Annie Nicholas: The Beta

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.

A surprised growl rumbled from her werewolf as she left him in her dust. If he didn’t chase her, she’d go back there and kick his ass for being a dweeb.

He didn’t disappoint, though. The pounding of his running shoes followed her.

Racing around the corner, her boots slipped on loose gravel and she went down on her knees, scraping her palms as she fought for balance.

Rob caught her by the shoulders. “Are you all right?”

“Not the kind of hard chase I wanted to give you.” She chuckled and sat back on her heels, eyes level with his groin. He tried to assist her to her feet, but she shook off his hands. “I’m happy here.” She’d spent the afternoon regretting letting him out of her grasp last night. Robert wouldn’t escape so easily this time. She reached for the fly of his jeans.

He startled at her touch. “Here? Now?” The shock in his voice only drove her more.

“Of course.” She undid his button.

“Esther.” Desire and uncertainty warred as he spoke her name. He glanced over his shoulder. Here was the unsure gentleman she’d met last night, the one who stirred her devilish thoughts.