Chapter 44
44
Crew
As soon as I started to tell my pack we were leaving, Kyland turned and uttered, “Run.”
That was all the confirmation I needed.
No way was it a coincidence that Anders was making this announcement tonight with Hazel here, living proof that their experiment wasn’t consensual. Hell, Kyland and Jensen had pointed out several of the other beta born omegas when Hazel was in the ladies’ room. Each one looked more defeated than the next and was surrounded by a pack of men that were content to have a silent little omega at their side.
It made me want to vomit when I saw one alpha snap at his omega for standing too far away from him and the way she’d flinched and scurried to his side so he could palm her ass while a group of peers guffawed with leering gazes.
Fuck me. This could’ve been Hazel’s life, too.
Fear pumped adrenaline into my veins, and my vision became focused on the immediate task at hand.
Get Hazel out.
Out of the hotel and out of the capital. I wouldn’t stop until we were back in California, and I knew my whole pack, but especially my girl, were safe in our home.
Looking at the rest of my pack, I knew we were all in agreement, and I wished like hell there had been a way for Pack Stone to be here as well. Instead Oak and Silas were in the lobby and Bowen was upstairs watching the security feeds.
With all the hired security protecting the President and other influential packs, we hadn’t wanted to draw attention to ourselves by having Pack Stone come with us.
It was a mistake I was regretting because I wanted as much protection around my girl as possible.
Everyone in this room was a threat to her, and I felt my alpha trying to take over.
Closing my eyes, I shook my head to clear the pressing emotions to slay everyone in our path to the door.
My girl’s dress was too pretty to ruin, and she’d probably kill me if I did.
Omegas were picky about their clothes and shit.
Wrapping my hand around Hazel’s wrist, I tugged her forward, sticking to the back wall to stay out of the public eye as the crowd kept cheering.
If they only knew the cost of these new omegas.
But would they even care? Did the trauma and damage done in the name of science get washed away when rich men got a pretty new omega for their pack?
“Crew?” Hazel was worried as she tried to keep up with my long strides.
Kellan brushed by us, taking the front, willing to intercept anyone who tried to stop us. Jude and Rhett had our flank, protecting us from the back.
“We need to go, little one,” I told her through clenched teeth.
Hazel’s breath hitched. “You’re scaring me.”
I grimaced. “I know. I just need you to trust me, okay?”
“Okay,” she replied without hesitation.
Fuck, this woman was everything. I wouldn’t lose her again.
We stalked out of the ballroom with purpose, determined to put as much space between us and that shitshow.
“Jude,” I called.
“Already calling Oak,” he clipped out.
Hazel’s heels clicked on the floor as I all but dragged her to the bank of elevators. Kellan was already there, impatiently punching the up button.
“Come on,” he growled as the doors opened.
Oakley and Silas were already in the car.
“What the fuck happened?” Oak demanded as we all scrambled inside.
Rhett hit the button for our floor and then the button to close the doors before anyone else could get on.
“We’re leaving. Now,” I barked out.
At my side, Hazel trembled but didn’t say anything. I could feel her concern and confusion through the bond, and I fucking hated those damn scent blockers she wore.
All I wanted was to bury my face against her neck and inhale.
“Anders made an announcement,” Rhett spat out. “They went public with how they’re turning betas into omegas. Claimed the women they trotted out were all there voluntarily.”
“Motherfuckers,” Oak breathed.
Silas licked his lips. “We need to get out of town.”
“Exactly,” I replied. “Rhett, call the airfield. Tell them we’ll be there in an hour. I want wheels up in ninety minutes.”
“On it,” he replied, pulling out his phone.
Hazel shifted beside me, reaching out to run a hand down Kellan’s back. “Kell? You okay?”
He shook his head briefly, and I felt his control as close to snapping as my own.
Hazel moved toward him, wrapping her arms around him from behind.
It took a beat, but Kellan covered her hands with his and leaned into her. His shoulders relaxed a fraction.
“I’m right here,” Hazel murmured. She rested her forehead between his shoulder blades. “You’ll get me home safe.”
Kellan twisted and cupped her jaw, kissing her hard and fast. He backed off when the elevator chimed, announcing we’d reached our floor.
Oak and Silas left the car first, then motioned for us to follow.
We moved as a unit down the hall with Hazel positioned between us all.
Using one of the keycards, Oak opened the door for us.
“I’m going to pack our shit,” Silas told him.
Oak nodded. “Meet back here in ten.”
Silas took off back down the hall, and Jude closed the door.
“I saw everything,” Bowen told us, looking a little pale. “I can’t believe they just announced it.”
“It can’t be a coincidence that Hazel was here when they decided to go public,” Rhett stated.
“What does that mean?” Hazel asked softly.
“It means we need to get you out of here, sugar.” Kellan pressed a kiss to her temple. “Please go change and pack what you need while we make a plan.”
She gave a hesitant nod before hurrying to her room. The door shut with a soft snick .
“Fuck!” I snapped, tipping my head back to the ceiling. This wasn’t the evening I’d planned for her.
Jude clasped a hand on my shoulder. “Breathe, man. We’ve got this.”
“You guys need to pack your shit,” Oak told us. “I’ll head down and get the SUV. It’ll be cramped, but I don’t see the point in us splitting up right now.”
“I agree,” I muttered, ripping off my suit coat and tossing it aside.
“Let’s get changed and pack what we need,” Rhett suggested.
I nodded and we split up. I tore through my room like a tornado, ripping off my shirt hard enough that buttons pinged across the room. I snagged a black tee and a pair of black cargo pants.
Fuck my clothes and shit. All I worried about was the essentials—laptop, phone, and a few other odds and ends. I hadn’t been able to bring my gun, but I had a Deadbolt straight edge that I tucked into one pocket and a Swiss Army knife in another. Zip ties went into a third pocket followed by my phone.
I grabbed the bag from my bed and strode out of the room.
Hazel was on the couch, her suitcase in the middle of the floor. She’d changed into leggings and a hoodie that I was pretty sure was Jude’s.
Her spine straightened as I came into the room.
“Ready to go, honey?” I asked, coming to stand in front of her. I dropped into a crouch so we were eye level. I caught Bowen’s eye, and he moved toward the dining room table to give us space.
She kept her gaze downcast, fingers knotted in her lap. “You think they’re going to come for me.”
I covered her hands with one of mine. “I think if there was a chance you’d get a papercut because of the stationary here, I’d fly you home immediately.”
Her lips curved up slightly. “You’re ridiculous.”
I leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “Ridiculously in love with you.”
Her eyes met mine, gold and green churning with uncertainty. “Tell me it’s going to be okay and I’ll believe you.”
“It’s going to be okay,” I vowed. “Do you think any of us would let anything happen to you?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Damn right.” I straightened and pulled her off the couch.
Her nose wrinkled as she frowned. “Where’s your suitcase?”
“No room,” I replied.
Her eyes went round. “Do I need to leave mine. I can?—”
“No,” I said, trying to soothe her. The last thing I’d do was take things away from my omega. “Bring all of your stuff. There’s room.”
“But your stuff,” she huffed.
“I can buy new stuff,” I replied with a shrug.
Rhett, Jude, and Kellan came into the room as Bowen snapped his laptop shut. A second later, Silas was pounding on the door. Rhett let him in with a terse nod.
Hazel eyed all the duffel bags and then her own suitcase. “Seriously, guys, I can leave my suitcase here.”
“No,” we all snapped in unison—even Bowen and Silas.
Rhett grabbed the suitcase. “Your things are important, love.”
“And yours aren’t?” Hazel arched a brow.
“You’re important,” Jude told her. “The rest is just stuff.”
I could see her ready to argue, and cut in because we just didn’t have the time. “We need to go.”
Silas checked his watch. “Oak’s out front with the car.”
“Ready, baby?” Jude asked Hazel.
She nodded and took Kellan’s hand.
He leaned in close. “Don’t let go of me, sugar, okay?”
She nodded and sucked in a deep, fortifying breath. “Got it. Let’s go home.” Her eyes glittered with determination.
Damn, I loved this woman.
And I was never, ever letting her go.