Page 33 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

The expression Elam radiated back at him made Jasper queasy.

“The captured Deltas said your captors and the scientists were vacating the facility since they’re sure they’ll be found out.”

Jasper swallowed hard. “Because of me.”

“You did the right thing, Jasper.” Elam grasped his arm. “We never would’ve known to stage a rescue if not for you and you all would’ve been lost anyway.”

“But what about the omegas who aren’t ready to be impregnated yet? What about them?”

Elam’s expression only became more pained and Jasper feared he knew the answer.

My nightmare. The omegas cowering in the corner. The men with guns.

If Hawk and the Alliance didn’t rescue the omegas in time, they’d be murdered.

Chapter Twelve

Hawk lay on his stomach behind an outcropping of rocks, remaining shielded while he and his fellow fighters staked out the facility below. He was perched at the top of an incline overlooking the prison, along with Nic and several of the Wolf Creek members. The decision had been made for Hawk to remain with Nic’s pack rather than the Guardians for the impending battle. Any hostilities over what had gone down between Hawk and his old packmates wouldn’t serve the current situation.

As it was, he’d already received numerous lectures from Nic over keeping his need for vengeance against Jasper’s captors out of the equation. Allowing his emotions to take over his good sense would only unnecessarily put himself and the others in danger.

And the omegas.

He kept reminding himself that his main purpose for this mission was to save the imprisoned omegas. Save Jasper’s friend. He’d promised to stay safe for Jasper and their unborn child and he’d promised to rescue Sascha. His own thirst for Russian scientist blood had to be put to the side.

Not to mention his asshat of a father. Hawk pressed his lips together. Wouldn’t mind a few minutes alone in a room with him.

Nic crawled over to him. “Look. As I said earlier when we met at the rendezvous point, there’s almost zero element of surprise here. Between Jasper’s escape and the mangy hounds they sent after him that we captured, they have to know we’re showing up at any minute. But I’m getting some pushback now from the Guardian Alpha in charge.”

Hawk sighed in aggravation. Of course. “Why? He can’t possibly believe there’s any chance of us getting in there undetected.”

“Exactly. I know you’ve had your issues with the Guardians. I’m wondering if you have a sense of either why he’s dragging his heels on this or who we can trust from the pack to head in there with us on the first wave. Who are your best defenders?”

Hawk’s first thought was of Cameron, but he knew of several others too. Ones he could picture defending the flanks of the Alphas and other pack deltas who would be leading the charge.

“I have a good idea who you can count on to fight alongside you, but I’m afraid I’ve never been able to understand the way the Guardians operate. That’s why I mostly stayed to myself, worked the outer perimeter.”

Nic gave a sharp nod. “You can’t blame the Guardians overall. These are betas who were doing what the appointed Alpha ordered them to do. I’m sure most of them felt they were being loyal.”

He supposed it explained why he’d given himself so many headaches over the years with all the eye-rolling he’d done whenever a new protocol was established.

“I guess I can see that. Just not my way to blindly follow without asking questions. In case it’s not already blatantly obvious, I wasn’t the most popular guy there.”

Nic chuckled. “I imagine you weren’t.”

“Trust me. Nothing I ever did or said while I was there made anyone like me all that much.”

His thoughts strayed to Cameron, but he pushed them to the side. At least he mattered to one shifter from the Guardians. He only hoped that getting his friend involved in his escapades hadn’t gotten him into too much trouble.

“Listen, Hawk. Me and the Alpha from the Bering Sea Pack are readying our fighters to send in. If you can identify about a dozen betas from the Guardians to go in with them, we’ll split them between the two groups. We’re charging through the front and back gates simultaneously at the top of the hour when the shift change happens.” Nic grunted. “Hypothetically. Makes me antsy having to rely so much on the intel from those sacks of shit who were captured.”

Hawk nodded grimly. “Yeah. I hear ya. What about the rest of the Guardians and their Alpha in charge?”

“I told him to hang back, pick up any stragglers who make a run for it.” He shook his head. “We’ll be having the Alliance meeting of the century after all this is wrapped up, I can feel it.” Nic regarded him. “I think it’s time for a bit of a shake-up, bring in some new shifter blood to help guide us into a new age.”

So much had already been discussed. Passages from the ancient texts had been scoured over in light of the startling revelations regarding male pregnancy. But all of it was tied to a fresh beginning for the Alliance members. Nic would be sticking his neck out for him and Jasper, would be arguing for Hawk’s punishment to be light. He glanced in the direction of the walled-in prison.

And everything will depend on what happens before the night is through.