The Beta (4 page)

“Babe, Dark Ages or not, the pack needs warriors to protect their territory.”

“From what? They’ve chased off all the scum. The Vasi are coming together as one. No more factions. This should be a time of peace and you’re acting like—like—”

“Something bad is about to happen. Don’t talk military strategy with me. If I wanted to take over this city, now would be the time I’d strike. The pack is happy and their guard is down. Not to mention the alpha is out of the city.”

Rob’s appetite vanished. He set his bagel back on the plate and drank the rest of his milk to wash down the bite stuck in his throat. Daedalus was the life of the party.

The vampire glared at him. “Taking Talon out of the picture last night would have sent a strong message to anyone listening.”

Rob swallowed. “He didn’t really do anything that merited his death.”

“He challenged you.
You
.” Daedalus poked him in the chest with a finger. “The beta of the pack. You’re just as important as an alpha. Eric is the strength, he gathers the fold, but the beta, Robert, is the guiding hand.”

“I know, I know. We’ve had this conversation already. I still don’t see why anyone needs to die.”

“I agree.” Sugar took Robert’s hand.

Fury flashed in Daedalus’s eyes as he stared at their touch.

Rob released his hold on Sugar as if burned.

She didn’t notice any of it, or at least she pretended not to as she continued to confront Daedalus. “I hate it when you kill.”

“Killing is in my nature. Vampires aren’t related to the Easter Bunny, Sugar.”

“And this is what you want me to become? A murderer?”

If Rob could have fit in the cupboard by his feet, he would have crawled into it like he did when he was a kid and his parents fought. Trapped in a corner, they forced him to witness their on-going disagreements. Daedalus didn’t want to watch Sugar grow old and die. Turning her into a vampire would prevent that, but the thought of it terrified Sugar.

Ain’t love grand?
And he wanted this?

“Is that how you see me? I don’t always kill to feed.”

She gasped and covered her throat with her hand. “I thought you stopped feeding on others period.”

Like a fish out of water, the Nosferatu gaped. “I—I—”

“Who else have you been using? I haven’t noticed as many bite marks on the boys.” Sugar glanced at Rob’s neck. He hated when it was his turn to feed the vampire, but he’d done it to prevent this kind of fight. “He doesn’t even have an old mark on him.”

“The boys are tired of me feeding from them. I can’t keep forcing them, Sugar. It’s like rape.”

She cringed. “I didn’t know.” The color from her cheeks faded. “Then who?”

Daedalus wouldn’t look at her.

“He’s been using the scum off the street. Rapists, thieves, and drug dealers, the criminals police haven’t caught yet.” Rob couldn’t stand watching them be angry. His whole childhood he’d witnessed his parents tear at each other. Sugar and Daedalus deserved better. They fought the odds trying to be together. “He’s doing the city a service.”

A tear spilled from her eye. “You kill them like that Ayumu asshole who tried to hurt me?”

Not the best example that Robert would have chosen. Sugar hadn’t seen Daedalus shred that beast in the woods the night Eric won the alpha challenge, but she heard it from the parking lot and the event almost drove her away from all of them forever.

The vampire rolled his massive shoulders before leaning forward to face Sugar with his fangs bared. “Yes, I’m a murderer. It’s what I’ve always been.” He pushed past her and grabbed his black leather coat off the hook by the back sliding glass door, then left.

Sugar ran to the door and stared at the night. “He’s gone. Shit, I keep screwing things up, Robert.”

He’d never heard her swear before. “He’ll be back. Let him cool off.”

“How long have you known he’s been feeding off others?” She pressed her forehead against the glass.

“A while.” Feeling two inches tall, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Sugar, you’ve been through this before. You can’t expect him to change. He’s been a vampire for centuries.”

“But it’s okay for everyone to expect me to change for him?” She touched his hand and squeezed. “I know you guys don’t understand why I won’t become a vampire. I’m not stupid, Robert. How would I feed?”

“You can use us or at least me. It’s not the feeding part the wigs me out. It’s the guy-on-guy thing that makes me uncomfortable.”

She chuckled. “Daedalus could barely contain himself when I touched your hand. He’d rip your throat out if I fed on you.”

“Good point. There’s Katrina and Spice. We’ll figure out a way.”

“I’m tired and I don’t… Killing is just wrong.” She turned around and hugged him. “I’m glad you kept him from killing Talon last night. I don’t know what to do.”

He hugged her back. Two more days before Eric and Spice got back. He needed to keep the pack and their household together
two more days
. “Don’t do anything. Let me talk to Daedalus.” He pushed away to make eye contact with her. “I promise, things will work out. Okay?”

She nodded and wiped a tear from her eye.

His cellphone rang. It sat on the entrance table where he’d dropped it last night. He needed to answer, all pack members knew to call him this week and not to bother Eric.

Sugar gestured for him to go.

The caller ID showed it came from a Vasi member. Crap. He should have stayed in bed.

“Hello?” Listening to his pack mate, he watched Sugar make a cup of tea, then curl up on the couch with a well-worn paperback book. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He closed the connection.

All bad things came in threes. First Sugar and Daedalus’s argument, now Talon was stirring up trouble at a bar on the other side of town. Someone in the pack tried to intervene, but got his ass beat for the effort. Robert would have to deal with Talon again. What would be the third issue?

He shoved his phone and car keys in his pockets. Two more days. At least he didn’t have to work out tonight since Daedalus pulled a
Houdini
.

“I have to go, Sugar. Are you going to be okay?”

She glanced at him with a brave smile. “Sure.”

His heart wrung for her, so he ran to the basement and barged into Sam’s bedroom.

The short werewolf was pulling a muscle shirt over his overly developed torso. “Don’t you know how to knock? I could have had a guest in here.”

“Doesn’t matter. I need to go take care of a problem.”

“Is this problem named Talon?”

Robert nodded.

“Need some back-up?”

His stomach clenched at the thought of having to face Talon alone. “Probably, but I need you to stay home with Sugar instead.”

Sam came to attention at the mention of their token human female. “What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?”

“Big fight with Daedalus. Just keep her company until I can straighten things out.”

His buddy nodded. “Sure, but keep in touch. Tyler and I are available. You don’t need to take care of everything by yourself.”

“Eric does.”

“Bullshit, he turns to you whenever something needs to be done.” Sam clapped him on the shoulder and left the room taking the stairs two at a time. “Sugar, get your sweater. I need someone to take me to the movies.”

Robert followed the noise upstairs where his two friends discussed recent movie releases and exited out the front door.

Rap music thumped loud enough to rattle Robert’s teeth while he pushed his way through Molten, the crowded bar, which contained all the things he didn’t care for: noise, drugs, and people. Some of the Vasi liked to party here and from the phone call he’d received Talon had paid them a visit.

In the back, he saw some familiar faces and headed their way, but as he drew closer he noticed that most of the clientele sitting at these tables were from the pack. They gathered to him as if pulled by a magnet. Instinctual pack hierarchy, and it gave him heartburn. These people looked to him for guidance in Eric’s absence, and his own instincts cried to glance over his left shoulder where his alpha usually stood.

He cleared his throat.
Time to man up.
“What happened?”

Simon, one of the more dominate males of the pack, rose from the table, sporting a fresh black eye and a fat lip. “Talon showed up shit-faced and started picking on a new member.” He shot a look at a young guy sitting at a corner table.

Aaron, the kid’s name was Aaron. He reminded Robert of himself when he transitioned from human to werewolf. Lost, alone and weak, but at least he had the Vasi for support. Robert didn’t have anyone in the beginning until he met Eric.

“You okay, Aaron?” he shouted over the din. Daedalus told him to use names whenever possible. It was suppose to reassure his pack mates that he cared. By the kid’s smile and nod, Robert would have to say it worked.

“We pulled Talon off the kid, but the dude’s out of control. He said something about us betraying him, that he didn’t recognize your unauthorized challenge last night.” Simon chuckled. “Said you beat him.”

“Well, it wasn’t an unauthorized challenge. It was a warning, which is why he’s still breathing. I’m starting to regret that part.”

The smile on Simon’s face transformed to surprise. “You beat him by yourself?”

Nice, even his pack thought him a trophy beta. He nodded, not trusting his mouth to be diplomatic.

Excited glances and pointing passed through the gathering as the news spread.

“Do you know where Talon’s headed?” Robert needed to get his claws on that beast and shake some sense into him. Even if Robert lost a challenge to that idiot, Eric would never accept Talon as beta. Maybe the dude had a death wish? If he kept acting like this it would leave Robert no choice. God, he’d never killed anyone before and didn’t want to ever start.

“He didn’t say, but he likes to hang out at a biker’s bar over by the Ukrainian village. The Twisted Tire or something? It’s off I-Ninety.” Two other males gathered by Simon. “Do you want us to come with you?”

Robert could hear both Daedalus and Eric in his head encouraging him to say
yes
. It would be a good bonding experience for him and the pack. A social event for males, get to know your beta night and watch him kick ass. “Not yet. I need to track him first, and I’ll move faster on my own.” For social animals, he and his beast didn’t fit in. They preferred solitude, and that’s why they’d become omega in the first place.

The Vasi had their share of omegas, just like any other pack, but they were nurtured instead of abused. Like little Aaron sitting at the table nursing his beer. The pack didn’t cast him out when Talon jumped him, they rallied around him. Robert really admired Eric’s work with the Vasi and hoped other packs would follow his example.

When Simon and his companions appeared disappointed at his refusal, Robert sighed and dug deep. “If I need back-up, you’ll be the first I call.”

They grinned and nodded.

He turned to leave and faced a wall of humans. Pushing through that mass of flesh flared his proximity alarms, and his beast strained at the yoke to thrash at the people who dared come too close. An exit sign glowed above the crowd, and he released the breath he’d been holding. Skirting along the wall, he shoved the door open when he reached it.

It brought him out to a narrow alley on the side of the building. The cool air was a relief, then he caught a whiff of a familiar scent. Something sharp and clean he’d recently had his face buried in.

Esther.

The door closed behind him with a
thunk
and took what little light it gave. She stood with her legs apart in the center of the alley, silhouetted by the distant street lights.

“Are you following me, Esther?” The muscles in his back tensed as he smelled gun powder. She held a gun again. Damn it. He glanced over his shoulder for cover if she got trigger happy.

“I’m trying to figure out what kind of sick game you’re playing, Rob.” She stepped closer, and he could see the outline of her weapon pointed at his head. “I hate being played for a fool, but you did a great job making me feel like one.”

He searched the area, however escape appeared slim. Next time, he’d take the damn front door. “I’m not the pickpocket.” She wasn’t either. Small-time thieves didn’t follow werewolves around with guns in their pockets. He couldn’t think of too many people who would. “Are you crazy? My pack is behind this door. If you shoot me they’ll tear you apart.”

“How many girlfriends are in there?”

“Girlfriends? None, I don’t have—”

She stormed toward him and pressed the gun to his chest as he retreated to the brick wall. “I saw the blonde go into your house.”

“Su-Sugar?”

She laughed without mirth. “Of course, she’d have a name like that. What’s the Asian woman’s name, Coco?”

“Katrina. They’re my roommates, not my girlfriends.”

The gun wavered, then pressed harder onto his sternum. “Bullshit.”

Survival should have been foremost in his mind, but the hard light in Esther’s eyes as she glared into his made him realize something extraordinary. “You’re jealous.”

“Fuck you, Robert.”

He grinned, he couldn’t help it. “I like it better when you call me Rob.” Taking a step from the wall, he pushed the gun aside. “Maybe I should take you up on your offer, Esther. Considering you always seem armed, tying you up may be in my best interest.”

* * * *

Esther retreated across the alley from Rob, fumbling her weapon as she clicked the safety back on and shoved it into her shoulder holster. The last thing she needed to do was shoot herself. Why did he have to bring up the tying? She’d never offered such a thing to anyone before, but the idea of Rob dominating her flicked her pussy button to the
on
position.

Would she really fall for the roommate line?

Rob strolled toward her, self-confidence oozed from him, the unsure geek of last night absent. His green eyes burned with an internal light from the beast within.

Yeah, she’d fall for the line.

The brick wall stopped her progress. Should she run? She wanted to, but she also wanted him to catch her. Without another thought, she took off away from the street. She didn’t want some Good Samaritan or the cops interrupting them.