4. Opal
Chapter four
Opal
"I 'm coming for you, Opal."
I swear, that was Zayden's voice just now, and my heart beat rises as veiled guards storm into the cell to remove my shackles.
I decided not to ask questions. Even when they blindfold me and escort me through the prison hallways, I keep my mouth shut and head bent low.
They needn’t bother to cover my eyes; I already know the layout of the prison.
I did break in here after all and even made it to the warden’s office. Yet I don’t care to point that grim fact out as we soon arrive at what I assume is Gryphon office door.
Funny how I've wound up here yet again. Never thought I would even see this room again, but here we are.
When I hear the familiar voice on the other side of the door, my heart rate spikes and I suck in a breath.
I guess he has finally made a decision whether I live or die.
My fate awaits me beyond the door, and when the guards push me in, removing my blindfold, I freeze.
My throat closes up when I meet the gaze of those familiar ocean-blue eyes.
Oliver really does look like his little sister, Belle.
Another person I will never see again.
“Hello, Opal,” Oliver greets, yet there's no warmth to his voice.
Nor is there any friendliness in his Alpha’s eyes either as they both scrutinize me, trying to determine whether I am friend or foe.
Gryphon directs his hand at the chair in front of his desk. “Please sit, Opal.”
This is strange. I’m no longer restrained, yet they allow me to move around freely.
Oliver’s hand falls on his holster, and I see it now.
They still don’t trust me. They will shoot if I try anything.
I wouldn’t. The warden cut those strings already.
But my freedom has yet to be determined. So, I must choose my words wisely.
Once I take my seat, the governor offers me hot chocolate, but I decline.
But Oliver insists. “It’s to die for, Opal...”
To die for?
Is he insinuating something?
Very well. I will have some hot chocolate.
Oliver does me the honor and pours the hot chocolate for me. “Funny enough, this is Belle’s favorite, too.”
I’m not surprised. She’s so sweet; I bet she loves all things chocolate.
Oliver studies me carefully as if to challenge me. “Well, go on. Take a sip. Tell me what you think. Is my sister wrong about the chocolate?”
He is testing me.
I heard the double entendre.
Belle has been advocating for my innocence. Perhaps Ella, too.
They do come from a place of understanding, I suppose, but I still don’t deserve their loyalty.
I lied to them from the start; I was never truthful with them.
Thus, they are better off without me.
Finally, I take a sip of Belle's favorite hot chocolate, meeting Oliver’s eyes. “Your sister is right. It is good.”
Good like me? I doubt it.
That answer has yet to be determined. As I said, I don’t know myself. All of my actions in life have been determined by another.
Gryphon places his elbows on his desk, steepling his hands. “So, Opal… what else can you tell us about the warden? Did he have more children that we should know about?”
I guess Gryphon told Oliver what I said about Lily.
Seems these two share everything.
“As a matter of fact, he did,” I reply, gazing into my hot chocolate.
My reflection gazes back up at me, and as expected, I look wan.
I truly am a shell of my old self.
Oliver’s blinks, losing that stoic composure at last. “Who?”
I meet his ocean blue eyes, and all I see are Belle’s now. “Francis.”
Oliver’s face turns gray. The very man who held his sister captive and trained her to be a killer.
My sharp, manicured fingernails tap the cup in my hand as I share more. “Again, estranged… Absentee father... However, Francis was born beyond the city lines to a Beta mother. As a Beta himself, he wanted to prove his own worth to his father. Hence why he joined his regime to put an end to all Alphas.”
Ironic, really. Considering the warden’s own designation.
He promised his followers that he would make things better for Betas within and without the city.
“That’s why Francis kept your sister captive, Oliver. To prove his worth.”
I take another sip, fingers shaking. I just hope he doesn't take his anger out on me.
I am merely the messenger here.
Oliver’s fists curl, and I bet he is picturing all the gruesome ways he can get back at the warden. He slams his hand down on the desk. "Fucking prick."
“Easy, Oliver. A level head is needed here,” Gryphon replies. His gaze meets mine. “Anything else to share?”
I stop sipping. “Frederick was his most devoted lackey. That was why he created the Beta Trials . To appease the warden and get in his good graces, which was why Lily disposed of him so she would have all the power. She was jealous of Frederick.”
Gryphon’s expression falls completely slack as I unravel the tale.
I guess I shouldn’t tell him the next thing on my lips, but he’s probably already figured it out. “Lavender was another lackey of the warden. Again, why she tried to have you killed.”
So many enemies. I bet Gryphon is sorry he asked.
Gryphon nods. “Thank you, Opal, for your cooperation.”
So, what now? Does that mean I go free?
Or will they return me to my cell?
Just before Gryphon opens his mouth, there comes a commotion outside.
My head whirls around. That sounds like…
“Hey! You don’t have authorization to go in there, Omega!” one of the guards yells.
“Fuck you!”
Wait... It is him, and I knew I'd heard his voice before.
My heart rate spikes.
When the door bursts open, I find those hazelnut eyes, and my whole world flips upside down.
Just when I never thought I would see him again.
Zayden.