Frantic (The Omegaborn Trilogy 2)

“It would also be likely that he’d keep many of you captive for scientific purposes as well. Study the effects of the genetic modification long term. The genetic code is a complicated thing and oftentimes, treatments like that can go awry,” I said. I knew that such things were possible. I’d seen some of the same things in my own scientific studies.

“Indeed. You are correct,” she replied. She sighed, lifting her icy eyes to mine. “We just want our freedom. To escape beyond the walls and live together, as our own pack.”

“And who are you exactly?” I asked.

“I’m the leader of a small resistance here in the sanctuary called the Omegaborn. Once we first began to receive word of Philip’s plan, we came up with an idea of our own. But, to complete it, we’re going to need you,” she answered tentatively.

“Why would you need me?” I questioned, studying her expression for clues. She gave none.

“We’ve been working to develop a drug of our own, one that would counteract the suppressant and if used correctly, would allow us the opportunity to escape these walls and eventually the dome. We’d be free for the first time in a long time. Free to be who we were meant to be. But it was problematic and dangerous to develop. After we heard about your research and the fact that you had developed an anti-suppressant of your own, we broke into your lab and raided your notes. We took notes of our own and I bet you never even noticed that anyone had been there, did you?”

“I never noticed anything,” I answered, quite bewildered at her admission.

“With your knowledge, we were finally able to perfect it.”

“Then why do you still need me? And how do you know it even works?” I asked.

Nikki stilled, swallowing noticeably before she met my eyes. It was the first time I’d seen her falter and I steeled myself for what she was about to say.

“We’ve tested it. Recently,” she replied.

“On who?”

“I believe you know him. His name is Ravick Einhart,” she said.

“Ravick,” I whispered, my blood going cold.

“The very same one as your alpha,” she replied.

“But why?”

“Ravick used to be the head of security for the city. He’s responsible for commanding the garrison outside the walls of our sanctuary, for keeping us here safely, and for mounting an army should the need ever arise. Essentially, he’s the military commander of Tharia. He was meeting with a patrol on the day of your punishment. We shot him with an injectable form of our anti-suppressant and then he sensed you, even through the thick barrier of the dome. He knows the ins and outs of the city better than anyone and escaped to get out and claim you. He was the target for two reasons. One, we needed to eliminate the head of security and throw that department into chaos so that they have to find a replacement that wouldn’t have as much knowledge as he has. Two, we needed to know that our anti-suppressant works on alphas, since we had already tested it on a few omegas here. Now, we know it works.”

I took a deep breath and let it out.

“We need you, Triss, for your knowledge of the city’s airborne suppression system. We aim to hijack that very system with the anti-suppressant and pump it into the air of the entire city. Our goal is to incite chaos and escape out into the wilds together. We’re strong and as long as we stick together, we can be free of any alphas that claim us. Finally, we can escape the city’s tyranny. Free to be who we were meant to be,” she said.

I licked my lips, thinking it over.

“I don’t need your answer right away, but I will by tomorrow night. Plans are in place to break into the suppressant department then. Should you share your knowledge with us or guide us during the mission, our chances of success would be far greater. If you don’t, though, many of us are probably going to die,” she said, choosing her words carefully. She lifted hopeful eyes to mine and smiled softly. For a moment, I felt the urge to help her, but I quickly turned away. I wasn’t sure what I should do.

Then she sighed and stood up, ushering over another omega. She didn’t wait for me to answer and I was grateful for the chance to have time to fully think through her proposition.

“Ellie is going to show you to your quarters for the night. We’ll have to disguise you. Cover up that bright red hair of yours and make you appear like you belong here, for your safety. For the rest of tonight, we’ll have you stay at Ellie’s apartment. She needs to be seen leaving her home in the morning. Our numbers are highly regulated and if we don’t appear in Sanctuary Square for our mandatory counts each day, problems arise. We’ll hide you well, but I want you to see what it’s really like here. After counts are completed, she’ll return and give you a tour of the sanctuary.”

“Thank you for rescuing me,” I replied.

Nikki didn’t respond but nodded curtly, her expression deadly serious. She studied me, the look in her eyes optimistic before she turned away. Her stride was strong and sure as she walked out of the pit, leaving me with the other omega, Ellie.

“Hey there, Triss,” Ellie began hesitantly, and I smiled gently back at her.

“Hi. Nice to meet you,” I replied.

I noticed then that she was the girl with bruises around her right arm. The color was an angry black and purple, indicative of abuse of some kind. Those marks were fresh. I stood up beside her and lifted my hand to brush against them, tracing what appeared to be marks of thick and cruel fingers.

“Did someone do this to you?” I asked and she flinched. I took my hand away and she curled her arms around her waist, timid and defensive. She sucked in a hesitant breath before she began to speak.

“It was one of the guards. He’s a big alpha type and the airborne suppressant isn’t entirely successful in him. He still has urges. Sexual ones,” she finally answered, her voice incredibly small.