Page 23 of Saving His Omega
They both returned to where the others remained standing in their face-off. No one had said a word, following Elijah’s lead in letting the domestic squabble happen without interference. Graham took his spot next to the alpha again, while Blake walked over to Garth.
The gamma lashed out to strike him as soon as he was within reach. The backhand sent Blake sprawling to the ground, blood welling up from his split lip.
Elijah erupted. “Enough!” His roar reverberated right through the core of everyone there. A furious alpha was no one to trifle with. “I agree that your alpha has the power to punish this sigma but you are not he. Keep your hands off this boy on the journey back.”
“Of course, Alpha Elijah. We know our place.” The insincerity of the gamma’s words were easy to detect.
Graham was about to volunteer to go with them. Protecting Blake as he returned to his pack was the least he could do for his mate. Elijah beat him to it.
“To ensure youallget home safely, I’m sending one of my own gammas as an escort.Draco.”
The young gamma stepped forward, a broad grin on his human face. “Yes, Alpha. Thank you for entrusting me with this.”
Graham eyed Draco warily. Only he knew what the gamma had been thinking not long ago. The guy was enjoying the idea of going with the Low Country Pack members way too much. A lot could happen during the long journey through the woods, and Draco knew the environs of New England far better than the interlopers.
Knowing that Elijah wanted to avoid bloodshed, he was about to quietly intervene and suggest sending someone else. The alpha was already a step ahead of him, as was his nature.
“I’m going to give you the SUV and supplies anyway, as a gesture of goodwill toward your alpha. Draco will convey to him in the strongest possible terms that I want the sigma and am willing to trade more for him, but whatever the outcome, these are gifts.”
There was really nothing for Garth to object to. So for the next hour, there was a flurry of activity during which clothing was found for the Low Country gammas and the SUV loaded up with all kinds of goods. Based on what he knew of the asshole, Graham doubted the foreign alpha would agree to the exchange. It was something that might help, though, and as he embraced Blake, the sigma expressed his appreciation for the guard and the effort.
Draco had no trouble muscling the other gammas away from Blake’s side as they climbed into the back seat of the vehicle. With his protection, the sigma would have at least a physically safe journey. If the foreign gammas thought to overpower him, Draco’s expression and body language told them to think again. If anyone would prevail in a four to one fight, Graham would put his money on Draco every time. He would have to be sure to convince Tripp about that.
He stood staring at the back of the SUV as they left until there was nothing more to see.
Elijah put his hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry how things turned out.”
“You did everything you could, sir. I’m grateful, especially for Draco’s escort. I don’t doubt that Garth and the others would have extracted their resentment from Blake during the journey back.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t think I’ve ever felt like I failed as much as I do now. I need the comfort of my mate and pup. You should seek the same.”
Graham nodded. “Yes, sir.”
His steps were heavy, however, as he made his way to the small room he still shared with Tripp. He knew the boy would be miserable and furious at him probably more than anyone. He should have leveled with him from the beginning. Protecting him from the truth hadn’t proved beneficial at all. He opened the door, his heart already breaking at the sounds of sobbing coming from inside. As Tripp realized he was there, the omega lifted his head and confirmed the worst of Graham’s fears.
“I hate you!”
Chapter Nine
Tripp braced himself for a blow out of habit even though he didn’t really fear Graham, or expect violence from him. His words were horrid, though, so he couldn’t blame the beta if he extracted some kind of punishment. He simply didn’t care. Losing Blake, knowing what awaited his brother, was a hurt so bone-deep that he wondered if he would ever stop crying. It was all he could do to keep from curling up and willing himself to die. It was the pup who gave him any hope that his life was worth living.
Graham stepped inside the room and shut the door. He didn’t come any closer to the bed, however. He closed his eyes briefly before speaking. “I’m sorry.”
Tripp wiped his nose with the back of his hand, making his fury known through his gaze. “Saying that doesn’t make everything better. I know you didn’t want to give Blake back but it doesn’t change the fact that you did. You and the alpha and everyone else in this pack lied to us. We wouldn’t have stayed if we’d known what would happen. I can’t forgive you for that.”
On a sigh, his mate leaned against the door, hands shoved into his front pockets. “None of that is true. Blake made the decision to stay even though Alpha Elijah was up front with him about how things might go down if your old pack found you here. It was his decision to make, although once he’d brought you here, he relinquished his control over your fate. Elijah was never going to let an omega remain outside of a protective pack. It’s just simply not acceptable and your brother understood that. Blake’s future was the only matter in question.”
The beta straightened and took a few steps closer to the bed. “Blake was given the choice to run again before they arrived, and he chose not to. He would rather face whatever is to come from your sire than live among the humans alone. And Elijah did everything he could to at least make his return more palatable. That SUV was costly and will give an alpha from any pack status, as will the goods he sent along. We can hope that the man will accept the offer to trade even more for Blake. Plus, Elijah sent Draco as an escort for Blake’s benefit.”
Tripp understood his mate was trying to make him feel some hope, but he knew better. “It won’t matter to him. Our sire will take your alpha’s gifts and still torture Blake for so long as it amuses him.” The mere thought of what was going to happen to his brother made his stomach cramp and caused a fresh bout of tears to gush out. He had to clamp his hand over his lips to keep from wailing. His wolf whined and took no comfort in the encouraging yip from Graham’s wolf.
“I’m not going to try to encourage you to hope otherwise. You know your sire better than I. I can only say thatI’mhopeful. Draco can be persuasive when he tries to be, and he’ll keep the other gammas from hurting Blake on the journey, at least.
“And, one more thing.” Graham came over to lean against the bed and peered down at him. “Elijah isouralpha, not mine. We all understand how upset you are so you’re open fury out there is to be overlooked. But you must guard your tongue with the man in the future. He did what was best for the pack, as his duty requires. It’s not for any of us to challenge him on it. No disrespect will be tolerated.” His tone was mild, almost apologetic, yet also resolute.
Tripp didn’t care. For the second time in his life, and the first time with deliberate intent, he went against his nature and how he was raised. “Then you better keep me locked up in here because I will never forgive any of you and I’m done with being the meek omega who does what he’s told without complaint.”
He couldn’t believe the words tumbling out of his mouth. Not even at the worst of times had he dared challenge any dominant, let alone his mate. He wanted to be a good, obedient omega. Losing Blake after all that they’d suffered had broken something inside him. He couldn’t get a handle on himself, couldn’t control his emotions, or his words. Everything about him was scattering and he feared he’d never be able to collect the pieces and put himself back together the way he was meant to be. Only the small movements of his pup kept him grounded. He wrapped his arms around the mound of his belly and held on for dear life.
