Ransom (The Unchained Omegaverse #1) - Callie Rhodes Page 0,65

they hit the tree line, the vehicles started fanning out to encircle him.

No doubt, the bastards thought the move would give them the tactical advantage they needed, but they were wrong. Dead wrong.

Nothing could stop Ransom now.

It wasn't just protecting Gretchen that had sent his heightened abilities into overdrive. There was more to it than that. Ransom could feel it in his veins. His senses, his skills—they far outpaced a typical alpha's abilities.

He had changed into something else. Something more.

And there could only be one reason why.

Fulmer, in his attempts to push Ransom to his limits, had gotten more than he bargained for. All those experiments, all those tests and serums, using the alphas as lab rats for endurance and stamina and immune response had backfired. Instead of finding the key to beta dominance, the bastard had accidentally created a superior alpha.

The proof was all around. The scar left by the bullet only days ago had already faded away. Somehow, though he'd just wiped out more betas than could be counted on one hand. His stamina was increasing, not flagging. Ransom could feel his power surging with every bullet he dodged, every assault he blunted, every killing blow.

And then there was the greatest proof of all—Gretchen.

She was the sweetest revenge he could have ever asked for. The one thing Fulmer had strived for—to take away an alpha's purpose—hadn't just been a failure but a glorious defeat. If there were other escaped alphas out there like him—and Ransom didn't doubt for a second that there were—then their futures were no longer bound to games of genetic chance.

Any woman they wanted could be theirs.

Any.

Now they could live life on their own terms. By their own rules. Slay those who dared to try to take what was theirs. Defend their women with their lives. Live free, even if it meant tearing beta civilization apart.

Ransom stood in the center of the circle of vehicles that were quickly tightening around him, ready to face the next battle. But before the first shot could be fired, the hot summer breeze carried a too-familiar scent his way.

Bilious and sour, there was only one man evil enough to give off that stench.

Fulmer.

Feet firmly planted on the ground, Ransom spun toward the direction of the foul scent as the jeeps pulled into position. Much to his surprise, every one of them held their fire.

The muscles in Ransom's jaw tightened. That wasn't a good sign. There was only one reason they would be under orders not to shoot him on sight—Fulmer was planning a grand reveal. One he wanted Ransom to be alive to see.

And Ransom caught wind of his surprise just moments before the beta bastard emerged from the woods—the tell-tale sweet ginger scent of his woman.

Throwing back his head, he let out a roar loud enough to shake the heavens as Gretchen was dragged into view. Ever the coward, Fulmer held her by the hair, desecrating her beautiful tresses with his boney fingers, shoving her in front of him as a shield. The son of a bitch even had the audacity to smirk as he pressed a gun to her delicate white neck.

"Number forty-two. I have to admit, you've led me on a hell of a chase." Any grudging admiration in Fulmer's voice was overshadowed by pure hatred. "I take it you were the one responsible for the explosion at the facility."

Ransom let his growl answer for him. His whole body tensed with rage, ready to strike.

But Fulmer read his body language and tightened his grip on Gretchen's hair, causing her to gasp in pain. "Not a good plan, friend. I think you're better off staying right where you are," he said. "At least, she certainly is. You might be fast, but not faster than a bullet."

"Let her go," Ransom choked out, pure anger searing his veins.

"Hmmm." Fulmer pretended to think it over. "No, I don't think I will. I don't know if you ever had a chance to play poker before being relocated to the Basement, Forty-two, but only an idiot would fold while holding a winning hand." He caressed Gretchen's cheek with the cold steel barrel. "You see, I've got your omega. Your one vulnerability. And that means I'm the one who will be calling the shots."

"Let her go," Ransom thundered. Above him, dozens of birds took to the air.

"I'll admit, I was…surprised when you were able to change a true beta," Fulmer continued as if Ransom hadn't said a word. "I didn't know that was