30. Jeremy

Chapter thirty

Jeremy

L eo throws another punch, and now the Beta becomes even more unrecognizable.

So, this is the infamous Francis.

The oh-so-powerful Beta who kept our Omega captive for three long years—the one who purchased her from the Facility and turned her into a killer.

I lift the little bell in my hand, the one he used to hypnotize Belle.

He turned her into a killer by using this, and now I squeeze the tiny instrument in my hand.

I will destroy it.

Right after I destroy Francis.

But I need answers from him first.

I want to know who he works for.

What is the Facility exactly and what do they have planned for the Alpha government?

And where does Belle fit into all this?

I know it has something to do with the bell in my hand, and I wonder how many more are out there...

Others like Francis.

People like the guard who tried to kill Belle in her sleep, and I shove the bell into my pocket, approaching the Beta at last.

I want to crush the bell so badly. But we need it.

It's evidence.

I'm acting on no one's orders but my own.

I haven't even informed the governor of my plans.

My pack brother saw an opportunity and acted accordingly, and as far as I'm concerned, he is back in our good graces.

Troy did well.

I know Leo has finally forgiven him, but things are still tense between Troy and Rian.

Rian doesn't agree with what we're doing.

He doesn't like that we brought this monster back to where Belle sleeps.

This is her home now, and she has every right to feel safe, but this beast crossed the line that night when he decided to step onto my property.

He took Belle away and threatened my pack.

He deserves everything that's coming to him.

Leo swings another punch, and Francis loses consciousness at last.

I hope he is regretting every choice he ever made in his life.

Bastard.

Leo takes a moment to compose himself, and I step closer, grabbing his shoulder. "It's all right."

The Alpha really is holding back. I can tell he wants to kill the Beta, but we need him alive.

Normally, he's pretty unhinged when it comes to his victims, but he manages to keep control this time around.

Still, he has nothing on Troy.

The door to the shack opens, and Troy steps inside.

Francis wakes once again, whimpering the moment he senses the Alpha.

A dark smile distorts Troy's face, and then he chuckles, whispering ominously, "Miss me?"

Francis shivers, and now the scent of piss fills the small building.

Fuck. I have to get out.

I step toward Troy. "Maybe ease up on the torture a little. We need him conscious."

We need to get answers from him, but the Beta has remained tight-lipped.

Troy barely hears me, hovering toward the Beta in question.

Francis bawls when Troy yanks him back by the hair.

The Alpha growls, eyes brightening with malice. "Look at you… reduced to nothing but filth. "

The Beta answers with another whimper.

"I bet you want a shower more than anything now, hey? Mr. Oh So Clean and Perfect…"

I have no idea what he's talking about, but I'm aware that he and Francis have a bit of history.

Troy chuckles. "Don't worry, I'll give you a fucking shower … "

The Alpha rises to his feet again, and I groan when he unzips his pants.

I stop him in time. "No."

Troy grins. "But he wants a shower after all…"

Not a golden shower.

Damn. Troy is fucked.

Leo slips away into a quiet resolve, sulking in the corner like he usually does, so he's of little use right now.

So it's up to me to keep them both in check.

"P-please…" the Beta begs, and I look down.

He manages to open one of his swollen eyes, and I meet that watery-blue iris.

I push Troy aside and crouch beside him. "Willing to talk yet?"

Francis's face contorts, and then he shuts his eyes. "I… I will talk… just please… no shower…"

Troy laughs, zipping his pants down further. "What? But I thought you were a fan of showers?"

The Beta whimpers and this is ridiculous.

Troy continues. "Look at you… sitting in a pile of your own shit. Don't worry. I will help you get clean again…"

He starts pissing on our captive, and I have to look away.

At least it gets him talking.

"No! I will tell you!"

I put a hand on Troy. "Stop."

Besides, he's stinking up the shack.

Troy zips up again, and now I keep him further away from our captive.

He's covered in Troy's piss.

"Well, speak."

Francis looks at me. "Untie me first."

My eyes flash. "No. You speak or he will piss into your mouth next."

Francis's lip shakes. "All right! G-governor Lavender…"

I lean closer. "What about the Beta governor?"

His face warps again. "She… she plans to assassinate your governor and take his seat."

I knew it. I never thought that woman was to be trusted.

Still, I probe him further. "Anything more to confess?"

Francis shivers, and I decide to enquire about the bell.

I hold it up in front of him. "Who gave you this?"

Again, he doesn't speak.

"Who do you work for?"

Francis remains tight-lipped.

He has no loyalty for Governor Lavender whatsoever, and whoever we're dealing with here must be far worse.

Lavender is just a pawn in this.

Easy to replace.

Francis must be some kind of liaison between both parties, but it seems his loyalties only lay with one.

So, who is the real enemy then?

The door to the shack opens once again, and now Rian steps inside. "Jeremy, we need to talk."

"Not now, Rian. The guy is about to speak," I say.

The Omega shakes his head. "I hate keeping secrets from her, Jay. It's not right. She needs to know."

And she will.

In time.

We just need to get the bastard to talk first.

Before I have a chance to reply, the door opens yet again, and now her eyes lock on Francis.

Rian turns around, surprised. "B-Belle…"

She must have followed him out here and she's getting good at sneaking around.

How did Rian not sense her?

Leo and Troy stop, and there's no missing the twin expressions of shame in their eyes.

Rian looks just as guilty.

Belle doesn't speak. It appears she already knew what to expect before she barged in on us.

Her expression is unreadable as she regards the man who abused her for three years.

Francis has the gall to call out to her. "Belle! Sweet Belle! Save me!"

Troy is the first to act.

He reaches across and kicks the guy to sleep. Then he rounds on Belle, never looking so ashamed in his life.

But the Omega doesn't even flinch. She continues to stare at the sad little human before us, the one covered in his own shit and piss, and then she shuts the door behind her.

Not once does she balk at the sight of blood. She merely accepts what she sees before her, and the pride I feel for her next completely overwhelms me.

I can't wait to make her mine one day.

And nothing, absolutely nothing will come between us again.