“I’m guessing you haven’t had much time to practice lately.”
Adam shook his head, closing his hands into fists to hide their shaking. “Tobias found out Jason was giving us books, years ago. He was furious. It didn’t happen again. He told Harvey I couldn’t read.”
The Alpha pushed to his feet then sat next to Adam on the chair. It was a bit of a squeeze, the Alpha’s warm body pressed against his. He held the book out between them, opened to the pages Adam had read.
“That was pretty good. There are a few words you’re having trouble with. See here?” And he pointed out a long word Adam had stumbled over. “Pre-ten-tious. It means someone who thinks or acts like they’re better than they are.”
Ben looked over at him expectantly. Adam looked down at the page, which Ben tapped encouragingly.
“The Captain marveled at how pretentious the science officer could be with so little experience under his belt,” Adam read.
“Good. That was really good. You want to try another?”
Adam nodded, uncurling a little as the Alpha scanned the lines for another tricky word. “Here. This one. Per-pet-ual. It means something that keeps going on and on and seems never-ending. Like that car ride the other day.” He smiled at Adam as he gave the example. “Here, you try.”
Leaning forward, under the gentle guidance of the Alpha, Adam continued to read.
Ben felt like they were waiting. The calm before the storm. For what, he didn’t know. Things were too quiet. The Packs would normally be in contact regularly to update the Enforcers on the movement of rogues across territories or inter-pack difficulties. But the past few days had been oddly silent. Few ringing phones, even fewer emails. Sam felt it too.
“Think we’re due some visitors?”
“It’s just a question of who.”
Sam sat back in his seat, contemplating the ceiling.
“What if we cleared out for a few days?”
“Running’s never been my style.”
Sam shook his head.
“I’m not saying run. Just get some distance.”
“We’re more vulnerable on the road. Especially with Adam tagging along. Plus, it’ll seem like we’re running and the Packs will view that as weakness. Better we hole up here, give the impression of strength. Or, at least, pretend we’re not worried.”
“Are we worried?” Sam asked.
“That depends. If we give Adam up to the first Pack who asks, we’re probably fine. If we wait for a few Packs to make a demand, we can try and pit them against one another rather than us.”
“And if we refuse to hand him over?”
Ben didn’t answer. It was a moot point. Adam was going to someone, it was just a question of who. At length, he spoke.
“It comes down to Gray Valley or Eagle Creek. The Valley will see the fact that I killed his Alpha and took him here as a sign that he’s theirs for the taking. Eagle Creek are still sore about giving away their own Omega last year because they were too stupid to realize what he was. Others might make a bid for Adam, but those are the two who will want him badly enough to fight for him. And they’ll work it out between themselves.”
“So, you’re saying we’re just holding Adam until they make their minds up about who gets him?”
“How do you suggest we stop them, Sam?” Ben could feel his anger rise, though he wasn’t sure if it was directed at Sam or himself. “Two wolves against two of the biggest Packs?”
“We could ask for help. If you made a claim, other Packs would support it.”
“Who’d be willing to stand up to Gray Valley these days? The Valley would see it as an act of rebellion and wipe us out without a second thought.”
“Great, so we just wait for the first Pack to come and take him off, mate him to the most brutal Alpha they have, and claim superiority over the other Packs.”
Sam kicked back his chair, stood, and paced to the window.
“I’m not saying I’m happy about it but it’s not like we have a lot of choices here.” Ben didn’t hold back the anger he felt.
“Yeah, well, I thought you were better than that.” Sam snapped back.
Ben was on his feet an instant later, and they were face to face as the tension mounted.
“Sam—” he started to speak when a sound from the other side of the house caught his attention. “Where’s Adam?”
“In the study,” Sam replied, bewildered at the sudden change of topic.
The sounds Ben could hear were fading into the distance.
“Shit, he’s gone out the window.”
He ran for the kitchen door, Sam at his heels.
“Why? We told him not to run.”
“Adam had ears like a bat. He heard every word we’ve just been arguing about,” Ben replied, jogging around the side of the house. He could hear the faint sound of cracking branches and leaves. “He’s in the woods.”
“Maybe we should just let him go? If we can’t protect him, we could give him a chance to make it on his own.”
“He’s weak and injured and heading straight for Gray Valley territory. How long do you think he’ll last? Being picked up by a rogue would be worse than a Pack taking him in.” Ben replied, then picked up his pace, following Adam’s trail into the trees.
“I’ll head him off,” Sam called from behind him, and seconds later a gray wolf streaked by.
It didn’t take long to catch up with Adam, whose pace began to slow as his initial burst of adrenaline faded. A howl signaled that Sam had found him and Ben reached them only moments later.
Sam was blocking Adam’s path and the barefoot Omega was edging around him in the clearing where they stood.
“Adam.”
The younger wolf froze, head coming up, his body shaking as he turned to face Benjamin.
“We told you not to run,” Ben said.
“You could kill me,” he whispered. “Tell them I was Harvey’s accomplice. Then there’d be nothing to fight over.”
Sam whined from behind him, startling Adam, who half-turned back, taking a few stumbling steps. His foot caught on a root, pitching him sideways.
Ben jumped forward, strong arms catching Adam before he fell. The Omega didn’t struggle, limp in Ben’s arm.
“You could make it quick, couldn’t you? Snap my neck.” There was a pleading quality to Adam’s tired voice.
Sam changed back to human form, the sight drawing Adam’s attention for a moment.
“Please Sam, I just want it to be over,” Adam begged once the change was complete.
Ben’s arms were still holding him. He tugged the Omega backward so he was propped up against his chest, then pressed a hand against the back of Adam’s neck. That got a reaction, but not the one he was expecting.
“No, don’t,” Adam cried, struggling in his arms and pushing forwards out of Ben’s grasp. “I did it. I helped Harvey. I lured those men. I helped him kill. So you have to kill me now. You have to.” Adam twisted in his arms so they were eye to eye. There was a world of desperation in those eyes. A pang of guilt ate at Ben.
He looked past Adam to where Sam stood, the latter shaking his head. They both knew there was no truth to Adam’s words but it spoke volumes that he’d rather die than be taken by another Pack.
“We’re not going to kill you.”
“You have to. I was Harvey’s accomplice.”
“I don’t believe that for a second,” Ben replied. “Let’s get you back to the house.”
He ignored Adam’s struggles, turning them both back the way they came. Sam reached their side a second later.
“It’s okay, Adam. Let’s get you inside and we’ll talk about this,” Sam said, his voice soothing. Adam gave in, head dropping, body relaxing as they led him through the woods.
Chapter Eleven
They brought him into the kitchen, and he was pushed into a seat at the table. Ben sat next to him, Sam across the table from them.
“Adam, whichever Pack claims you, they’re going to take
care of you. Omegas are rare, they’re prized. It’s not going to be like it was with Harvey.”
Ben’s voice was cajoling but Adam didn’t believe him. He’d been raised as an Omega, he knew what to expect. Tobias made sure of that. And while Harvey had been terrible and the things he’d done were unspeakable, he was by no means unique in his opinion on the treatment of Omegas.
“We could make some approaches on your behalf to the Packs, instead of waiting for them to come to us.”
“You’ll sell me to them?” He knew Omega were worth a lot of money. Harvey had paid heavily for the privilege of bonding with him.
“No. Of course not,” Sam answered. “This is about finding you a home.”
That stumped Adam. He’d never had somewhere he considered a home. ‘An Omega’s home is with their Alpha,’ Tobias used to say, but then living with Harvey hadn’t been all that much different from living with Tobias, except more pain and blood and things Adam tried hard not to think about.
“Look, you’ll be much safer within a Pack than outside of one,” Ben said, his tone firm. “If you don’t want us to make contact, fine, we’ll wait for them to come to us. But they will. And soon. When they do, you will have to go with them.”
For a moment, Adam thought Sam was going to speak out on his behalf, but the younger Alpha remained silent. Though, from the expression on his face, Adam thought he wasn’t too happy.
“Running away isn’t going to solve anything either,” Ben continued. “Don’t try and leave this house by yourself again, I don’t want to have to lock you in your room.”
Sam’s frown only deepened and Adam could feel the tension between the two men. He sank down into his seat, intent on making himself smaller.
“But other than that, nothing has changed. You have free rein in the house, the kitchen, the study. You can choose some books to bring with you when you leave if you like.”
The offer surprised Adam. Why would Ben care what happened after Adam left?
“Omegas don’t read,” he replied. Even if he could take books with him, there was no way whoever had him would let him keep them. Better they stay here, safe in Benjamin’s study, than torn to pieces or burnt to ashes.
“You’re an Omega and you read,” Sam pointed out.
“It’s forbidden. We were disobedient.”
“We?” Sam said.
Adam dropped his eyes to his lap and didn’t answer. He wasn’t supposed to talk about that. About the past.
“How about some dinner?” Ben suggested, getting up from the table.
The rest of the evening passed quietly. Adam didn’t do much more than play with his food, stomach in a ball at the thought of his fate. The tension between Sam and Ben didn’t help.
He escaped to bed as early as he could, but sleep was slow in coming.
The sound of an engine in the distance woke him just as the sun appeared over the horizon. He was wide awake a moment later, scrambling out of bed and into the corridor. He knocked on Ben’s door.
He heard a grumble and then a muffled curse. Outside the sound of the vehicle was getting closer.
The door to Ben’s room was yanked open a moment later and a bleary-eyed Ben took in Adam standing outside.
“Sam, we’ve got company,” he yelled, startling the Omega. “Get dressed, Adam. But stay in your room for now.” And he disappeared back inside, letting the door close over.
Adam took slow steps back towards his room. He was sorely tempted to run again but he knew it was futile. How far would he get? A mile, if he was lucky. And what if the shifters in the vehicle found him first? Instead, he found himself slipping back into his room, dressing and sitting at the end of the bed.
Sam and Ben exchanged a few words and then they both went downstairs to greet their guests. Listening carefully, Adam heard the car pull up outside. Ben opened the door, and shouted greetings echoed through the house.
A multitude of footsteps trampled through the hall towards the kitchen. There was joking and laughter. It was hard for Adam to pick out the individual words as people seemed to talk over one another. The smell of cooking food drifted up the stairs and, despite himself, Adam's stomach rumbled.
He was used to hunger. These past few days he’d eaten more food than he’d had in weeks. Another reason in his mind why staying was preferable to going. Ben and Sam didn’t seem to have the same ideas as other people about how to treat an Omega. Tobias taught them Omegas were to be pure and subservient. They learned subservience through sacrifice. Food, comfort, education. An Omega should only find solace in their Alpha, and only if that were his wish. It wasn’t often Harvey’s.
At long last, footsteps on the stairs heralded Ben’s return. Adam didn’t need to have listened in to know what had been decided. A deal had been struck. He would be handed off. To who, he didn’t know. He didn’t think it mattered.
Chapter Twelve
Ben was unsurprised that Gray Valley were the ones to turn up at his doorstep. Half the Porter clan seemed to have invaded their house. Terrance, Gray Valley's Alpha, cut an imposing figure as he stood in the center of Ben’s kitchen.
“We’re here about this Omega business.”
Ben forced himself not to react, keeping his body language relaxed, his tone casual.
“Of course. We tracked and killed Harvey Gilson, the rogue responsible for six human deaths in four states over the past eighteen months. While we were searching his house, we found the Omega, Adam, locked in a cage in the basement. We brought him here to determine if he was an accomplice to Harvey’s crimes.”
“And?”
“No. He was as much a victim as the rest,” Ben answered with a shrug.
“So, a newly unbonded Omega?” Terrance seemed to consider that. “Gray Valley will be happy to take over care of him. Find him a suitable mate.”
“Did you have someone in mind?” Ben played along.
“My son, Josh, seems the natural choice. I’m a little long in the tooth to be taking up new challenges,” Terrance said, with a laugh that didn’t reach his eyes.
Josh was the Alpha heir, who’d take over the Pack after Terrance’s death, or before, if Terrance made the decision to step down. Josh already had a mate, a female wolf from Eagle Creek, daughter of the Alpha there. A definite marriage of convenience, for both of them. He’d heard rumors about how Josh treated her but everyone knew he had to show restraint given who her father was. But with an Omega, friendless, Pack-less, he’d have no such constraints on his behavior. Still, Adam would have a Pack and protection. He wouldn’t suffer in the manner he’d suffered at Harvey’s hands.
“How about I talk to Adam about it? See what he thinks?”
That started Terrance laughing again.
“The Omega will do what he’s told if he knows what’s best for him. If he doesn’t, well, that is easily remedied. Isn’t that right, Josh?”
Josh stepped up to stand next to his father, puffing out his broad chest. “A firm hand is what he needs. Why don’t I go up and introduce myself?”
Ben held a hand out to stop him. “No need. I’ll bring him down. He needs careful handling. Harvey tortured him, he has injuries.”
That wiped the smile from Terrance’s face. “How bad? Can he still bear children?”
“We haven’t had a medic check him over but I don’t think there’s anything permanent. He may have some scars.”
Terrance waved that off. “A few scars are nothing, if he can produce heirs. And more Omegas.”
Omegas that the Porters could use as bargaining chips with other Packs. Ben didn’t like it, not one bit, but there was little he could do. That was why they’d brought so many with them. There was no way Ben and Sam could take on five shifters between them, let alone the ten that were now occupying their kitchen.
“I’ll bring Adam down to meet you.”
He climbed the stairs. Adam was waiting for him at the door to the guest room. Ben checked to make sure there was enough noise downstairs to cover
his words.
“They’re the Gray Valley Pack. Their Alpha is Terrance. His son, Josh, will be your new Alpha mate. He’s the Alpha successor. They’ll take care of you, protect you. Do what you're told and you won’t have any trouble.” He went to lead Adam downstairs but found himself turning back. “Josh has a mate already. A female wolf from another Pack. His only interest will be producing more kids, he should leave you alone most of the time. He is a little hands-on sometimes, so watch yourself around him.”
Warning delivered to assuage his conscience, he continued down the stairs, hearing the Omega’s soft footfalls behind him. He pushed open the kitchen door, then turned, reaching for Adam’s arm and propelling him forward into the room.
Adam was like a deer in headlights as all eyes turned to him. He didn’t know where to look, eyes darting around before dropping to stare at the floor.
Terrance stepped forward, large hand reaching out to grasp Adam’s chin and turning his head up. Ben had to fight down the urge to shove Terrance away from him.
“Well, he’ll be pretty enough once those bruises have faded. Won’t be the hardest of chores to bed him, will it, Josh?”
Josh stalked up beside him, eyeing Adam with distaste. “Do we know where he came from? What Pack?”
Terrance waved that off. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is, he’s ours now. We’ll have to fatten him up a bit if he’s going to carry a pup every year.”
He turned Adam’s head so he was looking in Josh’s direction. “Here’s your new Alpha. Isn’t he handsome? Brave and strong. Much better than that twisted bastard Harvey.”
Terrance didn’t seem fazed when Adam made no reply. Ben could hear the fast flutter of the Omega’s heart, like the wings of a hummingbird.
“Boys,” Terrance called. “Time to go.”
He pulled Adam forward and shoved him towards Josh. “He can ride with you. Does he have any belongings?”
“Just some books. We’ve been lending him clothes,” Sam answered, pushing past them towards the door.
“Books? He won’t need those,” Josh sneered, hand tightening around Adam’s arm. Ben just about heard the soft whimper of pain from Adam. It set him even more on edge but there was nothing to be done. Sam paused by the door and Ben could see he was struggling not to let his feelings show on his face.
The Alpha's Choice: Lost Omegas Book Two: A M/M Shifter Romance Page 5
