Consider The Lilies (Broken Omegas #5)

Back to Jack’s Office

Stanley

I s it a dick move to let Stefan think Lucy’s in trouble? Maybe. But he did pursue her without my permission, and serious relationships in this pack aren’t allowed without discussing it with me first. And while it might be a little presumptive of me to assume Stefan wants something serious with the beta, the fact is, omegas only have one speed: intense devotion.

“My apologies.” I step back into my office. “I had a personal matter to handle.”

Yuki and Rossi sit on the leather couch, chatting quietly. Lucy stands at the back wall, her head lowered, waiting for me to dismiss her. But I won’t be. Not until I have a chance to speak with her privately.

“It’s no problem,” Rossi says as I unbutton my suit jacket and sit in the armchair across from him. “Omegas can be a handful.”

I force a polite smile. “Did Yuki tell you about our new addition?” I can’t help the glare I cut her way. Telling people about Stefan isn’t smart. As much as I hate to admit it, Romner had a point. I have plenty of enemies who want to hurt me, and they’ll see Stefan as the perfect way to exact their revenge.

“Yuki didn’t say shit.” Rossi leans back, spreading his legs wide as he gets comfortable. “I saw the boy when I walked in. I figured you were either dealing with him or grabbing a smoke.”

“Actually, I’m trying to quit,” I say, and Yuki’s eyes go wide.

“Yeah,” Rossi says as if understanding. “Smoking isn’t good for omegas.”

He’s right. That’s why I’m quitting, but I won’t admit that out loud.

“Well, congratulations,” Rossi says to me, then Yuki. The she-alpha surprises me by giving him a convincing smile. “Your omega is very pretty.”

It takes everything in me not to snarl at his compliment. I don’t like the idea of anyone admiring Stefan that way. “He’s a good-looking man,” I say simply, smoothing my hand down my tie. “Talk to me about the bay area.”

“Is Bear not joining us?” Rossi asks, glancing at the doorway. “I miss that bastard’s scowl.”

Yuki snorts loudly. “He does have one hell of a resting bitch face.”

“Better than yours.” Rossi teases the she-alpha. “And yours is very impressive.”

Yuki smirks and her dark eyes narrow. “Fuck off.”

“He’s not joining us,” I say loudly, making it clear that I’m eager to get this over with.

Rossi’s smile falls, and he jumps into his report, giving me all the numbers. Injuries, deaths, and the status of the leftover supplies. I take note of each outstanding problem, thrilled to hear that it was a fairly seamless takeover.

“We took out all but four of Henley’s men.” Rossi taps the end of his nose, pointing to the deep cut along the bridge. “But I’ve got one of them chained to the wall for fucking up my nose.”

“That’s a shame.” Yuki smirks. “You had such a pretty face.”

“Hey. I’m still gorgeous,” Rossi shoots back with a wink. “But what do you say, Lucy?” He glances over at the beta. “Do you think one scar has ruined me for all the pretty ladies?”

Lucy’s blue eyes flicker from Rossi to me, then back again. When she speaks, her voice is soft and strained, “Some ladies like scars.” She smiles, but it’s tight . Is she worried I know about her kiss with my omega? Is she scared I’ll lash out for her touching what’s mine?

I haven’t fully decided what I’ll do yet, but the little beta should be scared.

After all, if she were a man or an alpha, she’d be dead. But I’ve known Lucy for years now, and she’s a good woman. She’s also incredibly beautiful, so I get why Stefan has a crush on her. But this transgression won’t be ignored.

“Anything else?” Yuki asks.

“We’ve gotten the usual death threats from the usual suspects. Sroka sent a nasty message warning us to stay away from his area, and…” Rossi pulls out his phone. He taps the screen before turning it to me. I lean forward, examining the picture. “Box full of dead rats,” he says before turning it to Yuki.

“Lappen.” The she-alpha rolls her eyes. “That fucker will never change.”

I can’t help but agree with her. “Those old guys think these kinds of symbolic threats still carry the same weight as a knife to your throat.”

“Want me to send a few guys over to Lappen’s place?” Rossi asks. “Send him a message of our own?”

I consider it for half a second, but I really don’t need the extra headache. Not with Stefan in my care. “There’s no need.”

Yuki frowns, not happy with my decision.

“Alright.” Rossi leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t want to be a dick, but I’m starving. Any chance I can hit up one of the pretty betas in your kitchen?”

“Go on.” I dismiss Rossi before turning to Yuki. “Take Rossi to the main hall. Make sure he eats before hitting the road.”

Yuki frowns, tilting her head to one side. “Okay.” She laughs as if my request is ridiculous. I get her reaction. After all, Rossi has been here a million times before, but I need a private word with the beta still hiding in the corner.

“Lucy.” Yuki stands, waving the beta over. “Get Rossi?—”

“No,” I say. “I need to discuss something with Lucy. But you can go.”

Yuki freezes, looking at me with a peculiar look. I can’t tell if she’s worried for the girl or simply annoyed that she's being dismissed. “Okay,” she finally says. I don’t miss the quick look she shares with the beta before leading Rossi across the room.

Lucy shifts nervously from one foot to the other, staring at Yuki’s back like she’d love nothing more than to chase after the she-alpha. The second the door closes, I move to my desk. I take my time, taking a pack of gum out of the lap drawer. It’s the only thing I asked Jessica to do for me today. That, and to occasionally check on Stefan. I didn’t want him wandering around…but it seems he ended up doing that anyway.

The omega might need a permanent bodyguard.

“Sir?” Lucy shuffles toward the middle of the room.

I cut around my desk, slowly unwrapping the gum. I’m probably going to need something a little stronger if I’m going to stop smoking, but this will have to do for now. I pop the gum into my mouth, then toss the trash onto my desk. Sharp mint bursts across my tongue, making me grimace. I hate mint.

“Lucy.” I lean against the front of my desk. “I understand you kissed my omega.”

The small beta quickly drops her gaze, her heart pounding so hard, I can hear it from here. Then she takes a deep breath, almost as if steadying herself. “I did,” she whispers, and her hands curl into fists. “I’m s-sorry.” Her voice shakes.

I appreciate the obvious display of fear. It tells me she takes me and her actions seriously. “There are many alphas out there who wouldn’t hesitate to kill you for that.”

A shiver works through Lucy’s slight body and her scent shifts. As a beta, her aroma isn’t very strong, but right now, she’s pumped full of so much fear, she smells almost acidic.

“Do you want to fuck Stefan?” I keep my tone even and calm.

Lucy snaps her head up. “What?” Her mouth hangs open, and she shakes her head. “No! I….” she swallows hard. “I don’t —”

“Why not?” I cut in, loving how frazzled she is. She won’t be hard to break. “You don’t think he’s attractive?”

“I didn’t say that.” Lucy pales as confusion twists between her brows. “He’s very handsome. I only meant?—”

“So you do want to fuck him?”

“No.” She jerks, raising her hands as if to shield herself from this whole conversation. “I wouldn’t—” She cuts herself off, struggling to find her words. “I only meant?—”

“Are you some kind of pack groupie?” I look her up and down. “Are you a beta slut, hoping to ride my omega’s cock just for the novelty?”

“Stop it!” Her voice rises as her nerves spike. “I am not?—”

“I’ve heard about betas like you.” I push away from my desk, stalking toward the flustered beta. Her cheeks are flushed a pretty shade of pink. “Alpha-fuckers like you will do anything to get a knot, even weasel their way into a pack through a delicate omega. Is that what you’re doing?”

Lucy’s mouth falls open, and her face burns bright red, completely outraged at my insult. “I would never,” she cuts back. “Stefan is my friend. I care for?—”

“How dare you prey on that weak and naive boy,” I growl softly, continuing to prod the beta, pushing her right to the edge. I want to know who she is when she’s pissed. “Stefan is impressionable and sensitive, and you are using him to get to my cock.”

Lucy scrunches up her face, letting out a huffy little growl before yelling, “You’re an asshole!”

Shock hits me, and my whole body locks up at her explosion. I’ve seen Lucy in some pretty high-pressure situations. She’s been around many very dangerous men, and the beta has never once lost her cool.

“I would never take advantage of Stefan like that,” Lucy snarls at me. “I am not an alpha-fucker or some kind of groupie wanting to defile your precious family!” She turns, marching toward the door.

It takes everything in me not to laugh at the way she stomps across the room. It’s kind of cute.

“I can’t believe you’d say that about him.” Lucy stops and turns, glaring at me like she’d love nothing more than to watch me die a slow death. “Stefan isn’t weak or naive. He’s strong and kind and better than you deserve!” She spins again, stomping the rest of the way to the door. This time I let myself smile.

The girl has grit.

There have been a few other people in my life who have spoken to me like this—none of them lived long enough to brag about it—but there's something intriguing about this beta. Especially since she’s pouring all her rage into defending my sweet Stefan.

“I know I was wrong.” Lucy stands tall as she rests her hand on the doorknob. “I kissed Stefan and broke your trust.” Her jaw clenches as swift emotion grips her. She’s not crying, but I can smell the threat of tears rolling off her. “I’ll pack my things and go,” she says, “but you should be thanking Bear for bringing Stefan into your life, not punishing him!” She opens the door before adding, “I used to think Stefan was lucky to have you and your pack, but now I pity him.”

“Stop!” I bark, and Lucy freezes in the doorway. Moving to her, I can’t help but appreciate her obedience. Betas aren’t compelled to do what alphas say—not the same way omegas are—but smart betas know the best way to survive in this world is to listen when an angry alpha speaks. “That's an awful lot of rage from such a little girl.” I slip my hand around her upper arm, pulling her back into the room.

Lucy’s slight body trembles as she turns to me, but fury is still clear in her eyes. It’s impressive she can hold on to so much anger while scared.

“I’m not done with you.” I pull the office door shut, purposefully towering over the tiny beta. Then I lean down and growl softly, “Why on earth do you think you have the right to speak to me like that?”

Another shiver works through Lucy’s slight body, and her shoulders curl inward. “Because you’re wrong.” Even though she’s speaking so softly, there’s a subtle confidence in her words. “I don’t want to take advantage of him. And he’s not weak.”

“Oh, I know he’s not weak.” I stand to full height.

Lucy’s big blue eyes flash with confusion. “But that’s not what you said.”

“I know.” I stare at her as the lines between her brows deepen. “There are a few things I need to know about the people I allow into my inner circle.”

Her brows shoot up, her rage completely gone.

“Can they be trusted?” I continue. “Will they tell me the truth even if it’ll piss me off?” I look the beta up and down, wondering what kind of body her stiff uniform is hiding. My voice drops to a rumble as I say, “Are they a decent fuck?”

Lucy goes stiff at the last question.

“Don’t worry,” I chuckle as I look down at the shocked beta, “I’m not going to fuck you.”

A flicker of disappointment shimmers in her blue eyes right before she drops her head, staring at her feet.

Her reaction makes my cock twitch and my blood quicken.

I won’t lie and say I never fantasized about fucking the pretty redhead, but I’m also not a masochist. I don’t torture myself by thinking about things I can’t have.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” I place a finger under Lucy’s chin, forcing her head up. “What do you want, beta?”

Her chest rises as she pulls in a deep breath, and she licks her pink lips. “Mr. Stanley. I—” Her mouth moves, but she’s too flustered, and no sound comes out.

I can’t help but smile. I do love the taste of innocence. And while Lucy isn’t as innocent as Stefan, I can tell she’d still be very fun to play with.

“You’re loyal, Lucy.” I look deep into her eyes. “I know you can be trusted. And,” I lean down, ghosting my lips over hers, “Stefan likes you. A lot ,” I growl the final words, making the beta tremble.

“I like him,” Lucy whispers, and I inhale her sweet breath.

“Is this what you want?” I tease her, slipping the tip of my nose over hers. “Do you want me to kiss you the way you kissed Stefan?”

“Sir…I…um…” Lucy’s heart quickens and the blush on her face crawls down her neck. It heats the air, surrounding me with her sweet and salty scent. “Jack,” she moans my name.

I jerk when she uses my first name, not sure how I feel about it. “Jack?” I repeat, and Lucy blinks repeatedly, almost as if shocked she said that.

“I’m so sorry, sir.” She takes a sudden step back, and I have to resist the urge to growl. “I didn’t mean to be so informal. I shouldn’t have?—”

“You can call me Jack,” I say, and Lucy’s mouth falls open once again. “But only in private.” I wait for her to nod before walking back to my desk.

As fun as Lucy is to play with, I have a lot of work to do.

Just as I sit at my desk, my bond with Stefan tingles, deep worry filling his mind. While I can’t read his mind, I’m sure he’s fearful for Lucy. He asked about her several times as I escorted him to his room.

But right now, all I can think about is how the small beta before me made him feel.

Stefan was so turned on. I don’t know how, but I knew Stefan was kissing someone. He was feeling their body against his. Exciting him. Making him hard. I couldn’t help but to push my own desires through our bond, urging my sweet omega to indulge in his reckless actions. At the time, I assumed it was Bear. It was exciting to think of the big, sexy alpha breaking the rules. I love punishing him. It gets both of us off like nothing else.

“Mr. Stanley?” Lucy’s soft voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

I pull in a deep breath, deciding exactly what I want to do. “So you like Stefan so much, you were willing to risk death for a simple kiss?” I stare at the slight beta on the other side of my desk.

Lucy frowns then mumbles, “At the time, it didn’t feel that dangerous. All I thought about was how handsome he was.” She drops her gaze, staring at her feet. “It was stupid and selfish.”

I’m a little impressed by her honesty. Most people lie through their teeth when faced with my wrath. They beg for forgiveness while insisting they had no control over the situation. But Lucy is owning her mistake. It’s a little refreshing.

“And what did it feel like to kiss my omega?” I lean forward, desperate to hear her describe it.

Lucy glances up at me through her lashes. She takes in my eager expression before whispering, “It was nice.” She bites her bottom lip. “Soft. He tasted good.”

My cock grows, intrigued by the thought of such a sweet young thing touching my omega. They’re both so timid and sweet. They would be so sexy to watch.

“Stefan wants to fuck a woman,” I say bluntly, and Lucy snaps her head up. “And I want to give him whatever he wants. If he were an alpha, I’d get him a prostitute and call it a day, but omegas don’t function that way.” It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes. “Apparently, they need a deep connection. Friendship. Love.”

Lucy listens carefully, seemingly not affected by my crass suggestion. She shouldn't be. The beta has heard much worse over the years. “What are you saying, Mr. Stanley?”

I cut to the chase. “Do you want to pursue a relationship with Stefan? And think this through very carefully, beta,” I quickly add. “Because omegas bond for life. You won’t be able to fuck him and leave him if you get bored. This would be a true commitment.”

“Betas bond for life too,” Lucy says, almost as if offended.

I’m a little surprised by the confidence in her words. I’ve known many betas who bounce from relationship to relationship, never really settling down. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” she says firmly. “Betas who are taken in by packs feel just as deeply as their alphas and omegas. We aren’t that different.”

A deep laugh pushes from my chest. “I can assure you, little one. We are very different.”

Lucy gives me a polite smile, but she doesn’t push back. “So,” she bites her plump bottom lip, “what does this mean?”

I tilt my head, not sure what she’s asking.

“You said I can pursue a relationship with Stefan,” she says, her voice timid, almost scared. “Are you inviting me to eventually become a member of your pack? Or am I simply Stefan’s girlfriend? Or just a friend with benefits until you decide to get rid of me?”

Once again, I’m impressed by her straightforward questions. While Bear is more open, Yuki is shit at communicating. The she-alpha tends to do whatever the hell she wants, until she’s caught, and I’m pissed. I’m sure it has something to do with the way she was raised. Her father was a violent and unforgiving man. And while I tried to change Yuki in the beginning, I now accept this is just the way my beautiful she-alpha is.

“I’m asking you if you want to join my pack,” I say to Lucy, being as direct as she is.

Lucy stands a little taller, pushing her shoulders back. “Yes,” she says confidently. “I’ve always deeply admired you and your packmates. And, if you’re willing to take a chance on me and assuming Stefan wants me, I would love to be a member of your pack.”

“Do you love Stefan?” I ask.

Lucy’s eyes drift over the carpet. “I don’t fully know how I feel about the omega,” she says with a thoughtful lift in her voice, “but I won’t lie. My pull to him is very strong.”

“Okay.” I nod, taking it all in. “Just answer me this.” I place my elbows on my desk, steepling my fingers. “There’s one thing I haven’t been able to figure out.”

Lucy looks at me with wide eyes, eager to help.

I stare at the slight beta, gauging her reaction. “Which one of my packmates are you fucking? Yuki or Bear?”