Chapter 46

Dylon.

I couldn't believe my luck. My little Omega had completely lost her mind and ran away from her only sanctuary. Raina made contact with me as soon as they had passed the border patrol and she had subdued the Omega.

I grinned. Sweet revenge would soon be at my fingertips. I commanded Raina to take Emily to the secluded pond in the woods. I would meet her there soon.

Shifting seamlessly, I ran off to the meeting place, eager to collect my prize. I hardly even noticed the ground beneath my paws. It could have been made of clouds for all I knew. I imagined my little Omega’s terrified face. Oh, did I love how they feared me.

The sun was beginning to set, but I could still easily see around me. The terrain became more and more lush and green as I neared the small oasis within the forest. I slowed down, not wanting to give myself away too early. I wanted to see just exactly where they were and enter at the most opportune time and place.

***

Emily.

Raina dialed a number on her cell phone and exchanged a few words before hanging up.

“Come on, let's go,” she said, pulling my arm.

I twisted away, scrunching my eyebrows together in anger. I glared at her in hatred. How could she betray me like this? I thought we were friends.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. “You can either walk or I can drag you. Your choice.”

When I didn't move, she came towards me. I tried to back away, but my foot caught on a branch and I fell right onto my butt.

“You and I both know I can drag your butt through this forest, shredding your clothes and likely some scratches across your body. Or you can stand up and walk through with some dignity. Last chance.”

I continued to glare as I attempted to stand. But with my arms behind my back, I found it quite difficult, especially while keeping eye contact. Raina waited, arms folded, as I struggled to stand. But I finally got to my knees and was able to rock myself onto my toes. I stumbled and she caught me before I could fall over again.

“Good choice,” she said, grabbing the crook of my elbow and leading me further into the forest.

I desperately wanted to run and shout, but I knew I wasn't nearly fast enough, nor loud enough with this gag in, to attract attention or get away. So I followed Raina deeper and deeper into the forest. The ground became covered in foliage and I found myself needing to slow down so I didn't trip. I heard Raina sigh, but she slowed to match my pace.

We had been walking for hours, and as far as I could tell, we weren't necessarily heading towards Enforcer territory. But we weren't heading away either. Perhaps we were meeting at a central location for an exchange.

Did Raina believe she'd be welcomed back by the Commandos after her betrayal?

As I was lost in thought, I tripped over a large fern. With my arms bound behind me, there was nothing to break my fall. I crashed onto the forest floor, my head nearly missing a tree. The air whooshed from my lungs and I struggled for a minute to get it back. I rolled over, coughing.

When I finally caught my breath, I rolled onto my knees and looked up. I had fallen through the edge of the treeline, and in front of me was a beautiful oasis. A pond filled with lily pads and water lilies laid before me. There were some kind of berry bushes along one side. And I could hear frogs croaking, hardly bothered by my entrance.

“Might as well stay down there. We're here,” Raina said, taking a seat next to me.

She pulled out a knife and grabbed a stick from where I fell, sharpening the point. I looked at her, annoyed.

“Could you at least take the gag out?” I tried to ask, but it came out as gibberish, most of the noise lost in the fabric of the gag.

She turned to me. “You want this off?” she asked, pointing to the rag tied around my face.

I nodded, eyes pleading.

“Promise you won't yell? No one will hear you anyway, it would just be annoying.”

I nodded again.

She set her knife down on the other side of her, likely to make sure I didn't make a grab for it. Then, she undid the knot, stuffing the cloth back in her pack.

I smacked my lips together a few times, and worked my jaw. Being gagged was more annoying than I ever thought it'd be.

After a minute of sitting there next to her, I asked, “What are we waiting for?”

“Probably nightfall.”

“For what?”

She looked at me, her eyes telling me I already knew.

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

Raina shrugged. “Why not?”

“I thought we were friends.”

She stiffened at the word, but pretended she hadn't reacted at all. “I was in this for the money. Nothing more.”

“That's all I am to you? A paycheck?” I asked. I couldn't believe our friendship was completely one-sided. She had to care. She had to.

“Do I need to put the gag back on?” she asked, looking up from her whittling. The stick now had a fine point.

My eyes widened and I quickly shut my mouth and shook my head.

“Good,” she said before turning back and throwing the pointed stick down, piecing the ground near her feet. It stuck firmly in the soil and she picked up another stick, shaving off pieces to create a point.

“Can I at least get some water, please?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Raina dug out a bottle from the bag and opened it, holding it out for me to sip. I thanked her when I finished and she nodded, placing the bottle back in the pack.

The light had dimmed to a faint glow. Dylon would probably be here soon. Raina had said nightfall.

The moon came up and there was still no sign of Dylon. Maybe I was in luck after all. But I was still in the middle of nowhere, with nobody around but Raina. I doubt even she would give up after only one night.

Suddenly, I felt a soothing sensation flood through my body, taking away my fear. “Don't worry, Emily. I'm coming.” echoed in my mind. I knew that voice. It was Eric!

I wasn't sure how he contacted me, but I knew that it had to be him. He was coming to save me. A small smile spread across my face and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was as if he'd taken away my fear and anger as well, replacing it with a sense of calm and security.

“What are you smiling about?” a masculine voice sneered from beside me.

I whipped around, surprised I hadn't sensed him coming. Raina stood up straight at full attention.

“My little Omega,” Dylon said, crouching down and cupping my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “My foolish little Omega. You thought you could escape me?” He laughed, letting my chin go.

I averted my eyes, but not in shame. I refused to look at him. I refused to acknowledge the power he held over me. I spat at his feet. “Go to Hell,” I mumbled.

He growled in anger at my defiance. Before I knew it, his hand was back, but instead of clutching my chin, he grabbed me by the throat, lifting me up, forcing me to stare into his eyes. “You will learn to behave yourself. Eric can't save you now. His pack is weakened, which means he is weak. He can try, and I'm sure he will. And when he does, I'm going to claim you for myself. It's a shame he didn't mark you yet. Taking away a bonded mate is one thing, but a marked and claimed mate? Now that would have been even more delicious, watching him writhe in agony, feeling everything you felt. Right. Before. He. Dies.”

Terror washed through me and I know I must have been white as a sheet, but I tried my best to hide my emotions, clinging to the warmth Eric had left behind. I didn't want to feed Dylon more than I already had. I refused to give him the satisfaction.

He let me go and I gasped for breath as I knelt at his feet.

“Prepare yourself, little Omega. The next time you see your mate will be your last. He's coming, and you're the bait.”

Dylon walked away with a haughty laugh.