“Hey, get that gate open and get those omegas ready!” he shouted to a couple of men lounging lazily around the sheds.
“Fuckers!” he swore. “Have to tell ’em everything.”
“That’s why you’ve got me,” I said, edging closer to Irian. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do here. My mind spun as it raced through my options. Could I grab Irian and make a run for it? But I couldn’t leave Tosca. I desperately hoped Talius was nearby, and that he planned to act soon.
The truck rattled its way onto the premises and pulled up close to the dinner hall. The engine was cut and the ensuing silence was punctuated by the muted thud of boots as the driver hopped down from the cab and began speaking to the men waiting for him. Zarbius’ guy, who had opened the gate for him, swung down from the other side of the cab, and with a shout acrossthe compound to the omega shed, the men disappeared into the food hall together. Moments later an omega hurried out of the omega house carrying a large covered dish. The beta holding Irian’s lead looked longingly towards the shed.
“You wanna go eat?” asked Zarbius, addressing the beta, bushy eyebrows raised.
“Uh…” the guy looked uncertain, indicating the cord in his hand.
Zarbius extended a tanned arm towards the man, palm up, fingers flicking impatiently. “Hand it over. Looks like we’ve got a little time before the truck gets loaded and I’ve got some unfinished business with this omega.”
“I think we’ll have time for a little fun.” Zarbius’ eyes glinted malevolently, a calculating expression taking over his features. He gave a sharp tug on the cord tying Irian’s wrists, so that the omega stumbled into him.
Surprisingly, when he regained his balance, Irian’s face was calm, unperturbed except for a slight twitch above one eye and a tightening of his jaw. I didn’t scent fear on him and I wondered how he could be so serene in the face of such obvious ill intent. I was nearly sick with fear.
“You gonna join us?” sneered Zarbius, watching me speculatively, “or you gonna stick to your ‘exclusive’ arrangement?” He shook his head, as if he still couldn’t believe that anyone would be dumb enough to want an exclusive arrangement.
Fuck! I panicked. What should I do? I couldn’t let Irian go off alone with Zarbius.
“I really think we should be trying to get the rest of the ransom,” I mused, slowly, rubbing at my chin where several days ofstubble grazed my fingers, “400 grand is a lot of money. It’s not worth turning down just for a…” I looked Irian up and down, “a bit of ass. No need to be hasty about this.”
Irian’s glare was a death-stare, although his features didn’t change, but I knew him well enough to read the murder in his eyes.
Zarbius’ cold eyes lingered dangerously on me, and I wondered once again if he was doubting my loyalty. He opened his mouth to say something and…
“Quite right,” said a deep throaty voice. The words came from behind me, the voice familiar and reassuring, and my head shot up at the same time as the tension eased from my shoulders. Silently, I exhaled a breath. Talius stepped into view. He’d finally decided to show himself, thank the Goddess!
Zarbius’ head swung up and he tugged Irian closer.
“Who the fuck are you?” he snarled, spit flying everywhere. “And what are you doing onmyland?”
“I’ve come to retrieve my mate,” growled Talius, alpha pheromones swirling aggressively in the air. I remembered then that Zarbius had never met Talius, he didn’t know him at all. He wouldn’t know that underneath his semi-civilized demeanor, was a fierce and protective mate and furious alpha. An alpha who was barely keeping himself leashed. It had to have been driving Talius crazy seeing his mate tied up like this and with his shifter hearing, he must have heard the disgusting things Zarbius had been saying.
For a beat, it was as if time had frozen. I didn’t dare breathe. Just when I began to wonder if I’d pass out before someone made a move…
“Ahhh… you must be Talius,” Zarbius made a show of looking beyond Talius. His head shook in a barely discernable movement. “You’ve come alone,” he ground out, the hand not holding Irian’s leash flexing and clenching at his side. “Where’smymate? The deal was the money and my mate, in exchange for yours. Pretty little thing, isn’t he?” Zarbius added, running a rough hand through Irian’s short brown locks, a sneer wrinkling his nose. Irian flinched, drawing his chin in, and turning his head away.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the beta hastening towards us, the need for food apparently forgotten.
Talius growled and launched himself at Zarbius, and Irian tried to pull the cord out of Zarbius’ hand.
“I don’t think so,” Zarbius sneered, jumping back and dragging Irian with him. Irian struggled to stay upright and as he found his balance and straightened up, the light reflected off the blade against Irian’s neck and a solid hand landed on his shoulder. Irian froze. A faint line of red bubbled across his pale skin, leaking more with each shallow breath.
“Easy,” murmured the beta, lips almost touching Irian’s ear.
“Get your hands off him!” growled Talius. His eyes had turned a deep midnight shade of blue, the aggression rolling off him in waves. But he didn’t dare attack. The knife changed everything.
Zarbius snarled back at Talius, eyes narrowed, the muscles of his neck corded. Distantly, I heard men’s voices from the vicinity of the housing, but I didn’t dare take my eyes of the conflict here.Goddess, watch over Tosca…
“Let him go. I… I’m here,” a soft voice said, as if from nowhere. Irian gasped. Horror crossed Talius’ face as we all turned to seeIsca emerging from the trees, face pale, a battered half-filled backpack hanging listlessly from his hand. “You… you have no reason to keep him now.”
Isca’s steps were slow, almost zombie-like, as he headed towards Zarbius. His lips were pressed tight, almost bloodless, face blank except for the apologetic glance he flashed at Talius as he passed the shocked alpha. He held his chin high.
“Let him go,” he said when he was standing in front of Zarbius.
The big Alpha’s lips curved in a cruel smile. “Well, well, well. Look at you. Come to give yourself up so the alpha can get his mate back. How very touching. But you do like to please the alphas, don’t you?”
