In the distance, I see Basil’s impressive form illuminated in the moonlight. He runs straight up a hill, gaining on the asshole carrying our sweet omega. Beth is flung over his shoulder, her hand stretching out toward Basil. For a second, it looks like she might actually reach him, but then, the asshole lurches forward, and everything seems to move in slow motion.
Basil lets out a vicious roar and leaps.
There’s a scream, and a thud as all three fall into a mass of dark bushes.
Then everything goes quiet.
“Beth!” I yell as I race up the hill. “Beth!”
“I have her!” Basil slowly stands, then turns to me, with Beth in his arms. The small omega clings to him, arms wrapped firmly around his neck and legs locked around his waist.
Relief fills me in one swift breath, followed quickly by a lungful of her thick, overpowering distress.
Fuck.
“Beth!” I say her name as somewhere behind me, Tristan lets out a warrior cry. Violent screams fill the air, followed by a wet gurgle. It seems he’s found the other alpha, and I have no doubt that he’s collecting a trophy to add to his collection.
“Is she wounded?” I ask as I pass the asshole that took her. Long brown hair hangs in the alpha’s face, hiding his identity from me, but I don’t give a shit who he is.
He touched what’s mine, and he deserves to bleed for it.
“Let her go.” The unknown alpha pushes himself onto his feet. He sways, clearly injured. “I found her.” His words are slurred. “She’s mine.” He stumbles and I quickly turn back to him.
I’m not in the mood to bother with this prick more than I have to.
Desperate to check on Beth, I fist a handful of the fucker’s hair and the back of his shirt. “Get fucked.” I growl, then I ram him head first into a nearby tree. His skull cracks and his body goes limp, face down in the dirt.
“I think that’s one of Bosco’s men,” Basil says as I step up to him. I’m sure I’ll care tomorrow, but right now, all that matters is Beth.
“Sweetheart?” I press my palm to her back, and my heart breaks. She’s shaking like a leaf. “Beth?” I move around Basil, trying to see her face, but she’s pressed her nose against Basil’s shoulder, hiding behind her hair.
“Killian!” Tristan runs toward us. The burly alpha’s hands and face are splattered in blood. His tattooed chest probably is too, but it’s hard to tell in the dim light. “Is she…” He stops, looking over Beth’s back and arms. He looks terrified. “Is she okay?” he whispers, almost as if scared of the answer.
“She’s okay.” I pat him on the shoulder, and the alpha stumbles back. The jerky motion alarms me, and I grip his upper arms, trying to steady him. “Tristan?”
“Thank god she’s okay.” His face scrunches up and tears run down his face.
Stunned, I’m frozen in place, unable to process what’s happening.
Tristan never cries, or at least he hasn’t in years.
“I thought she was gone.” The burly alpha doubles over, covering the back of his head with both bloody hands. “I should have carried her to bed.” He sniffles loudly as he cries into the forest floor. “Why didn’t I make sure she went to bed?”
“Go,” I order Basil, desperate to get Beth back home.
“Yes, sir,” the green-eyed alpha sets off, walking as fast as he can without jostling Beth too much.
“Come here, big guy.” I open my arms, pulling Tristan into a tight hug. He’s taller than me, forcing him to bend slightly as he rests his forehead against my shoulder.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, and I squeeze him tighter.
“It’s okay.” I comfort him the best I can, caressing his shoulders and cradling the back of his head. “Beth is okay. We’re all okay.”
Tristan is quiet, hugging me tight and letting me hold him.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him this tore up.
“Okay.” Tristan moves, his back flexing under my fingers. “I’m good.” He stands up straight, sucking in a deep breath.
