Page 42 of Unhinged Alphas

"I'm glad you're back," I say, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. "Valek and Plague... they're not with you?"

It's a clumsy attempt to change the subject, but Thane takes the bait. His jaw tightens, a flicker of something dark passing over his features.

"Not yet," Thane replies, his voice even despite the tension in his jaw. "But I'm sure they're fine. They can handlethemselves."

Before I can respond, Whiskey's arm drapes heavily across my shoulders, his breath warm against my ear as he leans in close. "Aw, is our little omega worried about the big bad alphas?" he teases, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll make sure I go on the next mission so you can fret over me too."

Irritation flares within me, hot and sharp. Without thinking, I drive my elbow into Whiskey's ribs, relishing the satisfying grunt of pain that escapes him. But I'm not done. As he doubles over, I bring my knee up, slamming it into his padded stomach with all the force I can muster.

Whiskey stumbles back, wheezing as he tries to catch his breath. I can't help the smirk that tugs at my lips, a sense of vindication washing over me.

To my surprise, Thane laughs, the sound deep and genuine. "You deserved that, Whiskey," he says, shaking his head.

Whiskey just glares, still clutching his stomach as he straightens up. But there's a grudging respect in his eyes, a hint of admiration that he can't quite hide. "Yeah, whatever. Guess you're back to being an ice queen now that your heat's over, huh, kitten?"

I flip him off and he chuckles, but he's still rubbing his gut likea bear.

Thane's laughter fades, his expression growing serious as he turns to me. "Ivy, can I talk to you for a moment? Alone?"

I blink, caught off guard by the request.

But curiosity gets the better of me. I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral. "Sure."

Thane gestures toward the front door, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I thought we could take a walk. Get some fresh air."

I hesitate, my gaze flicking to Whiskey. But he's already backing away, hands raised in mock surrender. "Don't let me interrupt your little date," he says, his tone teasing. "I'll just be here, nursing my wounds."

I roll my eyes, but I can't quite suppress the flutter of nerves in my stomach as I fall into step beside Thane. It's the first time since we've been back that one of them has offered to take me outside and I'm not going to squander the opportunity. We pass through the door and the front gate, the cool breeze a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere inside the base.

We walk in silence, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet the only sound. I steal glances at Thane from the corner of my eye, trying to gauge his mood.But his expression is inscrutable, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

"I had to go into the capital city for work," Thane finally says, his voice breaking the stillness. "While I was there, I paid a visit to the Refinement Center."

My steps falter, my heart stuttering in my chest. I turn to look up at him, a chill seeping into my bones despite the warmth of the sun. The mention of the center fills me with a visceral terror, memories of cold, sterile halls and harsh, unyielding hands flooding my mind.

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why are you telling me this?"

Thane's gaze meets mine, his brow furrowing at the barely concealed fear in my tone. "Ivy, I?—"

"Are you sending me back?" The words tumble out, sharp and accusatory. Betrayal should be the first thing I feel, but it isn't. Instead, there's a sinking sense of inevitability, a resignation that this tentative peace, this illusion of belonging, was always destined to shatter.

Fuck him.

Fuckallalphas.

Thane's eyes widen, genuine horror etched across his features. "What? No, of course not!" He reaches for me, but I flinch back instinctively.Hurt flashes in his gaze, but he lets his hand drop. "Ivy, you're our omega. We would never send you back, not for any reason."

The sincerity in his voice catches me off guard, a lump forming in my throat. I want to believe him, want to trust in the conviction of his words. But trust is a fragile thing, easily broken by the harsh realities of this world.

"Then why did you go there?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Thane hesitates, his gaze searching mine. For a moment, I think he might brush off the question, retreat behind the wall of authority that always seems to separate us. But then he sighs, his shoulders sagging slightly.

Thane's gaze holds mine, unwavering. "I wanted to understand more about you, Ivy. About where you come from."

His words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I feel my throat tighten, constricting around the sudden swell of emotion that threatens to choke me.

"The Refinement Center is not where I come from," I manage to say, my voice rough and strained. "It's where I was taken. Held prisoner."