Breaking the Bonds

by Rebecca James

  River looked alert and powerful where he stood close to Grey and Joel, the pack alphas from the two other packs. Evidently, the conversation about the Omega Oasis had already begun.

  “What it comes down to is this,” River said, “Dr. Newman discovered a dart that had been shot into one of our omegas—that’s been verified with a DNA sample from Sam—proving her theory that someone’s been drugging our kind for gods only know how long. For years, we’ve managed to avoid war with the humans, but what’s happening now can’t be ignored. This faction that hates us is determined to eradicate our species, and those they don’t choose to kill, they’re using for their sexual pleasure. We appreciate all Dr. Newman has done for us and the fact she is working on an antidote, but we can’t just sit back and wait while our omegas are tortured.”

  Growls and chuffs around the fire backed up the pack alpha’s words and sentiments.

  “We understand your concerns,” Agent Kumar said, “but everything is set for a sting that we have every confidence will send the men involved to prison for a long time. I assure you, Agent Den, our man inside the Oasis, is doing everything he can to keep the omegas there safe.”

  Austin scoffed. “That place is no oasis, it’s a fucking torture chamber, and my mate is there right now! Nick is a member of this pack, and he deserves its protection!”

  Josiah spoke up. “Your Agent Den can’t stop the omegas from being violated, can he?”

  “No, but he can give them hope until we can get them out of there,” Kumar said, “and he has instructions to notify us if any omega’s in danger of losing his life, at which point we will ditch the plan and charge in there. Listen, I get it. I do. Someone you care about is in that awful place. But if you guys go barreling in there now, tearing up everything and everybody, where are we going to get the evidence we need to put an end to this for good? And believe me, Parker will spin it so you look like the bad guys.”

  David knew River didn’t plan for there to be anyone left to use evidence against, but they had a point. Word would get around, and the news of shifters killing humans would undo what progress they’d made with humans overall.

  Tall and raven-haired, Grey, the pack alpha from Angel Hills, had been standing with arms crossed, quietly listening. “What about the statements of the omegas being held prisoner?” he asked.

  “The omegas are kept in a constant state of heat,” Oaks said. “Nothing they say can be taken as evidence.”

  “Fuck!” Austin yelled.

  “Settle down,” River’s command subdued Austin and all others present other than the humans and guest pack alphas. David could see his friend was losing patience with the situation.

  “Three days, guys,” Oaks said quietly. “Three days. Then Jax will get the footage, and we’ll have the evidence we need to break the whole thing wide open.”

  “You’ll do it that night,” River said.

  “Yes. That night.”

  Mark spoke up. “Jax indicated Nick is the one Parker wants. That means he’ll be the one Parker’s being filmed with.”

  A low growl rumbled through Austin, and Kumar looked at the alpha nervously while Oak remained focused on Mark, undoubtedly noticing a change in him since the last time the agents had been to the pack house. Not only did Mark display a physical power he hadn’t before, he also seemed much more invested in what was happening to the omegas inside the Oasis than he had previously, although he’d always wanted to help. Now, it was personal.

  “That’s true, but it works in your favor,” Kumar said. “Parker doesn’t want anyone else touching Nick, so the omega should be safe for now. Jax will need to get just enough footage to put the nails in Parker’s coffin, and we’ll go in. Agent Den will have subdued the guard at the nearest exit that leads through an underground tunnel to the end of an abandoned road. Our men will be waiting in that tunnel. I’m telling you, if you can just hold off, everything should go down perfectly.”

  River looked at David and then at Leo, who stood with a protective arm wrapped around Sam.

  “We want to be there, ready to go in when it happens,” River finally said.

  Kumar and Oaks glanced around the group of shifters. “We can make that happen. Do we have a deal?”

  River looked to Grey and Joel, the other two pack alphas. David knew all three alphas wanted to charge in now. Grey had been personally affected by covert attacks by the human faction—his omega mate had fallen ill during two pregnancies. His instinct would be to kill those who had hurt his mate.

  Gods, part of David wanted just as much to attack and ruin the place, not only as revenge, but so Jax wouldn’t have to go there again. But the second alpha’s rational side told him would be better to do as the agents planned.

  “If you’re being honest about Nick being safe until then…” River glared at the agents.

  “We’ll make sure of it,” Kumar promised.

  Again, River looked to Grey and Joel for their opinions.

  “I’ll go by your decision,” Grey said. “You’ve done more to try to put an end to this than any of us.”

  “Agreed. It’s your pack’s omega on the line,” Joel said.

  “All right. We’ll do it your way,” River told Kumar and Oaks, who both let out relieved sighs.

  “I’ll walk you gentlemen to your car,” Kane offered. When they were out of hearing distance, David turned to River. “You really all right with this?”

  “I don’t like it, but I think it’s the best way. They’d better be telling the truth about them leaving Nick alone until he sees Parker.” River glanced at Austin walking away from the bonfire toward the open field.

  “From all accounts, Parker’s a very possessive man. It would fit his profile that he doesn’t want anyone to touch what he considers to be his,” Mark said.

  River put a hand on David’s shoulder. “I know this is equally tough on you, but it’s almost over. Hang onto that. Now, I have a mate in heat to get back to. Liam? Show our guests to their accommodations.” River had had several guest-houses built at the edge of the property, and Liam led the men from the two packs and the rogue alphas that way.

  David walked inside the pack house and upstairs with River, leaving the pack alpha at his door while he continued on to his own bedroom. He stood just inside the door, smiling to see Brooks on the floor playing with Jarrod-Grant. David sat down on the floor with them, and his son handed him the stuffed giraffe.

  “You can be him, Daddy.”

  David smiled. “Okay. What’s his job?”

  “To look over top of the trees. That’s why he’s got a long neck.”

  David nodded. “I see.” He glanced over at Brooks, who was holding a monkey. “Da’s the monkey, is he?”

  Jarrod-Grant nodded. “He’s gonna steal the banana.”

  “It’s not nice to steal,” David reminded his son.

  “I know, but it’s okay ‘cause he’s stealing from this mean human guy.” Jarrod-Grant held up an action figure, shook it, and said, “Grrrrrr!”

  David ruffled his son’s hair. “Not all humans are mean. You know that, right, buddy?”

  Jarrod-Grant nodded. “Just like all shifters aren’t nice.”

  Brooks smiled. “That’s right. Look, I’ve got the banana!” He made the stuffed monkey dance around holding a plastic banana.

  “What am I looking for over the trees?” David asked.

  “Trouble.” The little boy said simply then yawned.

  “I think it’s time for your nap.” Brooks swung the boy into his arms and carried him into the room next door. David kicked off his shoes, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.

  A moment later, the bed dipped. “Are you okay?” Brooks asked. David wrapped an arm around his mate and pulled him closer.

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you get everything sorted out?”

  David nodded. “River’s going to let the FBI do it their way, but we’re going to be nearby.”

  “I hope Nick’s all right. An
d that Jax is careful.”

  David kissed Brooks’ forehead. “He will be.”

  “You think he’ll come back to us, David?”

  David sighed. “I hope so. I really do.”

  “Me, too.” Brooks laced their hands together, and they lay quietly listening to their pack mates moving about in other parts of the house.

  David sent up a prayer to the wolf gods that the nightmare would soon be over.

  Chapter 21: Jax

  Jax swallowed the pill with a glass of water just as Blake walked into the bathroom.

  “Excited?” Blake wrapped his arms around Jax from behind and peered over his husband’s shoulder into the mirror.

  Jax picked up his electric razor and began trimming his beard, keeping his eyes on what he was doing. He wasn’t excited; he was revolted, but let Blake think the idea of watching his father treat an omega cruelly got his blood pumping. The pill Jax had taken would make sure he’d keep an erection all night. Stopping by the hospital to see Angela Newman had been risky, but he’d known there was no way he’d be able to properly play the part that night without help.

  They were due at the Omega Oasis in forty-five minutes. Blake’s anticipatory banter had annoyed Jax all day until he almost wanted to go just to get away from it.

  This would work. He would get enough video evidence to prove the Senator was abusing omegas, and he would turn it over to the FBI. There was no way Parker would suspect if Jax just played it cool. He wouldn’t be returning home with Blake that night because he’d either be free or dead.

  Jax had checked the small video camera five times already, making sure it was attached to the button of his shirt and that he could easily turn it on. He was as ready as he’d ever be.

  Stepping away from the mirror, Jax picked up his pants from the straight-backed chair. Blake was already dressed and stood with arms crossed, leaning against the door frame, watching Jax with half-closed eyes.

  “I could eat that ass for dinner,” Blake said, and Jax congratulated himself on not cringing. Next to Jax’s junk, Blake was all about Jax’s ass. He’d wanted to fuck Jax many times, but that’s where Jax drew the line. David was the only man who had ever been inside Jax, and that was the way it was going to stay. From the moment Jax had seen the blond alpha, he’d been completely infatuated. He’d ignored the voice inside that had told him it might not be a good idea to get involved with a shifter and had bottomed for David without a second thought. But when David had found out bottoming wasn’t Jax’s natural choice, the alpha had completely surprised Jax by being willing to allow Jax to top him; and that right there had been the hottest fucking thing Jax had ever experienced and had possibly been what had solidified Jax’s love for the alpha. He’d fought the pull ever since, living in a kind of limbo where he wasn’t a part of the human world but refused to take the bite and become a shifter. The stress had worn on their relationship, and Jax had eventually pushed David into Brooks’ arms thinking it would make it easier for him to leave. The whole thing had backfired, though, when Jax had found himself falling for the beta, too.

  Looking back at it all, it seemed petty for Jax to have been so adamant about not taking the bite. He had been afraid of losing his humanity, but in the past year he’d seen the dregs of so-called humanity and wasn’t sure he wanted to be a part of it anymore; however, it was too late now. Jax had done things he’d never feel okay about. He was soiled and not good enough for David and Brooks. He would get free of Blake, but he wouldn’t be going back to his life at the pack house. He’d effectively burned his bridges, but at least he was doing something good in the process. He had to make sure it hadn’t all been for nothing.

  “What are you thinking about, sexy man? You’ve got such a frown on your face.” Blake wrapped his arms around Jax’s neck and pressed kisses along his husband’s throat.

  “I just don’t want to be late,” Jax said.

  Blake chuckled. “Man, you really are excited to see Dad get it on with his omega slave. I have to say, watching my old man fuck someone isn’t at the top of my turn-ons, but my father wants you there, so I haven’t got much choice. Sometimes I think he has a hard-on for you.”

  Jax had had the same thought a few times but had pushed it from his mind because it was too revolting to entertain. Blake kissed him, and his cock stirred. the pill was starting to kick in.

  “My, my, what I do to you, eh?” Blake palmed the bulge in Jax’s pants. “We’d better go before we end up back in bed.”

  They locked up the house and headed for the building’s garage.

  Having been initiated as a member of the Omega Oasis—a process Jax never wanted to think about again—Jax now knew the place was located in the bowels of the modern fifteen-story building in which Senator Parker had an office. A side entrance disguised as a maintenance access point led to an elevator that took them far down beneath the earth. Jax had noticed the first time when he’d been blindfolded how he’d grown colder as they’d descended. Knowing how far down they were going, Jax felt claustrophobic.

  Blake must have sensed it, for he said, “Don’t worry, there are other ways out. Tunnels that lead to open air. Just concentrate on the pleasure you experience here.”

  Jax definitely did not want to think about that.

  When the elevator doors opened, the two men walked down the long hall. One of the guards appeared seemingly out of nowhere, giving Jax a fright, his mind immediately concluded someone had found him out. The tiny video camera seemed to weight his shirt down like a rock. He imagined it as completely noticeable to anyone who cared to look, even though rationally he knew it wasn’t.

  “Senator Parker asked me to guide you this way,” the man said. “He has a special room for tonight.

  Oh, God, what did that mean? Jax could feel the cold sweat breaking out on the back of his neck, half-expecting a dungeon-type room full of BDSM torture devices and was relieved to find the room was only larger than the others, and besides a large bed, there was a chaise lounge, a gold velvet love seat, a large chair that looked a little like a throne, and a floor littered with pillows and fur rugs.

  Wearing a silk bathrobe, the senator strolled into the room from what appeared to be a connecting bathroom.

  “Blake, Jax, glad you’re here on time,” the senator said jovially as though they were about to have dinner rather than watch him fuck someone. He looked at Jax, eyes hungry. “Nice to see you, Jax. Have a seat. Drinks are on the table.”

  Jax sat with Blake on the love seat. On the black lacquered table in front of them was a decanter of brandy and three heavy crystal glasses. Jax was tempted by the liquid courage, but he had to retain his wits. Blake poured a glass and drank, looking bored.

  “You look nervous, Jax” Parker said.

  Jax cleared his throat and surreptitiously activated the camera on his button. “I am a bit, sir, although I do enjoy watching.” An idea came to him. If he could get the senator talking, maybe it would get the FBI in here faster. “Can you tell me what you’re planning?

  Parker gave Jax an assessing look. “That kind of thing get you off, huh? Well, I thought I’d start by having the little slut suck me while I sit right here in this chair.” He sat on the throne chair, fingers curling around the front of each arm rest, spread his legs, and jutted his groin upward to give Jax a good look at the tent in the silk.

  Bile arose in Jax’s throat. He kept his eyes on Parker, though. He was supposed to be turned on by this, and he wanted the senator to describe his plans for the omega to him, so he could get every bit of it on tape. The FBI better be out there somewhere fucking watching.

  A side door opened, and a beefy, dark-skinned man walked in leading a naked omega shifter. Jax immediately recognized Nick, and like all the omegas Jax had encountered in the place, he was in the throes of a chemically-induced heat—breathing hard, pupils dilated, cock hard and standing out from his body, and legs coated in slick.

  “Here he is,” the man said, eyes going to Jax. “You�
��ve got him for three hours.”

  “Come closer,” Parker said to Nick after the beefy guy had left.

  Looking so far gone he didn’t know where he was and showing no recognition of Jax although they’d come face-to-face several times in the past, the omega stepped closer to the senator.

  Running his hand down Nick’s bare side, Parker looked over the omega’s body. “Look how slick he is,” he said, running his fingers through the viscous fluid coating Nick’s thighs. Parker’s eyes met Jax’s, and Jax’s heart rate tripled. He couldn’t watch this man take advantage of Nick. He’d rather do just about anything else.

  “I see you’re hard,” the senator said. “Why don’t you take it out? Give yourself some room.”

  Jax’s back stiffened, but he did as the senator said, unzipping his slacks and pulling his erection out of his pants. Glancing at Blake, he saw that his husband wasn’t pleased, but Jax knew there was no way Blake was going to defy his father.

  “You were going to tell me…what you plan on doing?” Jax asked, voice hoarse.

  Senator Parker licked his lips as he stared at Jax’s crotch, which would have made Jax immediately soft if it hadn’t been for the pill he’d taken.

  Parker looked over at his son. “Make yourself scarce, Blake.”

  Blake sat up, a frown creasing his face. “What? Why?”

  “Go on, boy. I want to talk to your husband.”

  Jax did his best to hide his trepidation as he watched Blake reluctantly rise from the love seat and move toward the exit. When he’d left the room, Parker stood. Parker touched Nick’s neck, and the omega moaned. He looked out of his mind, completely controlled by his body.

  “You want to be filled, don’t you, omega?” Parker said roughly.

  Nick’s eyes darted back and forth in quick sweeps over the senator’s face, and his breathing quickened. “Y-yes. Please. I need it.”

  The senator smiled. “Oh, I know you do. Don’t you worry, you’ll get what you want soon enough.”