The sound of a vehicle in the distance roused him from a light sleep. They were coming.
It was a tense wait, his stomach full of butterflies. He heard the door open, words being exchanged. And then the basement door swung open.
Clambering to his feet, he raised his fists. He wouldn’t go quietly, wouldn’t go without a fight.
The light from the doorway framed the silhouetted figure who started down towards him.
“Ro?”
He let his hands fall to his side at the sound of his name from a voice he knew almost as well as his own.
“Sebastian?” It wasn’t really a question. He knew his Alpha; by sight, by voice, by touch. His eyes and ears told him he was right. His fingers too, a moment later, when the Alpha’s hands caught his.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Fearful eyes searched his.
“I knew you’d find me. I knew it.”
He pulled his hands free and threw his arms around Seb, feeling the Alpha’s arms wrap tightly around him in turn as he pressed his cheek to Seb’s.
“Always and forever,” Seb murmured in his ear.
“Can we get out of here?” He looked towards the stairs, seeing a relieved Sam standing at the bottom while Joel stood in the doorway above.
“We will, soon, but we need to wait for Eagle Creek to get here first. And, if you’re up for it, I need you to be brave for a little longer.”
Ro pulled back at the words. He didn’t understand. Why would they wait?
“The FW are tailing them. They want to catch them in the act, let the handover take place. We want to put two of our people in place of the traffickers and let the money be handed over in exchange for you. Only if you’re willing. No harm will come to you, I promise.”
Ro wanted nothing more than to get out of there, but he didn’t want Eagle Creek to get away scot free. And without some proof of their involvement, he had no doubt that they would.
“I can do this. What do I need to do?”
“Just stay down here. We’ll leave Sam and Joel upstairs, the rest of us will take positions a little distance away and wait for their signal.”
Seb reached for him, two hands cradling his face and placing a kiss on his lips.
“They’re not far. Maybe twenty minutes away,” Sam said. “We need to get into position and air out the rooms to clear your scents.”
Ro leaned forward to rest his forehead against Seb’s, finding comfort in even that small contact.
“Go. I’ll see you very soon.”
Seb pulled away with reluctance and he and Sam jogged up the stairs.
“Wait, Seb,” Ro called after them. “There’s another Omega in the first house they kept me in…”
“Raventree have Jay. He’s with Byron, he’s safe.”
Ro relaxed at the news. Jay was okay, he was free. The basement door closed and he forced himself to sit down in the corner. He’d have to play things differently this time. He’d have to act scared, act weak. Eagle Creek would buy that. That is what they thought of him, after all.
The waiting became harder but for different reasons. No longer afraid of what was to come, he just wanted it over with, wanted to be left in peace with his mate.
So it was a relief when another vehicle pulled up and more voices filtered down to him. He was glad when the door burst open again but he didn’t stand this time, huddling on the floor, keeping his head down.
“Now, where’s my favorite Omega,” Dominic’s voice called. “I’ve been looking forward to this day. Perry was as well but a little too much so we had to leave him at home. He’ll be sorry not to see you like this.”
A hand grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to his feet.
“What? No fight left in you? That is disappointing.”
He turned to the figures standing behind him. “You were just supposed to hold him, not break him.”
“He’s not broken. Just a little subdued from the sedatives.” That was Sam’s voice, but in an accent Ro had never heard fall from his lips. He sounded like a rough and ready rogue.
“Is that it?” Dominic shook him and Ro let a hint of the anger he felt cross his face.
“Oh, there it is. You’re right. Perry will be so glad. He’s been looking forward to cracking a few bones. Swears his nose has never been the same since you broke it.” He laughed, a raw sound that echoed across the basement.
The walk upstairs was uneventful, Ro using his free hand to shield his eyes from the light.
“We held up our end of the bargain; you got your Omega.”
“That we did,” Dominic said, shoving Ro into Rick’s arms. “And we’re good for it. You know that.”
He reached a hand into his jacket, pulling out an envelope. “It’s all there, as agreed.”
Sam opened the packet, did a quick count, then tucked it into his pocket.
“All in order,” he said with a smile.
“Then we’ll be on our way,” Dominic said, turning towards the door.
Ro wondered how far they were going to play this. Once they got outside the door, once they got him to the car, things got risky. There was a chance, a small chance, that things wouldn’t work out the way they were supposed to.
He looked back at Sam, for reassurance. The Alpha’s steady gaze was enough to calm his fears.
Halfway to the car, Rick cursed as shifters began to materialize from the trees around them. Dominic tried to grab hold of Ro but Sam was quicker, yanking him backward and shoving him towards the house and Joel. The others descended, forming a circle around Dominic and Rick, blocking them off from Ro and from their car.
Andrew stepped forward. “Fenrir's Warriors will take it from here.”
“You’re not taking this anywhere,” Dominic hissed. “Unless you want Eagle Creek going to war against you.”
“A risk we’ll gladly take,” Andrew replied.
Dominic and Rick were bundled off into separate vehicles.
Sebastian moved to Ro’s side, an arm around him.
“Andrew, I don’t have to tell you to be careful of your next steps.”
“Don’t worry. A little chat and we’ll send them on their way. There are enough witnesses here to satisfy even the Pack Council.”
Seb took off his jacket, helping Ro into it.
“Let’s get out of here.”
He led Ro to the car, sitting beside him in the back seat.
“Are we going home?” Ro asked.
“As much as I’d like to, we can’t just yet. We need to go back to Raventree, finish what we started. This was about trying to hurt us, hurt Glenoak and distract us from the trade alliances we were on the verge of forming. An attack on you is an attack on the heart of us. We have to go back, show them that Glenoak stands strong. Are you up for that?”
Despite the clear exhaustion he could see in Ro’s face, the Omega smiled. “I am if you are.”
He let his hand cup Ro’s cheek, the Omega’s eyes closing at the contact.
Sam and Joel climbed into the car with them and they took off, bumping and jolting along the dirt track.
Chapter Fifteen
There was a painful throbbing in his head and his hand when he finally opened his eyes. Glancing down, he found his arm wrapped in a tight bandage and Jay, in wolf form, lying by his side, his chin resting on Byron’s hand.
He looked over the end of the bed to see Odin standing at the bedroom door.
The events of the previous day came back to him. Those shifters. The poison. And Jay, coming to his rescue. Jay’s eyes watched him as he lifted his head.
“Good to see you awake,” Odin said.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Since before we got here. Paul is dead. The doctor's been and gone. Everyone else is okay. Your father and Felix are both at the hotel.
He sat up, wincing. "I need to make some calls and speak to my father. How did you cure the poison?” There was lingering pain in his arm, but nothing like the burning that had been the
re before he’d passed out.
“We didn’t. Doc thinks it was designed to weaken you to help them take you out rather than outright kill you. It was a struggle for him to even examine you. Jay there wouldn’t let anyone but me near you at first.”
“He saved my life. If he hadn’t been here, it would have been two on one and I’d have had my throat torn out.”
Odin stepped into the room and the Omega sat up. His body was tense as if prepared to fight, and he let out a low growl.
“It’s okay, Jay. Odin is one of my oldest friends, he’s practically family. It’s safe. He won’t hurt me, or you for that matter.”
Jay glanced back at him, and Byron could see the wolf was tired.
“Here, come on, lie down here beside me. You look weary.”
Jay lay down, still tense and watchful. Odin moved closer, taking a seat at the end of the bed.
“He’s very protective of you,” he commented.
“Something to discuss later,” Byron said, dismissing his words with a wave of his hand.
“I presume the dead shifter in the hall is one of the attackers?”
“Yes, Jay arrived just in time and took him out. I stabbed the other one with a knife and he opted to get out of here rather than stick around.”
“We’ve got people looking for him. We found Paul’s body just outside the perimeter, looks like they caught him unawares.”
“Well, we hadn’t been expecting an attack. We were unprepared. If it hadn’t been for Jay…”
The young wolf stayed quiet, head resting on his paws, listening to their words.
“Dr. Heath will be back later to check on you both. Your father and Felix are reviewing security here, the Pack House and at the hotel.”
That was good news. Something to unite Felix and his father at last. Even if it had almost meant his death.
“I should go to them,” he said, pushing off the duvet.
“Not so fast,” Odin held up a hand. “Your father asked that you remain here for now. Recuperate. I’ll go and get you both some food.”
That left Byron alone with Jay. The Omega seemed ill at ease. Byron knew how little he liked being indoors.
“What you did for me last night? That was very brave. I owe you a debt. If there is anything I can do for you, now or ever, you only have to ask.”
Jay turned to him, the Omega’s ever watchful eyes seeking his.
“You saved my life and risked your own. Few would do that for a stranger.”
He let his hand run across Jay’s fur and the Omega settled again, his head pressed against Byron's side. He seemed a little listless. Maybe the effects of the poison, if that’s what it was.
Odin returned with food and the news that not only had Ro been found, but the whole group was returning to the hotel to finish out the talks.
“We still have one small problem. Well, two small problems,” Byron mused. “Whoever they have on the inside that helped them take Ro, and whoever arranged for the hit on me.”
Odin shook his head. “I wouldn’t call those small. And I hate to say it but isn’t Daniel Sutton in charge of security? He and the Glenoak Pack have a history, don’t they?”
“They do but I never got the impression there was animosity between them.”
“Where love is concerned, you never can tell,” Odin replied, reaching for his phone as it rang. He stood up and walked outside to answer it.
Byron passed more food to Jay, feeling marginally happier when the Omega gulped down a piece of chicken.
Odin returned, looking satisfied
“We got the bastard. They’re holding him over at the Mills. I’m going over to question him.”
“I’ll come with you,” he said, trying to get up again.
Odin shook his head. “Your father wants you back at the hotel. Go wash up and I'll drop you there then head to the Mills. The sooner the Packs see you up and about, the sooner they’ll know Raventree’s Alpha line aren’t to be messed with.”
Odin’s logic was sound. The other Packs would hone in on any sign of weakness. And with their father so unwell, he needed to be the family’s strength.
“One piece of advice,” Odin added, nodding to Jay as he stepped out the door. “Bring him with you, in wolf form if needs be. You could do worse for a bodyguard.”
Jay let out a whine of agreement.
Chapter Sixteen
Getting Jay to the hotel was easier said than done. Byron had tried coaxing him back into human form, laying out a set of clothes for him. But the Omega had retreated under a table, staring out at Byron with baleful eyes. Eventually, Byron had been forced to issue an ultimatum. Either Jay came with him, in wolf or human form, or he stayed here while Byron went to the hotel.
He was sure Jay would choose the latter, but as soon as he’d said it, Jay was out from under the table and standing on four paws next to him, his fur brushing against Byron’s leg.
“Hotel it is,” he said, leading the Omega out to the car. He let him into the backseat then, after a moment of thought, eschewed the front passenger seat to sit with Jay in the back. Odin met his gaze through the rearview mirror, eyebrows raised.
“If anything happens, such as us getting pulled over by the police, it would be better if I was on hand to keep him calm.”
“Let’s hope we don’t get pulled over. I’d hate to have to explain what we’re doing with a wolf in the back of the car.”
“I suggest we strongly intimate that he’s a large dog. There’s a good chance they won’t know the difference.”
Odin shook his head. “City folk.”
“Their ignorance might work to our advantage.”
To everyone’s relief, they made it to the hotel without incident, pulling around to a side entrance. Byron led Jay inside, smiling and greeting guests as they passed them. There were more than a few curious glances leveled at Jay but Byron didn’t stop, giving no one the chance to ask.
He was relieved to reach his room and get Jay safely inside.
“If you want to change back, there’s a nice bed just in here where you can lie down,” he said, pointing. Jay lay down where he was, resting his head on his front paws.
Sighing, Byron crouched down next to him.
“I’m sorry. I know this isn’t easy for you, but it will only be for a few days. I’ll make sure you have plenty of food and water and Scott will be with you when I’m not.”
Jay raised his head at that.
“You can’t come with me to the talks. But Odin will be by my side, keeping me safe. There’s nothing to worry about.”
He let his fingers run through the Omega's thick fur and Jay settled down once more.
Their arrival back at the hotel mid-morning was greeted with little fanfare and Ro was relieved. They went straight to their rooms and Alicia met them there. She kicked a protesting Seb out of the room, then took a seat next to Ro.
“Tell me, all of it. Don’t hold anything back. I know you try and protect Seb but I’m your doctor and I need to know to take care of you.”
So he talked, detailing the days in Jay’s company and the journey to the Flats. When he finished talking, she seemed relieved but still insisted on seeing all the bruises.
Her hands felt over his stomach, where one particularly nasty bruise sat, and she frowned, listening, before raising her eyebrows at him.
“Anything else you want to tell me?”
He blushed, shaking his head. “Not yet. I want to wait until we’re home.”
“You forgot something, I take it?”
He listened for Seb outside but could hear him in the distance talking to Martin.
“I guess, between my exams and my heat, I wasn’t as careful as I should have been.”
“Well, I prescribe rest and recuperation, lots of one-on-one time with Seb, good food and as little shop talk as you can get away with. And don’t look so worried. Seb is going to be ecstatic.”
But would he be, really? This wasn’t the way things were s
upposed to go. They had a plan, very carefully laid out, and he’d gone and messed it all up by being careless.
“Come on, if we don’t let Seb in soon, he’ll be kicking the door down.”
She helped him sit up, his t-shirt falling to cover his stomach.
When she let Seb back in, he looked troubled.
“What wrong?” Ro asked.
“There's a rumor that Byron was attacked at his home last night. An attempted assassination. He’s okay. He and Jay are coming back to the hotel.”
“Who’d want to kill him?”
“That’s a very good question. As is whether there’s any connection to what happened to you.”
Ro wasn’t sure what Seb meant, and he said so.
“Eagle Creek didn’t pull this off alone. They had help, from someone inside Raventree. Raventree have promised they’ll get to the bottom of it but while we’re here, we take no chances.”
No chances meant at least one person with Ro at all times. He had no objection to that. Or to Seb’s insistence he lie down and nap.
The Alpha took a seat beside him as he rested.
“Sam and Joel will keep you company. I’ll be meeting with Raventree’s security from now until lunch and then I’ll be back up to see you. The talks aren’t starting back up until this afternoon, what with everything that’s happened.”
“I’d like to see Jay when he gets here.”
Seb nodded. “I’ll talk to Byron.”
Seb returned for lunch, bringing two visitors with him. Ro sat up eagerly as Byron entered, frowning when he saw the wolf by his side.
“Ro, it’s good to see you. I’m very glad you’re safe. I understand you’ve already met Jay,” Byron said, gesturing to the wolf at his heels.
“Yeah,” Ro agreed, stepping towards them and crouching down in front of the other Omega.
“Hi, Jay. It’s good to see you again. Thank you for helping Seb find me.”
“We couldn’t have done so without you,” Seb added.
Ro reached out a hand, slow and careful, and let it rest against Jay’s flank. The Omega let out a low whine.
The Alpha's Love: Lost Omegas Book Four: A M/M Shifter Romance Page 9
