Annie Nicholas: The Beta

“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.