Omegas (Vanguards Book 1) Read online

  Chapter 9

  Daedalus paced in the empty gym waiting for Eric. He had given the werewolf something special to wear during the challenge and the shifter was trying it on. He couldn’t wait to see the looks on the packs’ faces. Daedalus fingered the cell phone in his back pocket but resisted the urge to text Sugar. She would be fine. Sam was at her side and he had an unusually large protective streak. One that was rare in packs and if he recalled their designations properly.

  Werewolves and their hierarchy. He paced, glancing at the ceiling, imploring the gods for patience. Alphas led the packs. That was an easy one. Then his second in command was called a Beta. The mid-level shifters were considered either Hunters, Soldiers, or Breeders depending on their aggression levels. Of course, there were the Omegas, which the idiot packs in the area treated like slaves. The fools didn’t realize these werewolves were the heart of the pack-lovers, artists, caretakers. Then there were the occasional wolf like Sam. Or at least, Daedalus hoped so.

  The changing room door opened. “You have got to be fucking kidding me. I can’t wear this.”

  Daedalus clapped his hands and threw back his head with a laugh. “Fantastic.” Focusing on Eric took priority tonight. If the shifter didn’t win the challenge, then he’d be dead by morning. That meant Daedalus failed this unique group of werewolves, and he didn’t fucking fail anything. Not to mention, no amount of consoling would ease Sugar’s grief at the loss of her childhood friend. Nobody hurt his Sugar.

  Eric stared down at himself. He wore a warrior’s black leather kilt with his white t-shirt and sport socks. The outfit of his vampire clan. This screamed geek more than warrior. Not the impression Eric had to make tonight.

  Eric appeared less than pleased. “I’m not wearing a skirt.”

  “Take the shirt and socks off, dumbass.” Daedalus frowned, but inside his chest swelled with pride. A few weeks ago, Eric would never have challenged any of Daedalus’s orders. He’d make an alpha out of this scrawny shifter if it killed them both. “Wait, let me turn on some music. Make sure to take them off slowly.”

  With a growl, Eric tugged off his socks then his t-shirt and threw them at Daedalus. He stood facing Daedalus, his arms spread out to his sides and he turned. “So?”

  “Better.” His gaze wandered to the bandage over Eric’s heart. He gripped the edge and tore it off.

  “Fuck.” Eric pressed his hand over the spot. “I don’t have much chest hair, man. Anyone tell you you’re an asshole?” Between his fingers peeked out a dark tattoo.

  Daedalus pried his hand away. “Let me look at it.” It had been Eric’s idea. “Good thing shifters heal fast. You don’t need to keep it covered anymore. It will fade in a few weeks unless you have it re-done with silver infused ink.”

  “Is that what you did?” Eric pointed to Daedalus’s chest.

  “Yes, except my body metabolizes the silver and I have it redone every ten years or so.”

  Eric hitched up his waist band. “This skirt is loose.”

  “Stop calling it a skirt. It’s a kilt. Warriors ages ago used to wear these in battle and nothing else to show their bravery. It’s loose on purpose. You’ll need the space when you shift.”

  “Oh.” Eric gazed down at the kilt. “So, I don’t look like a girl?”

  “Trust me. Women love the kilt.” He clapped Eric on the back almost propelling him across the room. “Let’s get you warmed up.”

  ****

  Michael’s head swiveled toward the front of the warehouse and Sugar followed his line of sight. She stood for a better view of what caught his attention, but his hand clamped down on her forearm, yanking her back onto the stool.

  “Your mate is here.”

  She dropped her head in her hand and shook it. He meant Eric. “For the last time, he’s not my mate.”

  “Your lover then. I don’t give a shit what you call each other.” Michael’s eyes went black as he stared intently in her eyes.

  She dropped her gaze like she’d seen other shifters do. Antagonizing a crazy, alpha werewolf was low on her to-do list.

  He released her arm and she rubbed the spot, knowing there’d be bruises tomorrow. She snuck a quick glance of his face.

  The fury had faded. Now, he lounged back and yawned, but under those half-lidded eyes was the same glare focused on where Eric entered the warehouse.

  The hum of conversation faded to silence.

  Eric stalked toward the dais. Or at least, someone who resembled him. The shifter’s shoulders rolled with the long strides, head lowered and stare not flinching from Michael’s. It was Eric. A bigger, more muscular and confident version of him. The shifters guarding the door surrounded him and Daedalus as escorts.

  Sugar had only seen him a few times since Daedalus had arrived and he always had clothes on. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the obvious changes. Power radiated from him and many of the werewolves seemed drawn to him like moths to a flame.

  A leather kilt hung from his lean hips, the rest of him naked. A sheen of sweat covering his skin, reflecting the neon lights, defining his lean, newly acquired muscles. She noticed, like Daedalus, he also bore a black circular tattoo over his heart. Except his was of the full moon.

  Daedalus stood a step behind. His usual black jeans and muscle shirt contrasted with his pale skin. The light gleamed off his head and caused his eyes to appear soulless. Unlike regular vampires, it was impossible for him to hide his vampire origins. His inhuman beauty was stark and in your face. It required Sugar’s conscious effort to pull her gaze away from him because the cold menace in his expression sent a shiver down her spine. She’d never experienced this prey-like fear until now. Thankfully, Daedalus was on their side.

  Eric’s gaze flicked to her. His eyes widened slightly and she witnessed him understand her situation in seconds. The only way he could help her was to win the challenge.

  Daedalus stole her attention as their stares met over Eric’s shoulder. He gave her a quick wink and a knot in her chest loosened, letting her breathe a little easier. She wasn’t sure what one vampire could do against a warehouse full of enemy shifters, but her body recognized him as the biggest predator in the room. And she belonged to him.

  Michael rose. “The Ayumu pack recognizes you, Eric of the Omegas. Who is this vampire accompanying you?”

  Eric’s voice rang through the warehouse. “Daedalus is my appointed advisor.”

  “This isn’t a place for advice.” He faced Daedalus. “You shouldn’t be involved.”

  “The Accords state I can be present during a challenge.” His expression and stance never changed.

  Hushed voices hummed over the crowd at this statement. Michael’s face lost its amused expression. “The Accords? No one follows those ancient laws anymore.”

  Eric turned to address the crowd. “That’s because most of us don’t even know of their existence. We’ve forgotten them.” He returned his attention to the alpha. “We’ve lost our way.” He moved toward the dais, causing the guards to stir.

  Michael stood, holding up his hand to forestall them.

  Eric climbed the stairs. “You knew about the Accords,” he whispered. Only Sugar and the Alpha could hear him. “And you chose to ignore them?”

  Michael lowered his face within inches of Eric’s. “Of course, every alpha knows and no one cares.”

  “I care. They define us as a people, Michael. Without it...” Eric diverted his gaze to the floor. He paused and swallowed, then sucked in his breath. When he looked back up, his eyes matched Michael’s, amber wolf. “We’re nothing but animals.”

  Sugar scooted back on her stool. She had never seen one of the Omegas this close to losing control of their beast.

  Eric gave her a small nod. The amber glow of his eyes grew brighter though. He pounced to the floor. “You claimed I was forming an illegal pack by giving others in need shelter and gave me the ultimatum that I prove myself worthy by beating one of your soldiers or be absorbed. I’m here.” He crossed his arms. “And now, I challenge you, Michael, Alpha of the Ayumu pack, for the right of your position.”

  She twisted to look at the other Omegas. What was he doing? He was making a bad situation worse. Instead of fighting an upper level werewolf, Eric wanted to fight the strongest in the pack.

  The outcries from the pack reflected her confusion. She feared they’d run out and tear both him and Daedalus to shreds. Why wasn’t the vampire intervening with Eric’s insanity?

  Michael waited until the noise died down before he smirked. “You have to work your way up the pack to have that kind of privilege, Eric.”

  “No, I don’t, Michael. I’m the Alpha of the Omegas pack. Leader to leader challenge. We’ll absorb the Ayumu. At least one Accord law is still followed.”

  Daedalus grinned, fangs glinting in the light.

  The fighting arena was set in the center of the warehouse. When Michael left the dais to join Eric, Sugar attempted to leave and sit with the Omegas on the bench, but one of Michael’s thugs blocked her way. Her eye twitched. It was the asshole she met at the entrance. The one who resembled a brick wall and had wanted to separate her from the Omegas.

  He pushed her back onto the stool and rested his hands on her shoulders, his thumb trailing a line along her neck.

  Her supper warred to climbed up her throat. Clasping her hands on her lap, she leaned to looked around him at her friends. Tyler held Katrina, Robert and Sam were focused on Eric.

  The brute whispered in her ear. “Most dominance fights are to first blood, but this kind of challenge, alpha to alpha, is to the death. You should wave good-bye to your mate.” He bent closer to Sugar. “When Michael’s done with you, I’ll ask him for the scraps. I’ve always wanted a pet human.” His breath smelled of chewing tobacco, and it curled her toes.

  “You ever heard of a toothbrush?” Her words sounded brash but inside she fought the urge to curl upon herself. If she’d learned anything from her childhood, it was to never show fear to a bully.

  He coughed as if choking on his words, and he grabbed her by the hair. Pulling her head back, he drew his fist back. Fury burned in his dead eyes.

  She raised her arms reflexively and ignored the pain as she tried to tug her hair free of his hold. The blow never fell. Between her arms, she glimpsed Sam.

  He held the thug’s arm. “You don’t ever hit a woman.” Then Sam shoved him away. Her assailant still had hold of her hair though, and it caused them both to tumble backward off the dais.

  Sugar grunted on impact, landing on the shifter’s chest.

  He started to stand and before she could roll off Sam scooped her into his arms, setting her aside before tackling the other werewolf back to the ground.

  Sugar wasn’t sure who let the first punch go, but she hadn’t much space to maneuver before being trampled. Seriously, she was a fucking librarian, not a closet ninja or uncover slayer. Not to mention human bones shattered easily in comparison to shifters.

  A piercing whistle made the shifters cover their sensitive ears, including Sam and his fist buddy. She had to learn how to do that. Daedalus removed his fingers from his mouth. “Break it up, boys! The fights between these two.” He gestured to the alphas of the opposing packs.

  Sam pushed himself off the floor, nodded at Sugar, and sat back with his pack. The brute returned by the dais, murder in his eyes as he watched her climb back onto the dais and took Michael’s chair. Screw it. This was the best seat in the house and her sore ass was claiming it as hers.

  Michael had already stripped completely. He paced the floor, unconscious of his nudity. He stared daggers at Eric while slowly circling him.

  Breathless, she gripped the edges of the chair and leaned forward. She was about to witness the murder of her best friend. If Daedalus or the Omegas weren’t going to stop this, she’d have to.

  The two alphas approached each other in the center of the cleared area and the crowd cheered while the alphas began their shape change.

  Chapter Ten

  Sugar didn’t want to look, but couldn’t make herself turn away. She’d never watched a transformation before, her stare remained glued to the horror. All thoughts of interrupting the challenge vanishing. Their skin flowed like water while fur took its place. When bones and joints popped, they snarled. Their bodies reshaping themselves into what looked like half-wolf and half-man. Claws grew from their fingers and toes. Lastly, they stood on their hind legs, their screams turning to howls as their jaws elongated, exposing the long, sharp canines.

  She sensed Daedalus’s presence before turning to see him crouched next to her.

  “You’re pale, Sugar. Are you okay?” He lifted her chin with a knuckle. “Did he hurt you?”

  She glanced back at the shifter wearing a leather kilt. “I’m managing. Eric seems to be the same size as Michael in his beast form. If he didn’t keep the kilt on, I’d have trouble telling them apart.” She’d seen him in this form before and didn’t recall him being that big.

  A pleased look briefly touched the vampire’s face. “Exercise strengthens the human body, but it’s the soul which strengthens the beast.” He caressed her face before turning his attention to the fight.

  That was when the meaning of what he said dawned on Sugar, and explained what Daedalus had truly been doing this last month. He had taught Eric to fight, which had built his confidence, giving him the self-assurance and strength. Daedalus had basically grown Eric’s beast bigger and given him the skills to use that power. It must have been his plan from the start.

  She stared at her lover’s chiseled handsome profile. He did know how to make kings. Eric matched Michael in size. With his new fighting skills, maybe Eric could win?

  The alphas circled each other, testing the other’s reflexes and speed by feigned attacks. Michael sprang at Eric, his momentum knocking them both into the bystanders. People screamed under the crush of two huge beasts armed with claws and teeth. They fought like the animals, biting and tearing. Blood stained the cement floor.

  Sugar leaned forward, hands fisted. “Which one is Eric?” His kilt lay on the ground, torn off during the battle.

  The beast under assault placed his feet against the other’s abdomen and shoved. The other werewolf flew across the warehouse, landing with a hard crash on the empty bleachers.

  The smart spectators had gathered around the dais. Sugar had to stand on the chair to see. Shouts and cheers were so loud she couldn’t hear herself think. Both Alphas raced at each other from opposite ends of the building colliding into each other like a storm.

  Sam waved his arms over his head and caught Sugar’s attention. He shouted something but it was too noisy to hear.

  “What?” She shouted back.

  Daedalus was on his feet next to her, steadying her with his hand. “He says they can’t see and wants to know who is winning.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t tell! They both look alike.”

  He frowned. “Me either. Stay here. No matter what don’t go anywhere without me.” He moved so fast she didn’t see where he’d gone until she glimpsed him alone by the front door, focused on the fight.

  One beast stood over the other, its jaw clenched around the other’s throat, shaking its head with vigor until it stopped struggling.

  Sugar’s head spun at the sight. Eric.

  The winner released his hold and the loser flopped lifeless at his feet. He stepped over the body and faced the crowd, chest heaving as he caught his breath. He licked his muzzle, sharp canines visible.

  At first, the cheers grew louder, but when the alpha remained quiet, the noise faded.

  The alpha nodded to everyone. “You’re all part of the Omega pack now.” The shifters rough voice rolled over them. Sugar twisted to stare at her friends with wide eyes. They jumped up and down chanting Eric’s name as the beast approached them.

  Eric had won.

  Sugar clapped her hands over her mouth and rushed to join the celebration. This would be a new era. No more “Wimps of the Underworld” or “Geeks of the Underworld.” They’d be part of the Ayumu. She stumbled to a stop. No, the Ayumu would be part of them.

  The Omegas owned Chicago.

  She stopped in her tracks. Things would change, maybe not for the best. The Omegas’ time would be consumed in maintaining dominance over their new members and worse, that pack thought she belonged to Eric as his mate. She was going to kill Sam.

  A hand gripped her elbow. She grinned, spinning to hug Daedalus, instead came face to face with the muscled brute. His grip tightened. Before she tugged, trying to break his hold, but she might as well have tried to pry open handcuffs.

  He dragged her through the crowd to a small side exit

  The cool air outside snapped her from the shock. Her lungs stiff with fear, she couldn’t scream. The shifter’s steel grasp prevented any escape, no matter how hard she fought and tore at his hand.

  He pulled her without effort toward the surrounding woods. Glancing over his shoulder, his eyes glowed with an inner light. “We’re going to have a private celebration.” He grinned, exposing long, sharp canines. “Just you and me.”

  “Do you think that’s wise. I’m your new alpha’s mate.” Yeah, she’d use that stupid lie if it would saver her ass.

  “My alpha is dead.”

  She froze. None of her limbs functioned. How many of the others in the pack would disregard Eric’s claim? And when would someone notice she was missing. The Omegas were too busy celebrating to notice her absence so she was on her own against this creature.

  Daedalus strolled out of the woods ahead of them.

  Her legs went weak with relief.

  “Nice night to take a walk. Who do you have there, wolf?”

  The brute stopped moving when he saw Daedalus. “None of your business, vampire.” He squeezed Sugar’s arm harder, making her cry out.

  Quick as a blink, Daedalus stood a breath away with his hand on the brute’s wrist. With a quick snap, he broke it. “You’re hurting her.” The words came from behind clenched teeth.