Gray (The Boundarylands #10) - Callie Rhodes Page 0,20

question was made necessary by the fact that his omega didn't often give him the whole story despite being truthful. Which made her smart: she knew he'd sense any dishonesty and cagily adapted.

Her glare answered before her mouth moved. "I'm not in the habit of making conversation with people who threaten my family."

Understandable. Frustrating but understandable.

And it didn't bring him any closer to figuring out what the betas were really doing on his property. What exactly was all this crap? What information was it recording? And most importantly, what the fuck were the betas planning to do with all the data?

He needed answers, but all he had was a pile of mismatched puzzle pieces.

"Maybe if you explained what's confusing you, I might be able to help."

Doubtful.

In Gray's experience, most betas had an overly simplistic view of the world, so focused on the big picture that they missed the details.

But maybe not this one. Olivia had already proved that she was different. She had to be a pretty skilled photographer to catch the attention of whatever agency was involved, which meant she already had a keen eye for detail.

And then, of course, was the simple fact that she was no longer a beta. It was possible that the change in her nature had already sharpened her senses.

Gray pressed his lips together. Fine. He'd swallow his pride and accept her help...but just this once.

"I'm trying to understand why this Alpha Control Division really sent you," he said.

"I already told you that.” Her voice was filled with exasperation. "They wanted pictures."

Though Gray understood the omega's irritation, he was dealing with his own anger, and he'd be willing to bet hers didn't hold a candle to the storm brewing inside him. The mere thought of being spied on by a bunch of fucking betas was bad enough, but if this pile of shredded electronics was what he thought it was, the real story might well be a hell of a lot worse.

"But why?" Gray said, trying a new line of questioning. "Did this mysterious government agent you described ever explain why he wanted you to surveil me specifically, rather than some other alpha?"

Olivia shook her head. "The only thing he said was that you were a subject with a predictable schedule. That meant they could move me in and out without detection."

That was true enough. Knowing the others looked to him as a leader, Gray made it a point to visit the roadhouse every three days to settle whatever issues came up. He'd learned the hard way that if he stayed away too long, troubles tended to snowball, and disputes turned into brawls.

Still, the fact that the beta authorities knew his schedule so well revealed that they'd been tracking him for a while.

"That's what they called me? A ‘subject?'"

"That's the only word they ever used. He never told me your name."

"And, again, you never asked."

Olivia bristled, her eyes flashing a tawny warning. "Easy for you to say. You know not all of us are muscle-bound giants who can intimidate anyone who looks our way, or government agents with armies of snipers at their beck and call. Us regular people sometimes have to choose between speaking up or staying alive."

Gray couldn't remember the last time someone dared to speak to him like that, and his reaction was instant and visceral, adrenaline sparking his urge to lash out.

"Don't you ever compare me to those beta bastards again."

To his surprise, there was no change in her scent, no increase in her fear. She merely stared at him, looking distinctly unimpressed, and then burst into laughter.

At him.

Gray slowly shook his head in disbelief. It seemed nothing about this day was going to make sense. "What's so fucking funny?"

Her laughter ceased as abruptly as it started, leaving her looking wholly defeated. She let go of the back of the chair and came around to collapse into it.

"Who do you think you're kidding? You're exactly just like him. The only difference is your chest measurements and inseam."

Had she lost her mind? Gray couldn't keep shaking off her insults. "Watch your mouth, woman, or I'll—"

"You'll what?" she taunted him, the spark of challenge in her eyes at odds with her sprawling posture. "Kill me and my family? Use me against my will? You know what—I don't ever want to know your name. I don't care. Since you treat me just like that stupid agent did, you might as well stay anonymous too."

That did it. Of all her insults, this one managed