Page 209 of All Packed Up

The alphas only looked guilty because they’d been caught. Griffith had no doubts that if they’d been able to continue their little charade, they wouldn’t have cared about Wendy or the hurt they caused. They were selfish alphas who didn’t even deserve an omega.

Especially not one like Wendy.

But now suddenly, Derek seemed to care. A lot.

“And that goes for all of you,” Stellan added. “It’s cute that you all work for the same company.”

“Makes it a lot easier to take you all down together.”

Omegas were supposed to be treasured. They were special, and no smart brands would condone the actions of these alphas. Not if they wanted to keep making money, keep staying relevant.

And it seemed like Derek really liked staying relevant.

He was furious, lips lifted in a snarl, teeth showing.

“So if you know what’s fucking good for you, you’ll crawl back to your fancy house and lie low. And if I ever hear that you’re bothering my friends, I will end your careers so fast you won’t even see it coming.”

Derek paled.

“Well? Do you understand me?” Niles asked, the threat of a bark in his voice.

“Yes!” the one… maybe Josh, said. “Yes, we’ll leave them alone. We promise.”

“How about the rest of you?” Griffith questioned, making his tone a threat.

“I got it,” the other two alphas said.

All but Derek, who remained on his knees, glaring up at them.

“Do you understand him or not?” Wendy snapped, voice rough and angry. “Answer him.”

Derek stared at her for a long moment, and Grif tensed, worried he would— “Yeah, I understand.”

“You don’t have to like it,” Wendy rasped. “But you will stay the fuck away from me.”

“Otherwise, Darla is going to be one happy chicken,” Grif added.

Derek refused to meet her gaze, and Wendy huffed, but seemed satisfied as she laid her head on Griffith’s arm.

“Are we in agreement, gentlemen?”

Their heads nodded, finally seeming to understand the gravity of their consequences.

“Then go,” Griffith said, pushing the intent of a bark into his words.

The alphas stood and turned stiffly, walking away from them, all limbs intact, even if they walked a little awkwardly. Hopefully the bruises were starting to hurt like a bitch from their beating.

But all in all, it was more peaceful than Grif had hoped. He wouldn’t mind smashing their faces into the concrete a few times.

Griffith watched until they slowly piled into their vehicle across the road, down a few paces and beneath a tree.

“They’d been watching,” Grif pieced together. “That’s how they knew to find us here. I bet one of them called the others in.”

“Fuckers,” Nic murmured, turning on his heel as Stellan and Niles spoke in low tones to each other.

“Are you okay?” Nic asked when he drew closer, framed by Tate and Arlo, who rushed over once the Sterling Pack drove away with a squeal of tires.

Griffith released Wendy when she dropped her hand and threw her arms around Nic’s neck. His arms curled around her waist before he gently pulled her into him. His eyes drifted closed, and Grif had a front row seat to the soft expression on his face as he held Wendy.