“Yesterday.” Mr. Pronus frowns. “It’s a shame when matings cause problems.”
Tristan shoves the paper into his pocket, then drops his voice to a rough whisper, “Can you do me a favor?”
“I won’t tell anyone about your omega,” Mr. Pronus says, saving Tristan the trouble of actually asking. “But I’ve seen this flier in a few shops around town.”
Tristan shakes the beta’s hand once more, then places his hand on Jeremy’s shoulder. “Come on.” He ushers us toward the door. “It’s time to go home.”
I should be relieved to be going home, but all I can think about is Burke.
What if he’s already found me?
What if he’s already at the house?
What if he’s killed Killian and Basil?
How will I ever forgive myself?
Back at Home
Tristan
The car ridehome was silent and tense.
Rage coursed through my veins, making it almost impossible to drive. Jeremy tried several times to get Beth to talk, but the omega just stared at her lap. She didn’t even look out the window once. The sweet omega stunk of fear and she kept randomly shivering.
It was gutting.
The second we got home, Jeremy pulled Beth into the kitchen, while I put the bags away. I flung them onto Killian’s bed, then pulled out my phone.
“Is everything okay?” Killian answered on the second ring. He knows I don’t call unless it’s an emergency.
“There are fliers in town with Beth’s picture on them.” It takes everything in me not to yell. “Apparently, her fucking father is looking for her.”
Silence and static crackles in my ear, telling me that Killian is somewhere along the northern side of the mountain. The reception out there is shit. “Did anyone recognize her?”
“Pronus did, but he won’t say anything. He’s a good man.” I think about all the people we passed in the street and shops. “I don’t know who else might have recognized her though.”
“I’ll be home in an hour. Keep the house locked up tight, and don’t take your eyes off of Beth for one second.” It’s a clear command and one I don't intend on disobeying.
“Should I call Basil?” I ask, eager to get downstairs.
“I’ll call him,” Killian says. “Try to keep Beth distracted, butnotwith your cock.”
I snarl, insulted he’d think I’d try to fuck her with so much going on right now. “I’m not an animal,” I say a little too forcefully.
“I’m serious, Tristan,” Killian says, completely dismissing what I said. “You can’t protect the house and fuck our omega at the same time.”
A part of me wants to argue that I can, just to be an ass. “I won’t touch her,” I promise.
Killian accepts my promise, then jumps off the phone to call Basil. The second I hang up, I race down the stairs, double-checking that the front door is locked before heading to the kitchen.
“Do you want to help me bake a cake?” Jeremy asks.
“Cake?” Beth’s voice lifts as if not understanding. It kind of sounds like she doesn’t know what a cake is.
I pause in the hallway, listening to the pair talk.
“Basil’s birthday is tomorrow, and he loves chocolate cake,” Jeremy says. I can hear the smile in his voice. “Have you had cake before?”
