Page 4 of Claiming the Omega
"He is that striking, but he is Alpha and therefore our enemy, don't forget that fact." Benjy didn't want Shane getting all misty-eyed over a handsome man and forgetting that he could kill them both. "He was also dining with that woman there." He pointed at another sketch. "So, I think she was either his wife or girlfriend."
Shane handed the pictures back and stated fervently. "I won't forget how Greg and his cronies tormented you and how his father destroyed everything we had and nearly killed us both. Don't worry, brother; I will not forget the cruelty of an Alpha."
…
Victor had said goodnight to his friends hours ago, and yet he still could not get the image of that waiter, Benjy, out of his thoughts. Why was that small human pressing on his mind, and where did the driving need to find him come from? It wasstrange in its intensity and in its . . . depth? He had to find out more about the man than just his first name. His wolf was telling him there was a connection, and he needed to discover what it was.
Victor contacted his Beta, Cole Morgan, who also happened to be head of Pack Security, and asked him to check into the young human from Sparrows Landing. Cole had numerous contacts and systems to gather any information the Pack or Victor needed to know.
“Is he a security threat?” Cole asked for clarification.
"I don't think so. He just got under my skin, and I can't explain why. I only know his first name and that he works as a waiter at Sparrows Landing." Victor explained a bit further. "He's human and a tiny little thing, so I doubt he could do us any harm." Victor chuckled at the thought.
“I’ll get right on it.”
"Thanks." Victor hung up and took a quick shower before trying to get some sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he saw that little waiter standing there as if beckoning to him with those fearful eyes. Every instinct he owned told him the man was important; in some way, he was very important.
…
“Maybe we should move.” Shane made the suggestion as they sat together having breakfast the morning after the wolf sighting.
"Let's not act impulsively. You've just settled into school, and this place is both affordable and comfortable. Let's wait and see if he follows. Maybe I got away quick enough, and I wasn't that memorable." Benjy cleared the table.
"I'm going to look for a more isolated job. The waiter's position was just asking for trouble. I was too much in the public eye. I really should have known better." Benjy rambled on as his brother came up and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He had to look up when he turned to look at him.
“You should be allowed the job of your choice, but I understand.” He gave a deep sigh. “There’s a dishwashing job open at the campus cafeteria. I can get you an application if you’d like. The hours are brutal, though, six to midnight Monday through Friday.” Shane gave him a sad expression.
"Sounds great, get me the application." Benjy smiled widely. "In the meantime, I have several commissions to complete and with time off, I can take on some extra work."
"Maybe you should just stick to the commission work, Benjy. You are really talented and should be focusing more on your art." Shane stated as he walked to the front door with his book bag slung over his shoulder.
“I don’t have a large enough customer base yet to do commissions full time; I need a job to supplement, for now anyway.” Benjy would have to make sure that the new job would be away from the public. That incident with the Alpha nearly had him wetting his pants, and he didn’t want to get that close to being discovered again.
“I’ll follow your lead, you haven’t guided me wrong yet.” Shane smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I won’t be late.”
Benjy went back to the kitchen, cleaned up the dishes, and wiped down the table. He noticed the construction workers filling the backyard and wondered how long it would take them to finish the structure. The note had said a couple of weeks, but it had already been several days, and the work was progressing slowly.
He closed the kitchen curtain and headed over to his laptop to check on available work in the area. He needed a job, and he needed it quickly.
…
Cole got back in touch with Victor two days later regarding the young waiter; the wait had taken its toll on Victor's good humor. "Well, it is about damn time." He shouted into the phone. "I thought you were the best at getting information." He taunted his friend.
"Two days is not a long time, Victor, and you are just antsy to find out more about this cute little human for personal reasons, admit it." Cole shot back good-naturedly.
“I readily admit it, now tell me what you know.”
"His name is Benjy Hammond, and he lives here in Sparrow Ridge with his younger brother Shane. They moved here a month ago. Shane's attending college, and Benjy used to be a waiter at Sparrows Landing." Cole paused for effect. "He quit his job the same night that you met him."
Victor did not comment on that, but he was drawing conclusions. "What else did you find?" His lighthearted interest became serious.
“He and his brother come from a town about eight hours North of us. It’s a small town called Concord near the ocean. I sent out an inquiry, but all I got back was an affirmation that the two had lived there and nothing more.” Cole then added for balance, “Maybe you just scared him, boss. You can be quite intimidating even when you’re not trying. Perhaps he got spooked for normal reasons. He’s a human, and I would guess probably on the run.”
“Why do you think he’s on the run?”
“It wasn’t easy tracking him; he covered his movements very carefully,” Cole explained. “I don’t think his fear hasanything to do with you or us but rather something he left behind.” Cole finished.
The thought that Benjy was running from someone did not sit well with Victor. He had a sudden urge to go to the man and offer him protection. But first, he'd have to find where he lived. "Did you find his address?"
