Chapter 10

It took two weeks for Devin to gain some kind of control over the bond and what came through it. Everything had been chaos, sticky syrup, and screaming rage. From one moment to the next, she danced in sunshine only to be plunged below an icy ocean. She knew his every want and need. It felt like that evil voice whispered his thoughts straight into her brain. Worse was when it returned the favor, his every move calculated to counter hers. He knew just where to touch, to lick, and when to pin her to the bed with all his infuriated power.

It took some getting used to.

Rey was able to leave her side for longer periods of time, though he never strayed too far just in case. Granted, it was all in the safety of the no longer empty house, but she felt confident in her ability to strangle the glimmering strands connecting her to Rey that grew stronger with every heartbeat. Thick as knotted rope, she understood now what Beau had implied that night in the office.

She’d never survive the loss of it. She breathed Rey, and his heart controlled the rhythm of hers. Her very soul was a hopeless tangle within the confines of his. Devin wasn’t so sure he could survive her death, but she would prefer to not test either.

Sighing, she flipped the glossy page of the magazine she wasn’t interested in. He wanted her to pick out clothing, not understanding that with her size, she had to try things on. Nothing ever fit right off the rack, even the stuff designed for Omegas. The bastard that decided on measurements—and she was sure it was an Alpha—thought Omegas had no curve to them, and often Devin could find things in the smaller Beta sizes that fit better.

He wanted her in dresses and skirts, though. Upscale things, no less. Why she needed silky blouses and pencil skirts when he kept her in bed most of the time was beyond her.

“You’re brooding again.” Rey smiled as he shut the door behind him, blocking any more than a glimpse of the large, dark bodies disappearing out of the front door.

“I am not. Just trying to figure out why you need to spend money on clothes if you’re never going to let me wear them.” Devin offered up a saccharine smile to the lowering of his brows.

Things were far from perfect.

Tension rattled through the bond from both ends. A twisted, gnarled thing that seemed to quiet only with the violence of their sex. Those moments when Devin could enact her rage, let the simmering anger loose on his body. Without the consequences of a true challenge, she marked his skin with her frustrations.

Outside of that, Rey continued to control. Grinding her under his will, forcing her to become the pliant mate. Just as before, it didn’t last long. He seemed to think letting her mark him, to lay a claiming bite of her own, would settle her.

It hadn’t.

If anything, it made things so much worse. There was no way for him not to know, to understand how she felt. Wasting away with catalogs and fabric swatches, as if the color of the damned rugs meant anything at all to her. She didn’t care what this house he bought in secret looked like. Didn’t want to think about what he planned for the several rooms left unfurnished. Devin knew by the way he stroked her belly, cupping the faint swell of it.

An Alpha’s prime directive with their Omega was to breed.

“Now you’re definitely brooding,” Rey said as he settled alongside her, ruining the folds of her nest with his lumbering arms and thick legs.

“If you’re going to buy them, let me wear them. That’s all I’m asking.”

“No, it isn’t. You want to wear them out.”

“That’s why people wear clothing, Rey.” Seething, Devin threw the magazine away, the glossy pages somersaulting through the air to slap against the window overlooking the backyard. He didn’t allow her outside without him to chaperone, and those moments were few and far between. “They go out, they do things! They don’t sit in a Gods damned bed all day.”

“You’re not just anyone.” Rey closed his eyes, crossed arms pillowing his head. Not a care in the world as his mate fast approached a screaming fit.

“No, I’m not, Daniel, and the sooner you understand that, the better off we’ll be.” Devin leapt from the bed, snarling as she whirled around to fix the ragged edges of her nest. Hands furious in their work, she slapped at his legs, tugging his shoes off to fling in the general direction of the closet. “You want things to be one way between us, but then you do literally everything in your power to keep it from happening. I’m tired of it. I’m fucking done, you hear me?”

Tearing her fingers through her hair, she paced the length of the room, ignoring his malignant silence. Crossing her arms over her chest, she dug her nails deep into the soft flesh as she held on to her temper by the thinnest thread.

“I’m not one of those… I can’t do this! I don’t care about all of this,” she shouted, a wild hand careening through the air to take in the room and house beyond. “It doesn’t make up my entire world and groveling at your feet will never be something I do, Daniel Rey, so get that thought right out of your stupid head.”

“You need to calm down, sweetheart.”

“Fuck that! I’m done with being calm, too. How about that? If I wanted to be someone’s bitch, I would have stayed with my parents and let the first Alpha who sniffed in my direction do what they wanted. I didn’t though, see? I worked so damned hard to get where I was and—”

“And you wound up on your knees in a nightclub, begging for a job.”

Words died on her tongue, crawling back down her throat where they stuck hard. Swelling with a wealth of misery to choke off her breath as Devin huddled around her middle. Rey grunted, the sound faltering into a sigh as he sat up and stretched out his hand to her.

“Come here, sweetheart.”

When she didn’t move, he twisted at the bond. A tangible force that snarled around her spine, tugging her forward one shuffling step at a time until he could drag her up beside him. Suffocating her under his massive bulk, he smoothed back her hair with a faint rumble. Pleased with himself that she’d become compliant, no matter how she raged inside her head.

“None of that matters anymore. You don’t need any of that now. Your Alpha provides for you, protects you. I am the one who gives you everything you need.”

“What if you can’t,” Devin whispered against him as he brought her lips to the still angry looking mark.

“I let you mark me, girl,” Rey growled, setting his mouth to the vicious wound at her shoulder. “That’s more than any other Alpha would have ever given you. See it for the gift it is.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“You never do, sweetheart. Now show me how thankful you are for the Alpha who claimed you.”

Devin gasped, the thrill of sizzling heat twining up her spine, rushing through her thoughts until all that remained was desperate need. She whined as she reached for him, pulling at the annoying clothes that dared to separate them.

* * *

Devin paced up and down the narrow hall at the back half of the house, high heels hammering the tense quiet infiltrating every room.

Rey promised to take her out, even if it was just to a restaurant. She’d taken hours getting ready, making sure everything was perfect, right down to the false lashes and deep rose lipstick. She hid away the dark bruises under her eyes, the gauntness of her face beneath the heavy layers of makeup. The short, ruffled hem of her navy skirt skimmed her thighs, the tailored jacket accentuating the fullness of her breasts with a silky white blouse to complete it all. She’d even made sure the edges of his mark showed plain as day. The heels were the icing on the cake, the graceful four inches making her legs go on for miles.

All of it for nothing.

He’d emerged from his office two hours after the agreed upon time, calling over his shoulder to just be patient as he’d opened the front door to admit a bevy of dark-suited men.

That was three hours ago.

Breaths coming faster, Devin clenched her fists. Imagined it was his neck between her hands, satisfying herself with wrenching on the slimy heat in her chest connecting them. Let him fumble behind those closed doors. Let them see her bring him to his fucking knees for treating her like this.

“Someone’s pissed.”

Devin stumbled, almost losing her balance as she wheeled around to face the strange voice. She didn’t know him, nothing about him familiar. He could be any one of the dozens of faces paraded in and out of the house when she was locked away, kept out of sight.

“What of it,” Devin asked with a haughty cant of her chin. A sniff added for good measure, she denied the rush of cold fear sluicing through her veins as the man pushed off from the wall. She had no idea how long he’d been there, watching her and her building frustration. So caught up in her anger, in hurting Rey, she failed to pay attention.

“Feisty, too,” the man murmured as he came closer, stalking strides countering his prey’s every move as Devin edged towards the safety of the kitchen door. “Who do you belong to, I wonder?”

It wasn’t a question, but Devin’s lips thinned. He had to know, was baiting her somehow, but the nagging doubt was just strong enough that she pinned back her shoulders and met his brazen russet gaze head on.

“I’m Rey’s. So back off.”

“When did Rey get himself a little piece? I don’t remember hearing about you, and I wouldn’t forget something so pretty.”

Sneer tugging at her lips as she readied to tell the man off, it took a sheer act of will for Devin not to scream her terror as an arm came around her hips. A second later, the scent of cinnamon and the velvety cruelty of Beau’s chuckle assured her she wasn’t going to be assaulted by a stranger.

“And why would anyone be telling a nothing like you anything, Sam?” Confident, crisp, he acted like everything was as it should be. The sharp edge of his nails digging deep into her hip said something different, a wealth of pain waiting for the first opportunity for him to unleash it.

Devin sighed and sidled closer. Not leaning into Beau, there was nothing erotic about it, but it put her in the very clear circle of his protection. Everyone knew he and Rey were partners.

“Well, now,” Sam said through an ugly twist of his lips, head cocking at a curious angle. “Maybe he’s sharing it with you, at least. Guess his scraps are as good as you get these days, eh?”

Sam laughed at his own joke, slapping a hand against his thigh. The sound drew the attention of several others as they filtered out of the office.

Devin wanted to die right then and there.

“You’re just pissed no one will spread for you without you paying for it first, boy,” an older man said through a growl, cuffing Sam on the back of the head so hard it sent him flying into the wall. “You show respect for a man’s mate.”

“What the fuck do you know, old man,” Sam hissed as he lunged up from the floor, shaking off the restraining hands of others.

“I know your father is rolling in his grave with how you’ve brought his name so low.” Grunting, he dismissed Sam as if he was a buzzing fly despite the glittering rage held within the deep brown of Sam’s eyes. In an even stranger turn of events, the older man smiled at Devin, nodding his head in what she could only perceive as friendly politeness.

“Get him out of here.” Rey spoke to no one in particular, but several of the men at his back grabbed Sam’s arms, one even going so far as to catch his legs when Sam thought to struggle.

Without hesitation, Rey came to her. Replacing Beau’s arm with his, he squeezed Devin tight against his side. Crushing the air from her lest she speak up out of turn.

“I want to thank you all again for humoring me in changing our meeting place.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Rey,” the old man said, chuckling as he waved a broad hand at the remaining men. “We’ve all our burden to bear when it comes to women. The Caivano family will do what it can to put an end to these upstarts on the West side. Your concern should be tending your mate, not reckless idiots.”

“Thank you, Anthony. Your generosity is most appreciated. I can assure you that Mr. Kahler will repay your assistance as soon as he resolves other matters.”

“Of course, of course. Give him our best.” Anthony beckoned the others as he turned to the hall leading to the front of the house.

Beau slid two fingers over Devin’s back as he eased away from her and Rey to act the part of host and see everyone out. Proving he hadn’t left at all but gone to her other side to stand guard at her flank. It was a glancing caress, not even Rey seeming to notice it. The touch was strange, throwing her off balance more than the entire scene with Sam had.

“What the fuck were you doing,” Rey snarled, slamming Devin’s back against the wall when the front door closed behind the long line of strangers. He grabbed her shoulders as she fell forward, lifting her until their eyes were level.

“I was waiting for you!”

“Why were you in here?”

“You said it wouldn’t take long,” Devin screamed, and she didn’t bother to check the frustrated tears ruining her makeup. The smoky grays of shadow tracked through the dusty rose of her blush to make a horrible mess. “It’s not my fault you’re letting common criminals traipse through here.”

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? None of them should have seen your face,” Rey bellowed, shoving her back against the wall. His body wasn’t far behind, hips grinding against hers as he held Devin aloft. One hand splayed over her chest, Rey’s other hand ripped at her skirt, hiking it up her spread thighs until it bunched over her hips. “How dare you let them look at you!”

Unable to comprehend his anger, the violence of his touch, Devin yelled a wordless sound of protest and flung her arms out. A defensive move to protect herself from the heavy threat Rey rutted against her. It wasn’t her fault. He couldn’t punish her for something like this. The bond writhed in her chest, pulling at her heart and lungs until Devin strained for every breath. Realizing what Rey was trying to do, his will seeping into her bones to make her limbs go soft, she screamed. The blood curdling sound echoed through her skull, escaping her lips as a pathetic whine.

Something within her snapped. Shattering into a thousand pieces, it sliced everything in its path. All of it blotted out on a rising sea of crimson and pain. It reared up, lashing out at whatever came near. Clawing and rending, gnashing hideous teeth to be rid of the oozing slime withering in her breast.

Devin’s head banging against the wall cleared her vision to strobing technicolor spots that danced in a swirling array as her gaze bounced around the room. Sprawled on his back, Rey’s chest heaved as he stared sightless at the ceiling. Shirt shredded, long gouges seeped brilliant red into the cloth. Cheek scored with five distinct trails, they wept blood in sluggish pulses. Beau curled over him, slamming his fist into the ground by Rey’s head. Beau’s lips moved, but Devin couldn’t discern any sounds beyond the evil banshee shriek within her own mind.

Somehow, her feet were under her. Halting steps carried her forward, using the walls for support as she careened towards the front door. Rey’s fob sat in the delicate ceramic bowl painted in earthy tones she’d chosen just last week.

How she got into the car was beyond her, but she pushed the button for the ignition and dragged in an intoxicating breath as the engine purred to life. Without bothering to adjust a single thing, she slammed her foot on the gas pedal. By some miracle, she’d remembered to put it into reverse first.

Devin didn’t have a destination. She didn’t even know where she was, really. All she knew was the scream grew quieter the further away she got from the house.

It was enough for now.

Driving all through Alderbrook until night swallowed the city once more, the sleek black car ran out of gas at the top of a hill. Rolling down the wide, manicured street on fumes alone, she managed to get it right in front of Ashley’s condo.

She didn’t have a phone, hadn’t thought to stop and call from somewhere. Devin prayed she’d be welcomed, and if not… Well, she’d think about that later. Climbing from the low seat, Devin blinked and looked down at the source of the icy shock racing up from the sole of her foot. One shoe lost, left abandoned somewhere in the house where Rey had been…

Devin shook her head, gripping the open door as a shudder racked her body, trying to twist her spine. Grabbing onto whatever handholds she could reach, she managed to get to Ashley’s door without falling. Like a drunk far past her limits, the world swerved and spun out from beneath her feet until she collapsed against the sturdy rectangle of bright blue wood.

Before she could decide whether to ring the bell or knock, Ashley yanked open the door with a growl deep in her chest. Surprise replaced her anger as Devin crumpled at her feet.

“Who the fuck…? Hey, you okay?”

Devin’s lips twitched. Shoulders jerking in a shrug, Devin told her she wasn’t okay. That everything was shit. Said she was so sorry. All of it a smear of syllables that had Ashley’s pale brows crashing down, a rough tug at Devin’s hair baring her face.

“Fuck.”

“Who the hell is that?”

“It’s time for you to go home,” Ashley said, grunting as she pulled Devin up from the ground.

“What the hell? I thought you said you didn’t even do Omegas,” the shrill voice whined as Ashley pushed its owner towards the open portal with an awkward elbow.

“Out!”

“Sorry,” Devin mumbled as the door slammed shut, but she was curling up in Ashley’s arms, grateful for the solidity of her presence after the uneasy chaos. The numbness ached and being with her friend eased some of the pain, making the world stand still for just a moment.

Ashley didn’t let her rest. She filled the tub and scented the water with a liberal amount of some flowery bath salt before stripping Devin with methodical precision and dumping her in. Scrubbing at her arms as if she could erase the dark smudge of bruises with soap and water, Ashley’s hand faltered over the deep bite that had begun to scar before she avoided it all together.

“Gods, Dev, you’re a mess,” Ash whispered as she wiped away the last trace of ruined makeup.

“I know,” Devin said, eyes growing heavier by the moment. Chest aching, she rubbed at her sternum to ease the slimy cold eating away at her insides.

The slap of Ashley’s hand against her cheek roused Devin enough to climb from the bath, but only just. Bundled in a pair of flannel pajamas and the thick wool blanket Devin loved, Ash deposited her on the couch and began pacing.

“He’ll figure it out eventually,” she said, not even seeing Devin though her blue eyes ran over the small, rumpled body on the couch. “He might not know where I live yet. I don’t think they got my name when I came by there. We’ve got a little time yet.”

Eyes suddenly wide as she dragged in a sharp breath, Ashley fell to her knees beside the sofa, slapping at frozen cheeks to get Devin to focus. “Devin, how’d you get here?”

“Car. Out of gas.”

Ashley muttered a curse, but Devin’s eyes closed before she could track what Ashley did next. What felt like moments later, Devin came awake. It must have been some time, since Ash’s hair was wet from a shower, and she was wearing new clothes. Devin struggled to sit up within her cozy shackles. It’d been a full day, she realized, the windows reflecting back the warm light of lamps against the cold black of night.

“You have to tell me what you want, Dev.” Stern, a determined gleam in her eyes, Ash took Devin’s hands and squeezed them hard.

“What?”

“Do you want to… Did you choose that?” Ash nodded at Devin’s shoulder and what sat hidden beneath the heavy layers of comfort.

“No, I didn’t, but…”

“Do you want it, Devin? I need you to be crystal clear in this, okay? I can help you, but only if you tell me exactly what it is you want.”

“I don’t understand, Ash.”

Voicing a frustrated growl, Ash shoved a rough hand through her hair. Kneeling beside the couch, she took Devin’s hands again and crushed them against her chest.

“You have a couple of choices, okay? We can find you a surrogate, someone to get you through it, until we sort something else out. I’ll kill the fucker myself if I have to.”

Devin thought she’d be horrified at the very thought, but all she felt was numb. That hollow ache once residing in her chest had grown, a creeping malice that spread through her entire body. Devin snuggled deeper into the blanket, deep furrows etching her forehead. “What’s the other?”

“I… I can take that from him. I’m not making this offer lightly, all right? But you know me, and it’d be easier than some stranger. I’ll get you out of here. I’ve got family out west. They’ll help us, keep you safe. Fuck, my mom will be overjoyed and probably bake you cakes every day.”

“But Ash, you don’t want to be with an Omega.” Her thoughts molasses thick, Devin was having too much difficulty keeping the thread of the conversation. She knew it was important, understood it upset Ash, but everything slipped sideways and rolled.

“I know, baby, but it’s you, okay,” Ashley said through a purr that licked along Devin’s spine. Not draining the tension away, never forcing it, but trying to give Devin space in the fear Ashley thought tangled her up.

Devin wasn’t afraid. She didn’t feel a damned thing.

“You’re my best friend. You know all my quirks and bad habits. We could make that work,” Ashley was saying, seeming as if she was trying to convince herself as much as Devin. “I know you’re not that into women, but I can show you. It can be good between us.”

“Ash, no.” Devin disentangled their hands, patting Ashley’s arm to soothe the sting of her rejection. “You don’t want some damaged Omega, and I don’t want to ruin your life.”

“Don’t dismiss it out of hand, Dev. Think about it. If you really don’t want me, then okay. Fine.” Ashley sighed, rocking back onto her heels, though she couldn’t hide the perturbed cant of her lips. “We’ll find you someone else then. I can get my cousin Max down here. He’s a good guy, maybe likes his motorcycles a little too much, but he’s good people. He’ll do it.”

“No.” Devin groaned, shuffling her way free of the thick blanket. “I’m not fucking up anyone else’s life.”

“Wait… Fuck me, do you think you screwed up that asshole’s life after what he did to you? I saw you that day, Devin! You looked like someone put you through a meat grinder, and don’t try and tell me he was carrying you off to get medical attention.” Ashley scoffed, lips twisting into a something between a sneer and a snarl.

“I fucked up my own life, Ashley,” Devin said as she rose on unsteady feet, gripping the arm of the couch when her knees tried to fold. “I had every chance to back out and make it right, but I didn’t. I could have gone home, could have come to you, but I did what I did instead.”

Devin sighed and moved her death grip to Ashley’s shoulders, leaning forward to put their foreheads together. They stood there, a frozen moment in time where Devin gathered all the strength remaining to her and came to a decision.

“You’re my best friend, too, Ash, and I love you dearly. But right now, I need you to find something I can wear and… and to take me back.”