Omegas In Love

Chapter 5

Katrina shrank away from everyone in the room.

Trapped in Chen’s embrace, Spice struggled but couldn’t break free. He pinned her arms to her side as he hugged her from behind. His body pressed along her back in an intimate fashion.

The memories of being stuck in similar positions were summoned like a vengeful demon from a place Katrina had buried long ago. They scorched her mind, burning a hot trail of fear, degradation, torment, and hate…hot, sinful hate for Chen and his jackals.

Spice struggled in his arms, kicking and squirming. Not an ounce of submission in her demeanor. Weakened by silver, she couldn’t break free. However, she did swing her head back, connecting to Chen’s nose.

Blood sprayed and Chen released Spice as he wiped his face with a handkerchief. “I like feisty females.” He glanced at Katrina. “You should observe and learn. Maybe then you’d truly become my mate.” Tossing the soiled cloth to the floor, he cracked his knuckles while circling Spice.

She tried to keep him in her view, yet the chain tying her to the wall didn’t leave her much room to maneuver.

One of the guards moved forward, but Chen waved him away. “They’re just females. The boat won’t be here for another hour.” He removed his suit jacket and handed it to the guard, then loosened the top button of his shirt. “Only makes sense to take you here for the first time, on your own territory.”

“I’ll kill you before you can lay a hand on me.” Spice crouched low, widening her stance with her arms ready.

“I hope you try.” Chen mirrored her actions.

Panting, Katrina couldn’t find enough air to breathe. Her knees wobbled as the gates to her thoughts crashed. This was how it always began. The panic and the shutdown before she could hide in a mental cocoon of denial. She didn’t want to witness Spice’s rape, hear the cries or smell the terror. Her stomach rolled and she fell to her knees, vomiting the lunch she’d had with Tyler.

Tyler. Smiling, joking, happy male, she adored. Where was he? Did he search for her? He may hate her for betraying him, but he’d never leave her in Chen’s hands. No doubt in her mind about this. She watched as Chen rushed forward and caught Spice with supernatural speed.

Katrina couldn’t let this happen, not to her alpha, her family. Standing on legs made of noodles, she focused on her powerful prey.

Chen wrestled Spice to the floor, laying his body on top of hers while leaving his back exposed to Katrina. He’d never feared her, but she’d changed since living with Tyler. Her real mate loved her, supported her, and gave her claws.

Grabbing her chain, she raced to Chen and wrapped it around his neck, then snapped it with all her might.

He fell back, clutching at his throat and kicking his heels.

Spice didn’t waste any time. She crawled onto his chest and wound her arm back, punching him in the face over and over again before a guard shoved her off. The other pried the chain from Katrina’s hands.

With an ungraceful leap, Spice jumped the guard assisting Chen to his feet. They tumbled to the floor as her alpha scratched, bit, and kneed her way around the male. She was glued to him and it took the other guard to help pluck her off.

Battered and bruised, Chen grinned with a fat lip. “Nice.” He licked the trickle of blood from his nose. “Very nice.” Glancing at his watch, he sighed. “We’ll have to play more later.” He gestured to his disheveled men to leave them alone, and led the guards from the room. The door closed with a dull bang.

Spice and Katrina’s heavy panting filled the sudden silence. Clasping her alpha’s hand, Katrina closed her eyes. They’d stopped him, but for how long? Delicate chimes of keys clicking together rang in her ears. Her eyes sprang open.

Spice held a ring with five keys in her fingers and shook them again. “Did I ever tell you how good I am at picking pockets?” The sly grin on her face offered Katrina hope.

“No, but I am so happy you are.” Sitting on her knees, she took the keys as Spice knelt in front of her and held the collar still. Katrina’s hands shook. They were going to escape! The first key slipped from the hole and she had to try again.

The petite blonde laid a hand on her wrist. “Take it easy. You’ll get it.”

Freedom lay so close, she could sniff it. They’d flee this place and call the pack for help. She’d find Tyler and hound him until he forgave her. She’d prove her worth to him and never lie again, tell him all her secrets, and make him understand he truly was her mate. No other would ever do.

Inserting the key in the lock, she couldn’t turn it. Tears welled in her eyes. She tasted blood as she chewed on her bottom lip and tried the next one. The collar clicked when the key turned and Katrina exhaled the breath she’d been holding.

Spice ran to the door and turned the knob. “It doesn’t even have a lock.” She peeked out in the hallway. “All’s clear. No wonder they used fucking collars.” Returning to Katrina, she knelt on the floor. “Give me the keys.”

Handing them to her alpha, Katrina offered her throat so the collar could be easily accessed. Her pulse pounded in her ears.

Crouching close, Spice twisted and changed keys when it didn’t unlock. “How long before the silver wears off?” She tried another key, but it didn’t work.

“I don’t know. It all depends on the dose they gave us.” Sweat trickled down her back. Someone might check on them soon. “Hurry.”

Another key was discarded. “Fuck. I’m trying, Katrina.” She held out the keys. “Which one did you use?”

Sorting through the ring, she picked one. “I think this is it.” She cranked her neck back and gave Spice better access to the lock. Praying in her head to anyone who’d listen, she wanted out so badly.

“It’s turning.” Forcing the key, Spice pressed on her throat. “Shit, the key’s stuck.” Katrina had never heard fear in Spice’s voice until today. Tears streamed from her alpha’s eyes. “I bent the key. It won’t move.”

“Let me try.” She touched the cool metal with her fingertips around the key and lock. It was halfway and just needed a little more to go. She grabbed the end and twisted it. At first, nothing happened, then with a sharp crack the key broke. Katrina stared at the broken piece in her hand. Unable to find her voice, she glanced at Spice.

“Lean back.” She ordered. “Let me see if I can pry it out.”

“You need to run.” Katrina shoved her alpha toward the door. “Run now!”

“I can’t leave.” She wiped the sweat from her face. “We’re in this together. We’ll fight them off.”

“Foolish. Get help. Rescue me if I can’t get free.”

Spice’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t want to go.” She hugged Katrina tight. “I’m coming back for you,” she whispered. “Even if I have to invade China by myself.”

Katrina clung to her and fought to keep her courage. “Tell Tyler–” She had to clear her throat. “Tell him it’s okay to hate me, but I will always love him.”

Yanking away, Spice confronted her. “He would never hate you.”

“Please, go before they come back.” Before she lost nerve and begged her to stay.

A deep frown crossed her alpha’s face. She nodded and left.

Katrina sank to the floor. The cramps in her lower abdomen had worsened. Thank goodness Spice was a new shifter and had never smelled a female in Katrina’s condition. Her alpha would never have left her. Keeping secrets was her specialty. She grimaced. Chen would get the pure blooded heir he craved. She’d be in heat by morning.