Page 26 of Blood Fist

It wasn’t a request.

Niklas helped him up, wiping his bloody lip with the back of his hand. Mutely, they followed Osmond, sticking close enough that the mingled scents of upset omega and angry alpha nearly made his eyes water.

Osmond led them through the maze of tents. It was quieter now than it had been last night. Fires were nothing more than embers. Laundry had been brought in, children tucked into bed as the adults whispered to each other in the night.

His back was killing him, the imprint of Osmond’s boot no doubt branded into his skin. He watched the big alpha carry Corric with ease. He was nearly the same size as Brune, yet he moved so fast. So light on his feet. How? Brune could barely get his feet under him when he had a blade.

He suspected Osmond would not be willing to answer if he asked.

Niklas stuck close to him, occasionally wiping the blood from his face. His eyes were on Osmond, too, face inscrutable, like it often was.

They were led to a different tent than the one they’dbeen in before. This one was larger; with shapes he couldn’t discern sketched onto the stretched hide. Osmond knocked on a slab of wood, calling to those inside before ducking in.

Once inside, Brune was hit with the scent ofpack.There was a stronger scent, one that was sweetly spiced. It made the hair on his nape stand on end.

The room was dimly lit by a stove in the corner. Taking in the pallet in the corner and the table, he could tell this was clearly a home.

“Corric!” A beta woman with curls pushed up from the table, rushing over to the omega. Osmond set him down, steadying him with a hand on his elbow.

The beta fussed, pulling Corric closer to the stove so she could check him over. She cupped his face, dragging him down to her height. “I thought you were in the nest! What were you doing out so late?”

Corric ducked his head, and Brune noticed the second woman in the tent too late. Chief Restrina was glaring at them with eyes that might as well be embers plucked from the fires outside. Her hands were curled into claws, feet spread, ready to attack.

“Chief,” Osmond started, his voice strained. “I found Corric outside of camp being carried by these two.”

Her lip curled, revealing a fang. The scent ofenragedalpha was so much worse than the citrus from Osmond. Niklas’s eyes watered as Brune bit back the urge to gag, ducking his head to expose his neck in submission.

“Explain.” Her voice dripped ice.

“It was my fault.” They turned to Corric, who managed to extricate himself from the beta. “I…tried to surrender.”

The beta gasped, hands flying to her mouth. “Corric!”she cried again; her fingers pressed to wobbling lips.

“This is all my fault. I won’t let you die for me.”

Chief Restrina had forgotten about Brune and Niklas. Her angry eyes were on the omega. She was frozen, staring at the boy until he squirmed.

“Darling,” the beta cooed softly, dropping her hands to smooth Corric’s hair back from his face. “This isn’t your fault?—”

“Yes, it is! We overheard your parley!”

Osmond groaned, rolling his eyes as he muttered something about atroublesome trio.

“General Bargrave is only here because he was denied the betrothal. I won’t let you die, I won’t?—”

“Who do you think I am?” Chief Restrina hissed, her teeth barely parting.

Corric blinked, mouth opening but no words coming.

“Who?” Restrina’s voice rose, shaking with anger. “Who do you think I am?” she advanced on Corric, fists curled at her side. “Do you think I am so weak that I would allow my pup to be taken?”

Everyone in the tent seemed surprised, but none more than Corric himself. His jaw dropped; eyes wide. Restrina stepped to him, staring down at him even though the omega was half a head taller.

“You are mine, Corric, and if you think I would not bleed, would not die, to keep you safe—then you truly are a fool.”

The boy trembled, looking smaller and younger than he had when he was ready to die for his people.

Restrina scruffed him by the back of the neck, pulling him down so she could rub her cheek on the top of his head. He melted under her scenting, crying softly against her shoulder.