by L. C. Davis
"Please," Connor muttered. "I'm perfectly comfortable on the dance floor. It's all the bumpkin Council wolves who'll be in attendance you need to worry about."
"In sure there are enough alphas in the Federation with the etiquette training to keep your dance card full," Hassan teased, getting his mate's plate before his own. Alphas were incapable of resisting the urge to dote on their pregnant mates, but Mel didn't seem bothered. Not that Connor minded an alpha making himself useful. He just preferred acts of submission to adoration.
"Yes, but the problem with dancing with alphas is that they tend to want to lead," Connor said in a dry tone.
Toval snorted. "Gotta admit, I'm curious to meet any alpha who's got the balls to court Cutter. No offense."
"Trust me, that's the least insulting thing I've heard since all this nonsense began." Connor stabbed his salad with his fork and let the idle chatter between mates become background noise. He had been prepared for just about anything upon leaving that basement cell, but not to be surrounded by love. Torture he'd both endured and inflicted, but peace was the one thing he didn't know how to handle.
Chapter Five
CONNOR
The Central Unit courtyard looked more like a scene from a fairy tale than the grassy planes that divided the military complexes of the Mountain Ridge Pack from its more suburban element. It seemed most of the Unit had come for a chance to engage in the festivities, which made it hard to tell which alphas were there simply to enjoy the free food and spirits and which ones were there in hopes of catching Connor's eye--or rather, those of his unwanted alpha guardians. They were all staring. Two weeks had hardly been enough to get the common wolves in the pack accustomed to having a villain walk among them.
Connor knew if he'd been in any other pack, he would have been the object of more than just gawking and salacious whispers. The way the doe-eyed omegas and their militant mates watched him in equal bewilderment was amusing, but the crowd was fraying his nerves more than he would like to admit and the glass of scotch in his hand wasn't doing much to help.
Crowds had always been his weakness. Even during the days when he'd run a crime ring that spanned most of the West Coast and heavily involved the management of omega auctions, he'd orchestrated it all from a distance. Weaving the web was the interesting part. He had grunts to do the rest, but without an army of alphas psychically bound to do his bidding, being surrounded by a sea of strangers was far more overwhelming.
A beta attached to a group talking loudly by the refreshments pressed into him, murmuring some apology before shuffling back into the group. The murmurs of the crowd were beginning to turn into a roar, warring with the shrill ringing in Connor's ears. He took a step back, his heart quickening to a frantic pace as panic began to close imaginary walls in around him, turning the open air into a prison. The urge to turn and run right back to that basement cell, where life was droll but predictable and entirely manageable was overwhelming. He backed into something solid and firm hands closed around his arms to steady him.
The omega spun around with a snarl, stopping short when he found himself staring into his brother-in-law's warm brown eyes, full of concern. "Are you alright, Connor?"
"I'm fine," he snapped, brushing off the sleeve of his suit as if the alpha's touch had somehow soiled the pristine white fabric. "I just don't appreciate being snuck up on. In case you haven't heard, I bite."
Hassan's smile was every bit as insulting as his concern. "My apologies." He tilted his head, looking over the omega's dapper attire. "You know, you look more like the Cutter I first met like this. I don't think I'll ever get used to the sight of you lounging around in jeans and a T-shirt."
"I don't lounge. And I don't really have a choice since most of my things are still in the cell."
"I'll take care of it later tonight," the alpha promised, offering his arm. "Favor me with a dance?"
Connor hesitated. "Shouldn't you be dancing with Mel?"
"He's occupied at the moment." Hassan nodded toward the other end of the dance floor where Toval and Mel seemed to be having a grand time--and a few sheets to the wind, for that matter. Connor watched as the beta spun his mate gallantly before pulling him back in only for them both to start cracking up, much to the chagrin of a few of the more proper Council wolves in attendance.
"Is something wrong?"
Connor realized he was frowning and shook his head, allowing the alpha to lead him out onto the dance floor. "It's just hard to recognize him like this," he admitted. "I watched him from a distance for a long time, and he was so much like me. Now, he's..."
"Happy?" Hassan offered gently.
"I'm glad he is. I just wish he didn't need you to make him that way," he admitted. "No offense."
Hassan gave him a patient smile, stepping in perfect time to the elegant waltz being played by a live string ensemble. The Mountain Ridge wolves lacked the long history of celebratory traditions that most of the packs in the Council had, so they went all out when they got the chance. "None taken."
"It really doesn't bother you to share your omega with him?" Connor asked, unable to keep his curiosity to himself any longer.
"It really doesn't," Hassan replied without a hint of hesitation. Connor searched the alpha's eyes and his tone for any hint of deception but came up empty. It was a rare alpha who could deceive him, and as divergent as Hassan was in some regards, he was a typical alpha in the sense that he rarely felt the need to conceal what he was feeling. After two weeks of sharing the same apartment, Connor had finally accepted that the alpha was just as calm and content as the face he presented in public. "Maybe that's because I see us all as belonging to each other equally, just in different ways."
"You did mark him," Connor muttered.
"You disapprove?" The alpha's eyes shone with amusement in the flicker of the lights strung in the trees that formed a canopy over the courtyard.
"It's not conventional, an alpha marking a beta."
"You're not one to talk on conventional," Hassan reminded him pleasantly.
Connor grunted in acknowledgment. "I suppose I owe you a thank you."
"For what?"
"Not for this," he said, looking out around the crowd that had gathered to celebrate his impending humiliation. "But for giving Mel what I couldn't. I hate you for it, but I'm grateful."
Hassan's gaze softened. "Mel and Toval are the ones who've given me everything. Love, a family to raise Jaspar in. You're part of that now, and I hope you understand that taking a mate won't change that."
Connor gave a noncommittal, "Hm."
"I mean it. This isn't about pawning you off on some alpha," Hassan insisted, lowering his voice so only Connor could hear him. "I know you're afraid."
"Afraid?" Connor scoffed.
"I would be if I were in your situation, but you don't have to be. Whatever comes of this, whichever alpha is chosen, you're not going to be alone. We'll protect you, all three of us."
"Why? Say I did need or want your protection, which I don't, why do you care what happens to me or whether I'm afraid or not?"
"Because Mel cared enough to trade his freedom for yours," Hassan said softly. "And because you did the same for him."
Connor's canned response caught in his throat. He wasn't at all sure how to respond to the alpha's words, but Mel appeared with Toval close in tow and tapped Hassan's shoulder before he had the chance. "Mind if I cut in?" The other omega's eyes were dancing with merriment as he looked between his mate and his brother.
"He's all yours," Connor said, stepping aside.
"Actually, I meant you," Mel said, taking Connor's hand as a livelier song began to play.
"That's my jam!" Toval announced, grabbing Hassan by the arm to drag him further out onto the floor.
"Waldteufel's 'Skaters' Waltz' is your 'jam?' Hassan asked dubiously, taking the beta's hand.
Mel chuffed. "Idiots," he said with a great deal of affection.
"I'm glad at least someone is enjoying himself," Conn
or said, surprised when Mel's hands settled on his shoulders to allow him to lead.
"Oh, come on. It's not really that bad, is it? At least it's better than the prison, right?"
Connor didn't have the heart to dash the hope in the other omega's tone. "I guess it is." Mel smiled. "I know you're only doing this for me, but try to give it a chance, okay? You've always found a way to turn even the worst situations to your advantage. Why not do the same with this one?"
"For you, brother, I'll try," Connor promised, sweeping the two of them across the dance floor.
"Brother?" Mel's smile widened. "I just realized the other day that you've started calling me that."
"I guess I have."
"What changed?"
Connor shrugged. "I didn't understand it for a long time. I thought it was just your way of running from the past," he admitted. "But I can see now that this is who you've always been, and since you've given me the chance to get to know you, it's only right for me to accept that."
Mel watched him and for once, Connor found it hard to read the look in his eyes. Like him, Mel was far less sensitive than most omegas, but Connor could only assume he had offended him somehow. "I'm sorry if I upset you," he said carefully. He still wasn't used to being around people he cared enough about not to want to hurt them. Isolation had its perks.
"No, not at all," Mel murmured. "That just means a lot, coming from you." His lips curved into a mischievous smile. "You don't usually say nice things."
"Don't get used to it."
"Looks like there's a line forming," Mel said, glancing over Connor's shoulder. Connor turned to realize they had drawn a good deal of attention from a few of the alphas whose faces he recognized from the files Hassan and Mitchell had compiled. He'd been worried he would be flocked by would-be suitors from the moment the evening began, and his pride had been wounded ever so slightly by the fact that even the alphas who were there to vie for his hand had been giving him a wide berth. Just because he didn't want them didn't mean they shouldn't want him. Seeing him dancing with Mel must have had the effect of making him seem more approachable, because a light-haired alpha gave him a nod and smiled from across the room.
"I guess I should give you back to your mates and start shopping for mine," Connor said, dropping his hands to his side with a slight bow at the waist. "Thank you for the dance."
Mel leaned in to kiss his cheek and pressed his forehead against Connor's. Connor jolted in surprise at the flood of emotion that passed through the touch, love and reassurance that certainly wasn't his own. Mel was grinning at him when he looked up. "We're weird, but we're still omegas, you know. I can teach you the trick sometime if you want."
"Fat chance," Connor muttered, watching as Toval and Hassan came to claim their pregnant mate. Sadness and some foreign emotion Connor didn't care to categorize any more than he cared to acknowledge gripped his chest. He might not understand what it was that Mel had found and formed with his mates, and it certainly wasn't anything he wanted for himself, but maybe the other omega was right. He had made his choice, so perhaps it was time to make the most of it. If he had to live with an alpha's mark, he at least had a role in the choosing. There was no shortage of handsome alphas, and Connor knew the drugs they had him on had effectively neutralized the venom in his bite that allowed him to control alphas biochemically, but he had other methods at his disposal. Methods that wouldn't land him in a Tribunal prison.
The alpha who had caught his eye while dancing with Mel was the first to approach and ask for a dance. "Everett Hauser," the alpha announced, taking Connor's hand to kiss it. "Of the East Shore Pack, head of the Federation's New York division."
"I'd introduce myself, but I doubt that's necessary," Connor replied boredly, letting his hand fall back to his side.
"I have to admit, I never imagined the infamous Cutter would be so beautiful."
"I'm sure you didn't," Connor said, taking a glass of wine from a passing waiter's tray.
Surprise flickered on the alpha's face before his lips parted into a smile. Connor had decided long before the night began that there was no point in holding back or pretending like he possessed the trait of humility that was so common among omegas. After all, this was an auction, in a sense, even if he was the only item on the block. It was better to avoid false advertising.
"How are you liking life in Mountain Ridge?" asked Everett. "It must be a drastic change after traveling so often."
"It's not so bad if you like strange amalgams between military complexes and Mayberry, I suppose," Connor replied, taking a sip of his wine. Despite the cold shoulder he was getting, Everett seemed undeterred in his enthusiasm.
"I travel often myself, for work. I just returned from Alliance lands," he said in a tone that made it clear he expected the omega to be impressed. "I'm told your brother-in-law is from the region?"
"Yes, I'd be happy to introduce you. I'm sure he'd enjoy small talk in his native tongue."
Everett laughed. "With all due respect to Mr. Amari, I'm far more interested in your company."
"You and every other unmated alpha in attendance," Connor said, setting his empty glass aside. "Let's cut to the chase, Hauser. I want my freedom, or whatever approximation there is available to me, and you want the title of Southeast Unit Alpha to pad your resume." He paused, pressing a finger to his lips as he closely surveyed the stunned alpha. "Judging from the way you're dressed, sharply but understated, not like most of the bumpkins who went all out on a flashy suit since it's the first time they've had the chance to wear one in years, I'm going to guess you come from money. Now, you're certainly old enough to have claimed a mate, but you're not a pack alpha, which means you're not the oldest son. Considering your excessive charm and need for attention, I'm going to go with middle child, is that right?"
"How did you --?"
"I figured. Now, since I wouldn't put you a day past twenty-seven and I can tell from your hands and the way you walk that you've never been in the military or special forces of any kind, daddy's money likely paid for your job title. No need to defend yourself," he said with a dismissive wave when the alpha's lips parted to argue. "That's how the Federation works these days, they're all bought and paid for. No shame in using the tools at your disposal. What I'm interested in is what you can offer me that the rest of these yokels can't."
Everett stared at him in quiet contemplation for a moment before a sly grin spread across his face. "You do live up to the rumors, don't you?"
"In all the ways. You've got two minutes to make your case before I move on to the next slot in my dance card."
"Let's see," Everett mused. "I have houses on both coasts, and I'm probably one of the only alphas who would allow you to travel with him. You wouldn't be locked up in a quaint little house, which seems important to you."
"Go on," said Connor. "What about your plans for pups?"
Everett shrugged. "I need an heir, but it's not a priority, to be honest. I'd venture to say I enjoy my independence almost as much as you do."
Connor smirked. "Well, you do make an interesting case for yourself. And so succinctly."
"And you haven't even seen me dance."
Connor glanced at his watch and smiled. "Well, we do have another thirty-four seconds left."
Chapter Six
DUKE
Duke thought he had been through just about every imaginable hell, but each formal event he was forced to attend for work seemed intent on proving him wrong. The fact that this formal event was solely dedicated to finding an alpha to bed and mark his mate was just the icing on the cake.
The string quartet was already grating on his nerves as he stepped out onto the dance floor that had been erected in the Mountain Ridge courtyard just for the occasion and the monkey suit he was wearing wasn't helping. The bowtie felt like a vice around his muscular neck no matter how he tied it, but the wide-eyed glances he was getting from the omegas he passed--not to mention a few betas--assured him he didn't look as ridiculous as he felt
.
This was exactly the kind of event he'd be hobnobbing at if his parents had their way. Making connections, schmoozing with other alphas and keeping an eye out for "the right omega." A smirk crossed his face as he thought of how the conservative couple would react to finding out that their son had imprinted on Cutter. The omega came to mind far easier than Duke would have liked, especially as of late. Then again, he was the talk of the Council once again. It was like a flashback to two years earlier when the omega had first been captured, only now the rumors had shifted from who might be his next victim to who might be chosen as his mate.
If Duke let himself think at all about why the finely dressed alphas who surrounded him were there, Cutter wasn't going to be the only murderer in attendance. Duke grabbed a much-needed drink and stood off to the side of the gathering to assess the guest list. There were even more alphas in attendance than Lana had projected, and a good number of them Duke didn't recognize as Council wolves. They had traveled far and wide to get a glimpse at the most notorious omega in Federation lands, it seemed. Some of them were likely only there out of curiosity, but if even a fraction were serious about vying for Cutter's hand, they were going to have issues.
Connor, he reminded himself. It was easier to keep a psychological distance if he called the omega by the name he'd earned rather than the one he had been given, but that was the surest way to get himself kicked out. Money and power could buy anything, and being the brother of the Mountain Ridge Alpha's chosen family was evidently all it took to buy a place back in civilized society.
Why Connor had even agreed to such a thing was beyond Duke's ability to sort out. The others might be gullible enough to believe whatever sad story he'd given them, but Duke didn't believe for a second that the omega was interested in turning over a new leaf and enjoying his own little slice of domestic bliss. If he was even human enough to desire such things, Duke would have had a problem of an entirely different nature on his hands.