Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
KAYLA
M y fingers are practically frozen around the first aid kit’s metal handle, a dead giveaway to the jitters coursing through me. Not that I need to broadcast them—this Alpha’s already eyeing me like I’m some skittish rabbit he’s backed into a corner.
The low growl rumbling from his throat sets my nerves on edge, the vibration worming under my skin in a way that’s far too familiar. It’s just like Dad’s tone when I was little, and he was gearing up to knock me down a peg. As if getting loud and scary was the answer to everything.
But this looming stranger doesn’t know a damn thing about me. He hasn’t seen the nights I lay awake at my glorified prison called home, plotting my escape down to the last detail. Doesn’t know how many times I had to choke back the urge to scream until my throat was raw.
Faking obedience is an art, one I carefully cultivated behind perfectly tamed smiles and downcast eyes. All while rebellion thrummed through my veins, unraveling my life from the inside out.
Even now, with my heart smashing against my ribs, it reminds me not to trust too easily, too soon. That everyone has darkness in them. A reminder that no Alpha, no matter how brutish, can smother the flame I’ve kept alive.
My gaze is glued to the Alpha, but my brain’s doing a high-speed scan of every exit, the window, and how fast I can bolt. So, let this Alpha think he holds all the cards for now. The game’s only just begun, and I don’t fold that easily. The first aid kit is still in my hand, ready to use against him as a weapon.
“Just patching up the merchandise,” he says, and those words cut deeper than they should. A hot flush of anger burns its way up my neck. I’m not some object to be bartered, no matter how much they think they’ve got me cornered. But my glare is wasted on the back of his head.
I catch Ryker’s gaze, and a frown is etched between his brows that almost looks like... what? Disapproval? It’s hard to tell with these Alphas—they’re as unreadable as stone.
Without a word, he turns and leaves, and seconds later, a door slams, leaving just the two of us in a silence that feels like it’s closing in.
“Come on.” Dane nods toward the door he wants me to go through. “Time to get some food and water. You look like you could use it.”
“Thanks, but I’m not hungry.” I don’t want to show any weakness, not to him, not to any of them. Except my stomach takes that second to make noise.
“Right. Unless you’re hiding a grizzly, follow me,” he demands like he should know my place here. As if!
My stomach growls traitorously loud again. Great, now he knows I’m starving. I hate giving him even that small concession, but it’s been hours—at least—since I’ve had anything to eat. The thought of food, any food, sets my mouth watering, despite the dread coiling tight in my belly.
“Fine,” I snap, more out of spite than anything else.
In the kitchen, a plate sits on the battered old table, a sterile white slab with a sandwich sliced in half next to a glass of water like some sad parody of hospitality. My fingers itch to swipe it all onto the floor, to reject anything these Alphas offer, but my stomach rumbles in traitorous hunger, impossible to ignore.
Dane stands like a sentinel by the door, his stance rigid. “Eat,” he orders flatly, leaving no room for argument.
I eye the exit but already know it’s stupid for me to try to make a break for it with this Alpha watching me. Swallowing hard, I take a bite of the sandwich. No surprise that it’s dry and tasteless, sticking to the roof of my mouth. Even guzzling the water doesn’t help.
“Done?” Dane asks needlessly when I push the plate away, most of the food untouched. With a jerk of his head, he motions me into the living room.
The fireplace crackles with a small flame as the blond Alpha—Liam I think his name was—tends to it. His presence is like a force field tugging at me, even as my mind rails against the instinct to submit. This is the one who carried me from the bus wreck, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone so ruggedly built.
“Can I look around?” I shift from foot to foot, antsy. “Stretch my legs?”
Dane’s jaw tightens, but he gives a curt nod. “Don’t leave the cabin.”
Taking that as permission, I do a quick sweep of the rooms, half-hoping and half-dreading to find the others here, too. Only three tiny bedrooms and two bathrooms—no sign of Casey, Danica, or Jess. A twisted sense of relief washes over me that they aren’t being kept imprisoned like me, but worry for their fates gnaws at my gut.
When I return to the living room, I hover awkwardly. Do I just sit here and twiddle my thumbs? Try my luck again? Making a break for it is useless while outnumbered.
“Sit,” Dane commands, patting the couch beside him like I’m a dog being summoned.
Stifling a glare, I obey, dropping onto the worn cushion. For now. I let my gaze drift to the dancing flames as I calculate my next move. Wait for them to sleep, then run like hell into the night...
The door bangs open, and Ryker storms in, making me jump.
“Where the hell is Liam?” he bellows.
I recoil from his anger, and the old familiar knot tightens in my throat.
I can’t stand that even here, among these three strangers, what Gary tried to do to me still has control over me. I hate him.
“Chill, I’m right here.” Liam appears, shaking off his rain-damp jacket. A waft of damp earth and pine hits my nose as he enters. “Just did a perimeter check for our... guest.”
The tension in the room is thick enough to choke on it. These Alphas practically radiate power, yet my gaze darts between them, looking for weaknesses, openings to exploit.
“We need to talk. Outside.” Ryker’s tone brooks no argument. He throws me a dark look before heading out, Liam trailing behind him.
For a blessed few seconds, I’m alone. I strain to hear their muffled voices through the door.
“...not what we agreed on. And they increased the payment for her and the others. Double payment,” Ryker’s voice rumbles.
Oh, crap! I clap a hand over my mouth, muffling a gasp. They’re going to turn me into Nexus for a reward?
Liam says something, but I can’t make it out.
“Whose fault is that?” Ryker snaps.
A cold dread seeps through me.
“Our very own little Omega mate,” Liam says. “Can’t tell me you don’t feel that pull.”
I stumble back, knees shaking as his words sink in. Mate with these scumbags? Hell no. My grip tightens on the windowsill, keeping me upright. They’re just using me to get paid.
“Liam’s right,” Dane pipes up. “She’s our meal ticket outta this mess, like it or not.”
Bile burns my throat. To them, I’m nothing but a commodity to pay off debts. I lean in, desperate to catch more, when a loud clatter makes me flinch. A small ornament lies shattered on the floor from the windowsill.
Dane returns first, his gaze flicking around the room before settling on me.
“Don’t try anything stupid, Omega.” The edge is still there in his tone, but it’s softened a fraction.
I glare back but stay put. For now.
Liam enters, followed by Ryker stomping inside. Scraps of their conversation are on auto-repeat in my head—something about me being their ticket out, their “meal ticket.”
Escape.
It’s the only option before they try to sell me off, like yesterday’s news. My skin prickles with unease just being in the same room as these Alphas. And Ryker’s icy glare could chip diamonds.
“Fuck,” I mutter through clenched teeth, hands twisting the hem of my shirt. Every fiber of my being screams run, but there’s nowhere to go except maybe through the damn wall. I could hide in one of the bedrooms, but they all have freaking bars on the windows like this is prison.
I need to run as soon as I effin can. Just gotta play it cool and wait until their guard lowers.
“You do what we tell you, got that Omega?”
“Easy there, Ryker,” Liam throws over his shoulder with a smirk.
I manage a shaky laugh as his gaze flicks to me. Is he seriously trying to play Mr. Smooth right now? I lock eyes with him, schooling my features into a mask of indifference. Praying he doesn’t see the panic clawing its way up my throat.
Just play it cool, Kayla. Wait for an opening... if there is one.
No, I can’t think like that. I’ve survived Stepdouche all this time. I can survive this.
A heavy silence descends. I can practically feel the hostility radiating off the Alphas in waves, feeling as though it would knock me off my feet if I wasn’t already sitting down.
Ugh, so much for Nexus. I had thought they were my ticket away from Gary and his groping hands.
I grip the edge of the sofa, knuckles white. Stay alert. Stay alive. When a chance to bolt comes, I’ll take it or die trying.
“My turn for babysitting duty.” Liam plops onto one of the recliners beside the couch. His scent—sandalwood and sea breeze—washes over me, instinctively calling to something primal I have to tamp down hard.
There has to be a way to drive a wedge between them, play them against each other. Divide and conquer. In these Alphas’ games, I’m the wildcard they never expected.
“So, Kayla...” He leans back, eyes raking over me in a way that makes me want to squirm.
He must read the shock on my face because he chuckles. “We received pictures of you and the other missing Omegas along with their names and basic information. But I want to know more about you. Tell me about yourself.”
I shrug, laying on thick. “Oh, you know, the usual Omega Institute delights… reading, writing, mastering the art of being a perfectly obedient little doll.”
He arches one eyebrow skeptically. “That so? Yeah, I don’t buy that act. You don’t exactly scream ‘model student’ to me.”
Keeping my face impassive takes effort. “What can I say? I’m a model student.”
“Somehow, I doubt that’s the full story.” His gaze is penetrating, trying to see right through me.
I meet his gaze head-on, my voice dripping with mock sincerity. “Sorry to disappoint, but I’m about as thrilling as watching paint dry.”
A low chuckle escapes him, sending shivers crawling down my spine despite myself. “We’ll see about that, Kayla.”
The door creaks open before I can fire back a witty retort. Ryker fills the doorway, and my silly heart thumps harder in my chest. He throws a pile of clothes at me with a grunt.
“Clean up. Your scent is giving me a migraine.”
I snag the clothes, my eyes flashing daggers. These Alphas may think they have me cornered, but they are so wrong.
I’ll play along and watch every move for weaknesses. Surviving isn’t enough. Escape is the endgame, and this is just round one.