Page 72 of Generation Omega: Claimed
Jameson’s concern has officially arrived. “But what about Thatcher?”
I scoff. “You think Beta Dominion couldn’t have inspired his hasty departure?”
Ory’s rumbling growls set me even more on edge. “We have to get off this plane.”
“But we can’t, can we? Not without being found.” I hate speaking those words, but they must be heard.
“Why?” Jameson presses, but it’s Gideon who answers, “Because we’re too fucking famous—that’s why.”
Gideon’s intensity sears me. “I’m going to get this plane to land, and then Ory will take you and Tillie in a different direction—we’ll figure out where. Jameson and I will continue toward the meetup, possibly trap, and see what we find. If you don’t hear from us, run and don’t stop. Kazimir hasn’t bonded her, but he can still track her.”
My heart is dying as every wound in me that Kazimir healed is torn open. “Gideon, if he’s a traitor, you have to kill him.”
Gideon’s expression becomes completely blank. “But what about you? Your bond?”
“I’ll bond Ethan if it comes to that. I’ll keep him safe.” Ory is adamant, and I don’t know what to feel, only I’m sure Ory will do whatever is necessary to protect Tillie, which means saving me.
Jameson is about to rush the cockpit. The president’s son running logistics? What could possibly go wrong with that? Anyone going to snag a picture and share our location with the world?
Gideon’s still staring at me. “Ethan?”
I’m shuddering at the idea of losing my connection to a killer, but my arms remain steady around Tillie. I push myself to hold Ory’s unyielding stare. “I have to live for her, whatever thatmeans. That’s how I ended up in this situation in the first place. If you’re willing to…” I can’t even say it. “I have to live—that’s all that matters. Nothing has changed about the way Tillie and I need each other.”
Like a car alarm blaring in an otherwise quiet night, another realization tears into me. “Gideon,” I practically bark, “wake her up. She needs to make this decision—not us. We serve her.” Before he responds, I blurt, “And make sure your weapons aren’t firing blanks, because they all came from Kazimir too.”
“Fuck.” That’s the collective pronouncement from the alphas, and finally we all agree on something.
“Ethan,” Tillie whispers, capturing the focus of all. “I’m here. I’ve been here. I heard everything.” When Tillie moves to sit up, I help her until she’s standing and facing us all.
My confusion is shared with everyone except Gideon, and I understand how this ruse happened, but not why.
Only Tillie can explain that.
CHAPTER 35
TILLIE
Remaining still, while held by Ethan, as the conversation erupts around me is as challenging as I thought it would be. I’ve never imagined for a second that I would be a good spy, liar, or poker player, and this feels like all three at once. It’s not the first time my silence has felt like a betrayal, but with everything so heightened, I know I’ll never forget this moment.
What I also need to remember is how it began and why.
I’m riding a wave of uncertainty, confusion, and lust as Ory deftly maneuvers the car toward our meetup with the others. I can’t decide whether it’s charming or disturbing that Ory doesn’t know how to relate to me. But as I ponder him in the beautiful silence of my own mind, not observed by anyone, it totally makes sense that he doesn’t know what to do with me. He’s really not…
I’ve barely begun my initial assessment of the origin omega’sride or diebeau when the seriously feisty party-crasher arrives in my head. So much for quiet, unobserved reflection time. I’mnow in for a list of grievances, probably involving me and my interest in potential baby-making withherman.
You must see. Learn. Know.She’s fired up, and her voice reverberates through me.
See, learn, and know…what?
The truth only I can teach.
Doubt starts tap-dancing in my belly. Anytimeanyonedeclares themself the only source of truth… that’s a colossal red flag for me. Even sensing my distrust, she doesn’t pause.
Ory is wrong. Your need to protect your thoughts isn’t a sign of instability in the pack. A fortress is a barrier—omegas need the barriers provided by their alphas—but your mind isn’t a wall or a battlement they should seek to wield.
Her frustration jolts me, but not as much as her words that resonate with my budding omega instincts that tell me my thoughts should be mine, unless I choose to share them. But are those my instincts or the origin omega’s?
A fortress surrounds a queen, but you will wear the crown. They are knights dedicated to your safety, but they are not meant to rule. By overstepping, as they are, they’re the ones creating instability while mistakenly believing they are protecting you.
