Rubbing his temple, he could still feel the rock smashing into his skull. It had been hard enough to temporarily disorient him. He could accept he was angry with the omega for using his charms to embarrass him and his ego had taken the blunt of the force.
He walked into the kitchen and threw a side-glance at the omega that vexed him. Reed was happily enjoying his pancakes, his lips shiny with syrup. For a brief moment in that Montana forest, when Reed had offered himself, Crixen had been tempted to take him. All his life, his focus had been on commanding the Ro'an and serving the Magistrate, the shifter that ruled their people. So, when an omega freely offered himself, his animal took notice.
"High Guard," Rex said and saluted him when he noticed Crixen. "Pancakes? There is plenty to go around."
Crixen shook his head, eying the massive bowl of batter and endless jars of fresh maple syrup on the countertop. Rex had recently returned from a mission in South America and had put in for retirement. The alpha had served the Ro'an spectacularly for over a hundred years and Crixen had approved his request without a second thought. Apparently, he had decided to go into the hospitality business.
Reed tossed a look to Crixen and smacked his lips suggestively. When Rex turned to tend to the stove, Reed licked the syrup from his mouth seductively.
Crixen refused to show any reaction. He simply slipped his ass onto a stool and blinked at the omega. He'd gotten used to the taunting and jeering and temptation, that he'd expected it. He supposed it was Reed's way of rebelling.
"I want to go out," Reed said. "I'm tired of being secluded here and wearing everyone's hand-me-downs. I want to buy my own clothes."
"Do you have money to buy anything?" Crixen asked.
The omega scowled at him, his pouty lips too damned tempting. Crixen could accept there was an attraction there. It wasn't the first time that he'd admired a good-looking omega, and it wouldn't be the last. The important thing was that he'd never acted on that attraction, and never would.
"I've helped around here and have nothing to show for it. That's called slave labor."
"Correction. You've contributed to the upkeep of Sanctuary," Crixen countered.
"What's that?" The male asked, holding a palm to his ear. "I missed where you said I was here by choice."
"Would you prefer to be in a cage, a prisoner in the Magistrate's Keep?" Crixen hardened his expression. "I can tell you from experience, your wildblood packmates are not enjoying their stay right now."
Reed poured what was left of the syrup on his pancakes and held the plate close to his chest. "Excuse me, Rex. I'm going to finish my awesome pancakes amongst more savory company."
Crixen smoldered with frustration as the omega left the kitchen. He'd never before been so disrespected that it irked his wolf like nothing before. Reed needed to be taught discipline, needed to learn to show respect. I want to take him over my knee and properly punish that ass. He growled at his wolf for thinking such a thing.
"Maybe it would do him good to get some fresh air," Rex spoke softly as he slapped fresh pancakes on a plate.
"There is plenty of fresh air in Sanctuary. We're in the middle of a fucking forest," he countered, feeling quarrelsome.
The alpha nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It was just an idea. Getting out might do you some good, as well. You've been cooped up here for the last month, trailing him everywhere he goes, which isn't very far. It's enough to make anyone agitated."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You've been overly broody as of late."
"You would be too if you had to babysit someone that constantly irritates you," Crixen countered. He grumbled at the thought. He was a patient, calculating warrior, but Reed tried him like no other. He'd rather tangle with a wendigo than put up with the omega's endless heckling.
"You sure you don't want some pancakes? They might make you feel better."
As Crixen's stomach growled, he sighed. Rex was a master in the kitchen. "I have a baby to sit."
With that, he sulked off.
Chapter 3
"Cakes are sweet, but not as sweet as sugar beat," Reed muttered as he lounged on the back porch. It had become his favorite spot recently, the swing seat shaded by an old cherry tree and off to the side, giving him some privacy.
The inhabitants of Sanctuary were in the pool, laughing and splashing. He enjoyed watching them, because they reminded him of himself a long time ago. Before Raze had taken him and destroyed his life.
"Eggs, sugar and wheat, to make a cake that is sweet." He could write a book with all the rhymes he'd created in his head. They'd kept him sane all these years. Sometimes the days had blended into one another so that he had no idea how much time had passed. It wasn't until being captured by the Ro'an that he realized he'd been gone nearly ten years. He'd been just a teenager when he'd gotten caught and now in his late twenties, he felt as if he'd lost an important part of his life that he could never get back.
A cheer went out as someone pushed a warrior fully clothed into the pool. The alpha snarled in frustration as he pulled himself out, completely drenched. Everyone chortled.
"Just you wait," the alpha warned. "I'm going to get you back for that!"
Reed was surprised by the amusement in the warrior's tone, much less curious that an alpha would tolerate such behavior from an omega, or that an omega would dare do that to an alpha. As the warrior gave chase, Reed's heart pounded with fear. The alpha caught an omega, tossed him over his shoulder then jumped into the pool, soaking them both.
He didn't understand the pack structure of Sanctuary one bit. The alphas were clearly in charge--there wasn't a singular leader, either--and the omegas were afforded huge leeway. Reed watched with curiosity as the warrior chased the others in the pool, a big smile on his face.
"The alpha chases and the omega races," he whispered to himself.
"Hey!" Loren, the omega that helped run Sanctuary shouted as he came out of the kitchen door. He was dressed in nothing but swim trunks and a pair of sunglasses. His megawatt smile threatened to crack his perfect face.
Reed sat back in his chair, startled. The male was loud and bright and constantly cheery. Sometimes it bordered on annoying. If Reed had his way, he'd be left alone to relax in the summer breeze and watch life from afar.
"It's a nice day, isn't it? I'm going swimming. You should join us." He looked to the pool, his bottom lip going between his teeth for a moment. "If the alpha bothers you, I'll kick him out."
"I'm okay here," Reed said.
Frowning, Loren considered him for a long moment.
Please, just let me be alone.
"Okay, well if you change your mind, we'd love to have you."
Reed watched as the male jogged over to the pool and jumped right in, making a big splash. A small part of him did want to join in the activities, but he wasn't ready to socialize yet. Raze still haunted him. He supposed he'd forgotten how to live, and he didn't know if he'd ever remember how.
Glancing toward the orchard of fruit trees, he spotted Crixen sitting on a tree stump, oiling and sharpening his blades. The alpha was a sense of frustration for Reed. He was of mind to get up and go somewhere else just so the warrior would have to follow him because Goddess knew he'd tethered himself to Reed. He couldn't deny that he enjoyed annoying Crixen. It was the best form of revenge he could manage at the moment.
"The sword cuts through the air, strong as a bear, swift as a hare... Don't run, if you dare." Reed remembered what it was like to hold that deadly weapon. It had been lighter than he'd expected, the braided pommel stained and darkened with the oil of a hand. The way in which Crixen had hunted him down, the ease at which he moved let him know that that blade had spilled a lot of blood in its lifetime.
It should have dripped with Raze's blood.
The kitchen door creaked, and Rex stepped out with a plate of food and glass of water in his hand. He offered it to Reed. He accepted and his stomach growled at the sight of a fish sandwich and fries. He'd
been gorging since he'd arrived here, but he'd missed the taste of real food that he couldn't help himself. Thank the Goddess that shifters had amazing metabolisms.
"No cupcakes?" Reed teased, surprised that he got along so well with the alpha. Then again, the male had reached his heart through his stomach. He had an air of gentleness around him, like a serene meadow awash in sunlight. He didn't seem like a Ro'an warrior one bit.
Rex chuckled and took a seat next to him, his big body making the chair creak. "We can't live off of butter cream and maple syrup."
"Oh, I so could." He popped a salted fry into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
"Good. You know I've been using you as my guinea pig, right?"
"I'm happy to test all your recipes," Reed said and took a bite of his sandwich. He made a sound of delight, the lightly-battered fish and tartar sauce perfect.
"I'm retiring from the Ro'an," the alpha said, drawing Reed's attention. "I've put in my work, shed my blood. It's time for me to enjoy what is left of my life. I'm planning to open my bakery by next year."
"Why a bakery?" He took a swig of his water to wash the food down.
"I know what you're thinking. An alpha has no business decorating dainty pink cupcakes but what's the point of not doing what you enjoy?" His gaze grew distant as he watched the omegas playing in the pool. "What about you. Any dreams?"
His appetite suddenly died, and he looked down to his half-eaten food. "I know what you've been doing all this while."
"What's that?"
"I'm not stupid. When Crixen's bad cop routine failed, he sent you in to try and befriend me. I told him and I'm telling you. I'm nobody and I know nothing. You have Raze, so beat the information you so desperately want, out of him."
The alpha was clearly not happy with his answer as he scratched the back of his neck. "You're here because Crixen and the Magistrate believes you can be rehabilitated."
Reed snorted. He didn't believe that one bit. Though these shifters had been kind to him, they wanted something from him. Of course, the whole thing could be done with if he told them the truth of who he was--but that was his private pain.
When he said nothing, Rex sighed and left him to his misery.
Chapter 4
Crixen put his weight into the bed and shook the mattress. "Get up."
"What!" Reed gasped and shot up, his chestnut hair sticking up like a cowlick. He blinked at him bleary eyed and frowned. "You follow me around, remember? Or... wait... Have you finally decided to give into your sexual urges and fuck---?"
Tossing a shirt in his face, Crixen cut off his jab. "You'll be following me around today. So, zip it and get dressed. You have 30 minutes to be downstairs."
Crixen closed the bedroom door behind him before Reed could further tempt him. He'd decided late last night after Rex had come to him and shared the details of their brief lunch conversation, that he needed to try a different approach. Reed was smart and with Rex's intentions clear, they'd never get anything out of Reed. Time for plan B.
He waited at the foot of the grand staircase. Every minute that ticked by increased his agitation. He was of mind to dump Reed on one of his warriors. As High Guard, he was above babysitting a rude omega.
Cullan and Loren passed through the foyer, with plates of pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs in their hands. They smiled at him as they passed, Cullen saluting him. The alpha would be far better at looking after Reed, but his hands were busy with running Sanctuary. They disappeared into the parlor, likely to start a video game. Those two were inseparable and Crixen was surprised the alpha hadn't taken Loren to mate yet.
Though Crixen spent most of his time at the Magistrate's Keep, he'd been convinced Sanctuary was the human equivalent of a college dormitory after living here for a month. Every day was a party, every night a feast and every morning he tripped over sleeping shifters. Several times he caught his warriors passed out while on duty. He didn't fault them as the omegas had sneaky ways of forcing the alphas to join in on their games. It was insanity.
"Can I get you some breakfast, warrior?" Loren asked with a bright smile.
"No," he said, his attention on the stairs. Reed had ten minutes to get his ass down here.
"He doesn't talk to me much. When I speak to him, he says enough to let me know he's listening, but beyond that..." Loren shrugged.
"I know," Crixen said with a heavy sigh.
"I get the feeling he's lost his trust. If it matters any, I don't believe he's a danger to anyone," Loren said.
Crixen simply nodded and the omega left. He gritted his teeth as the time wound down. If he marched up there to find Reed still in bed, he would not be happy. He needed a vacation, a trip to a remote part of the world to kill some vampires and forget about Reed.
Just as he was about to seek the omega out, Reed appeared. He'd probably waited until the last second on purpose. The male regarded him warily as he descended the stairs, dressed in a plain T-shirt and raggedy jeans.
"What do you want?" He inquired plainly.
"Come," Crixen commanded and started walking. When Reed just stood there, he asked harshly, "Would you rather stay here, or go shopping?"
The omega's expression lightened, and he chuckled. "You're taking me shopping?"
He didn't respond and marched out of the mansion. He'd dangled the bait and Reed took it, jogging to catch up. He crossed through the clearing and to the car barn that housed his warrior's vehicles. He found his simple black SUV and disarmed the alarm.
The ride into town was quiet--thankfully--Reed more concerned with his surroundings than poking the rattlesnake.
"Where exactly are we?" Reed asked, his attention on the window. "You never told me."
"Illinois."
As they left the forest, human civilization emerged. He followed the navigator's directions and pulled into an Urban Outfitters. He didn't know or care much about men's fashion, but the place seemed to cater to the younger crowd and guessed it would satisfy Reed's tastes. He killed the engine and stepped out. When Reed simply stayed in his seat, Crixen threw him an impatient expression.
Biting his lip, Reed opened the door and said, "There's so many humans."
He looked around at the cars in the strip mall parking lot and the people walking around. "You're under my protection."
The omega took a deep breath and got out. His head swiveled around, every noise and movement seemed to startle him. Crixen realized he must be out of his element having lived in the wilderness like a wildblood for Goddess knew how long.
"It's okay," Crixen said, sounding as comforting as a wasp.
Reed followed him into the store, the scent of leather and cotton filling Crixen's nose.
"I don't have any money," Reed said softly, his attention on a pair of jeans.
"That's been taken care of." He glanced at the time clock on his phone. "You have one hour."
Crixen sent out texts to his warriors to see how they were doing while he waited. Most were abroad, doing their duties and hunting down evil creatures. Others were on sabbatical, having earned a reprieve. They'd only recently started using electronic communications in the last few years, the old days gone and quickly fading. Braun, one of the masterminds of Sanctuary and a successful businessman, had been right. They needed to adapt to the times. Less magic, more technology.
As he did some work on his phone, he kept an eye on Reed. The omega was currently piling clothing into a shopping basket, his expression reflecting astonishment. Crixen noticed the employees eyeing Reed with suspicion as he started filling another basket.
Crixen stepped up to the checkout counter and handed the cashier a black credit card. "Give him whatever he wants."
"Woah. I've always heard about these, but this is a first," the human said, examining the card.
Crixen returned to his quiet corner. Energized by the amount of money the store would be receiving this day, the employees helped Reed fill numerous baskets. They were even kind enough to load the bags into the SU
V.
"Thanks!" Reed said and waved at the humans. He rummaged in a bag and took out a shoebox. He slipped out of a beaten pair of sneakers and into a brand-new set of Converse All-stars. He walked in a circle, a smile creasing his face as he tested the shoes out.
Something shot through Crixen. It was the first time he'd seen a real smile on the omega's face. The feeling was foreign and unwelcomed. Not wanting to examine it, he hopped in the driver's side and waited for Reed. The shifter messed around in back for a few minutes then jumped in the passenger's side, sporting a brand-new T-shirt.
Reed ran his hands down the shirt and Crixen didn't miss the way his little nipple pushed against the fabric gently. Heat shot through him and he looked away.
"How am I going to repay you?" Reed inquired.
"You are a guest and as such, guests are taken care of."
The omega nodded slowly. "You know... there are ways--"
"Don't!" he snapped.
Reed looked away, but his cheeks plumped, clueing Crixen into his victorious grin. That spanking he deserved never sounded so good right now.
Chapter 5
"Stop!" Reed shouted.
Crixen slammed on the breaks, sending the wheels screeching and the stack of shopping bags tumbling forward.
"What the fuck?" he growled.
"We have to go here." Reed pointed out the window, his heart thumping in excitement.
"Shopping day is over!"
"Please?" He didn't want to ask the warrior for anything, but he was desperate. He looked back to the building that declared it a library, wondering about the treasures inside. He had so many years to catch up with. He said again, "Please?"
Crixen grumbled expletives and jerked the SUV into the parking lot. He killed the engine. "Don't ever do that again. I thought an animal ran into the road or something. I refuse to be careless with vehicles as humans are."
He was out the door before Crixen could turn the engine off, excitement fueling him. He hadn't looked forward to much in the last ten years and he was glad he could still feel things besides fear and pain. He burst through the doors and the building opened to him like a golden curtain being drawn back to reveal the world's most priceless treasures. Rows and rows of books filled the area, while computers occupied the center.
To Take and Hold(Omegaverse Shifter Romance) (shifter fever Book 2) Page 2
