Consider The Lilies (Broken Omegas #5)

The Kitchens

Bear

I take a big bite of my sandwich, watching the kitchen staff mill about. They’re working hard, making big batches of fried chicken for our guys. Jack is big on making sure any alpha who works for him has a full belly and a place to sleep. It makes sense, given his past. In fact, it’s one of the things I love about him. He’s a secret softy.

“Mr. Kane needs his lunch.” Jessica breezes around the corner. “Oh.” She smiles when she sees me. “Good afternoon, Mr. Cosner.” She steps up next to me at the counter.

“How’s the new job?” I ask, taking another bite.

“I’ll be honest,” Jessica gives me a pointed look, “it’s harder than I thought. I had no idea Lucy did so much,” she says with a heavy sigh. “But the money doesn’t hurt.” She smiles, and I instantly laugh.

“I’m sure Lucy would be happy to help out anytime you need it,” I say. “I know this is a big transition.”

“Oh, no.” Jessica straightens her back, looking at me as if offended. “This is my job now. And I can handle it without Ms. Williams’ help.”

I give the beta a little bow, liking her attitude. But then I realize I didn’t even know Lucy’s last name until this moment. There’s so much to learn about the pretty beta.

“Here you go, sweetheart.” The main chef slides Stefan’s plate across the kitchen island. He’s getting grilled chicken with a heap of vegetables today.

“Allow me.” I take the plate. “I’m headed up to the dining room anyway,” I say before she can protest.

Jessica’s lips pull into a thin line, and I instantly know she wants to give in.

“Don’t worry,” I lean down and whisper, “I won’t tell anyone you let me help.” I wink, then pop the last bite of my sandwich in my mouth.

Jessica smiles, finally relenting. “Okay.” She steps away from the island. “Just make sure he eats all the chicken,” she says. “Mr. Stanley was very firm in that.”

I give her another bow, then walk out of the room before she can change her mind. I take the narrow servants’ corridor, making my way to the dining room. It cuts right then opens up to the main archway in the dining room.

Carrying the plate high like a waiter, I breeze into the dining room, then stop. “Where’s Stefan?” I ask Yuki. Lucy is pressed against her side, their chairs so close, that they might as well be sitting in each other’s laps.

“He’s in Jack’s office,” Lucy says. “He’s eating later.”

Worry slowly swirls in my stomach as I approach the table. “Jessica said he’d be here.”

Yuki’s body tenses, and she pushes her chair back. “I’ll check Jack’s office.” Her voice is tight, clearly just as concerned as me. “Lucy,” she looks down at our beta, “check his bedroom. Make sure Stefan isn’t in his nest.”

Lucy rushes out of the room. It’s stupid, but after our meeting with Lappen, we’re all on edge. I really don’t think the fucker is dumb enough to come here and try something, but you never really know what people will do when they’re desperate.

I begin to roam the house, going to all the places Stefan loves. Thankfully, there aren’t many places where the omega is allowed. Of course, this would be so much easier if Stefan and I were mated, but hopefully, Yuki gets to Jack quickly. He’ll find our omega fast.

I hope.

“You little shit!” a familiar voice roars, and fear slams into my gut.

It can’t be Lappen. There’s no way he’s that stupid.

I run toward the voice, darting through the house with lightning speed. Another grunt hits the air, followed by a yip. That was definitely Stefan. And it sounded like it came from the back of the house.

Running like a madman, I let instinct pull me toward the back porch. I don’t even slow down to open the door, slamming into the fucking thing and busting it clear off its hinges.

I step outside just in time to see Lappen draw his hand back and slap Stefan right across the face. My vision goes white, and I let out a vicious roar. But before I can take a single step, Lappen spins Stefan, using the slight omega like a shield.

“Don’t fucking move!” Lappen screams, pulling a switchblade out of his pocket. He flips it open, pressing it against my omega’s throat. “Don’t do anything stupid, Bear.” Blood pours from his nose, rolling down his fat chin. “I’m not here to hurt your omega.”

My body jerks, desperate to rush him, but Lappen pushes the blade against Stefan’s neck, and the omega hisses.

“I only want to talk to Stanley.” Lappen inches his way to the edge of the porch, pulling Stefan with him.

“He’s going to kill you if you don’t let me go.” Stefan's voice is shockingly calm.

“Shut the fuck up!” Lappen shoves his hand into my omega’s hair, jerking his head back.

“Don’t touch him!” I bark, rage pumping hard in my veins.

Lappen’s eyes go wide. “Holy shit!” He lets out one sharp laugh. “He speaks!” He cackles again. “I didn’t think you knew how.”

Footsteps move over shattered glass, and I turn right as Jack and Yuki step onto the porch. I didn’t even realize the glass on the door had broken. Jack’s hard gaze lands on Lappen, and he immediately starts ripping his jacket off, flinging it away.

“You really are one dumb fuck. Aren’t you?” Jack snarls.

“Don’t!” Lappen snaps at Yuki. The she-alpha stops in her tracks. She was circling him, edging her way around the porch to him. “Don’t make me do something you’ll regret.” He jerks his arm, and Stefan flinches.

Jack lets out a rolling growl as he removes his tie then drops it.

“I’m only here to talk,” Lappen repeats himself. But we’re way past talking. Right now, I just want to see how many shades of red he will bleed.

“You know,” Jack lets out a bitter laugh, cuffing his sleeves up to his elbows, “I’m really going to enjoy killing you.”

“You owe me an apology!” Lappen screams, and Stefan squeezes his eyes shut tight.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Yuki says flatly. “An apology for what?”

“There used to be an understanding between men like us,” Lappen snarls at Jack. “Alphas in power showed each other respect, honoring one another's territory. But you’re barreling through, acting like you’re the only big dick in this game!”

Jack curls his fists, angling his upper body, ready to fight. “If you have something to say, I recommend saying it now while you can still form words.”

More boots crunch over the glass. Darius and Rossi move onto the porch, coming to a stop next to Jack. Darius nods once at Jack, and I ready myself to snatch Stefan.

“Let's be honest.” Jack glares at Lappen. “If these are going to be your last moments on earth, the least we can do is tell the truth.”

Lappen backs up, pulling Stefan right to the edge of the porch. The drop isn’t terrible—only a few feet—but I’m terrified of the damage the knife pressed to his neck might do if he slips.

“You didn’t come here to talk,” Jack says. “I think you came here to distract me.”

Lappen’s wide eyes dart between Jack and Darius. We can all see the panic starting to set in. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the fat alpha snarls.

Rossi snorts, crossing his arms. “If you’re going to overthrow an empire, you should probably bring more than a dozen men and a couple of boxes of ammo.” He glances at Jack. “You should have brought a fucking army.

“You are making shit up.” Lappen’s voice pitches high. “I simply brought some backup. Any other alpha would do the same!”

“I have to admire your initiative, Andrew,” Jack says. “I like that you wanted to cut all the shit and fight it out right here in my own home. But it was also pretty fucking stupid.”

Yuki and I both take a step forward at the same time, our instincts completely in tune with our leader.

“Back off!” Lappen screams as real fear takes hold. “You are going to show me the respect I deserve and let me leave. I’m going to walk right out that front fucking door! I am going to leave!”

A booming laugh jumps from Jack's chest, then he shakes his head. “No. I’m not doing any of that.”

“Are you sure you want to risk his fucking life?” Lappen jerks his arm again, but this time, Stefan yips, and a drop of blood trickles down his neck.

Every alpha on this porch sucks in a sharp breath then snarls long and loud. Stefan’s whole body shakes, followed by the softest hint of sweetness. I tense, immediately recognizing the scent. Slick . It’s been obvious for days now that he’s on the verge of starting his heat. And this has to be the worst fucking time.

“Give it up,” Yuki says, taking another step. “The only way you’re getting out of this alive is to let go of our omega.”

Lappen snarls, his eyes darting around the porch. He’s trapped, and he knows it. Then he lets out a vicious roar and raises his knife, but right before he can bring it down, he stumbles forward as if pushed.

Stefan’s arms flail as they both fall to the ground. He lands with a heavy thud, Lappen sprawled out next to him. Lucy runs up behind them, grabbing Stefan’s arm and heaving him up.

“Fuck!” Lappen swipes out his hand, grabbing Lucy by the hair. He jerks her, forcing the slight beta onto her back. “You fucking bitch!” He draws back his fist.

Yuki roars, her vicious anger making the air vibrate, but before any of us can move, Stefan snatches the knife off the ground. He moves so fast, lunging and shoving the blade deep into the alpha’s ribs. Lappen screams, releasing Lucy.

And we all move at the same time.

Stefan grabs Lucy, pulling her away from the bleeding fucker. Yuki and Jack jump on Lappen while I rush our small mates. I fling Lucy over one shoulder and lift Stefan off his feet, then I turn and run.

But I’m not fast enough, and Lappen’s wet screams fill the air.

I hate that Stefan and Lucy had to hear that.