Chapter Twenty-Seven

Faith

The darkness, I think I can handle. But then I see that light—white, blinding, acidic.

And suddenly I'm not with Caleb, or Maverick, or anyone.

I'm standing dead alone in the center of the ring.

My skin breaks out in a cold sweat. I know I can't let go of the ladder without falling down deeper, but I also can't move. Can't think. Can't breathe.

"Faith. Faith!"

That's Caleb's voice. The last time I heard it so sharp, he was barking at me. Is that what he's going to do now? Put me in my place? Put me down—down, down, where I'll never see the surface again?

"Take my hand."

If I take his hand, I'll fall. If I fall, I'm good as dead.

"Dammit, let me help!" someone calls from below me.

"Stand down," Caleb snarls. He reaches out further. "Faith. I need you to trust me."

His tone has softened. The panic is still there—I can smell it—but I recognize those earthy undertones. His was the first scent my omega learned after my time in the ring. He … rubbed my back. Told me to breathe.

"I'm here. I'm right here."

Shakily, I let myself take his hand. He latches on in an instant, hauling me up in one powerful motion. Pulling me into the light.

I tumble into Caleb's lap and don't fight as he puts his arms around me. His heart is thudding so hard, I'm surprised it doesn't shatter his ribs.

"You're safe," he breathes into my hair. "I've got you."

My inner omega stifles a sob. Please don't let go.

I'm still gathering my bearings when a dark red head pops up over the ladder. He looks at me, wide-eyed. "Jesus Christ, omega. Nearly gave me a heart attack."

Maverick. That's right—he's also here. We're meant to be on a scouting expedition. I was supposed to be their guide.

My face burns, humiliated.

"She okay?" Maverick asks.

Caleb rumbles against me. "Not yet. Keep your distance."

"I'm keeping, I'm keeping." Maverick hoists himself onto the road. "Could've warned me about the claustrophobia, y'know."

I'm not claustrophobic, I sign angrily. Maverick quirks an eyebrow at me. He reaches into his pocket to pull out his phone, opening a blank note, and tries to hand it to me. "C'mon, kitten—you got something you want to say, type it out."

Gingerly, I accept the phone. I've barely put down two words when I stop myself.

Because if I'm not claustrophobic … then what am I?

I've never been so furious with myself. After everything I went through to get here—escaping the arena, meeting Pack Wilder, winning over the RDF—I can't fuck it up now. Snarling, I toss the phone aside. I barely even hear Maverick's complaints before I fumble out of Caleb's lap, crawling towards the ladder.

"Faith, slow down," Caleb warns.

I lower myself by exactly one rung—the top half of my body still well and truly surface-level—when it happens again.

Cold sweat. Clenched lungs. My saliva tastes acidic, like I'm about to throw up.

Strong arms grab me, lifting me out. I don't hear what's being said exactly, but I can feel the vibrations. Warm. Soothing.

"Okay, omega." Caleb's voice is in my ear again. "You've had enough."

Enough as in what? He's taking me back to headquarters? Back to the den? Or, worse, he's realized I'm of no use to anyone, and he's going to drop me off at the nearest shelter.

"Hang on," Maverick says, springing up as Caleb helps me stand. "That's it? You're not even gonna give her a second chance?"

"She had a second chance," Caleb says, "and she nearly blacked out."

"This isn't over," Maverick insists. "You and Jax said it yourselves—we need her."

"Me and Jax didn't think it through," Caleb snarls, propping me up against the car. I stand there, stunned, as he goes on, "Putting her back underground isn't just dangerous. It's cruel . We should've known better."

He's talking as if I'm broken. Like I'm a pup who needs to be coddled.

I push myself off the car, thrusting a hand into Maverick's pocket.

He starts. "Hello to you too, kitten."

I dig out his phone. He recites the passcode without hesitation, eyeing the screen as I type.

I CAN DO THIS, I insist.

Caleb glowers. "Not right now you can't. It's my fault—I shouldn't have pushed you."

My lip curls. I'M NOT A PUP.

Maverick whistles. "She's got a point, boss."

"Quiet," Caleb snaps. "This has nothing to do with you."

"Uh, RDF scout? Scouting expedition? Pretty sure that's got something to do with me."

"This isn't a game!" Caleb snarls. Then he turns to me. "I know you want to find your mate—I want to find him, too—but not if it means sacrificing everything we've already worked for."

I glare at him, trying to pick apart the desperation in his ocean-green eyes.

Finally, I type, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

He slams his forearm against the car, towering over me.

" You , omega. You come first." His glare deepens. "That's a non-negotiable."

Neither one of us moves. I'm painfully aware of how hot Caleb's body is, pheromones rolling over me like sauna mist. For a second I think he's about to scent-mark me, his pulse throbbing urgently—

Maverick clears his throat. "There's a simple solution, you know."

Caleb pulls away, making my inner omega cringe.

Maverick shrugs. "We don't all go underground. You and Faith stake out the streets, and I'll grab scent samples from below. I can even snap some photos if you want."

The way he says it, it does sound simple, but I can already tell he's making a lot of extra work for himself. Work he wouldn't have to do if I wasn't such a coward.

I start to type, THAT'S NOT NECESSARY, when Caleb grunts approvingly.

"You'll need backup," he says.

"Who, Jax?"

"No. I want him at headquarters while I'm gone." Caleb considers. "Maybe a tech."

Maverick snorts. "Someone who won't fuck up the samples, you mean."

"I didn't say that."

"Uh-huh."

Slowly, letter by letter, I delete my message. I might not like the way things are turning out, but if one thing's become clear … it is necessary. I can't even get halfway into the tunnels before I lose my head.

Maverick has been big enough to compromise. It'd be pretty embarrassing if I couldn't do the same.

Instead I type, I'LL GET BETTER.

Both alphas seem confused. "Better?" Caleb asks.

I grit my teeth. STRONGER.

Maverick laughs. "Now there's a scary thought."

I shoot him a glare, clarifying, I'LL GET OVER THIS. GET UNDERGROUND.

This time it's only Caleb who seems reserved. When I turn my gaze back on Maverick, he's wearing that shark-toothed grin that normally makes me want to punch him. Except, this time, it makes my inner omega preen.

He purrs. "I'm counting on it, kitten."