2. Jasmine

So, it's not paranoia that's going to kill me. It's irony. Or Darren's stupidity if he thinks he can cross Kayden Sawyer and get away with it.

But before I can respond to his princess taunt, Xavier Volk snaps his fingers at Third. "Explain yourself, Morgan. And stop looking at her or I'll remove your eyes from your head."

Now that's more along the lines of what I was expecting from the Ferro Club. Although, the fact the maiming isn't directed my way is a nice surprise. Not that I'm letting my guard down. Volk might look like a civilized human being, but so does my father, and he's the biggest monster of them all.

I can't suppress the shiver that passes through me at the thought, and Darren shoots a last lecherous look my way before focusing on Volk. "I know you have a beef with my pack. This is me waving the white flag."

Volk folds his arms, his suit straining over his lean biceps, and raises a silky black brow. "Let me guess. Your pack alpha is cutting you loose and you're here to strike a deal."

A snarl rips from Darren's throat. "The fucker is bringing in a couple of new guys. Says he wants the pack to go upmarket now he's bonding a Crenshaw." He spits my name, but wisely keeps his focus on Volk. "There's no way Kayden's kicking me to the curb without me striking back. After all the shit I"ve done for him, he should be begging me to knot his bitch."

I manage to keep the repulsion from showing on my face, but only because Volk still commands both our gazes. "You said she was a gift. So, what exactly would you like me to do with Ms. Crenshaw?"

"Whatever, man. Fuck her, sell her, pimp her to the wolves over in Edgewood." He punctuates that threat with a sly sideways glance. I wait for Volk to claw his eyes out like he promised, but naturally, he disappoints. "You either take her, Volk, or I use her as a bargaining chip with Kayden."

I can imagine that scenario playing out, but I shut it out of my head as ruthlessly as I can. No point in imagining a future grisly death when I have to deal with one in the here and now. Which means squeezing some information out of Kayden's revolting little backstabber.

"How did you know I was being kidnapped?" For now, it's probably best to pretend I wasn't trying to flee his revolting pack. "Were you watching the hotel?"

"There's a tracker in your ring." He grins at the way my hand clenches into a fist, then tells Volk proudly, "It"s my job to monitor the feed and report any changes. I knew something was up when I saw her go into the service elevator, and I took my shot."

Volk is stony faced and impossible to read. "And you don't expect reprisals from your pack?"

"Well, that's where you come in." Darren is now leering in Volk's direction. "I need you to get me out of the city and set me up with a pack on the west coast."

Volk slowly folds his arms across his body, one hand gripping the wrist of the other. He's either thinking deeply or holding himself back from punching Darren in the throat. "You don't expect Kayden to look for you?" His tone is mild, barely curious, but it still makes the hairs prickle on the back of my neck. "With Ms. Crenshaw missing, won't you be the prime suspect?"

"Not if you tell him I burned up in the hotel fire."

I can't keep quiet. Listening to these men discuss my disappearance so calmly makes me want to scream. "Are you delusional, Darren? The hotel was still standing when I left. You don't think Kayden is going to check?"

"Yeah, but Mr. Volk here is gonna take care of that as soon as I leave."

I just gape at him. Not because he's managed to put together a plan in that putrid head of his, but because its success rests on Volk's intervention. Something the other alpha is also clearly surprised by. "So, in exchange for your pack's omega, I need to commit arson, lie to a club member, give you a false identity, and find you a new home. Is that correct, Morgan?"

Darren puffs up his chest, clearly already picturing his rosy future. "Yeah, or I take her back and tell Kayden you stole her from her hotel room. I'll be a hero, and her sweet ass will be my first reward."

"Fuck you, Third!" I spit, my hands curling into claws. God, if Volk doesn't take his eyes, I will. "You touch me, and I'll tell Kayden you kidnapped me. He already thinks you're a worthless piece of shit, so who do you think he's going to believe? Me, or the guy he already plans to cut loose?"

I catch Volk watching me curiously, but Darren lunges in my direction, his face feral. "Don"t fucking call me that, bitch!"

The only thing that stops him from wrapping his hands around my throat is the cart between us, which I give a hard shove. The corner slams into his groin and he howls. "Fuck! I'm gonna kill you, you omega whore!"

"And ruin your perfect plan?" I don't see Volk move, but one moment he's standing in front of the fireplace like the lord of the manor, and the next he has Darren in a headlock. "As you just said, Ms. Crenshaw is valuable to us. So, sheath your claws, or any kind of deal is off the table."

The fight drains out of Darren, and he grimaces, stepping back and rubbing his neck. "Well, shit. She can't say things like that and get away with it."

I'm tempted to laugh at his sulky tone, but Volk just waves off his tantrum. "Strip."

I gape at him. "What?"

I swear, the corner of his lip ticks up when those dark eyes flick my way. "Not you, Ms. Crenshaw. Him." I exchange a confused look with Darren, and then Volk changes in front of us. He still looks like the suave gentleman of the manor with his silky hair and custom suit, but a shadow darkens his face, adding weight to his refined features. His black eyes glint, almost silver in the subtle lighting, and I can taste his scent on the back of my tongue. It's like gulping down a mouthful of chili peppers, and I'm still trying to swallow it away when the command rolls out of him like a punch. "STRIP!"

The urge to reach for the zipper on my bodysuit is so strong, I have to dig my fingernails into the edge of the cart. Since the command is directed Darren's way, I'm not surprised at how quickly he scrambles to obey. He might be a street-toughened thug, but I'm almost certain Xavier Volk is an uber alpha. Which puts him in the one percent of alphas who are so dominant, the normal designation rules don't apply.

I can't stop my lip curling with a mixture of fear and disgust. Kayden's father was an uber and represented everything I hate most about alphas. Limitless power and no moral compass means they flourish in the military's black ops and rule the underworld unchecked.

I recently discovered that the Ferro Club is one of their creations. It's not just the oldest, most exclusive alpha club in the country, but it was started by a bunch of ubers. An invitation-only place where they can do whatever the hell they want, while networking with like-minded assholes. The rumor goes, if you make it into the club, you rule the city. The government, the police – no one stands in your way. Which is why Kayden was so desperate to become a member, and why he planned to have our bonding ceremony in the ballroom downstairs. Proof that he hasn't just secured the Crenshaw name but has also been embraced by the most powerful clique in the city.

The fact that I'm standing here now makes me want to either weep or laugh hysterically. The whole purpose of my plan hinged on standing Kayden up, and yet here I am in our bonding venue. Practically gift-wrapped for him, assuming Volk doesn't take Darren up on his offer.

I glance at the Sawyer Third, then really wish I hadn't. He's taken Volk's command to heart and is in the process of peeling off his boxers. I snap my gaze to the wall, although Volk has stepped between us, partially blocking Darren from view. "Is there a surveillance device in or on your body?"

"What?" Darren huffs, reduced to bluster now he's stripped to the skin. "What do you think, man? You see a tracker stapled to my balls?"

"A ‘no' would suffice." Volk touches his ear, then says in an entirely different tone, "John, please escort our visitor to a suite."

I spin around, expecting a guy to be coming at me with handcuffs. But the alpha who enters the room from a side door doesn't even glance at me as he makes a beeline for Darren. He's dressed in a simple black suit and looks like a ma?tre d", although he handles the Sawyer Third like a soldier. Darren's mouth is open, and I can see the growing alarm in his eyes, but he doesn't struggle as he's led from the room. I don't know if it's Volk's dominance or the fact he"s naked, but I don't think I've ever seen Darren so cowed.

It should make me relax – the enemy of my enemy, and all that – but I'm standing in a shrine to everything alpha. At the end of the day, their designation sticks together. Omegas like me are to be bred, used, or traded. Everything else is just window dressing.

I expect Volk to make his move, but he gestures towards the two club chairs in front of the fireplace. "Won't you sit, Ms. Crenshaw? It appears we have a few things to discuss."

His tone is mild and encouraging. There's no hint of the command – or the uber eyeshine – I saw just a moment ago. I don't know whether to laugh or be insulted. "This isn't a social visit, Mr. Volk, so I'm going to be blunt. I want to leave. Now. Are you going to stand in my way?"

His lean fingers grip the back of the chair he just waved me towards, but there's only curiosity in his eyes. "Then let me ask you a question. Why didn't you ask for my help?" Definitely not what I'm expecting, and it must show in my face, because he explains, "When you countered Morgan's threat, you said you'd turn him in to Sawyer. Why didn't you ask me to intervene?"

Is he serious?I'm fighting for my life here, and he expects me to ask the uber in the room for help? Maybe a dose of honesty is in order. "Frankly, it never occurred to me."

"But your father is a member of this club. As is your uncle, and two of your cousins. If you wish, you could claim sanctuary through association."

Now I let my laughter bubble out. It sounds harsh and slightly unhinged, but what does he expect? "I don't trade on my connections, Mr. Volk. And I don't want sanctuary. I just want to leave."

"And go where? Your plan to escape your bonding has failed. Sanctuary is your safest course, at least until you can regroup."

I fold my arms, conscious of my sweaty bodysuit and smeared makeup while he stands there like a GQ spread. "Who says I was escaping? Maybe I really was kidnapped, and I have Darren to thank for saving me from some hideous fate." That's the story I'll have to spin if I don't get out of here, but it still makes me sick to say it. "In fact, I'll head to the Sawyers' as soon as I leave here. I'm sure Kayden will be relieved to see me and will be very grateful for your assistance."

Blah, blah, blah. The lies roll off my tongue and I know he can't sense them even with his uber powers. My disguise is now so ingrained in me, it goes way beyond my appearance or the subtle omega perfume that fills the air. I could tell Volk the sky is green and his dick is a centipede, and he'd believe me. Because while I can't command alphas, they see what I want them to see. That's the gift my father gave me when he turned me into a walking lie.

To prove my point, there's no suspicion on his face as he says, "At least allow me to get you a drink before you depart. You've had a traumatic time, and I'm concerned you might be in shock."

And let him drug me? Maybe call Kayden to come collect his poor, traumatized princess while she's passed out cold? Forget it. "I"m fine. Really. And Kayden will take perfect care of me, I'm sure."

The lie is so vile, it lights a fire under me, and I stride in the direction of what I think is the main door. It's thick mahogany, carved with wolf heads and ivy brambles, and the wood is infused with so much alpha stink I have to force my hand towards the knob. But I'm too damn busy cringing at a door to notice the real wolf on my heels. I try to turn, but Volk's hand is suddenly on my shoulder, holding me still. "Reconsider, Ms. Crenshaw."

It"s not a command, but my body acts like it is. I gasp, but my breath stutters in my throat, and I wonder if I am in shock. I have all the signs. A thumping headache, wobbly legs, a cold sweat prickling my skin… And then I'm pitching sideways, and the floor is rushing up to greet me.

God, this is going to hurt.

But Volk's hand has slid to my waist as I fall. Like I'm a goddamn swooning omega, his arms tighten around me as my vision tunnels to a tiny black blip. I struggle to get up, to shake him off, to save myself…

Give up now and you're done, Crenshaw!

But the steady beat of his heart is the last thing I hear as the world blinks out.