Sigma

by Annie Nicholas

  “Fuck no, he’d never betray Sugar. I’m not his biggest fan, but when it comes to loyalty, I know she’s his highest priority.” He scratched his head. “Luke has D’s phone and texted us–” Gaping at the device in his hand, he wanted to smash his head against the brick wall for being so stupid. “They traced the fucking text to the apartment. Oh, shit.”

  He stood, his hurt leg almost giving out. “I have to get back. They’re my responsibility. Fuck, Sugar can’t even run and Spice is pregnant.” Could shifters die from heart attacks? Because he was having one right now. He smashed the phone against the ground, shattering it into pieces. “We need to get away from here. Luke could have traced that last call.”

  Reaching for his beast, he tried to shift, but it wouldn’t rise to his call. His knees gave out and he landed hard on the asphalt.

  “What’s wrong?” Clementine clasped her hands around his face.

  “The silver from the bullet is in my blood stream. It doesn’t take much to weaken a werewolf and I can’t shift.”

  Cold claws of fear gripped Sam’s heart. Spice had told them about her experience when she couldn’t shift when Chen had poisoned her with silver. He’d shrugged it off, but now he knew his alpha female had balls of steel for keeping her head together through that ordeal.

  He curled over his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground, and called to his beast. The twins needed him and so did Clementine. What kind of sigma was he?

  Cool fingers slipped into his. “What do you need? I’ll get it for you, no matter what it is.” She crouched close to him and spoke by his ear.

  “Food might help. All this shifting and fighting takes energy. I’ve had only one meal in the past two days.” That might be why he couldn’t shift. It required stamina to shift twice in one day. He’d never had trouble before, but then he hadn’t fought vampires and been shot.

  The sharp scent of blood surrounded him, but it wasn’t his own. He glanced at Clementine.

  She was cutting her wrist deep with a piece of broken glass that surrounded the Dumpster.

  “Stop.” He flinched as she dug deeper.

  “If it’s too shallow, it will close fast.” She brought her wound to his mouth. “Drink. My blood should heal you and give you the energy you need.”

  His stomach curled. “Babe.”

  “Do it. The twins need you.” She touched his cheek. “I need you.”

  He pressed his mouth around the wound and drank. She tasted of fine salt and velvety cream. Her blood trickled down his throat and awoke a more savage instinct within his beast. Gripping her arm, he sucked harder.

  She hissed, but didn’t deny him.

  Power pulsed from his stomach. It flooded his veins and pounded in his heart. His beast roared at his summons. He wrenched his mouth off Clementine. “Hot fucking damn.” He staggered to his feet and glanced at the healing wound on his legs. “Daedalus never healed us like that.”

  “His kind can’t. His blood would kill you. Nosferatu are a different class of vampire. More creature than human.”

  Sam wanted to lean back and howl at the moon. He wanted to tear Clementine’s clothes off and fuck her against the brick wall. Shit, he swung his head back and forth. He had something to do first. “My thoughts are all…” He rubbed his forehead. “I’m all instincts right now. My beast, it’s got more control over me than usual.” Sweat ran over his limbs. Clementine’s blood was like crack for shifters. “Was I supposed to be doing something?”

  “The twins, we need to help them.”

  “Yes, the twins. I can’t drive like this.”

  “We don’t have a car. Shift and I’ll ride you like I did before.”

  He snarled and yanked her close, his cock hard and ready. “I want to ride you.” The seam of her dress sleeve tore.

  She gasped. “Later, Sam.” Then slapped him across the face hard. “You have to take control. Sugar’s in danger. You’re her sigma.”

  He blinked. The human female, the one who smelled nice and who was always kind to him, made him feel wanted. With a shudder, he shifted to his beast form as Clementine suggested and allowed her onto his back. It was time to hunt.

  Chapter 10

  The race across the city left Sam breathless upon arriving at the apartment building. They kept to the alleys and less traveled roads, trying to avoid humans and Pal Robi vampires.

  If those bloodsuckers hurt Daedalus and his pack mates, there would be hell to pay. First, he needed to make sure the twins were safe. Please let them be sleeping. They could have been so tired that the phone didn’t wake them. On both calls he’d made.

  His heart dragged like a lead anchor. At least the run had helped to wear off his blood high. What an aphrodisiac. He could have drilled a hole through granite with the hard-on it had given him.

  All the windows of the building were dark, which was normal for this time of night. They crouched across the street, hiding behind a parked car.

  He shifted back to human form so they could talk. “Stay here. I’ll go inside and check things out, then come back for you.”

  She set the butt of the rifle between them. “And if the vampires who want me dead show up? Do you mind if I shoot them out here on the street or should I ask them to wait for you to come back first?”

  Raising an eyebrow, he stared hard at her. “You’re going to start being a smartass now?”

  “Sweetie, you’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to knowing me.”

  He sighed. They didn’t have time for this.“Fine, follow me. Stay close and don’t make any noises, but if we’re attacked, run.”

  “Don’t get hurt. I understand.”

  His stomach clenched at all the horrible possibilities. He pulled her into his embrace, crushing his lips to hers, tasting her as if it could be his last time. If they survived the night, he’d make things more permanent with Clementine. He was done with one-night-stands and heartless flings. He appreciated her delicate strength and courage.

  She moaned into his mouth and clutched at his flesh before pulling away. “Let’s finish this. I have other things I’d rather be doing with you than hunt assholes.”

  He grinned at the determination in her eyes. “How good are you with that gun?”

  “Terrible, but I can manage to not shoot myself or you.” She clicked the safety off and nodded for him to go.

  In a crouch, he crossed the street with Clementine close behind. They opened the front door wary of another ambush. He breathed a sigh of relief when they met no resistance and scooted inside. Quiet as phantoms, they crept up the stairs to Sugar’s old apartment.

  Choking on a snarl, he halted before the door. It hung a little ajar. He’d locked it tight before leaving. No way one of the twins had left it open. Fuck.

  He waved Clementine behind him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her aim her rifle at the door. He sure hoped she told him the truth about not shooting him. Normal bullets could still kill him if they pierced his heart or head.

  Taking a deep breath, he called upon his beast to stay close to the surface before storming the entrance ready to shift in a split second’s notice. The door swung against the wall with a crash as he halted in the living room.

  Silence greeted their entrance.

  Clementine pushed past him and raced to the bedroom. “They’re not here,” she called out.

  Dread swallowed his gut. Were they too late? Had the Pal Robi vamps taken them? He inhaled, but didn’t capture the scent of any strangers. “They left the apartment on their own. I don’t smell the presence of anyone else.” He twisted around, trying to find a scent track to follow, but they’d all been through the doorway recently. The scents were all a tangled mess.

  “Where would Spice take Sugar?” Clementine handed him a pair of sweatpants. “Not that I don’t mind the view, but I don’t need the distraction.”

  “Thanks.” He hopped into the pair of sweats. “Good question. What would make her move Sugar?” He gestured for quiet and list
ened, using his beast’s natural hunting instincts. At first he heard nothing unusual. Then it came, the sound of a window sliding open in the Omegas’ old apartment down the hall. He grabbed Clementine’s hand and descended the stairs at break-neck speed.

  He should have thought of it before. The vamps knew the twins were in the building, but not which apartment. Daedalus had bought this place with more than sentiment in his heart. He’d known searching all the rooms would take an enemy time.

  Spice must have heard them coming, just like he had, but after his loud entrance into the apartment, the vamps knew where to search. At least this way he could draw them away from the twins.

  As they reached the lobby, the front door shattered inward. Two vamps charged him. He shoved Clementine toward the basement door as he shifted once more. How long would her blood sustain him?

  With his claws, he decapitated the first vampire, then tore the heart out of the second. He walked backward, following Clementine into the basement where they could draw the bloodsuckers and make a stand. In the dim light, he traced her scent. Then, to his shock, the twins’. He hung his head. Oh no, he’d led the vampires straight to them.

  A white figure stepped out of the shadows. Spice in her beast form. How many? She asked via the mind link packs shared.

  I don’t know. Where’s Clementine?

  She’s with Sugar, hiding in the furnace room. There’s only one door to it and she should be able to defend it with her rifle. Sugar has a small handgun too.

  Really? He folded an ear to the side and tilted his head. Sugar was the most non-violent person he’d ever met.

  Not all her rehab was about dressing herself. I made sure she could handle a small caliber weapon, since she can’t run anymore.

  He rubbed his nose against the underside of her muzzle in a submissive, yet affectionate way. You’re the best.

  She gave him a playful snip. And you’re a flirt. Let’s go kick some vampire ass. She shoved by him.

  Alpha, you should stay with your sister. He could smell the blast of Spice’s fury. For the pups’ sake.

  She twisted and caressed her lower abdomen. I will always be alpha first, Sam. You are all my children. We fight together. She turned her back on him and hid by the staircase exit.

  The shadows were thick, leaving plenty of places for him to lay an ambush. Sam swung into the rafters and prepared to attack from above. The last place they’d expect to find a four-hundred-pound shifter. He licked his muzzle and listened to the footfalls racing to their area.

  How many could they fight, and for how long? He glanced at Spice. Did you call the Vasi? They’d need backup.

  Eric is on his way. Daedalus lost his phone during a skirmish. They knew we’d be compromised somehow by that, but called me too late to warn you. I’m glad you and Clementine didn’t get hurt. For a bloodsucker, she’s kind of sweet.

  Yeah, she really was.

  Gunshots announced the Pal Robi vampires’ arrival.

  Watch out! They’re armed with silver bullets. He launched himself over Spice, as he’d planned, and tackled three vampires before they could get any more shots off. He pinned them to the stairs as Spice finished them.

  Something burned in his back. He glanced over his shoulder at a dagger handle protruding from his flesh. Great, probably silver too. He yelped as Spice yanked it out without a warning. Thanks, I think.

  Pussy. She twirled the blade around her clawed hand. Let’s move to the next floor.

  He followed and groaned. Not because of the pain, but because she seemed determined to fight and possibly get hurt. We should wait for Eric.

  The look she tossed him should have withered his balls. No one attacks me on my territory.

  Yes, Alpha. He set her behind him once they reached the lobby. But they’ll have to get through me first. He prepared for a tussling match with her, but she remained quiet.

  Listen.

  He grew still. Cars arrived outside their building. Lots of them. Shit. He braced his legs as he watched the wave of fresh vampire meat flood the lobby.

  They poured over him, biting and tearing at his flesh, but he wouldn’t let them past.

  He was Sigma.

  He protected.

  Sam! Spice’s mental cry gave him the strength to toss the first wave back.

  Blood dripped from his fingertips. His or theirs, he didn’t know. He pushed Spice toward a corner, something he could defend.

  She tried to skirt around him. Let me help.

  The pups come first. Before you, Clementine, or Sugar. Sorry, my instincts just won’t let me listen to you. He snarled at the next wave coming armed with guns this time. He couldn’t fight this, but he could bar their bullets from the pups. His beast was one with him. The closest they’d ever been together.

  A rifle fired in the basement and his heart broke for failing Clementine. He’d promised…

  * * * *

  Clementine aimed for their heads–the hearts made too small of a target. The older ones would survive the wounds, but it would take time for them to heal, giving her and Sugar a few more minutes.

  Where were they all coming from? Had Pal Robi sent all their new security teams? She doubted it. These vampires didn't seem trained. The warriors she'd met at work would have killed them by now. So who were they?

  Knocked off her feet, she landed on her back across the room. She gasped from the pain radiating from her shoulder from a bullet. With an ungraceful roll, she rose to a knee.

  Sugar sat in her chair, handgun on her lap as she stared at the flow of vampires aimed in her direction. Her fingers never even reached for the weapon.

  A pit of dread opened in Clementine's gut, swallowing what little hope she'd had. It didn't stop her limbs from reacting. She aimed her rifle and shot the vampire closest to the human.

  “Sugar, duck!” A male voice roared over the chaos just before the attacking vampires were yanked out of the room.

  Clementine recognized her master's voice. She sagged against the rifle. Not the safest thing to do, but her weariness ran bone deep. Blood dripped along her arm. She probed her wound with a finger. It was almost healed.

  Cries carried from outside the furnace room, where they'd been hiding, and Sugar flinched, twisting her head away from the open door.

  Clementine staggered to the entrance, blocking Sugar's view. Her master, covered in blood, finished tearing the head off the last remaining attacker in the basement.

  He raised his gaze to meet hers. “Sugar?”

  “She's fine, if a little shaken. Sam?”

  “Finishing off the others with his pack.”

  She leaned against the frame and breathed a sigh of relief. Surviving this fiasco without him would have destroyed the joy she'd discovered in life again. “You lost your phone. It's how they found us.”

  “We came straight here when I realized it was missing.” He wiped the blood from his hands on his pants and strode toward her, but she didn't move out of his way.

  She stopped him with a hand on his chest and dropped her voice. “We need to talk about Sugar.”

  He blinked and followed as she led him away from the door a few feet.

  Clementine leaned in to whisper in his ear. “She didn't lift a hand in defending herself. She left her gun on her lap the whole time.”

  Daedalus nodded. “She abhors violence. I told Spice she'd never use it.”

  Clementine glanced away from her master, clenching the rifle in her hands. She swallowed, then met his gaze. “I think she wanted them to kill her.”

  His brow furrowed as he leaned in. “That's quite an accusation.”

  “I know, and I don't make it lightly. I'm worried for you.”

  He stepped back. “For me?”

  “You love her, but she's mortal.” She glanced at the stairs. “I'm beginning to understand what the price of such a loss would cost.”

  A small smile crossed her master's lips as he considered her for moment. “You are a most loyal subject, Clementin
e. I’ll watch her, and I think you should stay with us for awhile.”

  She grinned at his invitation as butterflies danced in her stomach. “That would be agreeable.”

  He dismissed her with a wave and turned his attention to his human fiance.

  Twisting around, Clementine watched as Sam raced down the stairs in his human form. He wore a pair of shorts, from God-knew-where, but his hide was intact.

  Her heart soared and she flung herself into his arms, wrapping him tight in a hug.

  He eased away to finger the hole in her shirt made by the bullet and raised an eyebrow.

  “I only got shot once. That's much less than I expected.” She tangled her fingers in his thick, shaggy hair and pulled him into a kiss. The electric current his touch sent through her flesh gave her a sense of life. Hard and deep, she locked her lips with his. She never wanted to let go. And with her master's invitation for her to stay, she wouldn't have to. Would Sam like that idea?

  She leaned away with a wild laugh. “I can’t believe we survived.”

  Sam gave a low whoop and swung her around. “Maybe you won’t have to leave right away.”

  She opened her mouth to tell him the good news–

  “Sam!” Daedalus stepped out of the furnace room, helping Sugar walk.

  Landing on her feet hard when her shifter released his hold on her, Clementine grabbed him for balance. She twisted to face her master and her stomach clenched. Granite had more warmth than the Nosferatu. She’d seen this expression on his face before, and someone’s death usually followed.

  Sugar stroked his chest. “It’s not his fault.”

  “Stop defending him all the time. He’s your sigma. Your safety comes first.” Daedalus poked Sam in the chest with his finger. “You shouldn’t have left her here alone with Spice.”

  “But–” Sam frowned and straightened his spine. “I didn’t have a choice. You charged me to protect too many with no resources. I had to make a choice and there was no way I’d send Clementine out in the city by herself. The twins should have been safe here.”

  Her chest swelled as Sam verbally claimed her. His protective nature drew her like no male ever had. She blocked her master’s move toward her shifter. “This attack was from your carelessness, not Sam’s. We left because of the text sent to my phone from you. It led to an ambush that should have killed me.” She sensed Sam step closer from behind, and then he placed a hand on her shoulder. His warmth spread through her body.