Chapter 2
JUDGE
Two Hours Earlier…
Diana’s distress ripples across the bond like a low, aching hum. The need get to her sharpens into something violent.
She’s mated to me now, which means anything that happens to her is a direct reflection of my own failure. I can’t keep others away when she’s this far from me, even if they know I’m coming for them. There’s too many reckless, wild fuckers out there.
This entire predicament is unacceptable.
Beast immediately sent one of his eagles to find her, which are hardier in the wind over the his hawks.
His ‘gift’ for being an echo is his ungodly massive frame with the reflexes of a smaller man, and an uncanny ability to connect with birds of prey.
He slips into their vision like a second skin and sees what they see.
Tracks heat and motion where a human eye would see nothing but white and gray.
I pace the corridor, the sound of my boots echoing off the walls. Something vital has been removed, the tether in my chest twisting until I release a cry and punch the wall, my fist flying through the old drywall, dust settling around. My knuckles are bloody, my breath heaving.
Diana.
My omega.
There’s a burning under my skin that makes me straighten my spine. The betrayal that coils heavily through the bond is palpable, and I loathe it. I need her. I need her approval, her adoration, her love for me.
Not her rage, or anger.
Or heartbreak.
I storm through the halls, already cataloging which truck I’ll take. I consider leaving and to follow where the tether takes me, not bothering to wait for visual confirmation. Every minute that passes gives them a lead that makes me rage.
I barely address Skinner as he appears around a corner— “Hey, where you going? What happened?” he asks, sharp and alert, eyes flicking over me like he’s inventorying damage.
“Jack’s the mole,” I say, the words tasting like rust, as I continue to the courtyard.
“What?” His brow furrows, dark eyes flitting around, and he slightly jogs to catch up. “He’s Brandon’s kid.”
Ignoring the comment, because I don’t give a shit about Jack right now, I focus back on trying to recall what I know about alpha and omega bonds. I got this tether into her so I could use it for this purpose, didn’t I? I’ll hunt her out.
When he prods me further, I relay what happened as we move—the scraps of information I seeded and how they reflect knowledge only Jack possesses. How Diana knew about the engagers because Jack’s omega knew…
Diana.
Skinner’s jaw tightens with every word, and I can smell sweat on him.
“Where is Diana, Judge?”
My heart races with the dread of an alpha that is not able to protect what belongs to him.
“She fled.” The words land heavily in my chest. “Beast has gone to get Jack, and sent out an eagle to try and follow Diana. I don’t want anyone to know anything right now, to keep it as quiet as possible.
For her own safety, in case it gets to Titan at all. ”
He obediently nods. “Why did she run? Just the opportunity, or did something happen?”
“Jack’s omega went to get her from the attic,” I say, anger flaring hot and fast. “Diana saw Roxy.”
Skinner swears under his breath. “For fuck’s sake.” He drags a hand down his face. “Did you tell her at all? Beforehand?”
“Yeah, that would have been great timing,” I reply wryly.
“Right as a bond forms, tell her that I’m making Roxy appear like she’s my omega as a last resort to get eyes off Diana because word was reaching Titan that I had started to favor someone, and that this is all to preserve her life.
Would have been a great fucking beginning for the bond.
” My chest tightens, old ghosts clawing their way through my chest into my throat.
All I can see is what my mother’s face may have looked like, the disappointment in her eyes, to know she may have been bonded and hated it.
Now, I have a tangible, real omega to protect that has a name, a face, and a scent.
What else was I supposed to fucking do? Just hope that shit works out? I saw an opening to secure her to me, so I took it. I protected her.
Kitty comes forward, half running, half walking. “Beast told me. He’s got Jack. He’s still passed out in his quarters. I’m here to help.”
“I’m leaving,” I say, strutting past her.
Skinner aggressively sighs. “Let’s see what Jack knows, first. What if his omega is leading Diana right to the fuckface Titan himself?”
I pause in my step, Kitty still moving a few steps ahead before stopping. I growl and hit the neighboring wall with my elbow, breaking it, too. “Fuck!”
I seethe, only seeing red as I don’t know what to do. Do I leave immediately? If Diana is being led to Titan, I can’t go alone. I’d need reinforcements, at the minimum, just to be sure. Even if it took an extra hour.
“Fuck!” I cry out again, glaring at Kitty who actually looks a little terrified.
“Then I’m going to see the fucking useless piece of shit named Jack, and Kitty you’re coming with me,” I command, glaring at Skinner.
“And get a plow ready, because I’m leaving in less than a fucking hour.
If others are coming, then they can tail me. But I am getting on that road.”
It’s almost fucking impossible to think tactically instead of emotionally.
Kitty struggles to keep up as she follows me to Jack’s quarters. She’s smart and doesn’t say a single word to me. If Jack’s omega is leading her to Titan, I will make sure to torture this asshole for at least the next five years.
I genuinely don’t know what I’ll do with that rage.
Last time that happened, I killed the leader of the organization that raised me, and ripped heads off with my bare hands. The physics still doesn’t make sense, but this blind fear and need for control are my only focus.
Who do I kill now?
I try reaching Diana through the tether, letting pure instinct guide me. I try to feel her, the energy that is intertwined with mine. Her pain is the only thing to respond, and I draw a slight amount of blood from my inner lip as I bite down with contained fury.
Every second she’s gone is another second the world has a chance to hurt her.
I will fucking maul anyone who even thinks of touching her.
It feels so fucking useless to stand outside of Jack and Rebecca’s quarters when Diana’s getting further away, but this is the only man who can tell me of any immediate threats to Diana, which will tell me whether I need to send us into war or not.
If Rebecca isn’t working for Titan, then I will go as quietly as possible so as to avoid the attention on Diana.
The space before me reeks of alpha and omega, which warps my mind as an instinct screams at me that I’ve ruined this for myself.
That my omega rejected me. I slowly enter the room, and once my gaze finds Jack, all I can do is stare at the cunt that has inadvertently threatened my Diana.
He’s bound on his couch with Beast behind him.
“Any visuals, Beast?” I ask, still not removing my glare.
“They’re heading southeast in a jeep. They’re driving slow.
They’re entirely alone on the road. I’m having Rave fly further ahead to see if he spots anyone on their way, but it’s empty.
” He glances down, that sound of mechanical breath from his mask filling the room.
“I administered some chems to wake Jack up. He’s starting to rouse. ”
I hardly blink as I stand there and stare at him.
“Where is Rebecca?” Jack finally slurs, his lips pale as he slowly looks around.
“That’s what I wanted to ask you,” I reply, keeping every inch of my tone calm and voice slow.
“Judge—”
“Is your omega aware of the shit you’re dealing in?” I cut without inflection. The way his eyes widen for a moment, I know he’s aware he has fucked up to a level his soul will regret.
Because his betrayal has potentially harmed my omega.
Jack swallows. “No.” He shakes his head. “No, she’s not aware.”
“So she had the unfortunate life of being mated to a coward?” I ask, starting to envision the things I might do to him as punishment.
“I fucking had to,” Jack defends, chin up. “I didn’t ask for any of this shit.” He coughs, his voice dry. “It’s either this or all three of my fucking sisters get dark bonded to particularly disgusting idiots. You’ll never make me regret choosing my family.”
“Then you’ll understand the things I have to do now.” I sit on the wooden table in front of him, staring him down, continuing to avoid any overt display of rage, because he knows when I’m like this… oh, he’s going to suffer. “Do you care for your omega at all?”
“Rebecca doesn’t deserve to go through any more hell than she has,” he replies, keeping his gaze down, his nostrils flaring. “I’ve already done too much to her.”
“You’re going to die, Jack,” I state, completely still until I lean over just slightly.
He flinches, and I let the smallest smile spread.
“Any loyalty from here on out is completely fucking useless. I will be the one to find Diana first, which means your mate. Your actions here will dictate what happens to Rebecca.” I pause, giving him time to hear that.
“Don’t make her pay for something you chose. ”
His jaw juts around as he breathes quicker. “I’ll tell you that Titan knows you have an omega here now.” My blood heats, my knuckles going white, but I retain composure. “Guess I won’t be able to let him know it’s not Roxy.”
Oh, I want to rip his fucking throat out. Or his entrails and wrap them around his neck until he can’t breathe anymore, then revive him and make him suffer again. “Is your omega taking Diana to Titan in any capacity?” I ask.
He groans, rolling his eyes. “Rebecca wanted nothing to do with Titan,” he says, relief making me breathe deeper. “She frequently hated me for it. She isn’t a concern. She’d rather gut herself than help Titan.”
“What assurance do I have of this?”