26. Hux
Chapter 26
Hux
I press my back against the cool concrete wall, staring up at the leaky pipe above me. A droplet of water clings to the rusted metal before falling with a soft plink onto the ground. The sound echoes in the stillness of the cell block, a quiet reminder of the world outside these grim walls.
Most of the others down here are still asleep, their soft snores and occasional murmurs creating a rhythmic hum that fades into the background of my mind. This early hour is my sanctuary, a brief respite before the chaos of the day begins.
I take a deep breath, the damp, musty air filling my lungs. The scent of sweat, unwashed bodies, and the faint tang of metal mixes together, a constant reminder of my captivity. I close my eyes and lean my head back, feeling the rough texture of the wall against my scalp. It's a small comfort, but it's something to anchor me to the present.
Each morning, I use this time to settle into the day, to mentally prepare myself for the noise and the madness that will soon follow. I focus on the steady rhythm of my breathing, letting it drown out the intrusive thoughts that threaten to overwhelm me.
Inhale, hold, exhale. Repeat.
It's a simple routine, but it keeps me grounded.
I stretch out my legs, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from the hard cot that barely qualifies as a bed. The cold seeping through the concrete floor is a harsh contrast to the heat that will soon permeate the cell block as the sun rises. I roll my shoulders, trying to ease the tension that has become a permanent part of my existence.
"Daddy alpha?" Rebecca's voice comes through the cell door, and I chuckle softly at the nickname. I remember meeting Bex briefly at the club, she was the reason I met Kay.
"How is Kaylani?" she asks.
I grit my teeth at her question. I don't know how Kaylani is holding up, but in captivity like this, hope is crucial. I refuse to take that hope away from my kitten's best friend.
"She's with our pack. They'll take care of her." I manage, though I'm not sure if I'm trying to convince her or myself.
Shuffling sounds come from across the hallway as Rebecca approaches the door. I stand slowly, facing the small barred window to come face-to-face with Rebecca in the neighboring cell.
Her face is black and blue, her blonde hair a tangled mess. Guilt settles in my stomach. If I hadn't been with Kaylani the night Rebecca went missing, maybe none of this would have happened—it was definitely retaliation from the Sterling Family.
"I'm sorry you're down here," I finally say, breaking the silence. Rebecca shakes her head vigorously, gripping the bars.
"It's not your fault. The Sterlings are assholes."
"If I hadn't been with Kay—"
"No," she interrupts me. "You can't blame yourself. I'm the one who brought her to The Den. I knew the risks, and how crazy her ex is. Plus, my mother knows I'm here and hasn't done a thing about it apart from try to convince me it's for the best."
"I'll get you out of here, Rebecca. I promise," I reassure her.
Rebecca chuckles, but there's no real humor in the sound. I can see unshed tears glistening in her eyes.
"How are you going to do that?" she asks.
I groan, rubbing my chin in frustration, tugging at my beard. I'm not sure how I'm going to break myself and the omegas out, but I have a pack out there who won't let me sit idly by—especially my sister. There's no way she wouldn't be going crazy right now.
"We'll figure it out," I say finally. "Hey Hux?" she says softly. "You really are the perfect alpha for Kay. You know that don't you? You have to fight for her okay? Kay means the world to me. She needs you now more than ever."
I meet Bex's gaze through the bars, her eyes earnest and pleading. Despite the grim circumstances, her words strike a chord within me. "I'll fight for her, Bex," I reply, my voice carrying a determined edge. "I promise you, I won't stop until all of us are free from this mess."
"Don't let them break you, Hux," she urges, her gaze intense. "Stay strong for her."
I swallow hard, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. "I won't let her down," I assure, my voice steady despite the turmoil swirling around us.
Rebecca, after a long pause, speaks up from her cell. "You better keep that promise, daddy alpha," she teases again. "Kay's been through enough. We all have."