He took a few steps forward and put a big, calloused hand around the base of my throat. It slowly traveled up the columnof my neck, sending shivers down my spine, until it reached my chin, which he tilted up so our eyes met.
“Good girl, Rowan.”
His words shot straight to my clit and made it pulse as he held the cold glass to my lips and tipped it forward. I gulped the water down greedily, not entirely satisfied when the liquid was gone.
“Please, may I have some more sir, I’m still very thirsty,” I said sweetly, hoping he might refill the glass of water.
“You learn quickly.”
As much as I hated him, a small part of me preened under his praise. My instincts urged me to make Cade happy, while my rational mind told me to scream and throw things at the control freak who was part of the plot to kidnap me.
He stuck his thick fingers into the glass and fished out an ice cube.
“Open your mouth,” he directed, as he held the ice cube up to my lips, rubbing it back and forth.
The frozen liquid soothed my chapped lips. I had only opened my mouth a small amount, which was not adequate for Cade because he impatiently demanded, “Wider, Rowan.”
As soon as I parted my lips further, he plunged the ice cube and his thick fingers inside.
“Suck,” he commanded.
I waited for him to remove his fingers so I could follow his command, but he left them in my mouth, waiting. I realized then that he had wanted me to suck on the ice cube while he held it inside. It felt so cool and soothing in my dry mouth, so I gave him what he wanted, trying to quench my thirst, sucking hard onhis fingers and slurping the melted water. This seemed to satisfy him, and he pulled his hand out of my mouth abruptly, leaving the ice cube inside. When he removed his fingers, it made me feel strangely… empty.
“Since you are being so agreeable, I will get you another glass of water once you’ve freshened up and used the restroom. Can you stand up?” he asked, helping to pull back the bedding and swing my limp legs off the side of the bed.
As I was standing, I spotted an empty bowl, a bottle of body wash, and a large yellow sponge on the nightstand. My body went rigid.
Had they washed me while I slept?
Had they touched me without my permission?
Cade noticed my gaze lingering on the objects. He smirked, clearly sensing the fear tightening my posture. “Don’t worry, Rowan,” he said with a low chuckle. “The nurses handled that. None of us have touched you... yet.”
I exhaled, the tension easing from my chest. Relief washed over me, but it left behind faint nerves I couldn’t quite shake.
I was wearing nothing but an oversized white T-shirt, which was undoubtedly his, because of its whiskey scent. I tried to put weight on my legs, but they had been out of commission for a while, so I stumbled. Cade caught me around the waist, steadying me against him. He stood behind me, providing stability, with one of his hands firmly gripping the base of my neck, guiding me to the door. He steered me out of the room into a simple common area.
There was a living room to the left and a kitchen to the right, with a hallway across the space which I assumed ledto more bedrooms. The common area had all the necessities for living somewhat comfortably, such as a cushy black leather couch, a few armchairs, a coffee table, and a large flat screen TV mounted to the wall; however, it was devoid of any personal items. A bunch of men had certainly decorated the apartment, considering there were no decorations at all. It was tidy though, which was surprising as several single men lived in the quarters. I wondered who the clean-freak was. Probably drillmaster Cade, although I hadn’t met the other unit members. Were they all as controlling and neurotic as he was?
“It’s not much, but we won’t be here for long. Including you, we have five pack members. Our unit is only stationed in Falcon City while one of our packmates, Killian, recovers. He suffered an injury on duty and has been receiving medical treatment. Most of our personal items are still at our permanent station, a base situated near The Border Front.”
“You’re stationed near The Border Front?!” I asked incredulously, trying not to let fear creep into my voice.
I had never been near the border. It was for military personnel only, highly guarded, and utterly terrifying. Alphas, betas, omegas and shifters weren’t the only genetic mutations that forever changed the pre-existing world. Mutated subhuman creatures lurked in the territory beyond our new civilized society and its fortified wall. Creatures who let their instincts override their humanity.
“Weare stationed near The Border Front. It will be your home too, soon enough. Don’t be afraid, Little Omega; we’ll keep you safe. The Border Front Base is one of the most crucial bases in New Arca. It has state-of-the-art facilities, including a training center, a medical hospital, and a science laboratory, similar to this base. Our special unit operates out of that location becauseof its proximity to The Northern Borderlands. Most of our covert missions take place at or beyond the border.”
“You’ve been past the border?! Really? How?! What is it like?” I questioned with morbid curiosity.
When I was young, I found a box hidden in the deepest recess of my father’s closet. Inside were photographs of grotesque, mutilated creatures, so horrific they etched themselves into my mind and haunted my dreams for months. My father caught me rifling through it and snatched the box away as fast as he could, his face pale and tight with something like fear. But the damage was already done.
Arca’s propaganda team liked to rally political support and funding for the military using the public’s fear of what lay beyond the wall. I always thought going past it was a death sentence and didn’t know of anyone who had been north, let alone frequented that lawless, savage territory and survived.
“Yes,” Cade said in a clipped tone, without elaborating or answering questions.
Okay, I guess that was the end of the conversation.
Good talk.