Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

LUCAS

E very single atom in my body won't stop fucking screaming. There's tension from every goddamn direction and nobody is closer to having any solutions.

Honestly though, what kind of solution can six weak ass prisoners have? The two that have been here the longest are even less helpful than Elliott who won't stop snarling.

I don't know what's better, the big guy being lost in guilt and depression, or pissed off and ready for murder. Between witnessing Casey being tortured right alongside us and having to stand by and watch our mate lose herself in this hell, Elliott is losing his grip.

Hell, I am too.

The physical torture has lessened the past two times, but personally, it has nothing on the emotional pain of seeing Freya give more and more of herself to keep us safe. I hate to say it, but she's like a puppet in Ken's hands when it comes to us.

I'd rather be beaten within an inch of my life in any which way instead of watching my omega slip into her mind and leave her body to do as it's told.

Unfortunately, that also means I understand why she's giving in. Any sign of emotion and we're on our knees trying to bite back our screams of pain.

"Nick, where do they keep the omegas?" Ronan asks the quiet alpha.

Being the closest to Nick, I'm able to see the flash of pain cross his face before he conceals it and Beckett interrupts with his usual shitty self.

"They don't share that information. Why does it matter, anyways?" Beckett snarks, rolling his eyes behind his bright blonde hair.

Hair that makes my stomach twist painfully every damn time I look at him. It's so similar to Freya's that I can't help but hate the guy because he's a walking fucking reminder of my omega.

Elliott rumbles, but what's new? Ronan ignores our pack mate in favor or arguing with Beckett. Again.

"Because," my brother growls, "if Remy finds us first, then we need to lead them to the girls."

Beckett sighs, but it's Casey who challenges Ronan instead this time, much to everyone's surprise.

"How do you know your friend is coming?" the beta says softly. Casey's eyes meet Ronan's a few times, trying to hold the angry alpha's stare, but continuously losing the battle of dominance.

Of course Casey's power struggle makes Elliott growl and gnash his teeth a little. We ignore him again. It's been a few weeks, I think, of his newfound protective anger.

What the big oaf isn't remembering is how inclusive Ronan is in our pack. It's not my brother's fault he's ridiculously dominant with his alpha side riding close to the surface. Casey will always be heard and respected. I've seen it and I can feel it in Ronan's pride for our pack beta right now. He wants us to question him and challenge him to be the best pack alpha he can be.

"I know because he's been my best friend since we started college. Remy won't rest until he figures out why I haven't come home." Ronan sounds so sure, so I put a bit of faith in his friend, even though I'm jealous of their obvious closeness.

Frowning at my bare feet, I grapple with the jealousy that threatens to show itself in our pack bond. I don't know about the rest of the guys, but I spend all of my time trying to understand these tethers in my chest pulling me to them.

Warmth, like a solid embrace, settles on my sternum and pulses out through my shoulders. Ronan . Looking up, I catch him already watching me.

"He'll come, and we will start our lives together. As a pack," Ronan says, using his words to further soothe me.

My brother may have great friends, but that will never change the fact that we are literally the closest a family can be. We're a pack, one unit, forever.

Not even Beckett's grumbling about how stupid we are can cool the three bonds flaring with comfort right now. Casey, Elliott, Ronan and I each push our versions of love through the tethers that connect us.

I have never felt like I truly belonged until this moment.

The only thing missing is Freya. The connection between us withers with each passing moment like fraying fabric.

I may not feel so alone anymore, even as a prisoner and fucked up kind of tool, but my omega does. And that hurts worse.

Wherever she is, is too far for me to use our bond to send her reassurance and love, or maybe she's too weak. Either way, I bet I can reach her with more practice.

I close my eyes and try to coax her closer to my heart.

Reach for me, sweetheart.