Chapter 18
Buck Forest, Devil Estate
“You’ve been a prince all this time and you didn’t tell me.” I hurry after Gabriel through the warm shafts of sunlight in Buck Forest.
I love the sensation of the sun on my face, even if there’s a strong breeze that’s whipping through my thick, scarlet coat. I hug it more closely around myself.
I rested this morning after my heat. When I threw the bedding off me this afternoon, I discovered that I felt stronger than I have in a long time.
Have the new bonds cured the symptoms of my broken bond?
I love that my muscles feel powerful, and I can walk confidently by myself again.
“And you’re now a princess, so we’re even,” Gabriel replies. “I still prefer you as the dragon. Plus, Kai’s past is painful. It was his story to tell. I couldn’t break his confidence.”
I respect that.
Gabriel’s dressed in black on black: jeans, shirt, and a long, woolen coat.
It makes him look dangerous, as he marches through the wood.
It also makes his eyes and hair look even more startling.
I take a deep breath of the pine scented air that feels like life.
The trees are tall, closing in on me on each side. I can hear the roar of the creek and the buzz of insects.
The forest is teeming with life.
It’s ancient.
“You’d suit a gold circlet on your neat, blond head,” I say. “You’d look like one of those classical guys.”
Gabriel doesn’t even glance over his shoulder. “Caesar?”
“As long as it’s not the one who ended up stabbed to death.”
“Don’t worry, I’m more likely to be shot. Now, princess, patrolling is meant to be silent. I’ll be even safer then.”
Lark laughs, but it comes out as a wheeze.
He’s been struggling to keep up. There’s a sheen of sweat on his forehead.
Unlike me, he’s still suffering from Broken Bond Syndrome. I think that he has been from the moment that I met him, more than he’s let on.
Lark bends over, holding up a shaky hand. “How about we all have a nice little rest on this horrible log?”
He drops heavily to sit on the log, and his jade coat splays around him.
How can he even collapse elegantly?
Gabriel turns back with a frustrated huff. “This isn’t a leisurely stroll.”
Lark ignores him, patting the place on the log next to him. “Cupcake, do you need to rest as well?”
Gabriel wrinkles his nose in distaste on the cupcake (and I remember how we’d always laughed over pet names that were used for Omegas in romance novels as kids).
I struggle to smother my smile because I love being called cupcake.
But only by Lark.
I move to Lark, pushing his hair behind his ear. “I’m fine. I feel strong. Amazing, actually.”
Lark’s eyes crinkle at the side. “You don’t know how happy that makes me.”
Only, I do.
Because I can feel it through our bond.
Lark lifts his hand from the log and recoils in horror, as he stares it. “What the hell is this? Mud or…? It should be considered cruel and unusual punishment to expect an Omega to hike.”
This time I can’t help it. I do laugh.
Lark wipes his hand over a patch of moss to clean it.
Gabriel shoots me a bewildered glance.
“He was a caged Lark,” I explain. “They’re not found naturally in the wild.”
Gabriel gives Lark a long look, which makes him squirm. He’s assessing him like an opponent, which I have to admit is smart.
Lark and I have a plan, after all.
“Then I suggest,” Gabriel says in a clipped tone, “that this fancy lark bird returns inside to his natural habitat. I didn’t invite you on this patrol. You’re ruining my objective.”
Lark flutters his eyelashes at Gabriel in a move that would work on me in a heartbeat, but I’m pretty certain isn’t going to work on Gabriel.
They’re like two men playing poker and neither wanting to call the other’s bluff.
“My cupcake,” Lark drawls, and now I know that he’s just as aware of Gabriel’s reaction to the word because he rolls it over his tongue with such delight, “has told me about what an honorable Alpha you are. But surely, such a good Alpha wouldn’t expect a poor, little Omega to walk back through unknown woods by themselves?”
“You’re tall,” Gabriel points out. “Plus, you’re older than me.”
Lark attempts to look scared; he fails. “But there could be bears, wolves, or even Bigfoot.” I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek not to laugh again. “Can we all go inside together now?”
Gabriel looks wrong-footed. “Actually, you’re more likely to see white-tailed deer, which is why this forest is named buck. Plus, it’s not me keeping you out here. Antonio’s the one who’s been excitedly telling me that he’s going to have you chopping wood and swimming in the creek.”
“Actually,” Lark points out, “it was Kai who sent us with you, saying that we needed some exercise.”
“So, get your ass up and get marching.”
“Do you talk to all the boys like that, or am I just special?”
Gabriel’s shoulders stiffen, before his lips curl in triumph like he’s worked something out.
He glances between Lark and me. “You’re trying to figure me out, while also needling me. You’re pretending that you don’t want to be here, at the same time as deliberately stalling me in the middle of the forest.”
Damn, he’s good.
I should have known that he’d work it out quickly. This is what he’s trained in, after all.
Yet Gabriel’s tension and the urgency with which he’s tried to shake us, has already given Lark his answer.
And me.
A big mission is going down.
This isn’t about patrolling.
Lark and I knew it, as soon as we spotted Gabriel heading for the back door.
Immediately, I suggested to Kai that Lark and I could do with some exercise.
Sweet Kai agreed, as I knew that he would.
Lark slinks off the log, prowling toward Gabriel.
Instantly, he looks as much a threat as any Alpha.
These two men together would make an incredible team.
In and out of bed.
I shiver, hugging my arms around myself.
Finally, I think that they’re realizing it.
“Am I now?” Lark stalks to Gabriel.
Lark barely has to tip his head up to meet Gabriel’s eye, challengingly.
Once, that would have had me tumbling to my knees and begging for mercy on his behalf.
Despite his bravery, Lark was well trained and conditioned as a submissive Omega. He knows how to behave as a Traditional Omega better than me.
But it makes my heart swell that he believes what he’s saying about Gabriel being good.
Both of us know that Gabriel is powerful and ex-military. He’s been trained to kill.
Yet he’s not a danger to us.
Lark doesn’t fear him. For the first time, he can spread his wings and really be himself.
Gabriel’s eyes spark with surprise and then admiration at Lark’s challenge.
To my surprise, he reaches out to thumb down Lark’s pale cheek. Then he catches himself, snapping his arm back smartly to his side.
“What I have to surmise,” Gabriel replies with an equal challenge in his tone, “unless you lured me here because you’re secret Omega assassins (which would actually make you Antonio’s wet dream), is that I’m an idiot.”
Wait, what?
Lark blinks. “Well, obviously.”
Gabriel’s smile is icy. “Because I should have realized that my Mer would have fallen for an Omega who was as smart as herself. I’ve been outplayed, haven’t I?”
Lark smirks. “That’s a state that you’ll find yourself in frequently now.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Gabriel catches Lark’s chin, studying him. “So, you’ve worked out that I’m on a mission. You’re actually following me. And…?”
“Come on, we’re not telling you. That’s too easy.” I can’t help the smug smile. Outfoxing Alphas may become my new favorite game. “You’ve worked out the rest of it. Find the final piece.”
Gabriel runs his thumb along Lark’s lip like he’ll find the answer there.
He doesn’t look away from Lark’s fierce gaze. “And…you intended all along to corner me alone and demand to be part of it.”
Lark darts out of his pink tongue, curling it around Gabriel’s thumb.
Gabriel’s pupils dilate, as Lark studiously licks, before answering, “If I was your professor, I’d give you a gold star.”
“Perhaps, we can save that role play for later,” I say. Hope. I stride closer to the two men, who turn to face me. “Listen, Gabe, we’re in this together now. Lark and I may not have faced gunfire like you have but we have faced death. Literally last night for me. We’re just as committed to the cause of Omega rights. We don’t want to be put away somewhere safe and out of the way. We’re not sweet pets. You offered us a job in the organization, and we want it to be a real one. Weren’t you being serious about that offer?”
Gabriel’s expression thaws. “Shit, of course I was. Once I train you up, you can chose whether you like the admin and research side like Kai does or prefer something else. We desperately need someone who focuses on social media and disinformation.”
“What about in the field?” Lark crosses his arm.
Gabriel eyes Lark. “Antonio’s like a reckless puppy. Since he fucked up the last mission, I could do with another cool head in the field. If you want to become a solider, then you’ll need to become fitter. I’ll draw up an exercise plan, which will include dawn drills. You’ll also have to become used to mud in your pretty hair.” Gabriel’s expression becomes virtually devilish. “I’ll create an assault course through the forest that will have you crawling under nets through the dirt, hauling yourself over ten-foot walls, and swimming through tunnels filled with freezing water.”
Gabriel’s taking it too far. Even I can tell that he’s bluffing.
He is bluffing, right?
Actually, now I’m not sure.
Lark coughs. “How about in the field, but only if the job involves working in the city? Or more the surveillance, back up operative who sits inside in the warmth?”
I laugh, before I cast Gabriel a steely look. “No more secrets.”
Gabriel shifts, uncomfortable. “It was meant to be more of a surprise.”
My brow furrows.
I take a step toward him. “What type of a surprise?”
“Kai has all these courting gifts for you.” Gabriel is avoiding my eye. “He’s good at soft romance. I’m a hard man. I know that my years in the SEALS have made me cold. I’m trying to remember the Alpha who I was before…the harsh training and the years of loneliness. You make me better. You heal me.” To my surprise, he turns to Lark. “I was unkind, when we first met.”
Lark arches his brow. “Funny, because I remember that it was me who growled and knocked you on your ass.”
He says it with a certain level of pride.
I don’t blame him.
There aren’t many Omegas who can do that.
Gabriel pulls his coat around himself against a sudden gust of wind. “But I was the one who knocked you on your ass mentally because the whole world fell away from me, when I saw Mer. She’s my fated match. I know it. I didn’t stop to think how it’d make you feel because she was all I could feel, rushing in my blood. But I’ve got to know and admire you now. I know that you’re her scent match too. We’re both equally in her lives, and I want you in mine too. So, today is about courting you and showing you how much you’re wanted in this pack.”
I love Gabriel so fucking much.
Joy surges through me, and even though part of it is me, I know that it’s coming from Lark as well.
He’s part of the Devil pack, but he hasn’t agreed to bond yet.
I hope that he feels this is his family as well.
Our Alphas aren’t the same as the ones from our past.
We have a second chance.
Lark is trying hard to look unmoved by Gabriel’s speech, but the tips of his ears are tinged pink. “If this surprise is a bouquet of freshly picked wild flowers, then you’ve misjudged me.”
Gabriel’s lips twitch. “I have a fair idea where you’d shove them. It’s far better than that. I’ve been working for a long time on freeing all the Omegas from the Institute. It’s meant to be a gesture of defiance that will break global news. I know that it won’t change policy or shut it down forever. But it will cause major disruption, humiliation to our enemies, and send shock waves through society. Anyone who’s even thought about the system being wrong or joining the Omega resistance will be given courage to do it. Slowly, we’re winning this.”
I bounce up and down. “That’s bold.”
Gabriel’s expression tightens. “It’s why it’s taken so long to get to this stage. A lot of resistance packs are involved in this: Knight, Marshal, and Champion. But exact details are still being worked out. They didn’t want to move yet because although we have the floor plans from all the levels now from Toni, he also blew his cover. My surprise, however, is that I’m trying to convince my superiors to move up the date. I’m going to the monitoring room, which is my secret—”
“Lair?” Gabriel perks up.
“Strategy room,” Gabriel coolly replies. “A study but with better security. As I said earlier, this mission wasn’t an actual secret. I only wanted to tell you when I could present it as a courting gift because I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Well, present her with possibly a ribbon in her hair…”
Oh, fuck.
Does he mean…?”
Lark pales. “M-m-millie? You’re doing all this to rescue my d-daughter as soon as possible?”
“Of course,” Gabriel replies, gravely. “You’re pack. So, Millie’s pack. I can’t wait to meet her.”
Lark’s eyes glisten with tears, as he throws himself at Gabriel, who stiffens with shock like he’s not expecting it.
Lark slings his arms about Gabriel, as if he never wants to let go. Even though he’s shaking like he’s on the verge of tears, he’s purring too.
It’s the first time that he’s purred in Gabriel’s arms.
Gabriel looks overwhelmed.
I rush over to the two men because I can tell that Gabriel, even though he may be in control in a battle, needs help with a complex Omega like Lark.
I press myself against Lark’s back, before wrapping my arms around both men.
Finally, Gabriel relaxes.
He tentatively cards his fingers through Lark’s hair.
“Thank you,” Lark whispers, over and over. “Thank you, thank you…”
“You never have to thank me for protecting pack,” Gabriel says far softer than I’ve heard him talk to Antonio or Kai. “You’ll never have to thank me for caring about or…loving you.”
When Lark raises his head, his cheeks are wet.
He kisses Gabriel, gentle and chaste.
It’s as much a thank you as his words.
But it feels like he’s accepting his promise of care and protection.
That he’s accepting his love.
My eyes sting with happy tears. I nuzzle against Lark’s lean shoulder.
Gabriel rubs his hands up my back. “How about we do go back to the house since everything’s out in the open? We can plan together as a pack what our next move is. I realize now that having two Omegas on our side is going to be a major strength. We need to get the top members of the resistance fully invested in this, however, and their agreement to move it forward.”
I bite my lip. “What are they like?”
“Committed, inspirational, and my fucking rock.” To my surprise, however, Gabriel’s expression becomes tense. “But a storm is set to batter these mountains within the next couple of days, which also sets the clock ticking. Storms up here are fierce. We only have a small window of opportunity to pull this off and we’re still being hunted.”