6. Whizz/ Dylan

WHIZZ

As I glancedaround at the rescued omegas gathered in the kitchen, it was clear that trust wasn”t something that came easily to them, and why should it?

They had been through hell, and skepticism was a natural defense. But then there was Dylan, wearing Jake”s necklace with a sense of reverence that touched me.

I couldn”t help but feel a connection with him, and when our eyes met, he flashed a small, appreciative smile.

It was a moment that left me momentarily frozen.

Before I could dwell on it further, Piston”s voice interrupted my thoughts.

”Lenny will be here soon,” he informed me.

I nodded, knowing that our fellow biker would be arriving shortly.

Dylan”s voice broke through the uncertainty, asking, ”What”s going to happen to us?”

Turning my attention back to Dylan and the omegas, I explained to them, ”Another member of our club will be here soon. We”re going to take you to our MC compound where you”ll be able to contact your worried families and friends. We”ll make all the necessary arrangements for your safe return.”

Glancing at Dylan, I added, “You”ll be safe, Dylan. We won”t let anything happen to you. We”ll take care of you all, I promise.”

As the rescued omegas began to talk among themselves, I couldn”t help but wonder if any of them would make a run for it, their trauma driving them to flee from any perceived threat.

I hoped they”d understand that we were there to help, not to harm.

Relief washed over me when I heard the low rumble of a truck engine outside.

Lenny had arrived with the truck we would use to transport the omegas to safety. It was time to get them out of this place.

We ushered the omegas outside, and I watched as Mitch and the others climbed into the truck, clearly eager to put this nightmare behind them.

But when I turned to look at Dylan, he surprised me by saying, ”I want to ride with you.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. Dylan was certainly forward, and I found myself liking that about him.

I could feel Piston”s raised eyebrow directed at me, his silent questioning clear.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a spare helmet and helped Dylan put it on, ensuring it was secure.

As I stood back, I couldn”t help but notice how thin and bruised Dylan looked.

Anger welled up inside me as I thought of the werewolves responsible for their ordeal.

We hadn”t managed to rid this operation of all its members; Gregory and his cronies were still out there.

But for now, my focus was on bringing Dylan and the others safely back to Moon Burrow.

Dylan settled behind me as I revved up the motorcycle.

”Hold on,” I told him.

”I won”t let go,” Dylan answered in his wonderfully soft voice.

As we hit the road, I could feel Dylan”s grip loosen slightly, and I glanced over at him.

He had fallen asleep during the long ride. It was understandable; he must have been exhausted, both mentally and physically, from the ordeal he”d been through.

Our group made a pit stop at a drive-through to grab some food for the hungry omegas, ensuring they had something to eat before continuing on to Moon Burrow.

It was the least we could do for them.

Finally, we returned to the MC compound, and I could see that the other omegas looked a little overwhelmed and scared as they exited the truck.

But then, Mitch broke away from the group as he spotted his fiancé, Manuel.

Tears welled up in Manuel”s eyes as they reunited, and the couple hugged and kissed.

”I”ve been so worried,” Manuel whispered, his voice trembling with relief. ”I never thought I”d never see you again.”

”I”ve never lost hope,” Mitch replied. ”The thought of seeing you again, being with you, that”s what kept me going.”

It was a heartwarming sight, and it seemed to ease the tension among the other omegas.

They relaxed a bit, seeing that there was hope for a reunion with their loved ones.

Piston stepped forward, smiling.

”Alright, folks, we”ve got a warm meal waiting for you inside, and you can take a long, hot shower to wash away all the bad memories. If you”d like, we can help you contact your friends and family right away. Whatever you need, we”re here for you,” Piston said.

Dylan didn’t go with the others, he simply leaned his head against my shoulder. I couldn”t help but wonder why he had grown close to me.

Was it because I had helped rescue him? It seemed likely, considering the situation.

Yet, I also understood that there was more to it than that. Our connection felt deeper somehow.

Regardless of the reasons, I was going to do what I could for him.

”Don”t worry,” I told him, reaching for his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

I wondered if I was being too forward but Dylan didn’t seem the least bit scared of me. In fact, he held onto my fingers tightly, as if he didn’t want me to let go.

“We”ll do our best to return you to your loved ones,” I told him.

Dylan”s expression turned somber, and I remained silent, giving him space to gather his thoughts.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. ”I... I have no one waiting for me. I have a sister, but we haven’t spoken to each other in 5 years.”

Hearing Dylan admit he had no one waiting for him made me realize how alike we were in some ways.

No, I corrected myself. Perhaps I had started out alone, but the MC had become my family now.

”You have me now,” I said.

I couldn”t help but wonder if I had said too much, if my words had crossed some unspoken line. But I meant them.

Dylan wasn”t alone anymore, and I was determined to be there for him, no matter what lay ahead.

DYLAN

The roomI had been assigned to was surprisingly spacious.

The bed I lay on was surprisingly comfortable, a stark contrast to the cold, hard floor of the cell I had become accustomed to.

But even in this relatively safe haven, my mind refused to find solace.

Travis, the other rescued omega, lay sprawled out on the bed beside me, his rhythmic snores serving as a haunting reminder of my inability to find rest.

His face, free from the worry lines that had etched themselves onto mine over the past weeks, was relaxed in slumber.

How I envied him.

I turned my gaze away from Travis and stared at the ceiling, my thoughts wandering into the depths of my own personal hell.

Memories of that grimy cell, the overpowering stench of decay, and the constant fear that gripped my heart came rushing back with every attempt to close my eyes.

The room was eerily silent, save for Travis”s snores, and the walls seemed to close in on me.

Every creak of the floorboards outside the door sent a jolt of panic through me, a painful reminder of the horrors I had barely escaped.

My fingers instinctively traced the necklace that belonged to Whizz’s brother, a small token of hope that had somehow kept me going.

I knew that I couldn”t stay awake forever, but the thought of surrendering to sleep was just as terrifying as the nightmares themselves.

My body ached for rest, for an escape from the horrors that plagued my dreams, but the fear of reliving those moments was paralyzing.

Travis”s snores continued, blissfully unaware of the inner turmoil that consumed me.

I lay there, eyes wide open, trying to distract myself. Memories of my life before the nightmare began surfaced, like fragile rafts in a stormy sea.

I thought of the kids I used to teach, their laughter and innocent curiosity.

But even those pleasant recollections felt distant, as though I were viewing them through a foggy window.

And then, unbidden, thoughts of Whizz drifted into my mind, like a lifeline thrown into the turbulent waters of my thoughts.

I wondered what he was doing at that very moment. Was he laughing and drinking with his MC brothers downstairs or in his room with his computers?

My mind replayed the ride back to Moon Burrow, the warmth of Whizz”s body pressed against mine.

It had been an oddly comforting sensation, despite the circumstances.

Was Whizz single? Was he seeing someone from the MC? The idea of him with a partner sent a pang of jealousy through me, although I had no right to feel that way.

I couldn”t help but think of Mitch and Manuel, their tearful reunion serving as a stark reminder of the kind of love that could withstand the darkest of trials.

I wondered if I would ever find a love like that, one strong enough to weather the storms of life.

A small, almost wistful smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I considered the possibility, even if it seemed like a far-off dream.

But then, a harsh wave of self-doubt crashed over me. Why would someone like Whizz, strong and capable, want a broken omega like me?

The scars, both physical and emotional, ran deep, and I felt like damaged goods.

I had no reason to believe that someone like him would see anything worth loving in someone like me.

Restlessness gripped me like a vice, squeezing any remnants of sleep from my tired body.

I couldn”t bear to lie there any longer, listening to Travis”s deep snores as he slumbered peacefully.

Without wanting to disturb him, I quietly peeled back the blanket and slid out of the bed, my feet meeting the cool floor.

As I tiptoed out of the room, the dimly lit corridor stretched before me, mysterious and unfamiliar.

The idea had come to me like a flicker of hope - maybe a walk would tire me out, perhaps clear my mind, or even lead me to Whizz.

But now, standing there in the hallway, uncertainty gnawed at me.I didn”t know the rules of this place, where I was allowed to wander and where I was not.

I had no clue where Whizz might be within the sprawling MC clubhouse.

My brief moment of bravery was giving way to hesitation.

The quiet murmurs of conversations and laughter from the clubhouse members resonated in the distance, further underscoring my unease.

Each door along the corridor seemed like a portal to an unknown world, and I felt like an intruder in this tight-knit community.

Should I proceed with my impromptu quest to find Whizz?

Or should I retreat to the familiarity of the shared room, even if it meant lying awake in restless contemplation once more?

My heart was already in my throat, and when the deep growl sliced through the air, I felt my whole body jerk in response.

Fear and instincts told me to flee, to run from this new, imposing presence. But something was different about this shifter.

A rabbit”s sixth sense, perhaps. His aura didn”t scream danger; it whispered caution.

Slowly, I pivoted to face the source of that voice, and my breath hitched as my gaze traveled up.

This bear shifter was a behemoth, a towering mass of muscle, dark hair, and golden eyes that bore into my very soul.

Every instinct I possessed screamed at me to flee, to run for my life. But his demeanor was oddly calm, and his one raised, scarred eyebrow held a curious, yet intimidating, expression.

As I gathered my wits, I found my voice.

”Do you know where Whizz”s room is?” I asked, my words trembling slightly.

I couldn”t let my nerves show. Finding Whizz was my purpose at this moment.

He regarded me for a moment that felt like an eternity, his golden eyes piercing through me.

Then he replied, ”Fourth floor. You won”t miss it.”

A surge of relief and excitement rushed through me as I thanked him, gratitude evident in my voice.

Before I could think further, curiosity overcame me, and I blurted out, ”What”s your name?”

The grizzly shifter”s lips quirked into a faint, almost rueful smile. ”Venom,” he answered simply.

I nodded, absorbing this unexpected encounter. Then I turned and made my way to the staircase.

Only later did it dawn on me that I had just conversed with Venom, the lead alpha, and the President of the Grizzly Reapers MC.