Earlier that Day
Stanley
B ear sweeps his hand around his waistband, checking that his shirt is tucked in…again. I swear he’s done this about a dozen times in the last half hour. “You good?” I ask him as I scan the parking lot. It’s mostly empty, except for a few semis parked near the service road, but that’s it.
“I don’t like being away from Stefan,” Bear says in a low murmur. It’s not likely that anyone can hear us out here, but I understand his caution. This parking lot used to house one of those oversized department stores. It burned down a few years ago, leaving behind nothing but this broken concrete slab and a few pipes sticking out of the ground. It’s the perfect spot for meetings like this.
“I don’t like being away from him either,” I say simply. “Hopefully this will be quick.” The urge to open my bond and check on the omega is intense. I know he’s in good hands with Yuki and Lucy, but it still feels wrong to not be under the same roof as him.
“They’re here.” Bear cuts a pointed look across the way.
I turn right as a jacked-up pickup truck swerves around the semis. They’ve probably been waiting there for a while now, just watching us. That’s fine. My men have been here since dawn, lying low in the tree line along the perimeter.
The truck accelerates toward us, followed quickly by two matching black SUVs. I stay firmly in place near our car, not moving an inch as they barrel toward us. Bear steps up next to me, glaring down the truck. The grill throws off a sheen, and the driver slams on the brakes, screeching across the worn concrete. Then it stops, rocking hard only a few inches from where we stand.
What a ridiculous show.
“Stanley!” Lappen flings open the driver’s side door, sticking his bald head in the sun. He smiles at me before hopping out. He hits the pavement with a grunt before quickly smoothing his hands over his big belly. I find it interesting that he chose to drive. It tells me he doesn’t really trust any of his men to get him to safety should he need to make a run for it. Or maybe he’s just shit with a gun. Either way, it tells me plenty about him.
“Lappen.” I keep my expression blank, letting him feel what a waste of time this is for me.
“How are things?” His steel-tipped boots clink as he walks, and I realize he’s wearing lifts.
Lappen is short for an alpha, maybe the same height as Yuki, but he carries all his weight in his gut. It takes a special kind of alpha to get fat. Our kind burns through calories fast and packs on muscle easily. He must be powering through handfuls of butter to carry that kind of weight.
“What do you want?” I ask forcefully.
“Hey now!” Lappen holds up his hands, laughing loudly. The sun hits his bald head, and I can’t help but wonder if he oiled his fucking scalp. It wouldn’t surprise me. Lappen is a weird one. “I know the great Jack Stanley is a busy man, but surely we have time for pleasantries.”
I scowl when he says my proper name. Everyone calls me by my last name, even the random people I fuck. It might seem stupid to some, but it’s all about giving and getting respect. And I don’t have any respect for this fucker.
“You asked to talk.” I push my hand into the breast pocket of my jacket. “Let's talk.” I take out a piece of gum, slowly remove the wrapper, and pop it into my mouth. The mint flavor is too sweet, coating the back of my tongue.
“Romner’s missing,” Lappen says, his voice low with concern.
I don't even blink. “And?”
“Do you know anything about that?” His eyes narrow, and it’s clear he’s accusing me of something.
“He’s not my fucking problem.” I check the men behind Lappen. He has a dozen alphas with him, and they all look like children. Not a single one of them looks to be over twenty years of age. They all shift nervously as I assess them, looking at me like they’re terrified I’ll breathe too hard. One of them is already holding his gun. That would normally concern me, but it's clear from the way he’s holding it, he has no idea what he’s doing. It also helps that he still has the safety on. Idiot .
“Last time I spoke to Romner, he and I were talking about what happened up north in the bay area. He said he was going to meet with you about it.” Lappen rests his thumbs on his belt. It’s an enormous buckle, matching the silver tips on his shiny black boots. I can’t help but wonder if the “cowboy vibe” was intentional.
I will never understand pack alphas and their obsession with bizarre fashion. Suits are quick, simple, and classic.
“Do you know anything about that?” Lappen’s mouth pulls into a tight smile. He’s still acting like we’re old friends. It’s very annoying.
I let out a long, exaggerated sigh, already bored. “Last I heard, the bay area was in flux. There’s no telling who will end up taking it over.”
Lappen’s smile falls, and he snaps, “Bullshit! We all know it was you.” He takes a step toward me, and Bear moves too. Lappen cuts a worried look at my packmate before turning his attention back to me. “I’m only here to deliver a friendly message,” Lappen’s voice drops to a whisper, and I have to wonder if he doesn't want his men to overhear.
“Back off.” He stares deep into my eyes. I know he’s hoping to look challenging, but he just looks scared. “If you aren’t careful, you’ll spread your resources too thin, Stan. And then you won’t have anyone left to watch your back.” His eyes flash like he’s delivering an impressive threat. “Stick to your own territory and leave the rest of us alone, before something bad happens to you.”
I snort, unable to stop myself. “Something bad ?” I make fun of his weak attempt to intimidate me. “Like what?” I ask pointedly. “Are you or one of the other limp-dicked pack alphas going to overrun me with your half-dozen poorly trained guards?” I laugh loudly, loving the way Lappen’s face burns crimson red. “Because last I checked, I have ten times the men you do.”
Lappen’s heartbeat ticks in his fat neck as his rage builds. “Manpower isn’t everything,” he snarls.
“Manpower is the only thing that matters in a fight to the death.” I spit my gum out at Lappen’s feet. It hits one of his boots, sticking to the shiny steel tip. “Why don’t you and your men get out of here before I decide to end this right here and now?”
Lappen’s upper lip twitches, revealing his pointed white fangs. His men shift behind him, but it’s not the thrill of a fight that has them on edge. It's fear. I can smell it.
“You have a lot of attitude for someone who carries so many secrets,” Lappen growls. “Romner told me all about you.”
My hand flies out, gripping the fucker by his throat. He wheezes as I squeeze his airway shut. And not a single one of his men moves. Fucking pussies. “Let me be very clear with you, Andrew,” I growl into his fat face. “I’m going to warn you against spreading any rumors. It didn’t end well for Romner, and it won’t end well for you.” Then I shove the fucker away from me.
Lappen chokes and coughs, rubbing his neck. “You piece of shit!” he yells as he backs up, moving toward his truck. “Enjoy your cocky attitude while you can,” he snarls at me. “One of these days, someone is going to come for you. They’re going to destroy you where it hurts the most.”
“I look forward to it.” I force a smile then look around, addressing Lappen’s men. “If any of you want to work for a real pack alpha, my people are always looking for strong men.” My gaze travels over the young alphas, making sure to look each one in the eye. A few shy away from me, but a couple return my gaze. “I pay twice what this fucker does.”
Several perk at that. One even whispers, “Damn.”
“Fuck off!” Lappen barks at me then turns and yells at his men, “Back in the fucking car!” He scrambles to his truck door. “You had better watch your back, Stan,” he growls the weak threat. “I’m coming for you.” He slams his door shut, then his truck engine roars to life.
I smile, watching as they all file back into their SUVs. A few of the alphas give me an interested look, and I know I’ll be hearing from them soon. Of course, I wouldn't place any of them in positions of real power, but Rossi could use the extra manpower right now. As could my southern territories. There’s always room for an eager young alpha, desperate to prove himself.
Bear stays quiet at my side as Lappen backs up his truck. The fucker pops it in and out of gear, making the damn thing grind. The SUVs behind him drive off before he eventually turns around and speeds off too. The second all three vehicles hit the service road, Bear turns to me.
“That went well,” he says, walking back to the car. But I know all the things he’s not saying.
Lappen is right. I finally have something worth losing. Something precious and fragile that would destroy me and my pack if anything were to happen to him.
“Do you want to go by the warehouse?” Bear asks as he slips into the driver's seat.
“No.” I get in the car, then stare at the trees in the distance. My bond with Stefan is still firmly closed. My fear that he might get hurt is way too strong. I can’t open it and risk him feeling me. It would make him panic. “Let’s go home. I want to check on Stefan.”
He pops the car into reverse.
“And send Lappen a message.” I glare into the distance, where the alpha drove off. “Make it very clear his threats don’t mean shit to me.”
The second I set foot in the house, I can tell something is off. The air just feels different.
“Sir!” Jessica’s eyes go wide when she appears around the staircase. “You’re home.” Her voice pitches high. “I would have had the kitchens prepare you something to eat.” Her wide eyes flicker toward the stairs.
“Where’s Stefan?” I ask, watching her reaction carefully.
“In his room.” Her throat works as she swallows hard, then her voice drops to a whisper, “Ms. Ito and Lucy are with him.”
Bear frowns, cutting me a curious look. And I have to agree. Jessica is acting very weird.
“Is something wrong?” I pull my phone out of my pocket. I have two missed calls from Yuki but no text messages.
“Nothing is wrong.” Jessica quickly shakes her head, then she takes a few steps back. “I’ll let the kitchen know you and Mr. Cosner are home.” She inches toward the main hallway.
“Did Stefan eat?” Bear asks, and Jessica’s mouth pulls into a thin line.
“I didn’t want to interrupt them.” Her voice is barely a whisper, and my suspicions rise.
“Thank you, Jessica,” I say, moving to the staircase. “I’ll let you know when we’re ready to eat.”
The beta bows then rushes off.
Determined to know what’s happening, I slowly open my bond as I make my way to my bedroom. And the sensations that slam into me are wild. Stefan is filled with lust-fueled emotion. There’s an edge of nervousness deep within him, but the omega is mostly excited, both physically and emotionally.
I can hear Yuki’s breathy moans from down the hallway. Bear and I share a look, then I open my bedroom door.
Yuki is on her back in the center of my bed with Stefan’s head buried between her long legs. I stare at his perfect ass for a second, shocked at the amount of slick that glistens on his skin. Lucy lies next to them, her big tits on display as she watches my omega eat Yuki out.
Bear’s hand immediately moves to his cock, squeezing his already hard shaft. I want to do the same, but if I touch myself, I won’t be able to stop.
“Just like that!” Yuki moans, rolling her hips against Stefan’s face. “Don’t stop!” The she-alpha’s breath hitches and her body begins to shake. “Fuck!” she screams as she comes. Stefan doesn’t stop, continuing to eat Yuki to perfection. I’m proud of him. Making a she-alpha come isn’t always an easy feat.
“You did so good!” Lucy praises Stefan as he slowly lifts his head. Then she pushes forward and kisses him. I wish I could see his face. I bet his lips are wet with Yuki’s arousal. The she-alpha doesn’t produce much fluid, but she does when she comes.
Yuki lets out a breathy hum as she watches them kiss, then I see realization grip her. She turns to us, suddenly aware that she’s being watched.
I narrow my eyes at the she-alpha, pretending to be pissed. “Are you three having fun?”
Lucy lets out a frightened squeak as Stefan spins, looking at me with big, scared eyes. His hair is messy, his cheeks flushed, and his lips puffy. He looks so fucking sexy.
“I called you,” Yuki says, her chest still rising and falling, breathless. “Stefan went into heat.”
I look at my omega, knowing full well he’s not in heat. Maybe he had an episode, but the pheromones in the room tell me this was pure lust. Not a medical emergency.
“Lucy.” I remove my jacket, flinging it over the arm of my couch. Stefan stole all the cushions for his nest, making the damn thing useless. I turn to the beta, and she shrinks into Yuki’s side. “Did I give you permission to fuck my omega?”
Yuki quickly sits up, hiding Lucy from me. “I did,” the she-alpha says in a loud, firm voice. “I told her to stay to help me.”
“Is that right?” My brows shoot up at her boldness, but I’m not really surprised. Lucy told me how she and Yuki had been lovers for over a year now. The beta was open and honest about her love for Yuki, and Yuki’s love for her. It pissed me off at first, but I quickly got over it. After all, I fell for Stefan when he was supposed to be a simple, quick fuck.
“Please, Jack,” Yuki says. “I demanded that Lucy stay. It’s me you have a problem with. Not her.”
“No.” Stefan turns, looking at me with deep worry in his eyes. “It’s my fault. I asked her to stay. It’s my fault.”
I can’t help but admire my sweet omega for trying to take the blame. But even if I believed him, I can’t punish him. “Bear.” I look at the mighty alpha, not surprised to find him still gripping his cock through his pants. The poor alpha hasn’t fucked in weeks. “Take Lucy to her room.”
Bear’s eyes go wide, and his scent erupts into a cloud of rage. “You want me to leave?” he asks with a shocking amount of attitude. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, Jack,” he snarls, but I can hear the edge of panic in his tone. He’s on the verge of begging. “How much longer are you going to punish me?”
“Until I’m no longer amused,” I cut back. “And if you don’t like it, then don’t claim a fucking omega without my goddamn permission!”
“Jack.” Yuki shifts, slipping off the bed. “We both know you’re going to punish me.” Her voice is breathy, filled with excitement. “Let them both stay and watch.” A flush crawls down her chest. “It’ll be so much more humiliating,” she pants as if the thought alone might get her off.
And I won’t lie, it’s a very intriguing offer. But if I’m going to humiliate her, then I’m going to do it right.
“But I’m not going to punish you,” I say, loosening the knot in my tie.
Twin lines settle between Yuki’s brows, silently asking me what I mean.
I slip the tie off, flinging it away. “Stefan will.”