Page 29 of The Comfort of Pain (The Black Market Omega #1)

Killian

Someone foreign has been stalking my land. I can smell their unfamiliar aroma every time I step onto the porch. There are overlapping scents, but one stands out against the rest. It’s an alpha. One that is very pissed.

Tristan and Basil smell him too, but none of us have discussed it much. We can’t, not until we’re out of Beth's earshot. She’s in a delicate condition right now. We spent three days fucking her. The omega is freshly mated and thoroughly bred.

She needs calm. Not chaos.

“Oh my goodness!” Beth gasps loudly, pulling my attention away from the window. Our little omega sits at the dining room table, head back and eyes closed as if she just ate the greatest thing of her life. “This is amazing,” she moans, chewing slowly. “What’s it called again?”

“Maple syrup,” Jeremy giggles as he sits down next to her. He’s in Basil’s seat, but I doubt the alpha will care.

“I’ve had the hotcakes before,” Beth cuts up another big bite, “but the maple syrup is new.”

“Hotcakes?” Jeremy takes a sip of his coffee. “We call them pancakes.”

“Pancakes,” Beth repeats the word before taking another bite. “Pancakes and maple syrup.”

“Do you want some?” Basil asks me. He lifts a hot pancake out of the pan, sliding it onto a plate. “I’ve got plenty.”

I should eat. After three days of fucking and knotting, I’m sure my body could use the extra calories. But I’m too amped.

“No, thanks.” I give Basil a thankful nod.

The front door opens, and I move. I march straight to the hallway, greeting Tristan at the door. The alpha’s dark eyes widen when he sees me. He doesn’t look angry or alarmed. It brings me a small bit of comfort.

“Find anything?” I ask, keeping my voice down so Beth won’t hear.

“There’s someone new out there.” Tristan rubs the back of his neck, clearly agitated. “And…I think…”

“What is it?” I ask.

“I think he’s a kid.” His eyes narrow as if still trying to figure it out. “They’re definitely an alpha, but a young one. His scent hasn’t fully developed.”

My gaze drifts to the little window next to the door. The frosted glass makes it so I can’t see anything outside of green blocks of color. But then a patch of green shifts, and a black shape appears in the distance.

“Fuck.” I smack Tristan’s bare chest, and he immediately looks through the peephole.

“Who the fuck is that?” Tristan places his hands flat against the door.

“Move.” I grab the doorknob and he shifts, allowing me to open it.

Two alphas make their way across my lawn. The redhead—Aaron—is with Frolen’s pack, but I don’t recognize the other. He’s a big fucker. Long black hair and dark eyes, wearing a duster that falls to his knees and heavy black pants. His bare chest peeks out of his jacket as he walks, obviously trying to show off the thick scars across his pecs and abs. He wants me to know he’s a fighter. That he's endured pain and doesn’t mind doing it again.

“Can I help you?” I ask the black-haired alpha. His eyes are narrowed, pure rage rolling off his shoulder. “Are you a friend of Frolen?” I glance back at Aaron, but his expression is just as hard. “You’re on my property,” I warn both of them.

The black-haired alpha stops a few feet from the porch. “My name is Burke Raiser.”

My hackles rise and blood begins to pump.

“You have my daughter,” he snarls. “Hand her over and no one will get hurt.”

“Get the fuck off my land, or I’ll remove you piece by piece.” I flash my fangs before looking out at Aaron. “Why did you bring this asshole here?”

“I’m sorry, Killian. But we need to talk.” Aaron takes two steps forward, and the trees behind him rustle. Frolen emerges out of the pine trees, followed by a young alpha. He looks to be a teenager. Maybe fourteen or fifteen at most. He has the same dark brown hair and intense eyes as Beth.

“Bava,” Frolen addresses me by my last name like I do with him. It’s a sign of respect out here. “Can we have a word?”

I don’t want to be a dick to someone I consider a friend, but I’m sure Burke has sold Frolen a batch of lies. And I’m not going to entertain any of them. “I can only assume Bosco is behind this.”

The pained look on Frolen’s face tells me it is. “I don’t like that asshole any more than you,” he says. “But he recognized your omega from the missing posters Burke put up in town. We need to discuss this.”

The mention of Beth turns my curiosity into pure adrenaline. I’m ready to rage and kill every alpha here if I have to. And so is Tristan. The burly alpha is right at my side, fists at the ready and fangs on full display.

“My omega has nothing to do with this fucker.” I cut a glare at Burke. “I don’t know him or his family.”

Frolen pulls in a deep breath, clearly not believing me. “We have an arrangement with the Raiser pack.” He’s shockingly calm, making me wonder how he thinks this will end. “His omega daughter is betrothed to us. I don’t know how you came to have her in your possession but she’s ours.”

Frolen isn’t a needlessly violent alpha. He’s cordial. Always willing to lend a hand when needed. But, like me, he’s the leader of his pack, and there’s a lot of pressure that comes with that role—including figuring out how to get an omega.

And it seems I might have accidentally bought his.

“I’m sorry, friend.” I press my fist to my chest, trying to convey a bit of sincerity. “We weren’t aware of any arrangement. We didn’t?—”

“Thieves!” Burke roars and Aaron inches a little closer. The teenage boy follows him. “You stole my sweet girl,” Burke’s voice rises. “You came into my house and snatched her!”

“That’s a lie!” Beth yells as she bursts out the front door.

Shock tears through me, followed quickly by anger. Where the fuck are Basil and Jeremy?

“Get back inside, omega,” I tell my mate. Our bond is full of her wild emotions. Fear, anger, desperation, and grief. I’m surprised the poor omega isn’t running straight for her nest. But she stands firm, glaring at her horrible father.

It’s impressive.

“My baby!” Burke yells out for his daughter, reaching as if desperate to hold her, but his movements are weirdly exaggerated, without any real intention.

I mean, if this were my daughter, I’d kill everyone here, no questions asked. This fucker hasn’t even stepped toward her.

“Please, Beth,” he pleads. “Come to me. Let me save you from these savages.” He glares right at Tristan, and I tense.

“They didn’t snatch me.” Beth’s hands shake and tears pour down her face. I want to run to her, but the need to stand guard between her and the rest of these assholes is stronger.

Thankfully, Basil and Jeremy both burst through the door, racing straight to our omega.

“Beth!” Jeremy gasps as if both relieved and shocked to find her. “Come here.” He wraps an arm around her waist, before scanning the yard. He takes in Frolen, the young boy, then Burke. I can see a swirl of questions swimming in his head, but to his credit, he doesn't ask.

“Gentlemen.” Basil nods at Frolen and Aaron as steps between them and our gentle mates. “Come, Beth,” he whispers. “It’s time to come inside.”

“No! Please!” Beth begs Jeremy, before turning to Basil. “Let me stay.” She looks up at the alpha, her big eyes brimming with tears. “I need to talk to him. I have to say this.”

Basil lets out a controlled breath, before looking at me.

My chest is tight with fear for her. I hate that she’s out here, exposed to so many violent alphas, but I can also appreciate that there are things she might need to say to this fucker.

I nod once, and Basil turns his attention back to Beth. “Okay.” He wraps a hand around her wrist, right next to Jeremy’s, and whispers, “But you’re staying right here.”

Beth nods, before looking at her father.

The older alpha is enraged. His sharp aroma floods the air, making my nerves pull tight. “I’m going to rip you limb from limb for touching my daughter,” he growls at Basil. “She’s not yours.”

Beth’s cheeks flame red as her anger takes hold. “You are a liar,” she snarls at Burke. “No one stole me.”

“They’ve brainwashed her,” Burke’s voice rises as he turns to Frolen. “They broke into my home. They crawled into her bed, and carried her away.”

“No!” Beth’s wide eyes dart from Burke to Frolen, desperately wanting the younger alpha to believe her. “My father is a monster. A liar.” She manages to calm down, speaking softly despite her spiraling rage. “He humiliated and abused me.”

Burke yells and growls, claiming she’s been pumped full of lies, but my precious girl keeps talking over him. I’m so proud of her.

“I couldn’t take it anymore.” Beth’s chin quivers and Frolen tilts his head, listening. “I left. I walked out the back door and didn’t look back. Killian didn’t snatch me. None of them did. They’re good men.”

“Is this true?” Frolen’s dark eyes cut to Burke. “Did she run away?”

Burke snarls, his shoulders growing more tense by the second. “You can’t trust these fuckers.” He glares at me before turning his attention to Tristan. “They’re bloodthirsty monsters.” His voice is low, almost mocking. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what they’re capable of, Frolen. These beasts are fully capable of kidnapping a delicate omega right out of her nest.” He finishes his ridiculous accusation with a mocking smirk.

I know what he’s doing.

He’s trying to start a fight. If he can get a brawl started, he can snatch up Beth while Frolen and Aaron hold us back. I normally wouldn’t be worried about such a foolish plan, but I fear it might be working.

I can smell Tristan’s anger. His intense bonfire scent twists in the breeze, making the cool fall air flash hot.

“We’re all well aware of what kind of alpha you are,” Burke continues, trying to rile Tristan up. “They call you the bone collector. Rumour has it you collect the skulls of your enemies.”

The muscle in Tristan’s jaw ticks and Basil pulls Beth a little closer to the house. She doesn’t fight him, probably sensing Tristan’s spiraling emotions. But then the burly alpha does something none of us expect—he laughs.

Tristan tips his head back and lets out a deep belly laugh. “Skulls? Ha!” He barks and his whole body shakes like it’s a wonderful joke. “I don’t collect skulls, old man.” His laughter dies, replaced by a simple smile. “But I’ll make an exception for you.”

Burke’s mocking smirk turns sour, clearly unhappy that he won’t be getting what he wants.

“I think it’s time for you to go, Mr. Raiser,” Basil says in his overly polite tone. He must be livid. The more enraged he is, the more cordial he becomes.

“I’m not leaving without my daughter.” Burke stares at each one of us, clearly trying to come up with a new plan. “Lorn,” he uses Frolen’s first name, “these alphas are liars and thieves. They stole from me. From you .”

“I’m sorry, Burke,” Frolen looks directly into the asshole’s eyes. “But I know these alphas better than you do. We’ve fought together many times on these lands.” His jaw tenses, clearly losing patience. “And even your own daughter isn’t backing you up.”

Rage makes Burke’s eyes flash, and he lets out a strangled growl. “It doesn’t fucking matter how she ended up here!” he roars, tossing away the last of his self-respect. It’s clear he doesn’t know Frolen well, because the alpha values honesty and loyalty above everything else. “All that matters is this pack has what’s yours.” He turns his vicious snarl back on Beth. “Come here!” he issues his alpha command.

Beth’s body stiffens, and Basil’s grip on her tightens. But the tiny omega doesn’t give in to the command. She stays firmly planted in place.

“Don’t you fucking command my mate,” I snarl, taking two steps toward Burke. He jerks as if wanting to run off, feeding into my desire to attack the much weaker male.

“Lorn,” Aaron says, and Frolen turns. The red-haired alpha holds out his hands as if asking his leader what to do.

“Give me a minute.” Frolen’s eyes drift over the grass at his feet. Thinking. He’s weighing his options. The desire for a mate is one hell of a thing, and I wouldn't blame him if he chose to fight for Beth. But I have no intention of giving her up. “Our packs have worked together for a few years now.” He finally looks up at me. I can see the fight building behind his eyes. “But that omega was promised to us.” His voice grows louder. Firmer. “We made a trade with her family.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, simply. “We’ve mated her.” I glance back at Beth and she instinctively lifts her head, showing her fresh mating bites.

Aaron lets out an enraged growl, before backing up, and Frolen’s jaw clenches. Even Burke is frozen in place with shock, but the teenage boy is smiling.

“Fuck!” Aaron roars.

I understand his reaction. Losing an omega must be devastating. There are so few of the precious creatures in this world.

“Go home,” Frolen orders his packmate. Aaron holds firm for a moment, his gaze cutting between me and Burke. Finally, his shoulders fall, and he turns and walks off. Good.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other soon, Bava.” Frolen lets out a tense breath. His chest is tight with rage as he faces Burke. “Our deal is broken.” He turns to the trees, and Burke rushes to cut him off.

“No!” The older alpha’s voice pitches high. Desperate. “You can’t go back.” His dark eyes flicker past me, staring at Beth. I take a step to one side, blocking his view of her. “You can remove the bite,” his voice rises, frantic. “Rip it off. Give her a new mark.”

Frolen’s mouth falls open, just as shocked as I am. De-mating an omega is a horrible and painful act that usually results in death. It’s torture. Plain and simple.

“You want to risk killing your daughter for a few bushels of rice and some land?” Frolen asks, not bothering to hide his disgust.

“I need that land.” Burke grabs the alpha’s arm. “I have debts.”

“Fuck your debts,” Frolen jerks away. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you,” he says to me. “Ms. Elizabeth,” he bows his head at my omega. “You have my word that we won’t be coming back for you.” His gaze flickers to her neck, not bothering to hide his look of disgust.

But my sweet omega doesn't look relieved at all. She’s too busy staring at her deranged father.

“Wait!” Burke yells at Frolen. But it’s too late. The alpha steps through the wall of pine trees and disappears. For a moment, Burke panics, switching between glaring at the trees and snarling at me. But he seems to come to some kind of decision because his hands finally fall to his sides. “Good luck, Beth.” He cuts an angry glare at Tristan. “You deserve the monsters you fuck.” Then the coward runs off, chasing after Frolen.

And all that’s left is the teenage boy.

He stares at Beth, and she stares at him. Neither one of them says a word until their father’s footsteps fade. I get the feeling they’ve learned to speak only when the asshole is gone.

“Darrion?” Beth steps around Basil, and Jeremy follows her.

“Hey, Beth.” The young boy smiles. It’s a bittersweet smile. Maybe even sad. “How’s it going?” He asks like it’s a normal fall day.

“Good.” Beth gives a little shrug. “You?”

“Good.” He nods once, then glances back at the trees. “I should go.”

“How’s mom?” My sweet omega blurts out before he can leave.

Darrion smiles as if expecting that question. “She’s good. She’s hoping you're happy.” His voice drops and he glances over his shoulder at where their father just disappeared. “I’m watching over her, omega,” he whispers. “I’m keeping her safe.”

“Thank you.” Beth laces her delicate fingers through Jeremy’s, giving them a light squeeze. “Tell her I’m happy and that I miss her.”

Darrion’s smile grows. “Have a good life, Bethie.” He turns, and walks off.

And they’re all gone.

But I know better. Danger doesn't just disappear. It has to be beaten back and destroyed, otherwise it can pop up when you least expect it.

And Burke is one very dangerous alpha.