Page 4 of Dark Goodbye

When he pulls out the tube again, I stare up at him, questions flooding my brain. Spitting the water out, I take a deep breath. “I demand to be taken to the High Sanctum.” As much as I detest the idea of being a pawn in this sadistic regime, it will keep me safe.

He sets down the tube and runs his fingers through my hair. The need to vomit again beats at me, but I hold back. I feel far too weak to heave again. “Oh. Oh you don’t know, do you? There is no more High Sanctum. When they overthrew the government, that was the first thing to change. Now, we must hunt down our omegas, seducing them, marking them. No longer are we afforded a deal that guarantees our happy ending.”

“B-but. I don’t consent-.”

“You think that matters? You think we give a fuck? You’re an omega. I smelled that cunt of yours the moment I was called into your cell. So here is how it’s going to go. You will submit to me. If you don’t, I’m just going to fuck you anyway.”

Blood drains from my face as he stares down at me, the enormity of everything finally sinking in. “I-I’ll scream!”

“Oh. Oh, I’m very much counting on that.” Once more, he brings the tube up, wrenching my jaw so that I open under the intense pressure. He holds it in front of me, a taunt, a promise, a fucking warning. “And when we’re done here, I’ll be cleaning you. Every fucking inch. You like that? You wanna be clean for me before I make you so fucking dirty?”

His hands drift lower, grazing my hip. I know exactly where he wants to go and, spread apart as I am, I’m helpless to stop him. “Help!” The scream echoes through the room, drawing a predatory smirk across his face.

“Help!” He mimics, yelling out even louder than I am. “Oh, sorry. I guess I left a small detail out. We’re in the surgery ward, which means no one can hear you.” Walking over to a nearby wall, he slams his palm against the surface, sending a metallic ringing sound through the air. “Thick metal. Perfect for me, but absolutely horrible for you.”

For the last time, he shoves the tube between my lips and holds the metal under my mouth to spit. As much as I want to spew the water in his face, I know I must refrain. I have no safety measures, no means to defend myself.

Even if I wasn’t strapped down, I would still be no match for him. One growl. One fucking sound from his chest, and I’d be helpless. Looking up at the ceiling, I call on every god I know, pausing when I get to Jarosh, the god of those that have been wronged.

Will he even answer my prayers since my hands are not clean? Closing my eyes, I take my chances, begging him to avenge me. Last of all, I plead with Affara, the goddess of comfort, to give me the strength to do what needs to be done. Glancing over at the metal tray near the bed, I note the sharp tools. Any one of them can aid me in my journey into the hereafter; it’s only a matter of which one will hurt the least.

My pulse spikes as the idea of ending my life swirls through my head, but I see no other choice. At least this way, it’s my decision and not his. The Alpha looks over at the machine, frowning as he watches the beeps of my heartbeat. Taking in a deep breath, I will it to go slower. I can’t tip him off about my plans.

As much pain as she’s caused me, I need to channel Alexi. She was able to lie to an Alpha with practiced ease. If only I can be like her, to convince him to untie the restraints, then perhaps I have a chance. Bile rises in my throat as I practice in my head how to seduce him.

It’s nearly impossible to conjure anything I can say or do. Just because I watched omegas get rutted on a stage doesn’t mean I know anything about what men actually want, least of all an Alpha. Betas seemed so much easier. Having free access to almost any pussy they chose seemed to negate the need for any work on the female’s end.

That, or I’m truly far more naive than I originally thought. My body quakes as he paces about, prowling around the table, his eyes never leaving mine. I have no doubt he’ll do what he threatened and force himself on me. Which is the worst option, give myself up willingly and hope the pain isn’t too great? Or fight and have it hurt anyway?

No doubt, if I go the seduction route, he’ll just laugh at me. There’s no way I won’t be clumsy at it. More than that, just the very idea of encouraging him in any way makes my head spin and my body seize up. It will be far too easy to give in and give him what he wants. I have to fight. Somehow.

“You are such a conundrum, little Ladria.”

My jaw slackens at his use of my name. “I’m not Ladr-.”

“Don’t you fucking lie to me,” he snarls, slamming his hands on the bed, caging my head in his fury. “Just because you ran doesn’t mean you still aren’t in our system. Your mother tested your dynamic when you were a child, making you completely traceable. Do not fucking challenge my intelligence with your feeble lies.”

Pulling back, he reaches up, gripping the light above the bed and turning it so that it shines in my face. Blinded, I move my hand to block it out but remember all too late that I’m still tied down. Soft whimpers slide out from between my lips as I tug and yank, anything to at least try.

That’s all I have to do. Try.

The man tips his nose into the air, drawing my scent deep into his lungs. “Ahhh, I so love the smell of your fear. There’s an acidity, a pungent note that blends so beautifully with your natural aroma. Tell me, how is it you’re typed as a beta when all signs point to an omega nearing her heat?”

Blood drains from my face. I know it’s supposed to happen soon, but is it really so close that he can tell? Is it my blood, my scent, or some other testable way he knows this? This is no doubt why he took me from my cell. To have a better chance at claiming me while I’m mindless.

“I have no answer for you,” I finally mumble, turning my head away from the bright lights.

“Hmmm. No need. I’ll just conduct some experiments myself. How does that sound? Besides, I need to make sure you’re in top physical condition to take my knot.” His hand skims down the front of my thigh as numbness pervades my limbs.

I can’t let him affect me. All it’s going to do is stir him up. Instead, as he grips the sheet in his massive fist, I let my mind drift to the commune, thinking of the Clan Mother, of Alexi, of all my friends. Hopefully, these memories will give me strength for what’s about to happen.

With one quick jerk, he flings the sheet off, leaving me naked and exposed. Despite the stifling heat, a chill wracks my body until I’m unable to stop shivering. Keeping my eyes screwed shut, I listen as he walks around the table, moving various items that I have no name for. Is he going for one of the blades?

I brace, waiting for the sting of metal slicing into my skin, but it never happens. Tensing, I grip my fingers into fists, my breath coming in quick gasps. The beep of the machine pulses out in a wild staccato as my heart doubles in speed. What is he waiting for?

A loud smacking sound thunders in the air, and my eyes shoot open, desperate to know what manner of torture is about to befall me. But it isn’t any tool that’s in his hands — it’s rubber gloves. After putting on one, he slides on the other, his lips curling up into a menacing smile.

CHAPTER 3