8

Amara's POV

The car ride was quiet, as we drove into the city. I didn't huff or puff or sigh with attitude. I just remained quiet as I played on my phone, I was sure he would probably ask who I was talking to. I know for a fact that that would lead to a fight. Billy has messaged me since yesterday so maybe he has decided to take a step back from me.

"I really think we should talk about what happened back at the house." Rafael said. I just glanced at him.

"You're the alpha. Speak." I said.

"Okay you know what this all stops now!" he said swiftly. "I don't do childish drama and we are both adults here so we need to communicate as adults. Yes, you are my beta and I am your alpha. We cannot change this fact. I am not going to keep going back and forth with you on something neither of us can change every time you don't like what I have to say." Now I crossed my arms sinking into my seat. It was like listening to my father.

"I want this to work between us, I really do. But if you're just going to give me attitude then we can live like roommates and I won't talk to you until you're ready to talk. You can be responsible for your own shit! But when you are out in the city, I want to know where you are and what time you plan to be back. That's it. I'll even tell you where I am and when I'll be home." I tensed more at the anger in his voice. "So tell me how you want to do this, Amara, because after this talk we aren't going to talk about it again." My blood was boiling, and I felt the anger rise in me now. I wouldn't ignore the fact that he was given me the power of when I could speak to him. He could have just said that we'd talk when he was ready for us to talk. He could have easily said I had to move my things into his room and that what he said goes from now on. I even took note of the fact he was willing to tell me where he was. But that would still mean he'd probably want to know who I was with, if it was a man or a woman.

The anger filled me even quicker with those thoughts now. My mother was wrong. I couldn't get to know him, I didn't want to know him! I just looked away and out at the cars that passed us on the opposite side of the street.

"We can live as roommates. I will pay for anything I want from here on out. I would actually like that." I said coldly. I could feel his eyes looking at me now and I just looked straight ahead.

"Alright. Fine." he said. I didn't want to see the look of disappointment or sadness in his eyes. He didn't care about my sadness so why should I care about his? I kept my eyes out the window looking at the numerous people walking down the streets of the city. I wondered who was an alpha and a beta. I couldn't see any looks of sadness on the faces as we drove past everyone so fast. Oh Albert, I regret ever agreeing to this deal.

Barba's POV

Great. I didn't think she'd agree to the roommate deal so quickly. I thought maybe she'd want to negotiate at least. I've never felt so sad before over anything before but knowing that my beta was willing to take a deal or any agreement that involved doing the opposite of me. It hurt more than I cared to show. I've spoken to other alphas before and it wasn't until recently that I realized when they told me they found their betas they always talked about how they felt. They were happy and ecstatic about finding their mates. But they never told me how their betas felt… and I never asked. I meant what I said about needing to end this argument between us, but I at least thought maybe she'd want to try and just negotiate or go for a counter argument. By this point I was losing my mind. The fact she is this close to me is starting to drive me crazy, but the fact she isn't compliant is making my instincts take over. The alpha in me wants me to bend her over and fuck her until she's compliant.

But that wasn't who I was either. I would never force my beta to do anything she didn't want… except sign a legal document saying she was agreeing to be with me or face jail time. I inwardly groaned. I needed to talk to Olivia, she'd know what to do. Because this was not working… for either of us. I looked at Amara to just see her leaning against the window.

Amara's POV

We arrived at the precinct, and I followed behind Rafael in silence. Cops were moving all over the place and it made the entire room look busy. I remained silent. I looked around to see cops and criminals being placed in cells. I scowled at the thought of being back in that cell. I'd probably still be there and be transferred to a cell or a courtroom or something worse. Rafael stopped in front of a black cop and a tall white cop with slick hair.

"So we got a guy who refuses to talk about what happened between he and our victim?" Rafael started. The black cop scoffed.

"Oh he talks. But it's not in a language I recognize. Some kind of made up language" he replied. I looked down for a moment. AntiDom members, special members, spoke in a made up code taught to us by Albert himself. A few of us knew it. It took a while to learn. Rafael arched a brow.

"Okay, so that's the only way we can get him to speak? Have you brought in a translator?" he asked. The two detectives nodded.

"Yeah, but it's made up, not any actual languages." the older detective told. I looked up at them now.

"Let me speak to him." I said. Now all eyes were on me. Rafael looked me over curiously.

"You know the language?" he asked. I nodded.

"Only a few of us in AntiDom know the language. I know it and apparently so does this guy, so I'm sure I know him." I replied. The two other cops looked at each other and Rafael looked at them both with a nervous exhale.

"Gentleman, this is Amara O'Neal my beta." he said. The two cops eyes flexed some as if not expecting those words to come out of his mouth. "Amara these are Detectives Fin Tutuola and this is Sonny Carisi. Boys, Amara is- was a member of AntiDom she's going to help us only today with the AntiDom case." he said. Carisi's eyes widened and he looked at me.

"Wait what? You know they are a terrorist group right?" he asked. I scoffed.

"You must be an alpha pig to even think that." I said crossing my arms. Carisi looked like he was going to argue back, but Rafael waved his hands in front of us.

"Okay let's not forget how old we are and leave our infant thoughts at the door. Let's go." he said and moved to the back of the building where the interrogating rooms are. Carisi and I just eyed each other as I followed after their ADA. My mind then drifted back to who this person was I was going to see. I could only imagine what I was going to say to them. When we got to one of the rooms, I was introduced to the same female cop from yesterday, Chief Olivia Benson and Amanda Rollins, her beta. I hid my frown from them and just nodded at them. They could tell from my body language that I was reluctant to be here. I was looking at the person inside when my eyes suddenly widened.

"You know him." Olivia said observing me now. I nodded.

"Orion. He was the first to join Albert in our cause. He then invited me and we brought in more people who are against alphas." I said. Amanda arched a brow.

"Well he won't talk in English." she said. I nodded looking down some and then back up at the glass.

"Yes. He is strongly for the cause." I said. Orion had long brunette locks and green eyes with peach creamy skin and a muscular build. All the girls were into him. Even me at one point. Even now we are still close. He was just sitting back in his chair, his arms crossed.

"So you know the language then?" Amanda asked. I only nodded. Olivia gave half a nod.

"Then give it a shot." she said. I nodded again looking at all of them.

"I'll need to go in alone." I replied. Rafael looked at me in shock before shaking his head.

"What, no. You aren't going in there alone." he told. I looked at him.

"If you want me to get information to help your case, then you need to let me do this my way. He won't trust you." I said. Olivia looked at me with questioning eyes before looking at Rafael.

"Barba… let her do it." she said softly. Amanda looked impressed, and I just nodded and moved over to the door. Rafael sighed and watched me enter. Once I was inside, Orion looked at me with shock.

"Mara?" he asked. I smiled warmly and nodded.

"I heard you beat up an alpha. Bad ass." I replied. He didn't look pleased.

"Why are you here? You never contacted anyone when you got out. But I see why now. You working for the cops. " he stated. I was silent for a moment and slowly I moved over to sit in front of him. He was good at reading people's faces, their emotions. "One of them is your alpha." I nodded and leaned in.

"Yes. After the riot, I was brought in. My alpha found me and agreed to keep me out of jail if I agreed to be his beta and give information on the tribe." I told. Now his eyes widened, and he stood from his chair, sending it flying back. I leaned back into my chair.

"So you betrayed us!" he boomed. The door opened and in came Olivia and Rafael.

"Why don't we take it easy." Olivia demanded. I stood up and raised my hands to Olivia.

"It's okay. I got this." I replied before motioning to the door for them to go. Rafael definitely did not want to move from his spot. I just stared at him intently and he just sighed through his nostrils before he and Olivia stepped out of the door. I knew Orion wouldn't hurt me. I then looked back at him now with a frown.

"I had to do what I had to do… when I was arrested Albert did not come to see us to bail me out- he didn't come for any of us. He was going to leave us in prison." I exclaimed. Orion immediately shook his head.

"No. No he wouldn't do that." he said, denial written all in his tone. I just raised my hands.

"Well I got out and it was not with his help." I stated. He just shook hishead.

"So you're given AntiDom up then?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yes in order to stay out of jail, yes." I replied. Orion frowned.

"But what else did you have to give up… your freedom?" he asked. I was stiff at his words before glancing back at the glass and I knew they were all watching me. I looked back at Orion.

"Albert didn't come. You didn't come. So I did what I had to do for me." I said. Orion's eyes softened some as he looked down at me with a soft gaze.

"I'm sorry, had I known-"

"You would have asked Albert to get me out of which he may have said bide your time, let them sacrifice themselves for the cause." I interrupted.

"You don't know that." he said. I just stared at him heavily and nodded.

"I was in that jail cell all…day. He left a lot of us exposed to people who could have been our alphas. He left us open to be claimed. And I was claimed." I said lightly looking down at the ground now. Orion just stared at me with guilt but I shook my head.

"But none of that matters now. I'm done with AntiDom." I responded and he frowned shaking his head now.

"Then why are we even talking then. You're just like them and I don't talk to the enemy." he spat turning from me.

"Because if you tell me the truth then I can maybe get you out of here. I can at least try where Albert didn't for me." I said to his back. I then approached him slowly placing my hands on his shoulder and slowly turning him to face me. "Hey AntiDom owes me that much." He just stared at me with deep eyes before exhaling through his nose and looking down nodding slowly. I nodded back.

"Why did you attack the alpha?" I asked.

Orion frowned then looked over my shoulder at the window.

"Not like these alpha fucks will believe me." he said glaring.

"But I will believe you." I said gently. Orion looked down at me, jaw clenching in thought.

"I was out with a few of the girls. Some guys were harassing them. Talking about how they will one day be somebody's bitch. We both were throwing punches. The cops showed up and they told the cops I had just attacked him. Of course the cops believed them right off the back when finding out we were betas!" he yelled out. I looked down in sadness upon hearing the clear anger.

I took hold of his shoulders.

"I will tell them. My alpha will believe me and will help you get out of here." I replied. He scoffed and motioned his head at the door.

"Your alpha, that lawyer. I could see it in his eyes how much he worried about you when I made a scene." he said. I took hold of his shoulders keeping his attention.

"Yes that means he can help the best he can. I'll talk to him." I said and turned from him only for him to take hold of my shoulders and pull me in, placing his forehead to mine.

"Don't forget who your people are Mara. Don't let them corner you. There were books and TV shows about how people came to be alphas and betas, but now all articles of their existence was destroyed by the government. You can't believe the alphas are good." he said. I stared at him shocked at his words before the door opened swiftly and this time Rafael led in the charge with a glare.

"Okay that's enough." he snapped. I nodded slowly at Orion.

"I understand." I said, and Orion smiled and released me slowly.

"I hope we meet again." he said. But we both knew that wasn't happening. I backed away slowly and Rafael took my hand and led me back outside. Once the door closed, I noticed Carisi and Fin were there.

"What the hell was that all about?" Fin asked.

"Yes I'd also like to know." Rafael said crossing his arms. I shook my head.

"AntiDom is a tribe. We are taught to be open and express our feelings in anyway. I express with words, he expresses with his body is all." I said. Rafael just stared at me.

"That doesn't even sound remotely okay." he said.

"Yeah to an alpha." I said. Now he gave me a stressed look as if saying 'here we go again'. Olivia raised her hands.

"Okay, okay. So what happened?" she asked. I looked at her.

"He said the men were harassing the girls in our group. He said some mean things so Orion was defending them. They both were fighting. The cops just didn't believe Orion or the girls because they are betas." I said. Amanda scoffed.

"Really? Have you seen the guys face? And you say some words were enough to set him off?" she pressed. I glared at her not liking her already.

"He knew you all wouldn't even believe him, and now I see why. I guess cops aren't really here to protect everyone after all." I snapped. Now everyone started to come at me as if offended. But Rafael raised his hands.

"Okay okay enough! Has the victim decided to press charges?" he asked everyone. Olivia shook his head.

"No." she said.

"Probably afraid AntiDom will come find him if he does." Carisi said. I scoffed.

"AntiDom, doesn't attack people for revenge. Only for defense." I said.

"Oh right, so you were raiding government warehouses for weapons for what reason?" Carisi asked sharply, and I whipped my head at him and now everyone looked at me waiting for my answer.

"Because not too long ago, one of our own was raped and brutally beaten by a man. And because the cops saw she had no alpha and was a part of AntiDom, they didn't even look into it. She got no justice and so she killed herself. So I convinced Albert to go get guns to protect ourselves. I just didn't think he'd break into a government warehouse to do it. I thought he'd legally buy them." I answered truthfully before looking at Orion through the window. He was sitting down waiting with his fingers crossed. "Orion was the only one who had my back."

Rafael looked through the window and then at Olivia.

"Well if no charges are being brought against him… release him." he said. I smiled warmly now, and Rafael looked at everyone before leaving out the room. I had no choice, but to follow. He had taken his coat off, and I assumed we would be here for a while. We were out in the hall before he turned to me. It was so quick, I almost ran into him.

"What else was said in that room? He didn't look too happy about some things that was said." he said. I shook my head.

"Nothing that needs to be repeated." I said. He gave me a doubtful look.

"Oh yes it does. If we are going to keep the agreement steady, then we need to be honest with each other." he said. I bit the inside of my cheek.

"I just told him that I have an alpha now. He thinks I betrayed him by giving in to you. But I told him I only agreed to your terms because AntiDom didn't help me or any of the other members get out of jail. I did what I had to do." I said lowly. He stared at me for a moment, eyes mildly softening some. He nodded.

"Thank you for telling him about leaving AntiDom. You won't be involved anymore here on out." he said. I arched a brow in confusion.

"What is your case against them anyways?" I asked. He looked at me and shook his head.

"If I tell you then you'll be involved." he said and turned and began to walk down the hall. I felt like I saw that coming, so I wasn't as pissed as I thought I would be.

"So wait. Can he go?" I asked.

"Yes. I will go finish some paper work so he can go. As long as he doesn't get into any more trouble and you don't come into contact with him anymore he should be fine." he said. I felt that coming. I felt I should have been ready to fight him on his words, but instead I just nodded.

"Alright." I said and he looked almost stunned at my sudden agreement. He looked around some before looking me over.

"When's the fight coming?" he asked suspiciously. I shrugged and shook my head.

"I don't fight with my roommates." I said and turned and move to wait out in the lobby.