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From one end of the protest, he heard screams. A crush of people pushed against them. With his height, Wilder had a better view. He saw the Red Guard at one end, spraying protestors with huge water cannons.
His instinct roared for him to push back against the guards and help the omegas there, yet fear for Avery’s brothers slammed into him. He had to get them to safety first. He gave one last look, witnessing omegas shoved to the ground and arrested, while others fled for safety.
Wilder tossed his sign to the ground and grabbed tight to both boys, moving sideways through the crowd. Forcing his way took time, time he wasn’t sure they had. He couldn’t stop. He couldn’t let go. Finally, he reached the side of a building close to the courthouse and pulled the boys into an alley. He urged the boys forward, zigging and zagging through alleys until he came upon a familiar building. Charging inside with the boys in tow, he headed for an elevator.
“What are we doing here?” Lake asked.
“This is my brother’s apartment building. I’m leaving you both with him for a little while so I can go help others.”
“You’re going back?” Lake asked. “I want to go with you.”
“No! Avery would kill me… so would Gray. You need to stay here until the dust settles.” He slapped a button inside. The doors closed, and the car rose.
“I can help you,” Lake argued.
Wilder took a few cleansing breaths, his heart still jackhammering in his chest. He finally turned to Lake and placed both hands on the boy’s shoulders. “I want to go help those omegas as much as I’m able. I started this, and I can’t leave them to suffer the consequences.”
“I can help.”
“No… you’d be a distraction. I’d worry you were in danger, and I can’t have that. Do you understand me?”
Lake frowned.
“I need you to tell me you understand.”
“I understand,”he muttered.
“The help I really need is this. Call Gray and Rohan. Tell them where you two are and that you’re safe. Apologize for me. I promised to take you home. But I think they’ll understand.”
“I could do more than that. I’m almost eighteen. I’m not a kid.”
“No. You’re not. But you need to be responsible for your younger brother right now. I need you to do that for me.”
Lake sighed. “Alright.”
The elevator stopped with a ding, and the doors opened. Wilder urged the boys out and marched toward Vaughn’s door, praying his brother was home.
Vaughn appeared after a long pause between rings at his front door. Wilder sighed with relief.
“Hey?” Vaughn said, eyeing the boys and then searching Wilder’s face.
“I need to ask a huge favor.”
“Okay?”
“I need you to keep an eye on these tw—”
“We don’t need a babysitter,” Lake spat.
“No. But you need a safe space until Gray and Rohan can come get you.” Wilder focused on his brother. “These guys are Avery’s brothers. They were at the protest with me, and shit hit the fan. Lake is going to call Rohan and get a ride home. Can they stay here until he does?”
Vaughn’s nostrils flared as he eyed Lake. His gaze flicked back to Wilder. “Where are you going?”
“To see if I can help.”
“Or more than likely get arrested.”
“At least I know I would get bail and be out in a couple of hours. If I take the spot of an omega who’d be imprisoned, so be it.”
