Two alphas make their way across my lawn. The redhead—Aaron—is with Frolen’s pack, but I don’t recognize the other. He’s a big fucker. Long black hair and dark eyes, wearing a duster that falls to his knees and heavy black pants. His bare chest peeks out of his jacket as he walks, obviously trying to show off the thick scars across his pecs and abs. He wants me to know he’s a fighter. That he's endured pain and doesn’t mind doing it again.
“Can I help you?” I ask the black-haired alpha. His eyes are narrowed, pure rage rolling off his shoulder. “Are you a friend of Frolen?” I glance back at Aaron, but his expression is just as hard. “You’re on my property,” I warn both of them.
The black-haired alpha stops a few feet from the porch. “My name is Burke Raiser.”
My hackles rise and blood begins to pump.
“You have my daughter,” he snarls. “Hand her over and no one will get hurt.”
“Get the fuck off my land, or I’ll remove you piece by piece.” I flash my fangs before looking out at Aaron. “Why did you bring this asshole here?”
“I’m sorry, Killian. But we need to talk.” Aaron takes two steps forward, and the trees behind him rustle. Frolen emerges out of the pine trees, followed by a young alpha. He looks to be a teenager. Maybe fourteen or fifteen at most. He has the same dark brown hair and intense eyes as Beth.
“Bava,” Frolen addresses me by my last name like I do with him. It’s a sign of respect out here. “Can we have a word?”
I don’t want to be a dick to someone I consider a friend, but I’m sure Burke has sold Frolen a batch of lies. And I’m not going to entertain any of them. “I can only assume Bosco is behind this.”
The pained look on Frolen’s face tells me it is. “I don’t like that asshole any more than you,” he says. “But he recognized your omega from the missing posters Burke put up in town. We need to discuss this.”
The mention of Beth turns my curiosity into pure adrenaline. I’m ready to rage and kill every alpha here if I have to. And so is Tristan. The burly alpha is right at my side, fists at the ready and fangs on full display.
“My omega has nothing to do with this fucker.” I cut a glare at Burke. “I don’t know him or his family.”
Frolen pulls in a deep breath, clearly not believing me. “We have an arrangement with the Raiser pack.” He’s shockingly calm, making me wonder how he thinks this will end. “His omega daughter is betrothed to us. I don’t know how you came to have her in your possession but she’s ours.”
Frolen isn’t a needlessly violent alpha. He’s cordial. Always willing to lend a hand when needed. But, like me, he’s the leader of his pack, and there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that role—including figuring out how to get an omega.
And it seems I might have accidentally bought his.
“I’m sorry, friend.” I press my fist to my chest, trying to convey a bit of sincerity. “We weren’t aware of any arrangement. We didn’t?—”
“Thieves!” Burke roars and Aaron inches a little closer. The teenage boy follows him. “You stole my sweet girl,” Burke’s voice rises. “You came into my house and snatched her!”
“That’s a lie!” Beth yells as she bursts out the front door.
Shock tears through me, followed quickly by anger.Where the fuck are Basil and Jeremy?
“Get back inside, omega,” I tell my mate. Our bond is full of her wild emotions. Fear, anger, desperation, and grief. I’m surprised the poor omega isn’t running straight for her nest. But she stands firm, glaring at her horrible father.
It’s impressive.
“My baby!” Burke yells out for his daughter, reaching as if desperate to hold her, but his movements are weirdly exaggerated, without any real intention.
I mean, if this were my daughter, I’d kill everyone here, no questions asked. This fucker hasn’t even stepped toward her.
“Please, Beth,” he pleads. “Come to me. Let me save you from these savages.” He glares right at Tristan, and I tense.
“They didn’t snatch me.” Beth’s hands shake and tears pour down her face. I want to run to her, but the need to stand guard between her and the rest of these assholes is stronger.
Thankfully, Basil and Jeremy both burst through the door, racing straight to our omega.
“Beth!” Jeremy gasps as if both relieved and shocked to find her. “Come here.” He wraps an arm around her waist, before scanning the yard. He takes in Frolen, the young boy, then Burke. I can see a swirl of questions swimming in his head, but to his credit, he doesn't ask.
“Gentlemen.” Basil nods at Frolen and Aaron as steps between them and our gentle mates. “Come, Beth,” he whispers. “It’s time to come inside.”
“No! Please!” Beth begs Jeremy, before turning to Basil. “Let me stay.” She looks up at the alpha, her big eyes brimming with tears. “I need to talk to him. I have to say this.”
Basil lets out a controlled breath, before looking at me.
