Chapter 5

Jack

With a sigh, I peer out at the turbulent ocean and consider if we can depart today or if we will need to spend another night. Brian and I, as well as possibly the beta we retrieved from the mess, need to leave this place. I'm not a man of honor by any means, but something about this facility smells fishy, and it has more to do with it than the reward we received for bringing in a helpless omega.

The way Arthur acts, the way they keep the communal women in the mess, the way Arthur's generals misbehave—it's all about the rig. On the barge off the shore of what used to be Miami, where I was raised, life was hard, but it wasn't like this. The rig is absolutely not civilized; it is primitive. These people won't be giving us another contract.

The girl's name turned out to be Rose, and after we rescued her from Lucas's grasp, they immediately clicked. Brian prefers to avoid interacting with alphas, but he was pleased to smuggle her out. She then volunteered to share all of her knowledge about the rig with us.

The state of affairs in this place is much worse than I had anticipated. Years ago, when I was just starting out as a mercenary, I went here for another task, but a lot has changed since then. The Angels' control over the South has loosened, and in 2028, it appears that a group of Omegas fled the Rig.

Although Arthur and his followers kept it quiet, a lot of things in this area changed as a result. Rose claims that although things were already terrible, they just grew worse. The Omegas were imprisoned with their partners and forced to spend all of their time inside. Because they were made into slaves, beta girls substituted for any unmated alpha. And who disobeyed...?

With Rose curled against his side, Brian murmurs, "We need to leave," as he eats a fast lunch in the mess. Although I wouldn't call him a good guy, I must give him credit for doing what he can when the chance presents itself. We're going to die in this location.

"I thought you were eager to stay," I retorted.

"Sure, I was", he replies, "until you got into a battle with one of the top alphas on the rig".

"Please don't leave me." Rose asks "I doubt I'll be secure."

"If necessary, I'll buy you off Arthur", says Brian. "Sweetheart, don't worry. You're safe".

The beta cuddles up even tighter as he kisses the top of her head.

"I advise that we stay for at least one more night for the weather to improve. We'll definitely sink because our little skiff can't withstand a strong cyclone this far out". I say.

"And here I was thinking you were the one wanting to go". Brian chuckles.

"I want us to live." I groan

But he is aware that there is more to it than that. On the rig, there is a terrible situation occurring, and Cherry is definitely involved.

There have been rumors of a thrilling event tonight ever since we first ventured outside of our bunks this morning. I've overheard conversations about it, including mentions of Arthur's gift and the traitor's final punishment. I realize that's none of my concern, but if the storm is holding us here anyhow, it seems foolish for them to execute her straight soon.

 "How will the ceremony go?" I prompted Rose.

Her breath stumbled as her lips grew trembling.

She explains, "Normally, it's done at the full moon, but it just passed. Kind of an omegas-claiming ceremony. All of the recently turned eighteen-year-old girls are brought out to be claimed, and after that, they...let the alphas fight for them".

Brian has to take a second look. "Pardon me?"

"It might turn violent", Rose warns. "And with Elsa Woods back at home, it would be unusual to do it now".

She starts to say something but stops herself.

Brian murmurs, "I swear, this alpha and omega stuff is the wildest sh*t I've ever heard of. I don't get it; how is it that Rose and I both have lycanthropy but only you are obsessed with it?"

"Brian, keep in mind that I'm muscular". I say ." That explains it ".

"What actually occurs at this event, then?" Brian queries as he turns to face Rose. 

 "doesn't sound like the best time."

"Hard to say", says Rose. "Since before the omegas escaped, I haven't seen it. But based on what I observe and hear in the aftermath...? They argue over the omegas until one of them ruts or bites her as they congregate on the terrace. Because Arthur only wants the greatest, the alphas demonstrate their dominance in that way. He desires that the lineage be passed along by the strongest alpha-taking omegas".

Brian snarls, "Psychotic." He turns to face me." Right, brave the hurricane, then?"

I take a breath out.

 "We'll stay and wait out the storm", I respond. "Safer that way, just stay inside while they perform their strange ceremony, and then when the weather is clear, we'll go outside. Brian, are you aware that hurricanes should not be messed with?."

Brian responds, "And neither are crazy alphas. But, I believe in you, Jack. Over the years, you have never led me astray."

A few hours later, the storm hits.

It has been building all along and is now in full force, generating a storm surge that might have capsized several of the boats anchored to the port. Brian and Rose are snuggled in the bottom bunk while I'm on the top bunk as rain pours onto the metal roof of our bunkhouse. I make an effort to forget about the ceremony even though I do not need to. This shouldn't be my concern as I brought in the shipment and received the payment. Though it is.

I believe I'm biting into a cherry just picked from the branch because I keep smelling sweet spring fruit in the air. My wolfsbane should have run out by now, and my rut should be done. However, the energy around the Rig may be deceiving me and bringing out my lycan traits when they should be latent until the next full moon. I'm having trouble falling asleep as it gets later because we have to leave early tomorrow.

The sides of the rig are violently slapped by the roar of the water. In my head, desire is constantly shouting to be satisfied.

It's after nightfall when I first hear shouting outside, which is a certain indication that something concerning the Rig's alphas is occurring. My eyes are wide open as I look up at the ceiling and all I can make out are the curling red hair and freckles in the rusty pattern.

I don't believe I can abandon her. Not knowing what's in store for her, I wouldn't.

I am aware that I owe her nothing. If I take action on this, I'll be fucking over Brian. I'll be screwing myself, fucking over Rode, and possibly killing us all.

But I need to appease my wolf. As the sound of voices outside grows louder, I find myself getting out of the top bed and stumbling to the floor. Brian is looking at me from the shadows of the bottom bunk with open, slightly lycanthropic eyes.

"Don't," he commands.

It's a caution I've previously disregarded.

It's a warning I'll disregard once more.

I gaze at the door while clenching my fists at my side. Brian is a callous fuck; even if I told him that I care for her, he wouldn't give a damn. I'm not sure how I feel about her, but I can't abandon her to the wolves.

I exit into the downpour. As the storm approaches, the wind whips at me, and the platform suddenly experiences a break in the rain. When I look up, I can see the three-quarter moon above, with grey clouds closing in on us, so we must be near the eye's edge. They intended for the tension, wrath, and adrenaline to escalate in this manner. As I go into the thronging mob to enter the fray, I feel it just as much as any other alpha does, like a partial transformation coming over me.

One hapless figure with a tall alpha at her side is surrounded by at least thirty alphas in a circle. The prime is standing next to his hunched-over daughter Cherry, who is wearing a barely-there turquoise shift. Crystalline water droplets are stuck to her red hair's curls, which conceal her face.

My Wolf stirs and growls a warning to everyone else nearby. They move away from me as soon as they detect the warning.

I'm going to get her out even though I came here to give her to her father,

even if it means my death.