The Omegas (7 page)

Eric matched Michael in size. Maybe he could win if he could match him in skill.

The Alphas circled each other, testing their reflexes and speed by feigned attacks. Michael sprang at Eric, knocking them both into the bystanders. People screamed under the crush of two huge monsters as the struggle for dominance began.

They fought like the animals they’d become. Fang and claw, bite and tear, a gruesome display of strength and agility. Eric’s kilt lay on the ground, torn off during the battle. Sugar couldn’t tell who was who now.

The beast under assault placed his feet against the other’s abdomen and shoved with great power. The assailant flew across the warehouse, landing with a hard thud on the concrete floor.

The spectators scattered, gathering around the dais. Sugar needed to stand on the stool to watch. Both Alphas raced at each other to collide in a storm of fury.

Sam waved his arm to catch Sugar’s attention. “We can’t see! Who’s winning?” He tried to get up on the dais, but the guards pushed him back.

She stamped her foot on the stool. “I can’t tell! They both look alike.”

She glimpsed Daedalus. He stood alone by the front door, absorbed in the fight. Occasionally he’d shout something.
At least he can tell which one is Eric.

One beast stood over the other, its jaw clenched around the other’s throat, shaking its head with vigor. In a spray of blood, the dominant werewolf almost decapitated the other when he ripped out most of its throat and swallowed the flesh. He crossed his arms, then faced the crowd around the dais. Bloody gore dripped from its maw.

Sugar’s head spun at the sight.

“You are all Omegas now.” Its rough voice rolled over them. Sugar twisted to look at the Omegas. They jumped up and down in unbridled joy. She stared as the beast approached them.

Eric had won.

Sugar jumped off the dais and rushed over to the celebrating Omegas. This would be a new era. No more “Wimps of the Underworld” or “Pansies of the Paranormal.” They’d be part of the Ayumu.
No
, the Ayumu would be part of them.

The Omegas owned Chicago.

That thought, the enormity of what had transpired, stopped her in her tracks. Things would change, maybe not for the best. Her simple lifestyle wouldn’t survive. The Omegas’ time would be consumed in maintaining dominance over their new members and worse, they thought she belonged to Eric as his mate.

Daedalus saved her friends, yet at the same time destroyed her quiet, happy life.

The touch of a hand at her elbow startled her. She frowned, expecting her lover, but instead came face to face with the muscled, rude brute. His grip tightened around her arm. Before she could cry for help, he dragged her through the crowd to a small side exit.

The cool air outside snapped her from the shock. Her lungs, stiff with fear, couldn’t seem to get enough air. She tried to scream. His steel grasp prevented any escape, no matter how hard she fought and tore at his hand.

He pulled her without effort toward the surrounding woods. His eyes glowed with amber light in the dark when he glanced over his shoulder. “I’m going to fuck ya.” He grinned, exposing long, sharp canines. “Then I’m going to eat ya.”

She froze. None of her limbs functioned. The Omegas were too busy celebrating to notice her absence, she was on her own against this creature.

Daedalus strolled out of the woods.

Her heart skipped a beat. Relief flooded her and loosened her knees.

“Nice night to take a walk. Who do you have there, wolf?”

The brute stopped moving forward when he saw Daedalus. “None of your business, blood sucker.” He squeezed Sugar’s arm harder, making her cry out.

Quick as a blink, Daedalus stood a breath away with his hand on the brute’s wrist. With a quick snap, he broke it. “You’re hurting my Sugar.” The words came from behind clenched teeth.

The werewolf cried out in pain, releasing her arm. His cries grew louder when Daedalus twisted his injured joint.

“Stay here, Sugar, this won’t take long.” He dragged the brute into the forest, where his pleading screams ended abruptly.

She lay in the dirt and cringed with each of the brute’s cries. Something innocent died within her when those shrieks stopped. Tears burned behind her eyes.

Daedalus returned, wiping the blood on his chin with a handkerchief. He crouched in front of Sugar, a small satisfied smile on his face.

Before he could say anything, she pushed him, knocking him on his ass. “Get away!”

“Hey.” His stunned response echoed off the warehouse.

She crabbed back from him, then stood. “Sorry, it’s... Well...” She gestured to the woods. “You ate him?”

He remained on the ground. “Sugar, I’m a vampire. The world won’t miss the likes of him.”

“I know. It’s just with focusing on the challenge and my own quiet...” She looked at her feet. “I’m starting to realize how naive I’ve been.”

The side exit door opened. “I’m telling you, Katrina, I smell her this way.” Tyler and his girlfriend hurried out to find their quarry. “Hey, I thought you were in trouble.”

Sugar spun, thankful for the interruption. “Not anymore. Daedalus saved me.” How could she explain to Daedalus she’d never thought of him as a monster until tonight? And now he terrified her?

He stood, brushing the dirt off his jeans. “Can you take Sugar home, Tyler?” He looked at her and sighed. “I think she’s had enough supernatural excitement for one night.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Daedalus walked up to Sugar as if approaching a frightened fawn. He lowered his face to hers, expecting a kiss. His lips lingered, soft and velvety. Eyes closed, he murmured her name.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered back.

Sugar woke with a start early the next morning. Nightmares had plagued her sleep; something chased her through a dark forest threatening to eat her. Sometimes the hunter wore Daedalus’s face. What a horrible night.

She rolled out of bed and rubbed her eyes. Her arm ached where the brute had squeezed it. A purple handprint was her souvenir from the challenge. When Tyler and Katrina dropped her off last night, they saw the marks on her arm and knew something had happened, but she didn’t want to discuss it. She needed time alone.

On her way to the kitchen, she found Eric on a chair in her patio garden. He gave her a little smile and a weak wave. There were dark circles under his eyes. Looked like she wasn’t the only one who hadn’t slept well. She signaled for him to wait, then set the coffee maker to start brewing.

The crisp morning air showed signs of an early fall. She pulled her robe closed and tied it tight. The clear, blue sky brought light to everything around them.

Eric sat bent over in the chair, leaning his arms on his knees. He lifted his weary head. “Hope you don’t mind my breaking in. I love sitting here. It’s like a small island of solitude.”

She pulled a chair next to him and looked closer at his face. It seemed he’d aged overnight. The worry lines between his brows were new. She reached out to smooth them away. “You look like crap.”

He jerked in his chair with a surprised chuckle. “I got into a fight last night.”

She smiled in return, finally recognizing some of the old Eric. “Really?” She allowed her voice to drip with sarcasm. “I heard it was a doozy. Did you at least win?”

His smile faded, and he leaned back to stare at her with sad eyes. “Yeah.”

It tore her heart apart to see her childhood hero upset. Maybe joking about it wasn’t the best way to cheer him up. He should have been celebrating. The Omegas were safe, and he ruled the Ayumu. He’d accomplished the impossible. She reached out for his hand to find it trembled under her touch.

He released a heavy sigh. “I didn’t think killing Michael would affect me much. We hunt in the woods and kill regularly. I thought it would feel the same, but it doesn’t.” He looked away.

Helpless, she watched him suffer. His kind and gentle nature took a worse beating than his body did. It would make him a great leader. She squeezed his hand and tucked away her own selfish misgivings in relation to werewolves and vampires. Her best friend, even if he had swallowed someone’s throat, needed a shoulder to lean on.

“I’m glad you feel bad.”

His head snapped up to face her. “What?”

She smiled, hoping it would soften her words. “Hold on to this feeling. It’s right to suffer after you’ve killed someone, Eric.”

His eyes widened, a flash of anger reflected in them.

“You killed a monster last night. That was a good thing to do, I’m glad you didn’t enjoy it though. I think Michael would have loved killing you, and I think the majority of his pack would have loved watching him destroy you. It’ll prevent
you
from turning into a monster like Michael.” She tilted her head and pleaded with her eyes for him to understand.

He stared at her a moment as the anger melted away, then he nodded. “My suffering protects what I have left of my humanity.”

“I don’t know much in regards to pack life, but after what I witnessed last night, I’d say what the Ayumu have left of their humanity needs to be saved.” She released his hand. “Tell me about the Accords.”

A light of interest sparked in his saddened face. “The Accords were developed centuries ago by paranormal creatures, even the ones who refused to ‘come out’ with the declaration of citizenry. They’re laws to protect humans, to protect our identities, and to protect against one individual gaining too much power.” He grinned at her. “Let’s face it, you humans outnumber us. In a war you’d win. Also, without humans there wouldn’t be Weres, vampires, or merpeople.”

“Merpeople?” Delight twinkled through her, making her want to do a dance. She always wanted to be a mermaid as a little girl. Some dreams don’t die. “They really do exist?”

He threw back his head with a belly laugh. “I thought you’d like to know. Don’t be running off to a beach yet, they secluded themselves long ago.” His face split with the usual goofy grin. “Thanks.”

“My therapeutic garden is always open to your pack.”

“The pack’s grown.”

She blinked. “I guess I’ll have to start charging.” They shared an easy laugh.

His nose flared. “Coffee’s ready.”

She got up and fixed them each a big mug, then returned with the steaming hot brew. She handed him one with the logo ‘Got Blood?’ on the side.

He read it. “Daedalus give you this?”

She nodded.

He took a careful sip. “He’s pretty sweet on you.” He watched the city, and she looked at her plants.

She hated talking relationships with Eric. He knew her too well and thought she guarded her heart too much
.
She could never just give it away, especially after last night. She started wondering if she truly knew anyone in her life.

She could fall in love with Daedalus easily, but she wanted him to be human. Tears swelled in her eyes.

“He’s a good guy, as vampires go. I don’t think he’d lead you astray.”

Like she predicted, Eric defended the guy. “Why?”

“’Cause he doesn’t have to. He’s got all the time in the world.” He sighed. “He could have moved out last night, Sugar. Our contract is complete. Instead he’s resting in my cramped, crappy apartment. He didn’t say much, except he scared you. That’s got to mean something.” He sipped his hot coffee.

“We don’t fit. It was supposed to be a fling. He turned it into more and expects me to…” She found herself at a loss for words.

“Accept him for what he is?”

She nodded and stared at her mug, fighting the tears.

“You have a chance at a relationship, even if it lasts a day, a month, or a year. Who cares? It’s better to have experienced happiness in life, even with a vampire, than through those stupid romance books.”

She wiped her eyes and smacked his arm lightly, it spilled some of his hot coffee from his mug onto his hand. “I didn’t buy those books, Casanova. Now I feel worse, thanks.”

He shook his fingers and splattered coffee in her direction. “Payback’s a bitch.” He grinned at her.

Sugar placed a fuzzy, pink throw blanket over Eric’s sleeping form. He’d curled up on one of the love seats after she filled him with scrambled eggs and bacon. Then he asked her to read him to sleep.

They’d done this before. Initially after he’d been turned into a Were, he hated to sleep. The nightmares stalked him until she found him secluded in his apartment half-crazed. She shuddered at the memory. This reading ritual began then. The sound of her voice soothed him, and the stories distracted his tortured soul. They did this for months until he met Robert and founded the Omegas.

Sugar closed the book sitting on her lap. Everyone assumed she was the romance junkie, but the books all belonged to him.

The Omegas probably still slept and Daedalus, well, he became unconscious or something with the daylight. She couldn’t help the shiver which ran down her spine at the thought.

Her arm throbbed in time with her heartbeat as the muscles in her back knotted like pretzels. A hot bubble bath sounded like nirvana. The world would hold itself together while she soaked and reflected on her own troubles.

She filled the tub with near scalding water until the bubbles threatened to overflow, then eased in, enjoying every heated moment. The suds engulfed her, allowing enough space to breathe. She struggled to clear her mind of the lust, unease, discomfort, and happiness thoughts of Daedalus created. The last wistful one being,
I wish he was human.

The small pops of bubbles hummed in her ears, mesmerizing her, and brought her to a languid meditative state. A thump in the next room startled her. Eric had probably rolled off the love seat and fell on the floor. She concentrated on thinking of nothing once more. Even though under water, she distinctly heard a yell. She pulled herself out and threw on a robe.

When she reached her living room, chaos was underway. Two men grappled with Eric on her rugs. She stared at the unbelievable scene, shock freezing her to the spot until one of the men noticed her. His eyes glowed with an inner amber light.
Not men, Weres.

He jumped for her, but Eric grabbed his ankle and pulled him away. “Get the Omegas!” Eric’s voice cracked at her like a whip. She raced through the kitchen, out the apartment door, only to get tugged back in.