Page 26 of The Comfort of Pain (The Black Market Omega #1)

Tristan

The car ride home was silent and tense.

Rage coursed through my veins, making it almost impossible to drive. Jeremy tried several times to get Beth to talk, but the omega just stared at her lap. She didn’t even look out the window once. The sweet omega stunk of fear and she kept randomly shivering.

It was gutting.

The second we got home, Jeremy pulled Beth into the kitchen, while I put the bags away. I flung them onto Killian’s bed, then pulled out my phone.

“ Is everything okay ?” Killian answered on the second ring. He knows I don’t call unless it’s an emergency.

“There are fliers in town with Beth’s picture on them.” It takes everything in me not to yell. “Apparently, her fucking father is looking for her.”

Silence and static crackles in my ear, telling me that Killian is somewhere along the northern side of the mountain. The reception out there is shit. “ Did anyone recognize her? ”

“Pronus did, but he won’t say anything. He’s a good man.” I think about all the people we passed in the street and shops. “I don’t know who else might have recognized her though.”

“ I’ll be home in an hour. Keep the house locked up tight, and don’t take your eyes off of Beth for one second .” It’s a clear command and one I don't intend on disobeying.

“Should I call Basil?” I ask, eager to get downstairs.

“ I’ll call him ,” Killian says. “ Try to keep Beth distracted, but not with your cock .”

I snarl, insulted he’d think I’d try to fuck her with so much going on right now. “I’m not an animal,” I say a little too forcefully.

“ I’m serious, Tristan, ” Killian says, completely dismissing what I said. “ You can’t protect the house and fuck our omega at the same time .”

A part of me wants to argue that I can, just to be an ass. “I won’t touch her,” I promise.

Killian accepts my promise, then jumps off the phone to call Basil. The second I hang up, I race down the stairs, double-checking that the front door is locked before heading to the kitchen.

“Do you want to help me bake a cake?” Jeremy asks.

“Cake?” Beth’s voice lifts as if not understanding. It kind of sounds like she doesn’t know what a cake is.

I pause in the hallway, listening to the pair talk.

“Basil’s birthday is tomorrow, and he loves chocolate cake,” Jeremy says. I can hear the smile in his voice. “Have you had cake before?”

“Once. It was really good.” But there’s no lift in Beth’s voice. Almost as if scared.

“Was it chocolate?” Jeremy asks, trying desperately to distract the omega. But she doesn’t need distractions. She needs to know she’s safe here, and that we’ll protect her no matter what.

“Um, no,” Beth says as if struggling to remember. “It was a white cake, with berries on top.”

“That’s not a cake,” I say as I step into the kitchen. Beth spins around as if expecting a monster, but then her eyes focus on my face, and her shoulders visibly relax. “Real cake has chocolate in it.” I grin, trying to lighten the mood.

“Is that so?” Beth tries to copy my expression, but her smile doesn't reach her eyes. She looks so…muted. I fucking hate it. Someone as sweet and pure as her doesn’t deserve to live with such fear.

“Is Killian on his way home?” Jeremy asks as he pulls a bag of flour out of the pantry.

“Yes.” I move a little closer to Beth. The urge to hug her is so fucking strong. “He and Basil are on their way home right now. And you,” I say to Beth, bringing myself down to her eye level, “you aren’t allowed to worry anymore.”

Beth pulls a face like she doesn’t know what I mean. “I’m not worried.”

“Liar,” I say forcefully, and the omega’s eyes go wide, catching her off guard. “You’re worried that your father might show up here.” I let that fact hang in the air for a moment. “But we’ll protect you, Beth. I promise you have nothing to worry about.”

The small omega sucks in a deep breath, pushing it out slowly, but she doesn’t look like she feels any better. “You don’t understand,” she finally says as she touches the side of her face. The bruises there are all pretty much gone, and I can only assume her father is the one that put them there. “Burke is sadistic. He’s unhinged. He won’t st-stop until he finds me.” Her voice cracks and rage pounds in my chest.

“I hope he does find you.” I snarl, flashing my teeth as I speak.

“Tristan!” Jeremy gasps, shocked I’d say something like that.

“What?” Beth shakes her head, taking a small step back, but I move with her, not letting her get away from me.

“I hope that piece of shit finds you,” I repeat. “I want that motherfucker to show up at our front door so I can tear him limb from fucking limb.” My voice comes out cold and slow, savoring every fucking word. “I want to hear his bones crack and feel his skull pop.” My voice rises as my anger grows. “I want him to know what true violence really is, before I snuff him out forever.”

Jeremy’s mouth hangs open as the color drains from his face. But Beth stares at me, her brown eyes holding mine. I can’t for the life of me figure out what she’s thinking. But I’m sure it’s not good.

The fact is, I’m a monster when I have to be. I never wanted her to know that, but there’s no hiding something like that. I pray she’s not spiraling into distress.

“Beth?” I whisper the omega’s name, trying to snap her out of her trance, but she just keeps staring, shoulders stiff and eyes wide.

I should have kept my mouth shut.

“Omega.” Jeremy touches Beth’s shoulder. “Let’s go up?—”

Beth launches herself at me, locking her arms around my neck. I catch her, but before I ask what’s happening, she crashes her mouth to mine. I’m stunned, frozen in place for a moment, but then the gorgeous omega hums, and my eyes float closed.

She’s all over me, tongue twisting with mine and hands in my hair. My arms circle her waist, holding her tighter. Closer. My heart pounds and my blood heats as I consume the sweet omega in my arms. She tastes exactly how she smells—soft and sweet, and dripping with lust.

It makes my canines ache.

“Alpha,” Beth gasps when I lick her bottom lip, before taking it between my teeth and nipping. She moans softly, melting against me, and my cock grows.

“Fuck,” I growl, able to feel her pebbled nipples through both our clothes. “You taste like heaven.”

“You too,” Beth whispers and deep crimson crawls down her cheeks and neck.

Awareness prickles my skin and I glance over. Jeremy is watching us, completely dazed with his mouth hanging open and his hard beta cock pushing at the front of his pants.

“Are you okay?” I cock one eyebrow, zeroing in on his tented pants. I want so badly to drop to my knees and suck him long and slow.

He nods and swallows hard. “Yeah. Do you want to go upstairs for a bit?” He already sounds breathless. And as badly as I want to take both of them to bed and fuck them stupid, I made a promise to my pack alpha.

“Kill and Basil will be home in an hour.” I force myself to release Beth, despite every instinct screaming to snatch her up and fuck her raw.

“No,” She pouts, refusing to release my neck. “Stay.” The desperate lift in her voice makes my cock weep pre-cum.

Don’t fucking do it! I scream inside my head, trying to hold on to whatever willpower I have left. You can fuck her later. Not right now. Killian gave you an order.

“Tristan?” Beth smooths her little hands down my chest, feeling my pecs. I flex for her, unable to help myself.

“How about we finish that cake?” I stand, forcing Beth’s hands to fall away. “I think cake is a good idea.” I clap my hands together and take a quick step back.

“Cake?” Jeremy practically yells. “You want to make cake right now?” He sounds pissed.

“Yes,” I say. “I want to make a cake.” It’s such an obvious lie. In this moment, I fucking hate cake. But I take orders from my pack alpha very seriously. “What do you say, omega?” I cup Beth’s cheek, and she sinks against my palm, eyes fluttering and breath soft and warm. Fuck . “Do you want to help us make some cake?”

“No,” she pouts. “I want to go upstairs with you and Jeremy.” Her pretty lips push out as she frowns.

Fucking hell.

“I’ll tell you what.” I lean down, bringing myself eye-to-eye with the omega. “What if we get everything ready for Basil’s birthday,” I glance at Jeremy, trying not to react to his angry scowl, “then later, I’ll take your sexy ass upstairs, and Jeremy and I will lick chocolate frosting off every inch of your tempting, little body.”

Beth’s throat works as she swallows hard. “Okay.” She nods, and her body sways. I can feel the heat radiating off of her. It makes the air taste sweet.

“What do you say, beta?” I cut a devious smirk at Jeremy. “Do you want to help me make a mess of our omega?”

Jeremy’s icy-blue eyes flash as a shudder cuts through him. “Yes, please.”

I smile, then step away from the pair. It’s agony. But soon I’ll have them both. Soon .

One hour and fifteen minutes later, Killian and Basil finally make it home. Both alphas look amped, ready for a fight. I also don’t miss the way Basil immediately rushes off to do a search of the house. I’ve already done that. Twice.

“Basil!” Jeremy yells as he takes the towering birthday cake out of the fridge. He channeled all his sexual frustration into that dang thing. It’s three layers with thick homemade frosting and little flecks of shaved chocolate all over it.

“He’s coming,” I say as Killian lights the single candle on top. I wanted to cover it in thirty-two, but Jeremy didn’t want to start a fire.

The second Basil rounds the corner, Jeremy bursts into song. We sing to the suddenly bashful alpha, then congratulate him once he blows out the candle. Beth seems enchanted by the whole thing, but I noticed that she didn’t sing. Maybe they didn’t celebrate birthdays in her family?

“Thank you.” Basil sniffs the cake, then moans loudly. “It smells like heaven.”

“Here.” Jeremy hands the alpha a tiny box. “It’s from all of us, but Beth picked it out.” He winks at our omega, and she ducks her head. She’s so rosy, her cheeks dusted pink. Come to think of it, she’s been flushed all day.

It has to be all the activity.

“You picked this out?” Basil inches a little closer to Beth and she nods. He gives her a sexy smile as he opens it. The second the lid lifts, his mouth falls open in a grand smile. “I needed a new pocketknife.” He pulls it out, admiring it. “Thank you,” he says to Jeremy first, then to Beth, before giving me and Killian a polite nod. He’s well aware that Killian and I didn’t do shit, but he’s sweet enough to not say it out loud.

We sit at the dining room table, eating way too much cake, and talking about our visit to town. Beth is a little more relaxed, laughing and smiling as she talks about the clothing store and the way I paid for everything with a plastic card. None of us mention the missing posters.

“Are you feeling okay?” Jeremy gives Beth’s plate a pointed look. I hadn’t noticed, but she’s only eaten a few bites. “Is it too sweet?”

“The cake is perfect,” Beth quickly says, but she keeps her arms against her middle. “I’m just feeling a little off for some reason.” She rubs her tummy. “I think I did too much today.”

It has to be the lingering distress. I tried so hard to soothe her, but not until we got home. I should have nuzzled her in the car before we left. Dammit .

“It’s been a very exciting day.” Killian leans forward and rests his hand on her knee, squeezing gently. “How about a bath?”

Beth nods, then turns back to Jeremy. “I really do love the cake.”

“I’ll save you a piece,” the beta says, before cutting me a firm look.

I quickly hold up my hands in surrender. “I won’t eat it,” I pledge.

“Basil,” Killian stands, “Why don’t you help Beth get washed up, while we clear off the table?”

I want to ask what’s for dinner, but no one seems interested in that. I’ll just make a sandwich later.

“Go help Basil,” I say to Jeremy as I take the stack of plates from him. He wants to be with Beth. I can feel it.

“Really?” The beta looks up at me with stunning blue eyes.

“Go.” I give a little jerk of my head.

Jeremy’s expression brightens, and he kisses me quickly on the lips. “Thank you, alpha.” He pauses next to Killian, kissing him too, before running off.

“How was Beth?” Killian asks the second Jeremy’s footsteps fade.

“I don’t think I did a good job of soothing her,” I say as I load the dishwasher. “She stayed flushed and fidgety all day.”

“Yeah. I noticed that,” Killian says, and I frown. “But I’m sure it wasn’t anything you did or didn’t do,” he quickly adds, but it doesn't make me feel any better.

“I didn’t purr for her,” I blurt out, and Killian’s eyes go wide. “I didn’t think about it until now.” Shame grips me. “I don’t know why, but it didn’t click that purring would soothe her.”

“That’s okay.” Killian reaches up, cupping my cheek. “Before Beth, I had only ever purred for my sister, and that was years ago. It felt weird purring for her the first time.”

“But you did feel the need? Right?” I ask, staring into his dark blue eyes. “Instinct drove you to purr for her?” I need to know exactly how he knew what to do.

“Tristan.” Killian’s voice is soft and even. Not judging me. “It can take some time for it to feel right. Give yourself some grace.”

“What if this means I’m not right for her?” I pour my guts out, unable to keep it in a second longer. “I feel so deeply drawn to her, but it’s like my body doesn’t know what to fucking do.”

“No one knows what the fuck to do with a distressed omega.” Killian snorts as if I’m being ridiculous for expecting different. “You’ve never been around an omega before,” he says flatly. “It takes some time. Don’t?—”

Someone knocks on the front door, making me tense. Killian’s lean body reacts the same, abs flexed and fists tight. We both abandon the dirty dishes, stalking down the long hallway to the front of the house. I peer through the frosted, narrow windows next to the door. I can see two large, shirtless men standing on the porch, but I can’t make out their features.

Killian slowly opens the door, and I immediately recognize Bosco’s foul stench. The fucker reeks of wet stone and withered moss. It’s sickly sweet, like rotting death.

Tugging off my shirt, I toss it aside so I’m in only my jeans, then follow Killian outside. I immediately zero in on Bosco. He stands off the porch, flanked by two of his men. All three of them are shirtless and covered in sweat. They look like they came from a fight, their knuckles busted and a few bruises forming on their chests.

“What do you want?” Killian’s voice is flat and hard, not in the mood to play games.

“Is that how you greet all your guests?” Bosco smirks as he puffs out his chest, trying to look bigger. More intimidating.

“Either speak up or get the fuck off my land,” Killian commands, and Bosco’s smile falters.

One of his men rocks on his feet, clearly not caring for Killian’s tone. I recognize him as one of the fuckers that jumped us on our way to the Morder. He’s big and wide with a buzz-cut and bushy beard. The other alpha is young, probably even younger than Bosco, if I had to guess, which is concerning since Bosco is pretty much a child himself. I stare at the boy, noticing a rather nasty black eye. They definitely just came from a fight.

“I just came to give you a friendly warning.” Bosco’s gaze drifts, checking out the whole front of our house.

“You could have sent a note.” Killian scans the trees in the distance, and I quickly do the same. Bosco appears to be alone. No backup. But you never know.

“I thought it would be better if I delivered this message in person,” Bosco smirks again and the wind pushes his hair into his eyes.

My fingers flex, wanting to punch him in his smug face so fucking bad.

“A few of my men went missing last night.” Bosco’s tone is sharp, making it clear he thinks we did something to them. “I was wondering if you saw them.”

“Haven’t seen them,” Killian instantly answers.

“Are you sure?” Bosco’s hard gaze flickers to me. Flashes of their dead bodies lying at the bottom of the Rockwell Cliff flash in my mind, and I smirk. “I’ve heard stories about how people tend to disappear on your land.” He looks me up and down, and my shoulders square on instinct.

That’s right, fucker. I am the nightmare that roams these lands.

“Your men disappeared on my land?” Killian drops his hands to his sides, his fists at the ready. “Why the hell would your men be on my land?”

Bosco hesitates, clearly not expecting that question. Idiot . “They were headed to town,” he quickly recovers. “They had to skirt around your border. I can only assume they overstepped. There’s no way of knowing.”

Killian’s mouth pulls into a tight smile. “No way of knowing.” He snorts at the flimsy excuse. Bosco’s men have been surveying our lands for months now, plotting every mile. “Well, since you don't seem to even know where your own men were, then there’s no reason to believe they disappeared here.” He glares at Bosco’s two men, before looking directly at their leader. “Is that all?”

Bosco’s nose twitches, clearly not happy with the way this has played out. He’s such a fool. Too young and impulsive to be leading anyone, let alone trying to overrun other packs.

“You know,” Bosco finally speaks up. “This place has an amazing view.” He turns and looks out over the valley. “It would be a shame if something happened to your pack and you were run off your land.”

I want to laugh long and loud at the fucker, but Killian beats me to it.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” My pack alpha chuckles low in his chest, “Let me make something real clear for you, Bosco.” He steps off the porch, walking in slow, deliberate steps. I stay put, letting all three of these fuckers know how confident I am in Killian’s ability to hold his own. Especially against an old man, a child, and Daniel fucking Bosco. “You aren’t running me off anywhere,” Killian’s voice is commanding and deep. It lights me up, making me hard. “And you aren’t running off Dunna or Frolen either.”

Bosco’s right eye twitches, giving him away. We all know your plans, asshole.

“And Trevor isn’t intimidated either.” Killian’s voice shifts, all humor gone. “No one is intimidated by your little games.”

Bosco snarls, “I’m not?—”

“You’re not what?” Killian cuts him off and my blood begins to quicken. I need to either fight or fuck. Now .

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” Bosco growls, matching Killian’s volume, but he has nowhere near my pack alpha’s power.

“You are on my land, threatening my pack.” Killian takes another step forward, and Bosco tenses. “You’re lucky you're still breathing.”

The bearded fucker’s body jerks and I crack my knuckles. His beady eyes snap to me, and he growls. The last time he and I fought, he got a few good hits on me, while I left him with a busted nose. I’d love to finish what we started.

“You aren't the leader of a mega pack, Bosco,” Killian says. “You have a handful of packmates and a few lackeys that follow you around like lost pups.” He looks right at the young alpha. But the kid doesn’t look as eager to fight. In fact, he glances away.

“I heard you got a new omega,” Bosco blurts out like it’s some kind of power move. But it just makes me smile. We’re definitely going to fight.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Killian roars, then his fist flies. He punches Bosco square in the jaw, making the asshole stumble backward. The bearded fucker pounces on my pack alpha, but Killian is too fast, landing one, two, three punches, laying him out flat on his ass.

I turn my gaze to the kid as I palm one fist, squeezing it over and over again. The kid doesn’t fucking move. In fact, he looks like he wants to run.

“Go,” I say, and the kid flinches. “I’ll give you a head start.” The kid takes one step back and I yell, “Go!”

He runs, full speed back into the trees.

Bosco screams after the alpha, still holding his nose. “Denon!”

But the boy doesn’t stop. He hits the trees and keeps on going.

A jerky growl pushes from Bosco’s throat as he turns back to Killian. Blood coats his fingers, dripping down his forearm. “Enjoy this moment, you motherfucker,” He snarls at Killian but his voice is way too nasally, and I end up laughing. “Laugh all you want.” He yells at me, and I inch closer. “Because one day, you’ll let your guard down and I’ll be waiting.”

“I look forward to it,” Killian says simply.

“Don’t forget your trash.” I grab the bearded fuck by the back of his neck, then force him onto his feet. He sways, then coughs, spraying blood all over my face. “Get the fuck out of here!” I shove him, then slowly follow, chasing him off our land. Bosco glares at me, flashing his blood-streaked teeth. I roll my shoulders back, ready to fight.

“Why’s the door open?” Jeremy’s bright voice hits my ears, and my stomach drops.

Killian and I both spin, just as Beth steps up next to our beta. Her hair is wet, and she’s wearing an oversized T-shirt that falls to her knees. She looks so tiny.

“I….uh…” Jeremy looks panicked, his blue eyes darting from Bosco to Killian, then to Beth. “We were going to the kitchen.” He pulls the door shut, but it’s too late. Bosco saw her.

“That omega.” Bosco’s eyes narrow as if thinking. “I know her.”

Fear and adrenaline pound in my chest, and I look at Killian. I’m not sure what to do. I want to kill this fucker where he stands, but that will only invite more violence. That kid—Denon—is probably getting back up right now, and the last thing we need is a war on our goddamn front lawn.

“Are we done?” Killian asks forcefully.

But Bosco doesn’t move. He’s still squinting at the door, where our omega stood.

“Bosco!” Killian growls, making the young alpha finally look at him. “I will drag you off my land if I have to.”

“Beth,” Bosco says our omega’s name, and terror like I’ve never felt before grips me. “That’s her name,” he says to Killian. “Beth.”

Killian’s fist rises and Bosco quickly backs up, but the fucker is smiling like he just won a battle. “Come on, Freddie,” he says to the bearded asshole.

“If I ever see your face on my property again, I will fucking kill you,” Killian’s voice is sure and calm, his threat coming out as a promise.

“Oh, I don’t think I’m the one you have to worry about.” Bosco’s smile grows with each step. “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s dangerous to snatch vulnerable omegas?” His voice drops to a mocking whisper, “Their alphas always track you down and kill you.” He tips his head back as he laughs, showing off his bloody teeth.

Killian and I stay rooted in place, not moving a muscle until Bosco reaches the trees. Even then we wait, listening for his footsteps to finally fade.

“Shit,” Killian finally turns to me. We share a tense look, before making our way back to the house.

We don't have to say it out loud but I know for a fact he’s thinking the same thing as me.

How long do we have before Beth’s father comes knocking at our door?