When He's Dark (The Olympus Pride 1)

“The good news is that Paxton might not be back after all—he might not even be alive,” said James. “The Cages might have just wanted to make you believe he was, Bree. They might have just wanted to scare or hurt you.”

If that was the case, Bree would be a very happy woman. But she couldn’t bring herself to believe it. She wasn’t sure what to think anymore.

“Operating on the assumption that one or all of the Cages were behind the attempts to kidnap Bree, do you think the fact that they’ve left the pride now signals that it’s over?” Elle asked her father. “That they’ll leave her alone?”

“I don’t know,” said Vinnie. “But I wouldn’t bank on it.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

A hand curled around her upper arm just as a mouth grazed her ear. “Time to go,” Alex said quietly.

Bree frowned. “Not so soon.”

“We’ve been here hours.”

“Just a little longer.”

“You’re in pain.”

Pain seemed like a mild word. Usually, she needed to touch a person to read their emotions. But when people’s feelings were running high and wild, they tended to broadcast them. Which was why small, crowded places filled with heightened states of emotion could be a nightmare for omegas, especially memorials or funerals.

It didn’t matter how tough an omega’s shields were, there was no way to block out all that energy. Waves of it buzzed through the air. Despair. Grief. Anger. Pain. Devastation.

That negative energy felt like billions of blunt needles stabbing at her flesh. It seeped into her. Bloated her. Caused her chest to ache and her head to pound. Threatened to propel her into such a state of extreme fatigue that there was no way to stand on her own steam. And yet, she stayed. Because it just felt plain shitty to leave.

Rather than hold two separate wakes, the families of the deceased had agreed to hold one in Benny’s parents’ apartment for both him and Crawford. Mourners were scattered around, clutching tissues and talking in low whispers. Some also held paper plates that were laden with buffet food. Bree hadn’t been able to eat a thing—her gut felt knotted.

Most of the mourners were her pride mates. Others were relatives of the deceased that belonged to other prides.

Bree’s gaze drifted to the framed pictures of Benny and Crawford that had been propped on the table among the beautiful flower arrangements. Hot tears stung the backs of her eyes.

“All the other omegas left, and no one blames them for that,” said Alex. “You’re only lingering because you’re punishing yourself.”

Her frown deepened. “Am not.”

He lifted a brow. “You really going to look me in the eye and tell me that you’re not standing here feeling responsible for their deaths?”

She sighed, unwilling to lie. “I just wish … We have to get justice for them, Alex.”

“We will, I promise you. Whoever is responsible is living on borrowed time.” He gave her nape a little squeeze. “Now let’s go. You need to earth, eat, and rest—don’t argue. You’ve spoken to Renee, you’ve spoken with Benny’s and Crawford’s family, you’ve paid your respects. It’s time to go.” Still holding her arm, he pulled her toward the front door.

“God, you’re bossy.”

“This isn’t new to you, baby girl.” Stepping out of the apartment, Alex turned to her. “Stay here while I run upstairs and grab your jacket from my apartment. It’s chilly outside.”

“I’ll be fine without one, it won’t take me long to earth.”

“You also need pain pills yesterday. Wait here.” He took the stairs two at a time as he headed up to the level he lived on.

She leaned back against the wall, feeling weak and close to a crash.

The door of an apartment further down the hall opened. A familiar elderly woman stepped out. “Well, if it isn’t Bree Dwyer,” said Rose with a smile, crossing to her. “Last time I saw you, you were … what, thirteen?”

“Something like that,” replied Bree. She’d always liked Rose. As well as being Benny’s great-aunt, she’d also been the Olympus Pride’s primary omega when Bree was a kid. But after retiring from the position to make way for the primary who Dani later usurped, Rose had transferred to the pride that her son mated into.

“You were a strong omega back then. But not this strong.” Rose joined Bree in leaning back against the wall. “I had to go lie down for a while—having people’s grief beat at you is hard to take.”

Bree nodded. “I’m sorry about Benny.”

She let out a long breath. “Me too, sweetheart. He was a good man. He didn’t deserve what happened to him. I’m just glad those polar bears paid dearly for what they did.” She swallowed and then forced a small, strained smile. “So, how have you been?”

“I’ve been good. You?”

“Oh, fine, fine. I heard all about the hyena business and the problems you’ve been having with the Cages. I also heard you’re having some problems with Dani.”