Chapter 18: : Chapter 17

She’s going to be working with another patient.

A Beta.

Doctor Porter mentioned it proudly, his excitement for his new pupil outweighing the rationale of not sharing private information with Erik.

It should be fine, really. Yet, he’s not sure how he feels about his darling Omega being in the same room as another mass murderer.

Him being the exception, of course.

He wants all her time to be spent with him. No one else should talk to her, let alone look at her.

She’s too precious for this world, let alone any of the cretins she wants to help.

Fuck.

And now, she has the audacity to ignore his texts, even though she won’t be in the building all weekend.

He’ll punish her for it later.

But for now, he needs to do more research.

It only takes a few minutes to find the death certificates of Ellie’s mother and sister, and his heart aches for his Omega.

He thinks about the smiles she fakes so easily and her talent for hiding any negative emotions from her face.

No one should need that ability.

He could sense her guilt when she spoke of the car accident, and it was like looking in a mirror. They’re more alike than she realizes, and the selfish part of him rejoices.

If he bares his soul to her, lays down his heart at her feet, perhaps she would understand.

He plans to tell her, eventually.

If the time comes.

* * *

The lights dim and he hears the generators click on.

It’s not the first time they’ve had an outage, but this storm is particularly violent, the wind shaking the windows, the thunder raging outside.

He thinks of her and worries. He can’t imagine the tiny cabin is well-equipped to deal with this kind of weather.

Are you alright?

He sends the message, hoping she’ll respond, trying to calm the panic that rises in his chest.

She’s from Los Angeles. She’s not used to this type of weather.

Message not delivered.

Maybe Gerard gave her a ride out of town before the storm hit.

Maybe she quit.

That’s going to make his plan a lot harder.

The door to his cell unlocks and Gerard enters, his eyes shooting to the phone in Erik’s hand.

The Alpha raises an eyebrow, challenging him to say anything about the contraband. Of course, the Beta doesn’t comment on it.

“Doctor Porter will be here during the storm,” he says, looking anywhere but at Erik. “He’s looking to have an extra session with you this weekend.”

But he barely registers the doctor’s words, as Ellie’s Omega scent hits him.

A low rumble builds in his chest as he narrows his eyes at Gerard. “She’s here,” he rumbles. “Isn’t she?”

But he already knows the answer. He smells her lust, desperation, and his need.

Her Heat is coming soon.

“She is,” Gerard confirms.

“Where is she staying?”

It’s not a question, it’s a demand, and Gerard notices.

“I’m not sure. Wherever Doctor Porter puts her.”

It’s no matter. He’ll find her.

He motions towards the guard’s key. “How much?”

Gerard’s eyes widen. “For my keys?”

“I know you have an extra set. Name your price.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind if you think—”

“Fifty thousand,” he interrupts. It’s a cheap offer, but Gerard doesn’t know it. He’d pay ten million if he needed to, just to have a set of keys.

The guard’s eyes are wide, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. “How—”

“I’ll send it to you right now, electronically.” Erik holds up the phone. “From my bank.”

Gerard sputters, shaking his head. “Bullshit. There’s no way—”

“Keep talking, and I lower it to ten thousand.”

The Beta quickly spews out his banking information, and within seconds, Gerard is fifty thousand dollars richer.

“It would help if you left for the night, too,” Erik adds nonchalantly.

“Are you going to kill her?” Gerard asks quietly.

The Alpha snarls at him. “Do you think I’d fucking kill an Omega? Give me your key, before I take them myself.”

Spooked, Gerard tosses his set of keys, leaving the cell door open. “Porter’s in his office right now,” he says quickly. “Just make sure he doesn’t catch you.”

“And Gerard?” Erik says, just as the guard turns to leave. “I won’t forget how easily you put Ellie at risk.”

The Beta pales and hurries off.

Erik stands up and shuts the cell door, preparing himself for what’s coming.