Page 3 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

He had a mate. This sweet creature lost in the woods, running for his life, was his mate. From what he could tell, the cute guy was an omega, which didn’t make any sense. Being that he was a beta, how could his fated mate be an omega?

Jasper.

His name was that of a great stone of many properties that included courage, passion and nurturing. Hawk would cherish a man who embraced such qualities, accept him into his life, would keep him forever.

Hawk let out a snarl. But first I have to destroy any threats against him and find out what the hell is going on.

Familiar short yips followed by a brief howl brought him up short. He scampered around in circles a few times, scattering leaves and other forest detritus as well as he could before his best buddy, Cameron, caught up to him.

Only buddy.

Hawk wasn’t all that popular in the Guardian Pack, which was fine by him. He had better things to do than grovel at the feet of the Alphas who commanded them in the name of the Alliance. The other wolves derided him for not being a team player. From Hawk’s point of view, he did the only thing he should be doing—protecting the pack as a perimeter guard. While the others hated what they considered a lowly position and clamored to go on more prestigious assignments to protect other packs in the Alliance, Hawk preferred his solitude.

“Hey! Wait up.” Cameron had barely completed his shift when he landed in front of him.

Dammit. Hawk had no choice but to shift back so they could have a conversation. “This’d better be good, Cam. It’s fucking freezing out here.”

“I don’t know about good, but I was on my way to alert the other Guardians about those strange howls when I saw you racing in the opposite direction. What gives?”

Hawk frowned. “Opposite direction? What do you mean?”

“I caught their scent and was trying to get ahead of them by cutting across Moose Ridge, when I spotted you running away.”

A growl escaped Hawk’s lips before he could stop it. “I don’t run away from anything.”

“Don’t get all pissy with me, man. I just thought you’d want to know they’re headed toward your shelter.”

Hawk shifted in an instant then tore through the woods, his heart racing, blood pumping, no human thoughts left to him, only the urge to sink his teeth into fur and flesh. A sharp branch from a tree sliced across his shoulder but nothing would stop his wolf from reaching his goal.

Mate. Danger!

He crested the incline that placed him within a hundred feet of his shack and pounced on the first wolf he spotted. Hawk slammed into the gray animal, rolling them, snapping his jaw at its neck as the predator whipped his snout from side-to side, thrashing and kicking Hawk with its back paws to get away. A scent he knew all too well reached his nostrils and right as he was about tear open the exposed throat of his enemy, he jumped back, keeping his stance tight, his nose low as he waited for his packmate’s response to the unprovoked attack.

David shifted and dabbed at the bloody scratches on his cheek. “What the actual fuck is wrong with you Ivanov?”

Hawk’s chest heaved as he gulped in air, his rage still so hot he barely noticed the chill of the wind hitting his skin. “What are you doing?” He waved his hand, gesturing to the other two Guardians who had just arrived and shifted as well. “Why are you invading my territory?”

David took a step toward him, his lip curled in a snarl. “Your territory? This is a pack outpost that you’re supposed to be guarding. Care to explain why you’re not on duty?”

Hawk advanced on David until they were almost toe-to-toe. “I don’t have to explain shit to you, you—”

“Hey, hey guys.” His shoulder was grasped from behind by Cameron and he shook off the grip, schooling his expression so he wouldn’t wince from the bloody scratches in his skin. “Come on,” Cameron continued. “Let’s not get our tails in a twist. We’re all on the same side, remember?”

David stood his ground, crossing his arms as their fellow Guardians moved forward and flanked him. “Sure. We’re all on the same side…” He gestured between him and his friends. “But Hawk is only half on our side, so we’re never certain whether to trust him or not.”

Hawk growled, narrowing his eyes at the shifters who were the very reason he preferred keeping to himself. In his twenty-four years, he’d never met a bigger group of assholes than the beta wolves of the Guardian Pack.

Cameron let out an aggravated sigh. “Not cool, guys. Being a full-shifter doesn’t guarantee loyalty either, you know.”

David balled his fists. “What are you inferring, Cam, huh? Just ‘cause you want to get into Hawk’s pants doesn’t mean you have to let your dick fuck with your good sense!”

“Enough!” Hawk shouldered his way in front of Cam, ready to defend his friend if need be. “This is an old argument, and frankly, it bores the shit outta me.” He paused, waiting to see if David or one of his goons would insist on continuing with the stupid. “I was chasing what I thought were rogue wolves when I came upon you. I assumed you were one of them, that’s why I attacked.” A wave of nausea struck him at the thought of apologizing to the little weasel, but in the interest of keeping the peace, he went with it. “Sorry about that.”

David huffed then crossed his arms again. “Whatever.” He glanced away then lifted his gaze. “We were looking for the intruders too. Deacon radioed from Gold Nugget Springs that a small pack of unfamiliar werewolves were headed for town and to intercept them. I verified with Alpha Mikhail that no council meetings or visitations were scheduled, then me and the guys headed here.” He narrowed his eyes. “We expected you to be at your post.”

Hawk gritted his teeth. “Like I said, I was going after the same wolves. I was doing my job.”

David tilted his head. “See, this is where I’m a tad confused.”