My chest is tight with fear for her. I hate that she’s out here, exposed to so many violent alphas, but I can also appreciate that there are things she might need to say to this fucker.
I nod once, and Basil turns his attention back to Beth. “Okay.” He wraps a hand around her wrist, right next to Jeremy’s, and whispers, “But you’re staying right here.”
Beth nods, before looking at her father.
The older alpha is enraged. His sharp aroma floods the air, making my nerves pull tight. “I’m going to rip you limb from limb for touching my daughter,” he growls at Basil. “She’s not yours.”
Beth’s cheeks flame red as her anger takes hold. “You are a liar,” she snarls at Burke. “No one stole me.”
“They’ve brainwashed her,” Burke’s voice rises as he turns to Frolen. “They broke into my home. They crawled into her bed, and carried her away.”
“No!” Beth’s wide eyes dart from Burke to Frolen, desperately wanting the younger alpha to believe her. “My father is a monster. A liar.” She manages to calm down, speaking softly despite her spiraling rage. “He humiliated and abused me.”
Burke yells and growls, claiming she’s been pumped full of lies, but my precious girl keeps talking over him.I’m so proud of her.
“I couldn’t take it anymore.” Beth’s chin quivers and Frolen tilts his head, listening. “I left. I walked out the back door and didn’t look back. Killian didn’t snatch me. None of them did. They’re good men.”
“Is this true?” Frolen’s dark eyes cut to Burke. “Did she run away?”
Burke snarls, his shoulders growing more tense by the second. “You can’t trust these fuckers.” He glares at me before turning his attention to Tristan. “They’re bloodthirsty monsters.” His voice is low, almost mocking. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what they’re capable of, Frolen. These beasts are fully capable of kidnapping a delicate omega right out of her nest.” He finishes his ridiculous accusation with a mocking smirk.
I know what he’s doing.
He’s trying to start a fight. If he can get a brawl started, he can snatch up Beth while Frolen and Aaron hold us back. Inormally wouldn’t be worried about such a foolish plan, but I fear it might be working.
I can smell Tristan’s anger. His intense bonfire scent twists in the breeze, making the cool fall air flash hot.
“We’re all well aware of what kind of alpha you are,” Burke continues, trying to rile Tristan up. “They call you the bone collector. Rumour has it you collect the skulls of your enemies.”
The muscle in Tristan’s jaw ticks and Basil pulls Beth a little closer to the house. She doesn’t fight him, probably sensing Tristan’s spiraling emotions. But then the burly alpha does something none of us expect—he laughs.
Tristan tips his head back and lets out a deep belly laugh. “Skulls? Ha!” He barks and his whole body shakes like it’s a wonderful joke. “I don’t collect skulls, old man.” His laughter dies, replaced by a simple smile. “But I’ll make an exception for you.”
Burke’s mocking smirk turns sour, clearly unhappy that he won’t be getting what he wants.
“I think it’s time for you to go, Mr. Raiser,” Basil says in his overly polite tone. He must be livid. The more enraged he is, the more cordial he becomes.
“I’m not leaving without my daughter.” Burke stares at each one of us, clearly trying to come up with a new plan. “Lorn,” he uses Frolen’s first name, “these alphas are liars and thieves. They stole from me. Fromyou.”
“I’m sorry, Burke,” Frolen looks directly into the asshole’s eyes. “But I know these alphas better than you do. We’ve fought together many times on these lands.” His jaw tenses, clearly losing patience. “And even your own daughter isn’t backing you up.”
Rage makes Burke’s eyes flash, and he lets out a strangled growl. “It doesn’t fucking matter how she ended up here!” he roars, tossing away the last of his self-respect. It’s clear hedoesn’t know Frolen well, because the alpha values honesty and loyalty above everything else. “All that matters is this pack has what’s yours.” He turns his vicious snarl back on Beth. “Come here!” he issues his alpha command.
Beth’s body stiffens, and Basil’s grip on her tightens. But the tiny omega doesn’t give in to the command. She stays firmly planted in place.
“Don’t you fucking command my mate,” I snarl, taking two steps toward Burke. He jerks as if wanting to run off, feeding into my desire to attack the much weaker male.
“Lorn,” Aaron says, and Frolen turns. The red-haired alpha holds out his hands as if asking his leader what to do.
“Give me a minute.” Frolen’s eyes drift over the grass at his feet. Thinking. He’s weighing his options. The desire for a mate is one hell of a thing, and I wouldn't blame him if he chose to fight for Beth. But I have no intention of giving her up. “Our packs have worked together for a few years now.” He finally looks up at me. I can see the fight building behind his eyes. “But that omega was promised to us.” His voice grows louder. Firmer. “We made a trade with her family.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, simply. “We’ve mated her.” I glance back at Beth and she instinctively lifts her head, showing her fresh mating bites.
Aaron lets out an enraged growl, before backing up, and Frolen’s jaw clenches. Even Burke is frozen in place with shock, but the teenage boy is smiling.
“Fuck!” Aaron roars.
I understand his reaction. Losing an omega must be devastating. There are so few of the precious creatures in this world.
