Chapter 37 Zack
Chapter thirty-seven
Zack
Five steps to the left of the outside door, under the stairs down from the second-level cells, and the third aisle in the library. Those are the only three spots I’m allowed to use.
Used to be the second aisle in the library, but since Al got jumped there, they moved the custodian’s desk to reduce blind spots, and after I got attacked, they installed a new camera in the hallway to the laundry.
Three chances to drag the rotten alpha down for our challenge.
With my hands flat on the floor, I push up, holding my body in a stiff line for a count of five before lowering back to the ground.
Push-ups, Al calls it. Squats, lunges, stretches; he taught me the names for all his floor movements.
With nothing else to do in this dark cell, I hone my body, picturing the way I’ll crush the one who hurt my omega.
I’ve tried not to think about my old battles since Ri-ckon and Red taught me I don’t need to fight, but now I bring each event into my thoughts. Every kick, every punch, every throw and bite. They all serve as fuel for my training.
Even if I get caught and have to stay in prison or sol-tary longer, I don’t care.
I know for sure my pack hasn’t abandoned me.
They moved closer so I can feel them in my body despite the walls between us.
The cold, irritating voices can’t eat at the space behind my eyes anymore because it’s filled with my pack.
Warmth surges through my chest, and I pause, suspended off the ground.
Oh, that’s my ohm-ga and White Mine having sex.
I chuckle, the sound loud in the closed concrete box.
With a huff, I push myself away from the floor and sit up.
I wish I knew exactly what my pack mates were doing, but I can picture the small hut on the side of the road with the stretched strings coming off the sides like spider legs.
Inside that structure, they must be tangling their bodies together.
I hum softly and close my eyes. Ri-ckon feels strong in the bond, vibrating with his alpha power. It’s rare that he releases it, so I lean back on the wall and savor the sensation. Our ohm-ga reacts with primal desire, her soft phantom whines echoing in my soul as she’s pounded and pleasured.
My cock hardens, and I reach down to caress the bulge in my pants. The touch makes me growl softly. I want more. Want to hold my pack in my arms and feel their bodies press into mine. While Ri-ckon fills my omega, she might wrap her lips around my cock and suck.
A heady rush rushes through the bond like a shout. My pack mate fulfilled our ohm-ga. Good.
My cock aches and I fish it out of my waistband. Sometimes, back in the cold and dark cells, I stroked this length with a sense of frustration until it leaked. I haven’t done it since I met my pack; they taught me the true purpose this limb serves.
Now that I know, is it wrong to touch it by myself?
I thump my head lightly back on the wall and wait for the answer.
Heat and warmth swell through me, pooling in my belly.
My balls draw up, aching with need, and my cock feels like it might burst apart if I don’t manage the pressure.
If it’s wrong, I’ll ask Ri-ckon when I get home, but for now, I can’t keep my hands away.
I clasp the swollen length in one hand and groan softly.
Alpha possessiveness swells through me, leaving a lovely cake taste in my mouth.
It originates from my pack mate as he loses himself over our lovely ohm-ga’s body.
Who could blame him for slipping toward the inner alpha with an ohm-ga like her to claim?
Heat burns up my cock, followed by fluttering tingles dancing through my ass and stomach.
I stroke harder, imagining Red’s puss-he or Ri-ckon’s hole squeezing around me.
I groan, a faint layer of sweat forming on my chest. The prison’s orange clothing gets in my way, flapping with my movements, and I drag it up roughly, holding the hem in my teeth while still touching myself.
The sex feeling in the bond floods over me, not quite strong enough to make my cock leak, but enough to heat my belly.
If they were here in my arms, voices whining with need and bodies shivering under my touch, I might lose my mind.
I growl under my breath and rub harder, chasing that explosive sensation.
Through the bond, Mine flashes red hot, tipping first. White Mine, struck by the beauty of her collapse, falters, pulses with desire, and then breaks open, more dazzling than the moon in the night sky. I roar and thrash my cock through my fist, running mad with their desire.
And they sense me. My desire reflects from them like I’m seeing myself in a mirror, stomach heaving, chest heating with the fire. Their love fills me, fuller than any meal, reassuring in the darkness. I’m not alone.
The tingles start as a fizz and then gush out through my belly, chasing up my spine and down through my thighs. My cock twitches before spurting white cum over my fist, pale and silky as Ri-ckon’s hair.
I slump back against the wall, breathing hard.
Footsteps thump outside and the small slit in the door scrapes open, admitting a thin cake-serving of light. “What’s going on?” the guard snaps.
“Nothing,” I say, grinning happily.
“Then keep the noise down.” The window slams shut, closing me in darkness.
But the light lives on in my heart. Slowly I rub the mess in my hands between my fingers, making a silent promise to myself.
I will return to my pack, but not empty-handed.
I never got my ohm-ga a courting gift . . . didn’t even understand the ritual.
Some part of her attacker might make a good start.
Al looks me over, and I meet his gaze confidently. I don’t know how many days passed while I was in sol-tary, but I’m ready.
The alpha nods, nose wrinkling as my scent hits him. “Fuck, I didn’t miss that funk. Did you do your exercises in the timeout box?”
“Yes. I exercise.” And tried to control my scent, but the more I thought about meeting Ray, the stronger it grew. My desires have raged wild too. Maybe Al can help me with my dilemma. “I also touch my cock. Is that allowed?”
He chokes and covers his mouth. “Dammit, why would you ask me?” He gags and sticks his tongue out. “It’s your shlong, so do what you want with it, but never ask me again.”
I don’t need to understand his words because the disgust in his tone is clear. Al is not the person to ask about my cock.
He shakes his head with a growl and then straightens. “I got a message from Callisto. You have a hearing in four days, and he’s confident you’ll get released . . . That means you’re going home. Whatever you plan to do, it needs to be done in the next two days.”
“Today,” I mutter darkly.
He grunts. “You’ll only get one chance, Zack, so for both our sakes, don’t miss the target. I’ve paid some guys to hold the guards back, but you won’t get more than two minutes.”
I nod, understanding. Cal-ee has done his part on the outside, so now it’s my turn to keep my promises.
Al grabs the pillows off both our beds, sliding his hands up inside the covers. He lifts them and chucks his chin. “Let’s get you warmed up. Come at me.”
“Challenge?” I ask, tipping my head to one side. Has our deal changed?
“No, you fruit loop.” He growls faintly. “How did you get your body ready before going into a fight ring?”
I cross my arms. “Pacing. Trying to kill the guards who walked past the bars.”
Al rolls his eyes. “And did they walk past more often on fight nights?”
An unhappy rumble rolls through me. Those times were mostly a blur of pain and cold and constant challenge, but now that Al’s asked, I think he might be right.
“See? You need to warm your body up before a fight. Hit the pillows and I’ll teach you how to do it properly. Punches and kicks only. No biting or whatever other nonsense you get up to.”
I curl my hands into fists. Warm-ups. This is the same concept as his exercises. It appears Al knows quite a lot after all. I swing, throwing my weight behind it.
Al grunts noisily, rocking back a step. “Again,” he orders.
After four punches, I jump back a step and kick out my foot, clipping the bottom of the pillows. A faint thrum runs through my groin as the muscles warm.
“Fuck,” Al mutters.
“Fuck,” I repeat, grinning.
“How high can you kick?” he asks.
“See,” I answer, bouncing from one foot to the other. He was right. As I move, my muscles open. I kick twice more, experimentally, and then use my spin to put in the full effort. I hit almost at the top of the pillow, the force smacking Al’s arm to the side.
“Good grief, that’s deadly. Save that for when you need it most. Let’s see some more punches for now.”
I pound into him until a sheen of sweat cools my skin and my body itches with awareness. When I go to strike some more, Al steps back. “Okay, you’re good. Keep moving until it’s time so you don’t get cold.” He throws the pillows onto the bed just as the bell chimes, signaling our outdoors time.
Al also sweats and dances lightly from foot to foot as he checks the hallway. I follow him out, sorting through the thick alpha scents. Ray’s here somewhere, pungent with a bitter scent that tickles my nostrils.
Outside, dark gray clouds boil across the sky, obscuring the blue.
Color leaks away from the yard, turning the green grass pale gray and the walls dark.
Tension sizzles in the alpha auras, and I feel their glances shifting toward the bench seats.
I turn slowly, feeling each man’s presence, the guards on the roof, the wire fencing surrounding us.
Even the electricity gathering in the clouds overhead, setting my hair on end.
And at the center of it all, one tall alpha with bony brows shading his eyes.
I don’t have to see them to know his gaze fixes on me.
He turns slightly, and his ear comes into view, missing a chunk. As if I’m seeing a TV screen, my Red surfaces through the air, pale and see-through, biting that lobe clean off as the alpha wrestles with her. He punches my omega, and she fades away, shredded by the breeze.
Oh, how my wild omega must have fought him with every scrap of her strength.
Now it’s my turn to be her claws and teeth.
I measure. About six steps from the bench to the blind spot near the door. I must remember to force Ray back to that spot before I take everything from him.
“Here,” Al murmurs, blocking my line of sight.
He tucks something into my pocket and presses the shape into me.
About as long as a finger and sharp at one end.
“Everyone knows his funding has taken a hit, but the moment you move, anyone who’s still loyal will come running.
They’ll all gang up on you. I’ll cover your back as much as I can, so keep moving forward, all right? ”
I nod. Pre-challenge quivers roll up my arms, and the sky darkens, just like the stinking tunnels leading to an arena. I’m going into battle once more.
Al looks deep in my eyes, making sure I’m paying attention. “Get him to the blind spot before you use the shiv. Good luck, my psycho friend.”
I grip his arm once and then stride forward. Challenge spills out of every pore, and I let it all go. No need to hold anything back. No reason to lessen the force. I will walk forward with death in my heart.
Alphas swarm into my path, growling as their bodies answer my challenge.
A rumble vibrates in my throat, ready to turn into a roar at any second. Between the heads, I catch Ray’s gaze.
He stiffens as my full, violent challenge reaches him. “Stop the feral!” he shouts. “Quick!”
I draw back my fist and throw myself into the swarming alphas.