred of the renowned composer is only halfhearted.
“Youwanttohear somethingcrazy?”Coltbreakstheseal onhiswater,releasingahissofcarbonation “Felinatoldmeto samplethehaze evidence. Canyoubelieve thatwoman? One ofthese days it’s gonna be her sittingonthe other side ofthe interrogationtable”
Isnort.“Soundslikeher,butshewasprobablyjustenjoyingtheshockonyourface.” Hescoffs.“Comeon,I’mnotthatrigid.”
Ichewonmyliptohideasmileandjotdownthenumberstocompletearow,draggingmypencillightlyacrossthepageto thenextemptysquare.
“Ihopeyou’renotlaughingatme,Luka”
“Ofcourse not, Sir.” Bestto change the topic before Igetmyselfintrouble. “Anyleads onthe case? Yousaid itwas an undergroundfightingring?”
His knee jiggles up and down. “Chatter claims it’s forced alphas fighting and there’s some big match happening here in Darinian.Youknowanythingaboutthat?”
Istiffen,hatinganythingthatrelatestoawalkdownmemorylane It’sneverapleasantstroll “Sorry,Ishouldn’thaveasked.”
“No,I’mthebestpersontoask”Isetmypencilinthespinewithasighandscratchmyforehead “Ifit’sforfighting,they’ll beadultmales.Hardtocontrol,somostlikelyalong-termunitraisingthemfromkids.Theycouldusedrugstocontrolthem, butthat’driskdullingtheirfightinginstincts”
I click my tongue, remembering past days when I’d attended those matches. “The Bureau needs to watch the roads. Transportingafightingteamofferalswouldbealogisticalnightmare.Youcan’tsitabunchoffightingdogsnexttoeachother onabus,solookforbigtrucksorshippingcontainersenteringthecity” Heswivelsinhischair,kneesbrushingmyback.“Dogs?”
Ishrug “That’swhatthehandlerscallthem They’retreatedlikeanimalsandbarelyhaveanysanityleft” Hisvoicelightenswithcuriosity.“Youeverbeentoone?AmatchImean.” “Yeah”
“DifferenttoanMMAmatch?” Ishudder.“Yeah.YouandI,wegrow uplearningtoholdinourmuskatleastabit.Feralshavebarelyanyconsciousness. The air reeks so strongly of them you can taste it, and that alone is enough to send half the audience wild” I crack my blackenedknuckles.“Andthere’snoreferees.Theyfightuntilonestopsfightingback.” “Fuck!Tothedeath?”
“Dependsonthealphawhowins.Ifhebreaksthespineorwhatever,that’sit.Someofthemwalkawayoncetheotheralpha stopsmoving.”AtremorrunsthroughmyhandsasIpickupthepencil,makingitscratchalineonthecreampaper.“Youthink thehazeisrelated?”
Coltgrunts.“Longshot.Really,I’mclutchingatstraws.ButIamsureit’sanewdistributor.”
Ishakemyhead.“I’dhatetothinkofanomegabeinganywherenearapackofferalslikethat.” “That’swhywehavetoshutitdown,”Coltanswersdarkly.
Iwanttowarnhimthattheunderworldismoredangerousthanhecanimagine,butheknows it’shisjobtoknow
howhefoundme,afterall,andpatchedmebacktogether,asgoodasIcanbe.
NowIgettowaitathomeeachdayhopinghecomesbacktomeinonepiece
Rose
Thehoursblurtogether,punctuatedbythewhirringoftheheavybunkerdoorsandthescreamsofthecrowdwatchingthefight inthe arena beyond. Petrov and his helpers chase the alphas outone-by-one and theyreturnbloodied, battered, and panting, snarlingatmygrowingscentcloudbetweenswollenlips.Petrovkeepsanimpassiveeyeonmeashecoordinatesviahisradio andwatchesthematchesonhistablet.
Throughitall,mybellyburns andthesheets sticktomyskinas sweatsoaks them Ithoughtheats werebeautiful andholy things, but this is pure agony. I try to silence my whimpers because every time I cry the feral alphas renew their crazed howling,butIcan’tholditallback
Onlytwoalphasseemimmunetomyheat;thebleached-hairedoneontherightwhohasn’treappearedafterthatfirstcurious glance,andthedark-hairedmanontheleftwhoseemsgluedtothebars.Hiscontinuouslowrumblehasn’tstoppedsinceIfirst whinedandhestandsthere,likesomekindofnaked,stoneguardian
Iwouldn’tknowiftheotheroneismakingnoises,buthestruckmeasthesilenttype.Terriblescarsringhisthroat,soforall Iknow,hisvocalchordsmighthavebeenruinedinafight
Asthefighterscomeback,Petrov,thedriver,andtwoothermenhelpadoctorsubdueeachoneinsidethecell sotheycan applyfirstaid,andfromthegrowls,itsoundsliketheystitchthemupwithoutanesthetic I’vebeendroppedintothedarkestofhellsandnooneknowsI’mhereexceptforthesewildman-beastsandtheirmerciless keepers.
The statue alpha growls threateninglyas Petrov comes to chase himthroughthe doorway, and Ihaul myselfoffthe bed to watchhimbackslowlyoutintothedarkenedchutebeyond.Ican’tsaywhyIcareorwhyIstandthereclingingtothecoldbars astheminutestickbyandthegroundthrumsunderfootwiththeroaroftheblood-thirstycrowdwhocheerforhisinjury Petrovseesmewaitingbythebarandwandersover.“I’msurprisedyoucanstandupwiththatmuskyou’reemitting.Doyou wanttosee?”Hetiltshisscreenmywayandleansonthebars “WecallhimMufasa,andhe’soneofourtoptwodogs From thismatchwe’lldecidewhichmuttwe’reputtinginthechampionshipringnextmonth.”
Twobrawnyalphasfaceeachotherinanarenasurroundedbythickmesh.Ashuttereddoorwayrisesateitherwing,which mustbe the chutes leadingbackhere to the cells Mufasa crosses infrontofone closed doorwayas the fighters circle each other,bothslickwithblood.
“I’veneverseenhimsoalert He’sagreatfighter,buthe’sthehardestonetofocus”Petrovclickshistongue “It’llbethe deathofhimoneday.”
AsIwatch,Mufasaskipsforwardwithaviciouspunchthatmakesmegasp,battingawaythecontender’sraisedknee.The dark-hairedalphasurgesinfaster thanIcanseewithatakedownthatresoundswithaheavywham.His fistsblur ashelays intotheotherman,rainingheavyblowslikehailthatcutstheman’sfacetoshreds.Bloodflowsacrossthefloor,andthefighter slipstwice
Petrovwhistlesandclenchesforwardinexcitement.“That’sourmutt!PegasusKennelsarenotgonnabehappyaboutthis!” Thecontenderdoesn’tgetup,andafterafew morehitshegoeslimp Witheverypunchhereboundsslightlyofftherubber mats.
Ileanintothecoldmetalbars.“He’sfinished.Aren’ttheygoingtostopthematch?” Petrovlaughs.“No.”
“Whatifhekillshim?”Igasp,clenchingaroundmyachingbellyasanotherspasmofpainroarsthroughme. Hegrins “That’sthefunofit Notonlydowebetonthewinner,butalsooniftheloserdies Mufasaherehasonlykilled once,butwhoknowswithyourjuicefiringhimup.”
Myhandscurlaroundtheiron.So,everytimetheseferalalphasleavethecells,they’refightingfortheirlives.It’scrueland barbaric.
Mufasa’s arms bunchas he loads a few more punches before he pauses, balanced onhis knees and toes He leans inand snarlsatthepronebody,thenbacksoff,stalkingtheperimeterofthering.Whenhemakesafulllapandtheotheralphadoesn’t move,abellsounds Coloredlightsflashabovetheclosed-inarena
“Well,there’souranswer.”Petrovgestureswithhistablettowardthesilentcellontheright.“Scarhereisthekiller.Eleven fortwelveandthat’sonlybecausethekennelpaidustocallhimofftheonetime”
Tearsslidedownmyhotcheeks.“You’resendingthemtotheirdeaths.”
“Nah,we’resendingthemtoglory!It’stheirchoiceiftheyliveordieoutthere.”Heswingsmyway.“Aw,areyoucryingfor them,littleRose?Wellmaybesomeoneneedsto”Hereachesthroughthebarsandrufflesmyhair,butIhissathimandslaphis handaway.“Ithinkyou’reourgoodluckcharm,socryallyouwant.”
Ijerkawayfromhistouch “You’reamonster!”
“Thanks!”HesetsthetabletdownonthefloorjustoutofreachandturnsawaytocoordinateMufasa’sreturntohiscell.The moment the gate to the ringopens, the feral alpha jogs downinto the darkcorridor, reappearinga moment later inthe cell acrossfromme.Hecomesstraighttothebars,andIswearhe’scheckingifI’mstillhere.
Bloodtricklesdownhisfacefromacutinhiseyebrowandoneeyeisswollenshut.Iwhimperfaintly,lookingatthemessof his handsome body Slickslides betweenmylegs and while Icould be disgusted, Ichalkitup to myomega hormones and naturescrewingmeover.Inancienttimes,itwasfightinglikethisthatdeterminedwhichalphascouldclaimomegas,somaybe mybodyiswiredtorespondtohimwiththisprimalattraction
Thismanwouldhavewontherighttobemypackmate ifwestilllivedinthedarkages. PetrovlooksMufasaover.“Let’sgethimstitchedup.”
Mygaze drops as the menwrestle himdownonto the floor. Onthe screen, anamber lightflashes and three menenter the fightingarenafromtheoppositechutetodragtheunconsciousalphaoutthegate.Someoneelsescrubsattheblood,moppingup the excess without caring that it stains the floor In fact, the rubber mat is a dusky salmon color and I wonder if that’s on purpose,orifitwasoncewhitebuthasbeenstainedfromsomuchspilledblood.
Oncetheringisempty,there’sashortreprieve,untilPetrov’sradiocracklesintolife,thealphaboss’svoicecomingthrough theline.“Finalmatchiscalled.LoadScarinthechute.”
“Rogerthat.”
Thegratingnoiseoftheslidingdoorhurtsmyears.Petrov’smenwarilyenterthelastcellwavingtheirmetalprodders,and onecriesoutsharplyasthesilentalphalashesout.Amomentlatertheypushhimthroughthedoorway.
Onthescreen,Iseemovementneartheoppositearenagate Theopponent’sfighteralreadylurksinthechute,andhestiffens andcomestothebars,hissnarlingmouthwideopeninananimalchallengeashepressesagainstthemetal.
Thecameraangleswingstoshow ourgateway,wheretheshadowsstir Scardoesn’tstepforwardbutjudgingbytheother alpha’swildbehavior,he’sdefinitelythere.Anannouncerstrutsacrossonesideofthecagedring,nodoubtcallingthematch up,butthevolume’ssolowonthetabletIcan’thearanythingoverthenoiseinhere.
Thelightoverthecageswitchestoamber,andthenredandbothchutesopen
Thefightersblurastheychargetowardeachother,anyreticencefromthewirybleached-hairedalphaforgottenashelunges athisopponent Itwitchastheycrashtogether,kneesandelbowsflying ThenScarcroucheslowanddoessomekindofsweep thatknockstheotheralphaoffhisfeet.Thecrowdbehindthecagejumpsup,screaming.
IwatchinhorrorasScarlandswithbothfeetontothealpha’sneckandtheopponent’sheadflopsatanunnaturalangle The feralmandigsonekneeintotheproneman’sbackandwaitsuntilthelightoverheadpulses.ThecamerazoomsinandIcan’t tearmygazeawayashislipscurvebackinasnarldirectednotatthebodybeneathhim,butattheaudience.
MyheartpoundsinmyearsasIdragmyselfbacktothebedandcrawlundertheblanket,tryingtoblockouttheworld Scar wasthelastfighter,sotheirworkisdone,andapparentlysoismine.Ican’twatchasthemengettheferal alphabackinhis cell,butittakesawhileandthere’splentyofswearing
Iknow whenit’s done because a particular scentofcharred cloves fills the room, and strangely, a partofme that’s been tensedrelaxesalittle
Voicesfilterthroughmyhazeasthekennelmasterscrowovertheircleansweep.MycheeksaredampwithtearsasIhuddle aroundmystomachache,thefightsreplayingoverandoverinmyhead.It’snotthealphas’fault.They’retrappedhereasmuch asIam
Iflinchatthesoundoftheboss’svoiceclosetomycell.“So,who’sintheleaderboardforthetitlematch?” “Theyhaven’tannouncedit,butmycalculationssayBlueCrabKennels” “Well,thatdecidesit.We’resendingScartothefinals.Letthemlosetheirprimarydogandweep.” Petrovgrunts.“Theirdog’sknownformaiming.”
StepsapproachandIpeekout,meetingtheboss’sflintygazeashesmiles.“Andourdog’sknownforkilling,andforsome reasonhe’smoreruthlessthanever.”
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world?"
"We have tried to find out. Mice, unfortunately do not take well to being tagged. But we've tagged a number of them in the hope that we will discover where they go."
"I've noticed in the papers," replied Miss Agatha Merrit, "that there is a veritable plague of rats. The Chicago World had an editorial about you ... did you see it?" "No," he admitted. "But I'm rather pleased. What did they say?"
"It seems that the Chicago World was plagued with rats until they got about two dozen of your Better Mousetraps. That fixed them. Now they claim that your invention came along at the proper time. The world is about to beat its path to your door, Mr. Manton."
Peter shrugged "Most inventions are made to fill a definite need," he said. "Discoveries are made because of man's curiosity. An invention is an aggregation of discoveries collected because their principles add up to the proper effect to take care of the necessity. I'm glad that I was able to make this invention of mine. It seems timely."
Senator Treed rapped for attention and the committee came to order. "This morning," said Treed, "we will have open discussion of the problem."
General Hayes nodded and said: "This much is known: The mice are delivered somewhere out of Manton's Better Mousetrap. I wonder if some foreign power might not have discovered even more of its powers and is using it to plague America?"
"That seems far fetched."
"Not at all. It might be likened to a bacterial warfare. Pests will vitiate a country as well as war—weakening a strong country to prepare it for easy conquest."
Tag Harris of the FBI Laboratory shook his head. "There's more than meets the eye," he said. "I've definite proof that some human agency
is working at it."
"You have?" demanded Senator Treed. "Tell us."
"We tagged rats and sent 'em through one of Manton's traps. Later we used one of the old wire-cage affairs. Someone had gone to the trouble of counterfeiting some of our tags. Out of fifty-seven rats caught with tags, we found a duplicate number. Someone obviously caught a tagged one from wherever it was sent, and in an effort to confuse us, made duplicate tags and sent 'em back."
"Deliberate!"
Admiral Grayson of Intelligence nodded. "Tomlinson of Psychological Warfare says that's what he would recommend to spread confusion. You see, this Power would not stop; they would also know that we are trying to find out all about it. Therefore they would prefer to add confusion to our search. Hence the duplication of tags."
"Could you tell the real one?"
Harris nodded. "Easily The original one was well worn because the rat had more time to go roaming. The duplicate was almost new."
"They never did turn up with that key tag of Andrews, did they?" "Nope."
"No one but a suspicious Power would conceal such a thing now that the search for it is out. The answer is obvious."
Treed nodded in agreement. "I shall recommend that Congress offer an award of twenty thousand dollars to whomever gives information to bring the truth to light." He shuddered. "This rat business is terrible. My wife is nearly out of her mind. Last night she swore that she saw a rat appear on the floor beneath the dresser. I hushed it, of course, but that is why I'm bringing this committee to order on the subject."
"Perhaps Manton's device just hurls them back and forth across the country."
Treed shook his head. "Manton's Better Mousetrap doesn't work that way," he said with conviction. "Thanks to Manton's little registers we know that Manton's catch—overall—has been rising but definitely
following the increase in rat population over the entire country. You see, gentlemen, Manton's traps have been made to fill a demand in every case. It started with friends who needed them. You're sort of insisting that Manton's traps come assembled with its own mice."
That got a big laugh.
"And," said Senator Treed, "God help the one who is responsible for this!"
Tony Andrews entered the salesroom and smiled at the clerk. "Look," he said, "I've been a good customer."
"You have," agreed the salesman. "I know you. I'm Tom Locke."
"Well, Mr. Locke, I'd like another one of those key tags."
The salesman nodded. "Those things are popular," he said. "But what happened?"
"I dropped mine through one of those Better Mousetraps."
"Oh," laughed the salesman, "they've been returned from every portion of the globe. But I guess the mail service isn't too good from wherever That is."
"I'd hoped it would come back," said Andrews. "But I'm wrong. And I'd like another one."
"Sure. Be glad to. Since you're the man who originated the idea with us."
"I'm sorry to have to ask—What? Originated what?"
"Why yes. The tale goes that you came in to buy a car quite some time ago, and the salesman saw the tag on your key ring. He mentioned it to Mr. Cagley who is our advertising manager. He had the tags made up and we gave them out to our best customers."
"Then you've got me mixed up with someone else. For I received mine as they did. Mine came in the mail and cost me three cents—
which was as good an advertising stunt as the tags themse—"
"Mail? Mail? We gave them in person."
"But mine came through the mail."
"Sorry. We've never sent any of them through the mail."
"Oh," said Andrews with rising suspicion. He took the new tag with thanks and returned to Peter Manton's home.
"Peter, is Junior handy?"
Manton nodded and called. Junior came. Then Andrews said: "Junior, have you ever seen anything like this before?"
Junior nodded. "Last winter. Found it down in the cellar on my sled."
"Sled!"
"Uh-huh. Then because it said to drop it in the mail box if found, I did. You got it, huh?"
Andrews nodded. "Yup," he said. "I got it! Peter Manton, you haven't seen the end of this, yet."
Manton frowned slightly. "Why?" he asked.
"You've really built the Better Mousetrap, and you haven't seen the people who are going to beat their path to your door. They haven't really arrived yet. But they will!"
The first to arrive was the FBI. Then Peter Manton's domicile was changed from a town in Illinois to a cold stone place in Washington.
Ted Harris faced the Court. "Here is the originator of the Plague of Rats," he said. "And the saviour of the country at the same time. He is in the position of a physician who poisons people so that he can save them. A sort of stinking benefactor."
"Will you please explain to the Court?" demanded the Court.
"The field set up by the Better Mousetrap at the plane of cleavage hurls anything that passes through it backwards in time. The time-rate is indefinite and uncontrollable. However, this is why Manton's trap was so effective. On Monday a plague of mice appears in an apartment. The master of the place goes out and rents one of the Better Mousetraps. He places it in his apartment and during the time it is there it hurls mice backward in time to create the plague! Naturally, the trap will be removed as soon as the mice stop—and because the trap will be removed in a few days, the trap itself stops the flow of mice."
"But how far back—?"
"There's little correlation. It just hurls. It is aimless and uncontrollable. In one case, a key tag went back several months."
"But how come nothing was known of this?" demanded the Court.
Tag Harris smiled. "When I have something that will utterly destroy something, I do not place anything valuable near it," he said. "In Manton's own laboratory the boys dropped spare parts through it. In hardware stores all over the country the clerks were dropping screws and nuts and the like. Most of this stuff fell to the floor and was swept up a few days to a week before."
Tag Harris held up a scrap of newspaper. The date was four days in the future.
"Proof," he said. "I'll be sending that to myself later."
"And the tagged mice—the duplications?"
"Animals that had gone through the time-trap twice and were living their lives in parallel. You see, your honor, not only did Manton's Better Mousetrap hurl mice back in time, but it could hurl the same mouse back to the same era several times—and the Plague of Rats was a Man-Made Plague."
Epilogue
'Tis said that he who laughs last laughs best. The world who beat a path to Peter Manton's door in anger because he built the Better Mousetrap, returned to thank him anyway. You see, with mice being hurled backwards in time, they lived and they died in the mad rat-race in time. And America, for its trouble with more rodents than it could stand for a short period, now reaps its reward. For America is free of rats.
THE
END.
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