Beta (Vanguards Book 3)

by Annie Nicholas

  All things considered, he’d had an excellent night. Maybe next time he’d get to keep the girl. Esther was beautiful on the outside, but her deceitful nature left him cold. His gaze passed over his wallet. She hadn’t taken anything from it.

  Not like she had enough time to spend what little he carried. He turned on the shower and stepped into the stinging spray.

  The beast wanted a mate, or maybe he should say to mate. Every day, like clockwork, he woke to a hard-on. The other Vasi males in the house had admitted to similar problems, but they had access to release.

  Eric had Spice, Tyler was with Katrina, and Sam took anyone willing to keep his bed warm. He could be like Sam and accept the offers tossed to him from pack females.

  Maybe he should.

  The pickings in the pack were slim though. Those who interested him were already taken, and involving himself with a human would be tricky. When did he confess to being a werewolf? On the first date?

  After rinsing the soap from his body, he towel dried, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, then put his glasses on. Too bad shifters didn’t have an online dating service. Pack politics would make that difficult though. Alphas were territorial, they wouldn’t let anyone stroll into their area, even for just a date. Even Eric, who Robert considered pretty sane for an alpha, wouldn’t let that happen.

  Racing down the steps, he almost trampled Katrina as she crossed his path at the bottom of the staircase. She was on her way to the front door. “Oops, sorry.” He smiled at her. “Didn’t see you coming.”

  She straightened his glasses and returned his smile. “I heard you did a good job with Talon last night. Have a fun evening.” She wore a black dress and heels with her hair loose down her back. Her outfit accentuated her beauty.

  “Date with Tyler tonight?”

  “Yes, I am meeting him downtown for dinner.” She paused at the door. “Do you want to come?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve got plans.” It wasn’t really a lie. He’d almost had a coffee date. Retreating to the kitchen before his pack mate asked any questions, Robert tossed a bagel in the toaster while he listened to the front door open and close. The click of heels in the hallway made him glance out the kitchen entrance. “Sugar, you’re home late.”

  The petite blonde set her purse on the counter.

  Sugar owned the brownstone they all lived in, the original Omegas pack—Eric, Tyler, Sam, Katrina, and himself—paid her rent. They’d been neighbors at first in an apartment complex. Then they started having troubles with the old pack of Chicago, the Ayumu. That was when they hired Daedalus, a Nosferatu vampire, to teach them how to fight. He and Sugar had fallen crazy in love. When Eric defeated the old alpha of the Ayumu, the Omegas absorbed them. Then Eric changed their name to Vasi, which meant Vanguards in the old werewolf language.

  “I missed my bus. Is Daedalus awake yet?” Sugar straightened her skirt.

  “I haven’t seen him, but I’ve only been awake a few minutes myself.”

  Her smile turned sad as she examined his face. “You look exhausted. Don’t let him work you so hard, Robert.”

  The him she referred to was the Nosferatu and her true love. “He’s only doing what’s best for us. Don’t worry, I can take it.” He slathered the bagel with peanut butter and poured a tall glass of milk.

  Once Daedalus was ready, they’d go running before hitting the all-night gym. Yay.

  “He told me you refused to kill Talon.”

  Rob nodded while chewing on his meal, staring at the wall across the kitchen.

  “I’m glad. He wouldn’t agree with me—”

  “Damn right, I don’t agree.” Daedalus stormed into the kitchen and blocked the entrance with his six-foot-two frame and crossed his arms over his chest. “Sugar, we discussed you placing ideas in their heads. I can’t have the boys hesitating on the field of battle.”

  She confronted him with her five foot nothing, barely a hundred- and ten-pound body. “Field of battle? This is Chicago in the twenty-first century.”

  If Rob had someone to place a bet with, he’d put his money on Sugar winning. The little librarian had grown a backbone in the last few years.

  “Babe, Dark Ages or not, the pack needs warriors to protect their territory.”

  “From what? They’ve chased off all the scum. The Vasi are coming together as one. No more factions. This should be a time of peace and you’re acting like—like—”

  “Something bad is about to happen. Don’t talk military strategy with me. If I wanted to take over this city, now would be the time I’d strike. The pack is happy and their guard is down. Not to mention the alpha is out of the city.”

  Rob set his bagel back on the plate. Appetite gone. He drank the rest of his milk to wash down the bite stuck in his throat. Daedalus was full of butterflies and joy.

  The vampire glared at him. “Taking Talon out of the picture last night would have sent a strong message to anyone listening.”

  Rob swallowed. “He didn’t really do anything that merited his death. He just postured and shot-off his mouth to any shifter who would listen.”

  “He challenged you. You.” Daedalus poked him in the chest with a finger. “The beta of the pack. You’re just as important as an alpha. Eric is the strength, he gathers the fold, but the beta, Robert, is the guiding hand.”

  “I know, I know. We’ve had this conversation already. I still don’t see why anyone needs to die.”

  “I agree.” Sugar took Robert’s hand.

  Fury flashed in Daedalus’s eyes as he stared at their touch.

  Rob released his hold on Sugar as if burned.

  She didn’t notice any of it, or at least she pretended not to as she continued to confront Daedalus. “I hate it when you kill.”

  “Killing is in my nature. Vampires aren’t related to the Easter Bunny, Sugar.”

  “And this is what you want me to become? A murderer?”

  If Rob could have fit in the cupboard, he would have crawled inside by now for two minutes of peace. Trapped in a corner, they forced him to witness their on-going disagreement. Daedalus didn’t want to watch Sugar grow old and die. Turning her into a vampire would prevent that, but the thought of it terrified Sugar.

  And he wanted this?

  “Is that how you see me? I don’t always kill to feed.”

  She gasped and covered her throat with her hand. “I thought you stopped feeding on others period.”

  Like a fish out of water, the Nosferatu gaped. “I—I—”

  “Who else have you been using? I haven’t noticed as many bite marks on the boys.” Sugar glanced at Rob’s neck. He hated when it was his turn to feed the vampire, but he’d done it to prevent this kind of fight. “He doesn’t even have an old mark on him.”

  “The boys are tired of me feeding from them. I can’t keep forcing them. It’s like rape.”

  She cringed. “I didn’t know.” The color from her cheeks faded. “Then who?”

  Daedalus wouldn’t look at her.

  “He’s been using the scum off the street. Rapists, thieves, and drug dealers, the criminal’s police haven’t caught yet.” Rob couldn’t stand watching them be angry. His whole childhood he’d witnessed his parents tear at each other. Sugar and Daedalus were better than that. They fought the odds trying to be together. “He’s doing the city a service.”

  A tear spilled from her eye. “You kill them like that Ayumu asshole who tried to hurt me?”

  Not the best example that Robert would have chosen.

  The vampire rolled his massive shoulders before leaning forward to face Sugar with his fangs bared. “Yes, I’m a murderer. It’s what I’ve always been.” He pushed past her and grabbed his black leather coat off the hook by the back sliding glass door, then left.

  Sugar ran to the door and stared at the night. “He’s gone. Shit, I keep screwing things up, Robert.”

  He’d never heard her swear before. “He’ll be back. Let him cool off.”

  “How long have
you known he’s been feeding off others?” She pressed her forehead against the glass.

  “A while.” Feeling two inches tall, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Sugar, you’ve been through this before. You can’t expect him to change. He’s been a vampire for centuries.”

  “But it’s okay for everyone to expect me to change for him?” She touched his hand and squeezed. “I know you guys don’t understand why I won’t become a vampire. I’m not stupid, Robert. How would I feed?”

  “You can use us or at least me. It’s not the feeding part that wigs me out. It’s the guy-on-guy thing that makes me uncomfortable.”

  She chuckled. “Daedalus could barely contain himself when I touched your hand. He’d rip your throat out if I fed on you.”

  “Good point. There’s Katrina and Spice. We’ll figure out a way.”

  “I’m tired and I don’t… Killing is just wrong.” She turned around and hugged him. “I’m glad you kept him from killing Talon last night.”

  He hugged her back. Two more days before Eric and Spice got back. He needed to keep the pack and their household together two more days. Then he would dump all this shit on their laps and have a beer or six. “Don’t do anything. Let me talk to Daedalus.” He pushed away to make eye contact with her. “I promise, things will work out. Okay?”

  She nodded and wiped a tear from her eye.

  His cellphone rang. It sat on the entrance table where he’d dropped it last night. He needed to answer, all pack members knew to call him this week and not to bother Eric.

  Sugar gestured for him to go.

  The caller ID showed it came from a Vasi member. Crap. He should have stayed in bed.

  “Hello?” Listening to his pack mate, he watched Sugar make a cup of tea, then curl up on the couch with a well-worn paperback book. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He closed the connection.

  All bad things came in threes. First Sugar and Daedalus’s argument, now Talon was stirring up trouble at a bar on the other side of town. Someone in the pack tried to intervene, but got his ass beat for the effort. Robert would have to deal with Talon again. What would be the third issue?

  He shoved his phone and car keys in his pockets. Two more days. At least, he didn’t have to spar tonight since Daedalus pulled a Houdini.

  “I have to go, Sugar. Are you going to be okay?”

  She glanced at him with a brave smile. “Sure.”

  His heart wrung for her, so he ran to the basement and barged into Sam’s bedroom.

  The werewolf was pulling a muscle shirt over his overly developed torso. “Don’t you know how to knock? I could have had a guest in here.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I need to go take care of a problem.”

  “Is this problem named Talon?”

  Robert nodded.

  “Need some back-up?”

  His stomach clenched at the thought of having to face Talon alone. “Probably, but I need you to stay home with Sugar instead.”

  Sam came to attention at the mention of their token human female. “What’s wrong with her? Is she sick?”

  “Big fight with Daedalus. Just keep her company until I can straighten things out.”

  His buddy nodded. “Sure, but keep in touch. Tyler and I are available. You don’t need to take care of everything by yourself.”

  “Eric does.”

  “Bullshit, he turns to you whenever something needs to be done.” Sam clapped him on the shoulder and left the room taking the stairs two at a time. “Sugar, get your sweater. I need someone to take me to the movies.”

  Robert followed the noise upstairs where his two friends discussed recent movie releases then he exited out the front door.

  Chapter Four

  Rap music thumped loud enough to rattle Robert’s teeth while he pushed his way through Molten, which contained all the things he didn’t care for: noise, drugs, and people. Some of the Vasi liked to party here and from the phone call he’d received Talon had paid them a visit.

  In the back, he saw some familiar faces and headed their way, but as he drew closer, he noticed that most of the clientele sitting at these tables were from the pack. They gathered to him as if pulled by a magnet. Instinctual pack hierarchy, and it gave him heartburn. These people looked to him for protection in Eric’s absence, and his own instincts cried to glance over his left shoulder where his alpha usually stood.

  He cleared his throat. Time to wolf up. “What happened?”

  Simon, one of the more dominate males of the pack, rose from the table, sporting a fresh black eye and a fat lip. “Talon showed up shit-faced and started picking on a new member.” He shot a look at a young guy sitting at a corner table.

  Aaron, the kid’s name was Aaron. He reminded Robert of himself when he transitioned from human to werewolf. Lost, alone and weak, but at least he had the Vasi for support. Robert didn’t have anyone in the beginning.

  “You okay, Aaron?” he shouted over the din. Daedalus told him to use names whenever possible. It was supposed to reassure his pack mates that he cared. By the kid’s smile and nod, Robert would have to say it worked. He did care, but his people skills sucked.

  “We pulled Talon off the kid, but the dude’s out of control. He said something about us betraying him, that he didn’t recognize your unauthorized challenge last night.” Simon chuckled. “Said you beat him.”

  “Well, it wasn’t an unauthorized challenge. It was a warning, which is why he’s still breathing. I’m starting to regret that part.”

  The smile on Simon’s face transformed to surprise. “You beat him by yourself?”

  Nice, even his pack thought him a trophy beta. He nodded, not trusting his mouth to be diplomatic. Why Eric insisted on making Robert the beta was beyond him. Even Daedalus acted doubtful about the decision. Robert agreed with him. He sucked at confrontation, didn’t like people in general, and preferred computer linguistics over speaking.

  Excited glances and pointing passed through the gathering as the news of Robert beating Talon spread.

  “Do you know where he’s headed?” Robert needed to get his claws on that beast and shake some sense into him. Even if Robert lost a challenge to that idiot, Eric would never accept Talon as beta. Maybe the dude had a death wish? If he kept acting like this it would leave Robert no choice. He’d been forced to kill before but those shifters had been beyond saving.

  Talon still had a chance.

  “He didn’t say, but he likes to hang out at a biker’s bar over by the Ukrainian village. The Twisted Tire or something? It’s off I-Ninety.” Two other males gathered by Simon. “Do you want us to come with you?”

  Robert could hear both Daedalus and Eric in his head encouraging him to say yes. It would be a good bonding experience for him and the pack. A social event for males, get to know your beta night and watch him kick ass. “Not yet. I need to track him first, and I’ll move faster on my own.” For a social animal, he didn’t seem to require his kind like other werewolves. He preferred solitude. His little group at home was enough people.

  The Vasi had their share of omegas, just like any other pack, but they were nurtured instead of abused like he had been. Aaron sat at the table nursing his beer. The pack hadn’t cast him out when Talon jumped him, they rallied around Aaron, made him safe after the attack. Robert really admired Eric’s work with the Vasi and hoped other packs would follow his example.

  When Simon and his companions appeared disappointed at his refusal, Robert sighed and dug deep. “If I need back-up, you’ll be the first I call.”

  They grinned and nodded.

  He turned to leave and faced a wall of humans. Pushing through that mass of flesh flared his proximity alarms, and his beast strained at the yoke to thrash at the people who dared come too close. An exit sign glowed above the crowd, and he released the breath he’d been holding. Skirting along the wall, he shoved the door open when he reached it.

  It brought him out to a narrow alley on the side of the building. The cool air wa
s a relief, then he caught a whiff of a familiar scent. Something sharp and clean he’d recently had his body pressed against.

  Esther.

  The door closed behind him with a thunk and took what little light it gave. She stood with her jean clad legs apart in the center of the alley, silhouetted by the distant street lights.

  “Are you following me, Esther?” The muscles in his back tensed as he smelled gun powder. She held a gun again. Damn it. He glanced over his shoulder for cover if she got trigger happy.

  “I’m trying to figure out what kind of sick game you’re playing, Rob.” She stepped closer, and he could see the outline of her weapon pointed at his head. “I hate being played for a fool, but you did a great job making me feel like one.”

  He searched the area, however escape appeared slim. Next time, he’d take the damn front door. “I’m not the pickpocket.” She wasn’t either. Small-time thieves didn’t follow werewolves around with guns in their pockets. He couldn’t think of too many people who would. “Are you crazy? My pack is behind this door. If you shoot me, they’ll tear you apart.”

  “How many girlfriends are in there?”

  “Girlfriends? None, I don’t have—”

  She stormed toward him and pressed the gun to his balls as he retreated to the brick wall. “I saw the blonde go into your house.”

  “Su-Sugar?”

  Esther laughed without mirth. “Of course, she’d have a name like that. What’s the other woman’s name, Coco?”

  “Katrina. They’re my roommates, not my girlfriends.”

  The gun wavered, then pressed harder onto his groin. “Bullshit.”

  Survival should have been foremost in his mind, but there was a hard light in Esther’s eyes as she glared into his. He’d seen that look before just never directed at him. A suicidal, surprised chuckle escaped his control. “You’re jealous.”