Page 7 of Claiming the Omega (The Wolves of Sparrow Ridge)

Just as Benjy was about to turn and leave the room, convinced that all the Betas were basically the same, Victor jumped and grabbed Daniel by the throat.

He slammed him against the wall several times and then tossed him across the room.

“Who the fuck do you think you are, speaking to my mate in such a way?” He didn’t give Daniel time to respond to that question before leaping on him and punching him square in the jaw before tossing him again across the room.

Daniel was not fighting back and was apologizing through swollen and bloodied lips.

Cole had moved to stand in front of Benjy to protect him from the mayhem filling the room.

He turned and looked down at him. "It will be okay, little one.

Daniel doesn't speak for the rest of us.

He's a good Beta, but a real asshole most of the time.

Few in the Pack can tolerate him apart from the Alpha.

Although I think his standing with Alpha Rios has just taken a serious hit. "

Victor took Daniel by the throat and raised him off the ground.

"You will never speak to my mate again. You will move to one of the adjacent cottages; I don't want you under the same roof as my mate.

If you so much as criticize his hair color, I will have you thrown out of this Pack.

If you can't show him the respect he deserves, then you can get the hell out.

Do I make myself clear?" He was red-faced and shouting by the time he reached the end of his speech.

Daniel nodded in affirmation, unable to speak with his throat so constricted.

Once again, Victor threw him across the room and then turned to find his mate.

He rushed over to where Cole was shielding the man.

Cole took a step to the side and shaking his head glanced over at Daniel who was attempting to pick himself up off the floor.

Victor immediately took Benjy into his arms and held him close to his chest. "Are you okay?" Benjy nodded against his chest. "I am so sorry; I had no idea he would say such a thing. I will banish him if you are more comfortable with him gone from the Pack."

"No, this is his home." Benjy wouldn't do that to someone just because they were an asshole. "I know how it feels to be run out of your home and I wouldn't want to put him through that."

"He does not deserve your pity." Victor was impressed with his mate's empathy.

Victor looked at Cole silently telling him to get Daniel out of the room.

His Beta's behavior shocked and saddened him.

He'd just told his mate that his Pack was not prejudiced and that he would be easily accepted, and that was followed by Daniel's ridiculous comment. Damn, could things have gone any worse?

Victor led Benjy out of the back room and into the kitchen, where he sat him on one of the stools in front of the island.

He then prepared a cup of tea for himself.

His research on Benjy had also revealed his affinity for tea.

He set the cup in front of Benjy and sat down next to him.

“That idiot does not represent my pack please believe me.”

Benjy was touched by Victor’s eagerness to make right the situation exacerbated by his Beta.

“I’m okay, really. His words aren’t anything I haven’t heard before, and honestly I’ve heard a lot worse.

” Benjy took a sip of his tea and gave his mate a small smile.

Victor placed his hand on Benjy’s back and began to rub comforting circles.

Benjy decided at that moment to open up to him Victor was being honest and open, and Benjy needed to do the same if their relationship was to have a chance.

"As I told you before, I had a relationship, of sorts, with the Alpha's son, Greg.

He started showing me attention a couple of years ago and then slowly it became a .

. . sexual relationship. He wouldn't acknowledge me unless we were alone because his family and the Pack would not accept that he was gay.

He and his friends would do terrible, hurtful things to Shane and me, and then he would sneak over later and tell me that he loved me, and this was just what we had to do for now. "

Benjy took another sip of his tea appreciating the hot liquid as it soothed his throat.

He was choking up at the memory of all the bullshit he believed and how he fell for every excuse so that he didn’t have to face up to the fact that Greg was simply using him as a piece of ass.

His daydream he wove together had been one in which Greg loved him so much that they eventually mated and married.

That daydream now brought him nothing but shame and regret.

"I believed him, every time. Finally, his father must have suspected something, because in due course, every time Greg came around, there was someone watching him.

Greg told me that his father confronted him about a relationship with the Omega, and he freaked.

Greg said that he wouldn't be seeing me again. "

Benjy shook his head, ashamed at being such a fool and having some difficulty relating the details to this man, this Alpha, his mate.

"I didn't realize that also meant that he was going to try to kill me.

He put together a death squad at the orders of his father and came after not just me, but also Shane.

If John Plummer, my dad's old friend, hadn't warned us.

.." His voice trailed off. Victor hugged Benjy to his side and placed a light kiss on the side of his head.

It was appreciated, and it gave Benjy the strength to finish his story.

“We'd started keeping our car hidden in the woods, because if we had it in our driveway, it was always vandalized by morning.

" He turned his head and, for the first time since starting his story, looked at Victor.

He saw thoughtful consideration in Victor's eyes; it was something he'd never witnessed with Greg or his old Alpha.

"After John warned us, we hid in the woods and waited, afraid to start the car for fear they would hear.

We watched them destroy our home and set it on fire.

This was the Pack we were born into our father was a Beta in this Pack, I knew these people my whole life, and yet they could do this to us.

" Benjy shook his head again, at a loss to understand how people could be so hurtful.

Victor needed to speak the information explained a lot regarding Benjy's distrust of wolves and their packs.

He'd never had a positive experience with either.

Victor had never heard of the Concord Pack before, which spoke to their isolation and rigidity.

He was firm in his resolve that if any of those bigoted, abusive, bastards, ever came around Benjy or his brother again, Victor would end them.

"I will keep you safe, Benjy, you and your brother, I promise.

" He couldn't resist any longer and pulled Benjy from his chair and over onto his lap.

He tucked him against his chest and held him tight.

"You make me so happy, thrilled, agitated, distracted; I can't put a finger on the multitude of emotions flashing by as I hold you in my arms."

Victor hadn't considered that his mate would be a battered and abused runaway Omega, who was scared shitless of wolves.

But regardless of his origins, Benjy's life had changed, and he now belonged to the Alpha Wolf of the Sparrow Ridge Pack.

He would no longer be less than or considered unworthy for he was now the most adored of the Alpha.

Victor was in the process of assuring Benjy of his place in Victor's life with sweet kisses and softly whispered adoration when Shane came bursting through the front door, anxiously looking for his brother. Much to Victor's irritation, Benjy jumped off Victor's lap and rushed over to his brother.

“What’s going on, Benjy?” He sounded extremely troubled, which was understandable. “What are they going to do to us?”

Benjy wasn't sure how to begin since there was so much to tell him and yet so much he really didn't understand.

Benjy just decided to start at the beginning.

"The wolf I met at the restaurant is Victor Rios.

" Benjy gestured to where Victor was standing.

Victor nodded at Shane, who glanced at him and back at Benjy while his panic visibly rose.

Benjy held him by his upper arms in an effort to calm him and hold his attention. "It's okay, Shane. They're not going to hurt us." He had to get that out there first.

“How do you know that?” His voice was constricted on a whine that escaped from him it was a common sound for a terrified wolf. It seemed Shane’s wolf was making an appearance.

“Victor and I are mates,” Benjy stated. “We’re mates.”

Again, Shane looked back and forth between them, confusion fighting with fear for dominance on his face.

His terror was starting to affect Victor and the other wolves in the room.

They had an ingrained need that demanded they take care of and protect the vulnerable, and Shane was on the verge of falling apart.

Victor stepped up next to Benjy and slowly took him into his arms. He kept his eyes on Shane and tried to convey the peace and normalcy that he needed to see right now. "We want to help you," Victor said, and Shane visibly relaxed.

"You and Benjy will stay here with my Beta Cole and me.

As Benjy's brother, I will take responsibility for you in the Pack, and I will provide for you.

I know some of what you went through with your old Pack, and I assure you with everything that I am, that this Pack is honest, honorable, and fair.

" Victor held Shane's gaze. "I know this is all sudden and confusing, but I need you to understand and agree to stay here.

Benjy needs to know that you are protected, and I will keep you safe. "

"He's your mate?" It was a question and a statement rolled in one. Benjy nodded and smiled, really smiled for the first time at realizing that, yeah, Alpha Victor Rios was his mate. "Wow." That was all that Shane said, but his face portrayed a man who felt it and understood.

"I will assign one of my men to watch over you, Shane. I don't want to worry about any trouble from your old Pack. I know you are well able to care for yourself but just humor me for now." He saw that he was going to protest so added the 'do it for me' at the end.

"I'll take care of Shane, sir." Everyone turned to see Daniel standing in the doorway. His eyes were flashing indicating that his wolf was near the surface. It was Benjy who spoke first.

"No, no, never" Benjy shouted and moved to try and shield his brother, who was three inches taller than him, from the Beta's view. "You're not coming anywhere near my brother." Benjy glanced at Shane to make sure he hadn't been frightened by the outburst and found him transfixed.

“What’s his name?” Shane asked as he stared at Daniel across the room.

"It doesn't matter he not a good man. He’s just like the men we ran from." Benjy was beginning to feel that things were going to take a turn he hadn't expected and didn't know how to handle it.

"I thought you said we were safe here." Shane countered, never taking his eyes off the Beta.

“That man insulted me the moment I arrived. He treated me just like Greg and his friends treated us both. Victor gave me the option of having him banished, and I believe now that I need to go that route.” Benjy continued to shield his brother as he turned to Victor. “I want him gone, now.”

“No, Benjy.” Shane took a step to the side, moving away from Benjy as Victor turned and indicated for Cole to remove Daniel from the room.

“No!” Shane shouted and walked towards the large, muscled Beta with the pained expression.

“Don’t make him leave.” He said as he walked over to stand in front of Daniel. “He’s my mate, Benjy.”

An audible, collective gasp resounded in the room. “Didn’t see that coming,” Cole spoke to the stunned room. He was holding onto Daniel but released him and stepped back upon hearing the news.

“I’m a sorry excuse for a decent man, but I would be honored if you would find it in your heart to give me a chance.

” Daniel looked nothing like the cocky asshole he had been a few minutes ago.

His eyes were filled with sadness and panic as he stared at the young man who was his true mate.

“I can be better, Shane. I can be a good mate.” He implored.