Chapter 16
DIANA
I cannot believe this is my life.
Not long ago, I was running away from New Bunker like it contained the worst the world had to offer. Now I’m in a wing of some building, belonging to Dominion, with a bunch of omegas, while I have Judge’s scent still faintly between my thighs.
I mean, seriously, what the fuck?
They move around one another as if this is ordinary—cups clinking, low laughter, and interactions between people who clearly know each other.
That ease is the most dangerous thing about them because it pulls at the lonely omega inside of me that never quite belonged, the side that wants to see myself reflected without the mask.
I can’t help but be curious about what a gathering like this would be like if I weren’t trying to escape.
When I ask for a place to clean, they show me a small sink and a large bath tucked behind a curtain, one with a working drain.
I strip and give myself a clumsy sponge bath because the water isn’t hot.
I focus on the motion of water, soap, broad strokes—anything to erase what’s left of him.
Of the memories that I enjoyed myself and came over and over, even if it wasn’t me.
No, it was just the unhinged hormonal mess that needed to be knotted, not Diana.
I scrub until my thighs ache, the skin inflamed because after a while it gets addicting.
Distracting. I can’t erase the knowledge of what I hate—Judge knows how to please an omega.
Fuck, I don’t like how that sits in my mind, thinking of what Selene would say. I scrub harder, despite the pain and cold.
At some point, I stop, tears hotly sliding down my cheeks as my naked body is covered in goosebumps and what looks like light road rash. I grunt loudly, gripping the sponge tightly. A tap at the door makes me freeze, glaring up at the door. “Diana?”
It takes a moment to realize it’s Juno. “Is something wrong?” I ask, not sure what she’s doing.
“You’re making a lot of distressing sounds in here. Just checking on you.”
My body is used to being on edge, to looking for any hole in my omega cover that I’m just speechless, because I’m usually so much more careful. What do I say to that? “Sorry,” I mutter.
“No problem. Do you need anything?”
I smirk. “Yeah, a new life.”
“Currently out of those, and not going to lie, I’d probably take it if I had an extra one.” She gives a shallow laugh. “Just don’t go nuts in there, okay? Coming off suppressants after being on them for a long time can really mess with you. Ravina told us you have been on them for over ten years.”
I think of all the warnings I’ve been given about them, and how only an alpha can help ride out the downfall of the suppressants—it darkly connects that I bet this place plans to take advantage of that.
“Thanks,” I say, trying to sound somewhat sincere.
What if Juno is a good person and doesn’t deserve the suspicion?
It’s clear I’m numb to a certain extent as I redress myself, covering the angry flesh, and brushing my hair with a comb I found, picking off a few blonde hairs when I’m done.
There’s an odd, automatic acceptance of joining the others.
It makes me stop as I’m still in my room, staring down at the doorknob.
Do I really have to go?
I have to know what happened to Selene, though. Maybe make my way back to the Enclave, just to see if she’s there.
Despite that, an overwhelming sense of dread washes over me. What am I doing, just walking out there like I’m participating? All those years on a military base, then as a nurse, have clearly made me a rule follower.
I didn’t sign up for the rules here, though. And yeah, I might be curious about what something like this looks like, but… would they just let me stay put?
Is that an option?
I slowly back up to the bed, staring at the empty wall across from me. How angry will they be if I don’t willingly go? Well, I know I’ll go. I need to. For survival’s sake, it’s imperative I see what I’m up against.
Lifting my head to see the night sky through the window, it’s littered with stars.
A cloudless evening. How I so badly want to exist underneath the glittering blackness with no expectations.
I even look down at Judge’s shirt in the corner, the scent calming me.
It has to be because of his strong alpha stench.
Clearly, he has that effect on omegas, just based on Roxy’s reaction.
My body stiffens when I hear someone nearing, then smell a familiar scent from earlier, unable to place who exactly it is. I stare at the doorframe until flaming red hair enters my vision.
“Hiding out, new omega?” Scorch asks.
“I like my room,” I state.
“Let’s go get some fresh air,” she coaxes, her voice barely fluctuating in speech.
“Is it obligatory?”
“Yeah. But you’ll live. Get it over with. It’s really not that bad.”
The thought of being taken against my will has me on my feet, refusing to be seen as a problem child when I just got here. Not for the sake of my pride, but problems tend to be watched more. Have extra escorts.
That is very bad for any plans of escape.
I hesitantly join the others at the wooden door, the omegas dressed in random fashions of dresses, pants, large shirts, or jackets.
It’s one of the starkest reminders I’m with omegas because I’ve always worn a uniform, whether I was home or working as a nurse.
Instead, I’m just wearing what was given to me in that breeding house, unable to deny I’m in a whole other world now.
Ravina is there to guide the six of us that are flanked by betas with firearms, the wastes marking all of them, whether with scars or tattoos. An insignia is burned into their leather vests or jackets, one of a skull with wings on either side.
Nope.
I actually don’t think I’m okay.
My breathing constricts when it starts to really hit that I’m in Dominion. I was so high on hormones or sleeping from drugs that I didn’t get a chance to transition. Being around omegas is one thing, but to see these patches and they’re not trying to kidnap me, because I am already taken?
Someone shoulders me, and I roll mine away like I’m in New Bunker—it’s Juno.
“You’re smelling stressed. It’ll be okay.
They’ll all see you’re new and shiny, but not bother you much since you’re one of us.
You can sit with Cassandra and Mira; they tend to congregate in a corner.
Alicia runs off with one of her friends, who is with the normal omegas, and I kind of do the same. ”
It’s as if my soul has left my body, this flesh bag a conduit for a brain that cannot process. Dominion. Not just Judge, or alphas.
Dominion.
I want his purring.
Oh, that freaks me out. Thoughts of Judge help return my soul to my body, determined to show him how wrong he was to take me. I’m the same Diana who has survived more than once, the one I know can do this. The one I’m drastically struggling to contain and keep straight. “Thanks, Juno.”
Once in the halls, it’s clear this place was once something impressive, much like the size of Trinity.
But the design here is different; the ceilings and windows are tall.
There’s music playing, some drums and a guitar, and a man singing.
My heart continues to thud like it wants to run away.
My eyes widen when we enter an outdoor space that’s full of people and a large fire burning in the center.
So Judge really did fuck me and send me here as a reject?
Okay.
Okay.
I need to somehow shake my panic—
“Diana, a word,” Ravina says.
The others enter the courtyard as I feel like a cornered animal once more, just glaring up at the overseer of us.
“You were given to me as a reject, which just means you need a little extra patience. There are plenty of alphas here in Dominion. Give them a chance, okay? There are lots of betas with tranq darts to protect you. You are also not allowed to leave this courtyard without my knowing, and if you go missing, the entire castle gets shut down, alright? So don’t worry—you’re safe in there.
If an alpha makes you uncomfortable, I will come to you. ”
I stare blankly at her, mentally searching for any hidden truths. “What if I want to just stay right here?” I ask, just curious about the answer and limits.
She tuts, the false kindness not getting past me. “Understandable, dear, but impossible. Dominion offers exceptional protection for omegas, but in exchange, you must participate in these gatherings.”
I move only my eyes to the courtyard. “How long before I have to select someone?”
“The longest an omega has been in your situation was three years.”
I frown. “She wasn’t forced?”
“He wasn’t.”
Male omegas: the rarest of us all. I swallow thickly. “I really get to make my own decisions?” I ask with a fragile voice, like I’m terrified of the small bit of hope it offers.
“Of course. It’s imperative to Dominion as a whole that they are a collective family. Let’s just say omegas tend to grow tired of the wing. Once you’re mated, you’re free to travel among the sister cities.”
It doesn’t make sense in my head. Dominion is terrible. I watched Judge crush New Bunker—first choking their supply lines, then storming in and killing people. They take omegas. He literally had his men pluck one off the streets, and he smelled her hair.
Is this where my standards truly are? This isn't a prison, so it seems good? The thought makes my teeth clench, reminding me how low that bar is. I suck in a sharp breath. “Thank you,” I mutter, not daring to meet her eyes again before stepping out.
I’ve assisted in amputations before. I’ve smelled cauterized flesh, listened to men scream as their bodies were hacked to survive. I can do this. I can handle a crowd.