Chapter 3

Three

RYDER

" I t's so hot out here," mumbled Adrian as my entire pack watched me aim at the target. The smell of gunpowder surrounded the field of the Elite Protection Club at the gun range.

It was a normal, typical day of bodyguard training.

"Adrian, if I have to hear you complain one more time...I swear to god," I said out loud, trying to aim at the head of the dummy standing on a pole fifty yards away. "I will turn this gun around and shoot you instead."

"Fuck you," mumbled Adrian under his breath.

My pack and I knew that Adrian was nearing the end of his rope at the guard camp. He was the youngest and the most impatient of the group. Even though his family forced him to be here, he wasn't into being a bodyguard. It came naturally to some people, like Ethan, who couldn't wait to shoot the target next - a rifle strapped to his shoulder. He was sitting on the bench along with Lucas and Cooper, the two deltas in my pack.

Ethan, Adrian, and I were alpha wolves.

The other packs were also practicing in the field, and sometimes, I wished I could swap out Adrian with someone who actually liked this job.

I adjusted my goggles and ear protection, feeling a sense of excitement and focus. This was my time to practice and refine my skills. I felt the weight of the pistol in my hand, the cold metal reassuring against my skin. The gun's grip was familiar, molded to fit my hand perfectly. My heart rate slowed as I focused on the target, my surroundings fading away until it was just me and the bullseye.

The round struck the target with a satisfying thud, blowing off the dummy's head.

"Fuck yes," I said. Normally, it would take me two tries, and Ethan would beat me on his first try. But not today. I turned to Ethan with a grin. "Your turn, big guy."

Ethan chuckled, a low rumble in his throat, and his short red beard bobbed.

"You got lucky," said Ethan. "Watch me get closer to the mark there."

But before he could show off his skills and one-up me, our boss, Mark, approached us.

"Uh uh, looks like he has a project for us," said Lucas, who was cleaning his weapon with a rag.

"Goddamn, finally," said Adrian. "We haven't had a client in ages."

Holding my smoking pistol against my side, I watched as Mark approached me with a grim expression. He was a thin beta businessman, always dressed in his everyday navy blue suit. He ran the day-to-day operation of the pack guards.

"Ryder," he greeted, shaking my hand tightly.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I have a job for you and your pack," he said. "High-profile singer Lacy gave us a call a few minutes ago. She wants the best guards I have available, and I believe your pack will fit the job."

"Shit, I don't know about us being the best," I said.

"She's an omega," said Mark, and I immediately shook my head.

"I think I'll pass on this assignment."

I didn't want to guard a stuck-up little singer and wondered how I'd get out of it. Any other job was better. I'd rather stand guard at an empty lot for the Royal Pack, which was a much better job. At least then, I wouldn't have to suck up to a young omega with her nose in the air.

And an omega was temptation itself.

"You're the best pack, and you know it," said Mark.

"Wait, Lacy?!" asked Adrian with a shocked look.

"Yes, the Lacy," said Mark. "I need you guys to head over to her house pronto. She believes someone may have broken in."

"Fuck yes," breathed Adrian, brushing his long black hair away from his eyes. "I'd guard her all day long."

"Then it's decided," said Mark, to my dismay. I didn't have a fucking choice when he made up his mind.

"Listen," said Mark, clapping me on the shoulder. "She was willing to pay any price. You'll be paid handsomely."

"Least that's something," I muttered.

When he left, we gathered our weapons and headed toward the brown armored vehicles. I still wasn't sure about guarding a spoiled brat all day, but the money would speak for itself.

"Are you guys ready?" I asked my pack before we all hopped into the vehicle.

"Of course," said Lucas, ready to defend the omega. He was the stoic delta. Quiet but ready to drop everything if someone's life was in danger.

"I hope you're all prepared," I said to them. I haven't been around an omega for years. They were scarce on Howl's Edge Island. "Omegas are bewitching creatures, and you might all want to do whatever she wants. Remember, you're in charge of her life."

"He's going to suffocate her," said Adrian, shaking his head and Cooper chuckled. They could laugh all they wanted, but an omega's allure was powerful and they wouldn't be laughing anymore once she was in complete control of them.

After thirty minutes of driving, Cooper stopped in front of the ornate gate of her house.

"Damn, we need to get in," said Cooper. "Can someone call her?"

I pulled my cell phone out and dialed the number that Mark had given us. Lacy answered the phone on the second ring.

"Hello," she greeted uncertainly, as if scared of the other person on the line. I wasn't prepared for the lilt in her tone, breathy and soft. The fear in her voice pulled my heartstrings for a second, but I spoke with business-like authority.

"This is Ryder from Elite Protection Services," I said. "Will you please open the gate for us to come in?"

"Yes, of course!" she said with relief in her voice.

I hung up and watched the gate slowly open at a snail's pace.

"She sounded scared," I said.

"Understandably so," said Cooper, whose hands were impatiently gripping the steering wheel. "Someone tried to break into her home."

I could tell he was itching to search her house and rip apart any degenerate lurking about. When we finally parked in front of her home, Lacy was standing outside, wringing her hands together. There was a sharp intake of breath from the men as we all gazed at her.

Adrian whistled under his breath.

She was a petite omega, shorter than average. Her short, ruffled skirt stopped above her thighs. My heart started pumping faster at the sight of her thighs exposed like that. Fuck , I needed to get a handle on myself. I couldn't have this type of reaction my first time meeting her. I pushed my erection down before exiting the vehicle.

I sobered up when I saw the fear and uncertainty in her eyes as we approached her.