Beginning of Chapter 39

Her head was ringing, her arms burned, her muscles ached. Sweat dripped from her forehead, spilling upon the cool marble tiles. And she could see her own eyes in the stone, terror laced with rage.

The hall had long grown quiet, the purple smoke fogged the ballroom, oily and tumultuous in the air, a twist of smoky calm. Klaus began his speech with simple things, positives, like talk of food production, temperature control and the economy. And finally, when he settled upon the topic of the Lonely, his feet had shifted on her back, a growl in his throat.

She winced.

"We must proceed as planned," he'd stated, and his voice had deepened into one edged with threat. "Many of you stray from our rule. We've told you what must be done to ensure your survival. Yet many of you are now clouded by your hatred, by your impatience, what good will the Alphas do for you if you're greedy?" Quinn perked up at his words, brows knotting. Klaus sneered, eyes roaming the halls, arms crossed, frustration thick in his voice. "You take resources as you please, use excessively when you know sustainability is necessary for our survival. You all know what we need, the Alphas, and their nourishment. Your fear will destroy you; it will kill you." His hiss was cold. "Now, ask your questions and we will answer them."

Quinn was alarmed then, eyes wide. To allow the crowd to speak with rage pulsing within the people was to court death itself. There was a roar from the crowd. An Omega's voice pierced the air. "With all due respect my King, there have been so many packs that were unsuccessful. So many transform into the Lonely despite their efforts and the transformation comes without warning. It is proven that we have no guarantee—"

Zen's voice was shattering in the hall, vibrating with a darkness that had her almost shuddering. It was strange on him, raspy with a warning, an evil seemed to fester within as it burned through the air. "You dare question your Kings?"

"It is all right," Klaus stated, in a low steady rumble. Quinn could only try to look, eyes twisting to the side. "But your impatience will cost you greatly. And when you lose the last lifeline you have, there will be regret. You need to be careful." The nobles were chattering, voices raised higher, angrier with each word. "I keep my Alpha alive for a reason. I was impatient for results as many are, I was angry, and I believed it to be time. Now I reap my rewards as she ripens. Her success tells me that she can still be used, and I need to be patient." Quinn blinked. Ripe. The word stung, awful and archaic.

But what success?

A noble stepped forward from the corner of her eye. It was difficult to describe the strange look on his face. The twist of something in his gaze. "My bitch is docile now, as docile as she needs to be, she told me she loves me as she sucked my cock." He laughed, cackled as if her feelings did not matter. Quinn froze, blood suddenly roaring in her head. "Perhaps we can try it right here, right now. She is just outside the door." The dare was obvious on his tongue. "And if I change, if I become Lonely. We'll all know the truth—"

Icarus growled, hissing in his corner. "You fucking dare—"

Elysian clapped his hands, the sound ringing in the hall. "You'd risk your life, everyone's lives, over the words of your Kings?" His laughter was cold, echoing across the room. And Quinn had an awful sense of dread, of knowing. "Perhaps we'll grant your wish, but do not think that our soldiers will not slit the throats of you and your pack if you fail." The quiet settled upon the court, shuddered from within.

The silence rang.

Solar spoke then, voice softened, attempting to soothe. "We know of your fear, but you cannot let hatred and terror consume you. We must prevail."

The crowd continued, and another spoke. "But what of those that transform? Why did they change? Why didn't it work? We followed the plans, and the methods and yet only three succeeded! Three! Out of all of us!"

Elysian harrumphed, and she felt their bond tug, shuddering in her chest. "Impatience. They do not understand that our relationship with Alphas is symbiotic. The scientists are used to experimentation, they know how to keep the conditions right, to ensure results efficiently. They know that the union is fragile but miraculous," Elysian repeated. "Do you not see how I've survived despite those awful wounds? How Icarus and I live, healthier than our mates with more colour in our cheeks? It took time, it took rest, it took days."

She could hear the arrogance in his voice, pitched up a notch to feign confidence. They were lying. Their strength had increased because Elysian had mated with her. But she knew they couldn't tell them that, no, the people would scorn them all. There was no way in hell these Omegas would mate with an Alpha.

The crowd roared. "We are not scientists with the experience! How can you expect us to—"

Elysian interrupted then. "That is why we must take things slower; we need to be careful."

Icarus nodded, speaking to the crowd. "We are strong, stronger than before because of the Alpha who willingly gave blood every single day. We will continue to exploit that boon," his eyes met hers, caught her gaze, and held it for a beat too long. "And we will care for our treasure until we are ready for the end." He looked away.

Ready? Ready for what end? Quinn's mind was forming connections and assumptions. Her mind spinning. It seemed that the Alpha's nourishment was preventing the Lonely's manifestation. And that explained most of the Omega's intentions. It showed the reasons why the Omegas had brought in the Alphas from the wastelands. They didn't just need her to eat, they needed her to survive, to prevent the transformation.

Then why did the seven try to kill her?

How contradictory.

How fucking strange.

No, it couldn't be.