Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

NICKOLAS

I 'm worried about what Beckett might do if he ever gets out of here. Not to me or Kate, but to other people. He's a very irate man beneath the cocky, sarcastic exterior he presents all the time.

Like right now, my pack mate would for sure be swinging at the other pack alpha, Ronan. Honestly, I don't blame him, but I also understand Ronan's desperation to believe we'll be saved.

Beckett's jaw clenches as we all watch their battle of who's right. "You just don't get it," he grumbles.

"No, you don't get it," Ronan spits, pacing back and forth in his cell.

From the outside, the alpha looks like he's going mad. Even his three pack mates are watching him warily. I don't want to judge the guy too harshly though; I was the same way when we first arrived.

"Nobody would know you three were missing because you're expected to be silent for years, which, don't get me started on that red fucking flag we all turned a blind eye to! But I have people ready for me as soon as the school year ends and Lucas was supposed to graduate!"

I admit, Ronan's reasoning is pretty solid, but still. It's been so long I don't think I can jump on his hopeful bandwagon. It hurts too much. Every moment of realization that I'll never be able to save my pack over the past three years has stolen pieces of me I don't think I'll ever get back. I worry if I keep giving into those daydreams, that I won't have anything else to give to my omega. To Beckett.

Beckett scoffs, pulling me out of my head. "But what are these people who you think are waiting for you going to do, huh?"

"My friend and his parents are OPS investigators," Ronan rushes out, head nodding, eyes wide.

"Omega Protection Services, really?" my pack brother interjects with a bored tone.

I frown, not understanding the disdain dripping from Beckett's words. The OPS is literally the domestic intelligence and security services of the United States. They are the highest federal law enforcement agency, not only exclusive to omegas, as their name suggests.

Even though our country now views all designations as equals by law, omegas are still highly discriminated against for their softer, seemingly more vulnerable nature. Thankfully, we have the OPS, but unfortunately, their focus is investigating and preventing acts of domestic and international terrorism against omegas.

"This friend of yours," Beckett continues. "You think he cares about a few missing people when there are groups fucking trafficking omegas?"

"Beck," I snap, feeling his rage boiling down the bond.

He's far stronger than I've ever felt him before. Kate is a much bigger presence, but being bonded to the same omega and being pack mates gives us a faint link to each other too.

"No," Beckett spits, glaring at me before whipping back to yell at Ronan some more. "I promise you they won't give a flying rat's ass about a group of college kids who don't come home after graduation! They have better things to do! "

"That's not true, asshole! Remy will come for me and bring this entire fucking place down!" Ronan bellows, making all of us alphas stiffen at the dominance pouring off of him. From where I'm sitting, it looks like the beta shrinks further into the wall, which draws Elliott's attention immediately.

If these bars weren't here, this argument would devolve into a fight so damn fast. Actually, I'm a bit worried the bars won't hold Beckett, Ronan, or Elliott back at this point. Fuck .

"Beckett, stand down. Now," I bark, but it's weak. Beckett could fight me on the command, but he doesn't. With a final grind of his teeth, he turns away from the others.

Technically, I am more dominant than the blonde alpha, but I'm weak and haven't stretched my dominance in a long time. I tried at first against all the guards, enforcers, whatever, but they keep us so weak that even if it works on one beta, there are ten others to knock us out. Not with force, with fucking needles. Pussies .

Something besides anger from Beckett flares down the pack bond. Shame? Regret? Inadequacy? The debilitating feeling of being a failure disappears just as he brushes a tear from his pale cheek.

The other pack mutters amongst themselves now, but I'm still stuck on what has my friend so torn up over the OPS.

Neither of us has shared a lot of the deep stuff over the years, but I'm starting to think it's time I try to get to know my brother better. Starting with how the hell he came by such a strong opinion of the OPS.

Before I can ask my questions, though, the door creaks open ominously, making the other guys stiffen. The stampede of enforcers doesn't go for the newbies. Instead, they spin on their heels and approach mine and Beckett's cells.

I allow myself a calming sigh before I lock my emotions down and stand. With my hands loose at my sides and my shoulders back, I allow the betas in black to cuff my wrists and escort me out of the cell. I don't argue or make it harder for them because on the other side of this moment is seeing Kate.

Like every other time they come for us, my pack brother curses and fights them all the way out the door. Beckett's insults only ratchet higher when Kate's bond flares with panic and anger, only to snap into silence a few moments later.

Three years, and the routine tests never get easier.