6. Alastor

Chapter six

Alastor

T he movie credits roll, and now a hush spreads across the room.

Kellen's low purr vibrates on the other end of the couch where he holds our new Omega.

The Omega fell asleep halfway through the movie, and a foreign warmth seeps through my veins at the knowledge that he feels content enough to drift off into dreamland.

We've known each other for all but three hours, but already, our bonds are tight.

It will only be a matter of time until one of us bites him into the pack, and I'll gladly fight my pack brothers for the chance to sink my teeth into Brody's neck.

I just hope we can all come to some agreement before then.

This is a time for celebration. We finally have an Omega, and he needs to be protected at all costs.

Our pack is losing stability. Each of us is too dominant and high-strung, and it's only been getting worse the older we get.

We met as kids at the Academy, three relatively, semi-stable Alphas at the time, but sooner or later, the shit will hit the fan, and one of us will crack.

However, we always understood each other on an intrinsic level. We're maniacs, oddballs, always finding it hard to fit in with the rest of society.

So it baffles the mind why the government sent us such a sweet creature like Brody.

The moment I saw that bowtie and the dark, horn-rimmed glasses, I knew he was right for us.

An Omega's sweetness is what three brutish Alphas like us need right now.

Brody's horn-rimmed glasses have been knocked askew as he rests his cheek against Kellen's shoulder, and I lean across to remove them off his pert nose.

Kellen's vibrating purr stops when I touch the Omega, and then I meet his manic gray eyes.

I hike a brow, and now the room fills with the silent sound of his challenging growl.

See, this was exactly what I was talking about.

As I said—unhinged.

And it's hard to tell who's more unhinged at times.

The room floods with the sickly sweet scent of cinnamon. The glasses have yet to leave Brody's nose, yet the Alpha still deems it a challenge.

I don't send a flare of energy his way.

Not yet.

I would rather wait and observe.

It's the best line of defense. Calculating your opponent's move.

This exact scenario happened just last week over the last chicken wing in our dinner bucket, and I know what will happen next.

Kellen's nostrils will flare, and then all the ginger hairs on his arms and the back of his neck will rise.

Brody stirs next, and we both hold our breath.

Kellen and I meet each other's eyes, and it seems we have come to some formal agreement.

We put our petty differences aside and think about our Omega.

After all, his needs come first now.

The lack of a comforting Alpha's purr must have been what roused him, and I can't stop the guilt that leaches through my veins at the idea of upsetting my poor, sweet Omega.

I can't stomach the idea of anyone upsetting him.

I would move entire mountains for this creature.

He is to be cherished. Always.

Now Kellen and I purr for the Omega, and for once we work in harmony.

Finally, I remove his glasses, slipping them into my pocket. Then Kellen rises, lifting the smaller male with ease.

Still fast asleep, and I bet the stresses of the last few weeks have really taken their toll.

That school has been priming him up to be the perfect Omega for years of his life, and now he can finally breathe a sigh and relax.

He found his Alphas in the end, and it was a match made in heaven.

I always thought those 'specially curated' algorithms were bullshit, but maybe they are the real deal after all.

Well, for some lucky Omegas.

Not all get to be so lucky…

We have a nest already. All we have to do is design it to Brody's exact specifications.

In time.

We have the rest of our lives to plan and get to know each other.

Once inside the nest, we place the Omega down in a pile of cushions and then watch him sleep for some time.

I could watch him sleep for the rest of my life.

And I know the feeling is mutual.

Kellen's pupils are completely blown as he gazes at the sleeping Omega, and I bet mine are too.

Soon, this nest will be filled with his scent of cherries, and I can't wait.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and that's when I finally catch the buzzing scent of ozone, turning to face the door.

The dark shadows of Theo's face confirm my fears.

Someone has come to ruin our paradise.

They will pay.

Kellen's shoulders tense and then a slight growl replaces his purr.

Theo tugs on the pack bond, speaking to us via mind.

"It's best you both come with me. And no fuss…"

With a longing look at Brody in his blankets, we follow our pack lead through the house and then to the woods beyond.

We've surmised enough. Theo opened up his end of the bond, letting us see his memories, and I can't stop the growl that rips from my throat.

I don't care about triple pay.

She is not welcome.

Still, the three of us move somberly through the trees, small animals and birds fleeing in our wake.

All the while, our Omega sleeps alone in his cocoon of blankets, and he will be heartbroken when we're not there.

We're still in the trial period. That annoying, small woman from the Academy with her clickity heels could come any day and take him away from us if she felt that we were not meeting his needs, and this sure as hell qualifies.

We broke the first terms of the contract.

We are not to take another Omega. Not unless it's what our Omega wishes.

We've fucked up.

He can never know.

Finally, we arrive at the ugly building.

We're the only people who know of this place.

Let's hope it stays that way.

Theo stops at the door, taking several deep breaths. Then he turns to us.

"Brace yourselves."

I cock a brow.

Theo grimaces at my reaction. "Trust me, hating her is so easy right now, but one look at her…"

I see.

Well, I couldn't give two shits.

She's a Rogue. Therefore, a threat to my person.

As a dominant Alpha, we would never work.

But I really wasn't prepared when we finally set our sights on the small blonde bundled up in the cell.

Nor was I prepared when she lifted her head and set me ablaze with the lightest pair of blue eyes I have ever seen.

Surely, eyes that sweet shouldn't be so murderous.

But there's no missing the steel behind those baby blues.

Or her sugary scent of watermelon. The one that settles at the roof of my mouth and travels to the pleasure centers of my brain.

Fuck.

She's irresistible.

Despite the fact she's a Rogue, she's far too tempting of a challenge.

All I want to do is tame the fucking bitch, dominate her, and make her mine, but I can't.

I mustn't and I won't.

Because I already have an Omega.

I will not destroy my budding relationship with my new mate.

No. This Omega is a curse. A stain on society.

She will destroy everything beautiful in this world.

Including my Omega.

That thought sets my very nerves on fire, and now I send my full Alpha energy her way.

Kellen follows suit and Theo has never let his down.

Now the building fills with ozone, cinnamon, and lime.

The Omega chokes for a moment, shrinking just ever so slightly when we hit her with everything we've got.

But lo and behold, she lifts her face, setting those bubbling pools of blue on all three of us next, and now a growl slips from her lips.

My heart thumps.

Shit. Rogues really are relentless.

A smirk takes over my face as I set my burning gaze on the Omega.

A real challenge indeed.

I look forward to breaking her.