Page 18 of Captive Beta
I’ve seen a lot in my life, but this look of pure rage and pleasure is a first.
“Vera!” A tall guy appears in the doorway. He’s her total opposite. Built like a wall, bulky, intimidating.
Another guy slips out from behind him, quickly taking out the last guard, not killing him, simply immobilising him. The guard drops to the floor all the same.
“Caleb!” The girl, Vera, looks up, her eyes now bright and happy and she bounces over to him, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his cheek.
She went from a killer to a kitten in the blink of an eye.
I guess she’s an Omega and he must be her Alpha…
A third guy comes inside, glancing around the room for a moment like he’s trying to make sure there’s no more danger, his face goes pale at the sight of the blood and bodies. Then he comes over to me, his eyes filled with worry. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
When he kneels at my side, the air seems to clear, making it easier to breathe, until I realise it’s from the third guy’s cedar pheromones. He’s surrounding me with his scent, trying to soothe me. I must look horrible if a random Alpha tries to comfort me, a plain Beta.
I quickly shake my head, dropping my gaze. Not used to anyone worrying about me.
I’m a little bruised, but that’s my own fault for slipping on a… On that. I’m unharmed otherwise.
With the door to the alley open, the stuff the guards sprayed in the room starts to clear and I become aware of everyone’s pheromones. The cedar scent intensifies, which luckily manages to block out some of the disgusting scents from the guards, and I also notice the others; honey, deep forest, and a sliver of fresh bread.
My heart stops for a moment as my brain catches up with the scents.
No.
No.
Involuntarily, I take a deep breath, like I need to check again, to be sure I’m not imagining it.
Honey.
Deep forest.
My body shakes, my brain trying to shut down.
No… No.
This can’t be happening…
No!
My mind flashes back to a dark room. Clothes covered in these exact same pheromones. The triumphant looks in the leadership’s eyes as I reacted instinctively. They drugged me so that even I, a Beta, could go into rut, and then they locked me in a room with these scents.
I was in there for days, nothing to eat, only a few bottles of water to drink, unable to get a satisfying release, but constantly reminded of them.
Of my mates.
I can’t breathe.
My throat closes up. My chest is too tight. My heart is racing.
No.
They can’t be here.
If the Hearts get their hands on them…
No!
