Page 19 of Claiming the Omega
Daniel O’Hare was a terrifying force to be reckoned with when in a possessive, protective fury. Seeing Cole put his hands on Shane and seeing his mate’s fear had sent Daniel into a murderous rage. No one touched what was his and got away with it.
Daniel may be calm and together at the moment, but he would not allow Cole to believe he could touch his mate and not pay for it. He and Cole would have a moment, he promised himself. Cole would pay for this.
"May I see my mate, Alpha?" Daniel asked; he needed to see and touch Shane and see for himself that he was unhurt. Alpha Victor nodded and then left the room. Daniel paced the length of his cell over and over, anxious to see Shane. His wolf was on edge and not completely accepting that his mate was okay. His wolf would not fully relax until he saw Shane.
…
"How about we take a walk in the backyard?" Edgar suggested. "Perhaps the fresh air will help you relax." He smiled and walked up beside the young Omega. Shane appreciated his presence. Edgar was a kind and gentle wolf.
"I think that would be good," Shane answered, his voice still possessed a slight quiver. "I'd like to get some air." Edgar smiled warmly and led them both out the back door, across the expansive porch, and into the yard. It was well-groomed with thick woods that encircled the area.
They didn't say anything, just walked around the perimeter of the backyard. Shane's mind was consumed with Daniel and the need to be with him. For a moment, there on the porch, Shane had lost himself, and it scared the shit out of him. He hadn't realized how much the abuse from their past still haunted him until it came back full force. It had felt like an out-of-body experience because he had no power to stop it. He never wanted that to happen again.
"When will they let me see Daniel?" Shane asked, still distressed at being separated from him.
“Soon, don’t worry.” Edgar really was a nice guy. He put his arm across Shane’s shoulders in a show of encouragement and reassurance. "It was a misunderstanding, and everyone knows that. So please don't worry, you'll get to see him soon." Edgar continued to soothe Shane's frayed nerves as they walked.
They both turned suddenly with a start when somebody came running out of the woods behind them. Edgar tried to defend them, but it was too late. The attacker came at Edgar with a two-by-four and struck him before he could shift, and beganmauling him. It was mere seconds, and Edgar was down, and Shane was gone.
…
Victor returned to the front deck after meeting with Daniel and immediately wrapped his arms around Benjy. He kissed him on the head and rubbed his back. “How’s he doing?” Benjy asked, his voice full of emotion.
“Daniel is okay, but he needs to see his mate.” He took Benjy’s hand and led him around the house to the backyard. “He and Edgar went for a walk. Let’s go find them and bring Shane to his mate.” He smiled at the relief on Benjy’s face.
“I really fucked this up, didn’t I?” Benjy stated softly.
“You were doing what you thought was right. There was no intentional malice in your actions.” Victor justified.
"I caused my brother to have a breakdown. I never knew the pain that I was inflicting. I'm a terrible brother, and Shane is never going to forgive me." Benjy was on the verge of tears. He grasped his mate's hand and held tight. "Do you think I'm a terrible brother?" He asked with a quiver in his voice.
Victor stopped and turned to his mate. He cupped the sides of his face in his palms and looked lovingly down into his adorable face. "I don't think you are a terrible brother. You were misguided, but not terrible. You love Shane, and he knows that. You two will work this out." He spoke very clearly and with enough authority that Benjy bit his bottom lip and nodded. "Now let's go find him." Victor smiled, and Benjy returned thesmile. "That's better." Victor turned, still holding Benjy's hand, and then continued into the backyard.
The area was very large, so they were not surprised that they did not immediately see Edgar and Shane. But after a few minutes of searching, Alpha Victor called to his men and had one take Benjy back to the house.
“What’s the matter?” Benjy asked as his eyes darted around the area.
"Not sure, but I need you back in the house." He motioned for his man to take Benjy, who went but was not happy about it.
His brother Ari and Cole came up to stand beside him, waiting for orders. "Something is not right. Edgar should have sensed my presence and come forward by now. Search the grounds, every inch, and report to me if you find them." Both men left immediately, along with the others who had exited the house, and began an intensive search of the area.
Victor began searching along the edge of the woods directly opposite the porch landing. Assuming they went straight back to the edge and then turned right, most people tend to turn right, so they should be somewhere along his path. He was unable to pick up their scent, considering so many of the Pack had been through the area often.
As he neared the largest of the pine trees, he caught the scent of someone who wasn't Pack. It was a wolf, but an outsider. He called out to Cole, who came immediately. Cole also smelled the outsider.
"Someone, not pack, has been here recently," Cole stated the obvious. Victor nodded and took a step to the far side of the tree. He crouched down and sifted around in the grass for a moment.
“He used this tree as cover and waited for Edgar and Shane to approach.” Victor theorized out loud. Cole nodded in agreement. It was then that Ari called out that they’d found Edgar and they needed the doctor.
Edgar looked as if he'd been mauled, but he was alive and coming around. Ari held Edgar's head in his lap and looked up at Victor when he arrived. "He's coming around. Looks like he was in a vicious fight." He added, and Victor nodded as he crouched down next to his brother.
“Edgar.” He said, in an attempt to draw his attention. “What happened, Edgar. Where is Shane?” Victor reached out and touched the side of his brother’s face, bringing his awareness to him.
Edgar blinked rapidly and took a deep breath as he tried to sit up. "No, Edgar, don't move. The doctor will be here shortly." Ari spoke softly and continued to hold him. Edgar looked from Ari to Victor, and then clarity hit him.
“Shane, he took Shane.”
CHAPTER FOUR
