3. Ella

Chapter 3

Ella

I sidestep yet another opponent, and once again my knife slices through flesh.

The crowd roars when the Alpha collapses, but I don't rejoice in the sound.

I'm nothing but some form of cheap entertainment. All they care about is their cheap thrills and easy cash.

Money is exchanged amongst the Alphas, and I clench my fists. I'm making a lot of Alphas rich; a designation I despise above all others, but this is how it must be.

This will be my lot in life, and I have to accept that.

No one is coming for me.

Absolutely no one.

I can only save myself now, and that is why I will keep my head above this sea of blood.

Drowning isn't an option; I must stay alive, must survive.

So, who will I be fighting next?

My glazed eyes fall over the crowd, finding my next victim. They all sneer and laugh at me—the batshit Rogue with blood on her face.

It's not just on my face. It's all over my clothes. I'm getting sick of scrubbing the red stains out of my dingy bathtub.

I'm getting tired of soaking my clothes in bleach. My hands are dried and chapped from over-cleaning and wielding too many knives.

Most Omegas have soft, delicate hands, like the feathers of a pure white dove, but mine are covered in cruel calluses.

Brody had soft hands. I still remember the way they made me shiver whenever he used to touch me or tend to my injuries.

I've never believed in angels, but Brody almost had me convinced they were real. I may be in hell right now, but Brody will always be my reminder that heaven exists.

But that heaven will never be mine. Because Theo made it so.

Bastard, I hate him. I hate all three of them.

Pack Titan is my biggest enemy right now. I don't think the Warden of the Facility could even hold a candle.

Another Alpha enters the fighting pit, and I fall into a crouch. The crowd hushes, and I don't see the Alpha's face as he's covered it up, and I grit my teeth in frustration.

Fuck. Now it will be hard to read his facial expressions.

We prowl each end of the pit, and no one utters a sound in the crowd.

For the first time, I feel like I have met my match. This Alpha moves like a panther. Nothing at all like the lumbering giants who have entered the pit thus far. So I must be on my best guard.

Suddenly, the Alpha lunges to the right, and I jump out of the way.

Unfortunately, it was a feint; he was really aiming for my left, and now I am really pissed.

He is fucking dead .

Before I can gather my bearings, he kicks out his leg and I fall flat on my back. The knife slips from my hand, and for the first time since I entered this place, I truly feel it.

Fear.

It drips through me like a poison, momentarily stunning me into submission. The Alphas in the crowd roar at me in protest. They're betting a lot on me winning, after all.

With a snarl, I jump back to my feet and curse. The prick stands guard over my knife. If I want it, I will have to get past him.

We circle each other and I never take my gaze off his hidden face the whole time. He really is a sneaky bastard.

Well, maybe I should give him a taste of his own medicine.

But he's already two steps ahead of me.

As I rush toward his right, he jumps left and knocks me onto my back yet again. He pins me to the ground and the crowd screams.

They're all about to lose a shit ton of money, while I'm about to lose my life.

It was only a matter of time. Honestly? It was better this way.

This is no life. A life without Brody isn't worth living.

I just wish I could see the face of my maker. He stepped into the pit like the Grim Reaper, throwing me in for a loop.

So, I should at least get to see his face.

It's like he reads my mind, and when he tugs off the mask and drops it to the ground by my face, I stare in shock.

No…

Those green eyes light up when they spy the expression on my face, and then he shows me his perfect Alpha teeth.

"Hey, doll."

Alastor. He found me.

I have to get away.

I struggle under his grip, but he merely places his knee between my legs, and my body halts.

At once, I'm back in the closet under the stairs, his lime scent surrounding me. His scent was undetectable before with all the blood in the air, whereas now it's all I can smell.

He used me back then, too. Theo said I was just his plaything; he never really cared.

Yet, why would he be here if he didn't care? It doesn't make sense.

Still, I have to get away. When he pins my wrists to the ground, smiling down at me with that shit-eating smirk that I hate so much, I snarl, "Get off me."

I hope he hears the threat in my tone. If he doesn't remove his hands and knee from me, there will be blood.

Lots and lots of blood.

He chuckles, and the sound shoots straight down my spine and settles in my core. Damn. I forgot how hot he was.

Those green eyes arrest me once again as he lowers his face and now we're inches from a kiss. "Or what? You will slash me with your pretty knife?"

My knife. It's still across the pit, lying amongst some Alpha’s entrails. If I could just reach it…

Alastor's grin widens, and now he holds up my weapon. His green eyes flash and I growl.

"Give me that!"

"No. Not until you hear what I have to say."

I close my eyes, turning away from him. People watch us in the crowd confused. Soon the riots will start. They came here for blood after all and not… Whatever this is.

However, when Alastor shoves his knee deeper between my legs, I gasp.

Every Alpha stops to watch the expression on my face.

My arousal blooms all around me, and I hear several rumbles. They came here for blood but instead, they got a peepshow.

Over my dead body.

I will get Alastor back for this.

"Brody misses you."

My heart pounds when I hear the name, and I meet his green eyes. They're earnest and it seems he is telling the truth.

I shake my head. "No. You're lying… he… doesn't want me… Theo…

Alastor sighs. "Oh, you poor, gullible thing. Did you really think Theo was serious that night?"

Well, yeah, I did. He made his feelings perfectly clear.

Alastor smiles and I detect a little sadness and regret. "Theo has always wanted you from the start. We all have. We were just… confused."

I blink. Confused? Is that what they're calling it?

A twisted laugh escapes me. "Is that why you locked me up in chains? Why… why you left me to fight off those Beta pricks who tried to grab him at the ball?”

Alastor flinches and it looks like I found his weakness.

Oh, so they do feel some guilt about that.

I get it. Brody was in pain. He was the number one priority.

But one of them could’ve at least stayed behind and fought those fuckers with me. I'm sure Alastor would have loved to sink his own knife inside them.

Alastor exhales again. "That was a mistake, Ella. Well, one of many. We… never should have left you…"

My heart pounds when he uses the name. It sounds good on his lips.

He catches the stunned expression in my eyes, smiling tightly. "Forgive Brody for telling me your real name. He was just worried about you.”

Tears fill my eyes. I'm not mad at Brody at all; it's just good to hear my name again.

It's been almost a week, and I already miss it.

"Does… does he really miss me?"

Alastor’s grin cocks up. "He does. He sent me out looking for you."

For the first time in days, I smile. Just maybe things will look up.

Can I really trust Alastor? Can I be… happy?

Unfortunately, some ass wipe shatters the moment in the crowd, and I crash back to reality again.

"Hey, hurry up and do something! We're waiting here!"

Before I get a chance to look at the prick, Alastor tosses his knife, and it lands inside the irate Alpha’s chest.

The Alpha's eyes widen instantly, and then he falls to the ground, still clutching his dick.

The freak was getting off to us.

Alastor rises to his feet, clutching my wrist. "Show's over, fellas. This one is coming—"

I kick him in the balls, and he groans, letting go of my wrist. Then I push him away and run.

No. I can't go back. It has to be some trick of theirs again.

Another attempt to ensure I stay away from Brody forever.

Alastor is here to end me for sure.

And then they can all live happily ever after with me gone for good.