Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

IVY

T he sound of rumbling engines shatters my concentration, pulling me out of the pages detailing Reinmich's twisted version of history. I unfurl from my spot, tucked away in a corner of the library, the book sliding from my lap as I rise to peer out the window.

A mixture of emotions swirls inside me as I spot the familiar vehicle. Relief, despite my best efforts to suppress it, bubbles up.

Traitorously.

I shouldn't care which of them has returned. They're all part of the same oppressive system. The very one that labels those who dare to resist as "savages."

I glance back at the abandoned book, its pages still open, that word seeming to leap out accusingly to describe the resistance movement. The bitter taste of propaganda lingers on my tongue. How can they be so blind, so thoroughly indoctrinated, to believe that everyone outside their control is some sort of barbarian?

But even as indignation flares within me, I can't deny the small part of me that wants to understand them better. The alphas. Thane, Valek, Plague, Whiskey... Each one a puzzle I can't quite piece together.

All except Wraith. I understand him more than I ever imagined. More than I understand any of them.

Both savage. Both feral.

And in that cave, I realized he was so much like me. We're from the same world, him and I, even if we represent opposite sides of it. And even if I get the feeling he's hiding from me more often than not, knowing he's here, knowing someone here knows how I feel… it puts me at ease.

The crunch of gravel announces their approach, and I find myself edging closer to the window, curiosity getting the better of me. I strain to catch a glimpse, to discern which of them has returned.

I hate the anticipation that coils in my gut, the way my pulse quickens at the thought of facing them again. I'm not supposed to care. I'm not supposed to feel anything but contempt for these alphas who represent everything I've been raised to fight against.

Yet here I am, my forehead pressed against the cool glass, my breath fogging the window as I watch the vehicle come to a stop. The doors swing open, and I find myself holding my breath, waiting to see who emerges.

It's a betrayal, this flicker of relief that warms me when I recognize the broad shoulders and confident stride of Thane. But it's followed immediately by concern for the fact that Plague and Valek aren't back yet.

Am I fucking worried about them?

I linger by the window, my internal conflict raging until I can no longer bear the uncertainty. Before I can second-guess myself, I'm out the door, my feet carrying me toward the courtyard where Thane has just arrived.

As I approach, Whiskey beats me to the punch, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did you bring us any souvenirs from the capital, oh fearless leader?"

Thane's response is flat, his eyes barely acknowledging Whiskey before they drift to me. "No."

But there's something in his gaze that catches me off guard. A flicker of emotion I'm not used to seeing in those intense dark depths. It's not quite pity, not quite concern, but some unnerving blend of the two that makes my skin prickle.

"Ivy," he says, his voice gentle. "How have you been? Everything alright while I was gone?"

I swallow, trying to maintain my composure under his scrutiny. "Everything was fine."

The words come out clipped, more defensive than I intend. But admitting that I've missed him, that I've been waiting for his return... it feels like a weakness I can't afford to show.

Thane's gaze lingers on me a moment longer before he turns to Whiskey. "What about my brother?" he asks guardedly.

Whiskey shrugs, his posture nonchalant. "Reclusive as usual. You know how he is."

I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to chime in. To tell them the truth about how Wraith and I have bonded on a level they don't seem to think he's capable of. Even Thane doesn't.

But something holds me back. A sense that the others might not approve of my growing closeness to Wraith. That they might try to put a stop to it, like they stopped me from letting him help me through my heat. And maybe Thane was right to be concerned that wasn't safe. It probably wasn't.

But what we're doing now…

Would Thane just refuse to let us keep seeing each other in private? He's nothing if not rigid. If he thinks Wraith is such a rabid beast that he can't be trusted to be around me even when I'm not in heat, I'm sure he'd find a way to put a stop to it.

Or at least try.

Because I don't think Wraith would let him.

I've seen my fair share of monsters, and Wraith isn't one. But just because he wouldn't hurt me doesn't mean that applies to anyone else. And I'm pretty sure a serious confrontation between him and Thane would be the biggest nuclear blast Reinmich has seen since the wars.

I'm not taking a chance, that's for damn sure.

"I'm glad you're back," I say, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. "Valek and Plague... they're not with you?"

It's a clumsy attempt to change the subject, but Thane takes the bait. His jaw tightens, a flicker of something dark passing over his features.

"Not yet," Thane replies, his voice even despite the tension in his jaw. "But I'm sure they're fine. They can handle themselves."

Before I can respond, Whiskey's arm drapes heavily across my shoulders, his breath warm against my ear as he leans in close. "Aw, is our little omega worried about the big bad alphas?" he teases, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make sure I go on the next mission so you can fret over me too."

Irritation flares within me, hot and sharp. Without thinking, I drive my elbow into Whiskey's ribs, relishing the satisfying grunt of pain that escapes him. But I'm not done. As he doubles over, I bring my knee up, slamming it into his padded stomach with all the force I can muster.

Whiskey stumbles back, wheezing as he tries to catch his breath. I can't help the smirk that tugs at my lips, a sense of vindication washing over me.

To my surprise, Thane laughs, the sound deep and genuine. "You deserved that, Whiskey," he says, shaking his head.

Whiskey just glares, still clutching his stomach as he straightens up. But there's a grudging respect in his eyes, a hint of admiration that he can't quite hide. "Yeah, whatever. Guess you're back to being an ice queen now that your heat's over, huh, kitten?"

I flip him off and he chuckles, but he's still rubbing his gut like a bear.

Thane's laughter fades, his expression growing serious as he turns to me. "Ivy, can I talk to you for a moment? Alone?"

I blink, caught off guard by the request.

But curiosity gets the better of me. I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Sure."

Thane gestures toward the front door, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I thought we could take a walk. Get some fresh air."

I hesitate, my gaze flicking to Whiskey. But he's already backing away, hands raised in mock surrender. "Don't let me interrupt your little date," he says, his tone teasing. "I'll just be here, nursing my wounds."

I roll my eyes, but I can't quite suppress the flutter of nerves in my stomach as I fall into step beside Thane. It's the first time since we've been back that one of them has offered to take me outside and I'm not going to squander the opportunity. We pass through the door and the front gate, the cool breeze a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere inside the base.

We walk in silence, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet the only sound. I steal glances at Thane from the corner of my eye, trying to gauge his mood. But his expression is inscrutable, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"I had to go into the capital city for work," Thane finally says, his voice breaking the stillness. "While I was there, I paid a visit to the Refinement Center."

My steps falter, my heart stuttering in my chest. I turn to look up at him, a chill seeping into my bones despite the warmth of the sun. The mention of the center fills me with a visceral terror, memories of cold, sterile halls and harsh, unyielding hands flooding my mind.

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why are you telling me this?"

Thane's gaze meets mine, his brow furrowing at the barely concealed fear in my tone. "Ivy, I?—"

"Are you sending me back?" The words tumble out, sharp and accusatory. Betrayal should be the first thing I feel, but it isn't. Instead, there's a sinking sense of inevitability, a resignation that this tentative peace, this illusion of belonging, was always destined to shatter.

Fuck him.

Fuck all alphas.

Thane's eyes widen, genuine horror etched across his features. "What? No, of course not!" He reaches for me, but I flinch back instinctively. Hurt flashes in his gaze, but he lets his hand drop. "Ivy, you're our omega. We would never send you back, not for any reason."

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, a lump forming in my throat. I want to believe him, want to trust in the conviction of his words. But trust is a fragile thing, easily broken by the harsh realities of this world.

"Then why did you go there?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Thane hesitates, his gaze searching mine. For a moment, I think he might brush off the question, retreat behind the wall of authority that always seems to separate us. But then he sighs, his shoulders sagging slightly.

Thane's gaze holds mine, unwavering. "I wanted to understand more about you, Ivy. About where you come from."

His words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I feel my throat tighten, constricting around the sudden swell of emotion that threatens to choke me.

"The Refinement Center is not where I come from," I manage to say, my voice rough and strained. "It's where I was taken. Held prisoner."

The words hang in the air between us, heavy with the weight of my past. I immediately regret saying them, exposing a vulnerability I've tried so hard to keep hidden. I brace myself for his reaction, expecting judgment or pity. Or, even worse—indifference.

But Thane's expression softens, his eyes filled with a gentleness I've never seen before. He takes a step toward me, closing the distance between us. I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact, his tall frame towering over mine.

"I know," he says, his voice low and strangely soothing. "I don't know exactly what happened to you there, Ivy. But I want you to know that you can tell me. If you ever want to talk about it."

Words that are too good to be true.

I search his face for any hint of deception, any sign that this is just another ploy to manipulate me. But all I see is sincerity, a genuine desire to understand.

I swallow hard, trying to dislodge the lump in my throat. Part of me yearns to unburden myself, to share the horrors that haunt my dreams. But another part, the part that's learned to survive by keeping my secrets close, hesitates.

"Why do you care?" I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "I'm just an omega. A tool for you to use."

Thane frowns, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. "Is that really what you think of me? Of us?"

I look away, unable to hold his gaze. "It's what I've experienced."

A warm, calloused hand cups my cheek, gently turning my face back to his. I inhale sharply at the contact, my skin tingling where his fingers brush against it.

"I'm not going to pretend that the system is perfect," Thane says, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. "And it's broken and cruel in more ways than I ever imagined. But you're more than the greatest thing that's ever happened to me, Ivy. To this pack. You're more than an omega. You're a person. With thoughts and feelings and a past that's shaped you into who you are."

I stare at Thane for a few moments, his words echoing in my mind. They're bizarre, coming from an alpha, and yet... there's a sincerity in his eyes that I can't ignore. It's as if he genuinely cares, as if he sees me as more than just a pawn in this twisted game of hierarchy and power.

But even as a part of me wants to believe him, to trust in the gentleness of his touch and the earnestness of his words, I can't let my guard down fully.

Not after everything I've been through.

And I'm not going to be here forever.

Even if what he's saying is true, nothing good ever lasts. Not for me.

My gaze drifts to the horizon as I gather my thoughts. "They hurt us," I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "That's what they do in that place. What it's made for."

I feel Thane's hand tense against my cheek, his breath hitching slightly. "Who?" he asks, his voice low and dangerous. "Who hurt you, Ivy? Give me a name and I'll make him pay."

I turn back to him, a bewildered look on my face. Does he really not understand? "All of them," I say, my voice flat and emotionless. "The betas, the headmistress, the nightingales... all of them. The Refinement Center... it's not a place of healing or education, no matter what they claim. It's a slaughterhouse run by those who see us as nothing more than cattle to be broken and sold."

I take a deep breath, my chest tight with the weight of the memories. "No omega is unscathed by it. Some are just better at avoiding punishment than others. Some... some have never known freedom, so they don't bother to fight it."

The words pour out of me, like a dam finally breaking under the pressure of too much pain held back for too long.

And through it all, Thane listens.

He doesn't interrupt, doesn't try to offer platitudes or false comfort. When he finally speaks, his voice is full of the one thing I didn't think an alpha was capable of as he speaks the last words I ever expected to hear from one.

"I'm sorry," he says softly. His hand twitches at his side, as if he wants to reach out to touch me, but he stops himself. "Ivy, I am so fucking sorry."

I stare at Thane for a long moment, his words hanging in the air between us.

An apology.

From an alpha.

It's so unexpected, so contrary to everything I've ever known, that I'm not sure how to respond. Part of me wants to lash out, to reject his words as nothing more than empty platitudes. But the sincerity in his eyes, the genuine remorse in his voice, gives me pause.

I hug myself, my arms wrapping around my waist as if to hold in the tumultuous emotions swirling inside me. "It's not your fault," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant even as my heart races in my chest. "You didn't do it. You weren't there."

Thane shakes his head, his jaw clenching with a quiet intensity. "That's not true," he says, his voice low and fervent. "I may not have been the one who hurt you directly, but I am responsible all the same. For everything that happened to you there, and everything that's happened to all the other omegas under the Refinement Center's supposed care."

I don't know what to say. I've never heard an alpha take responsibility like this, never imagined that one would even consider the suffering of omegas as something they should be accountable for.

So I just stand there, rendered temporarily mute.

Thane takes a step closer, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "I swear to you, Ivy, I will make it right. It may take time, but I will make sure that no other omega has to ever go through what you suffered. And I'll make sure you have vengeance."

"Why?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why does it matter? Why do you care?"

Thane seems taken aback by my question, his brow furrowing in confusion. He studies me for a long moment, his gaze searching mine as if trying to unravel the tangled knot of my thoughts.

"If you have to ask that," he murmurs, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness, "then I and the others clearly haven't done a good enough job of showing you what it means to be our omega. What you mean to us."

I open my mouth to respond, to demand clarification, but before I can utter a word, the distant rumble of an engine catches my attention. My gaze is drawn to the horizon where a cloud of dust is rising in the distance. As it grows closer, I can make out the shape of a vehicle, its outline becoming clearer with each passing second.

My heart jumps into my throat as undeniable relief floods me.

Plague and Valek. They're back.