Page 14 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

Hawk had finally convinced Jasper to get some rest while they drove to meet his dad. He’d dug a sweater out of the bag he’d packed and given it to Jasper to use as a pillow, then lowered the seat back in the hope his mate would fall asleep. Jasper had been snoring lightly from almost the moment he’d shut his eyes.

So many thoughts swirled through Hawk’s mind as he urged the Charger forward as fast as he dared in the wet conditions. Fortunately, the little weasel he’d stolen the car from had all-weather tires that, when he’d checked them before they’d taken off again, seemed quite new.

Shifter trafficking? Is that what this is all about?

The theory was plausible yet didn’t entirely track with Hawk. The laboratory and experiments to suppress shifter abilities seemed like a lot of trouble to go through to sell some shifters. Why not grab humans, give them whatever horniness drugs they’d developed then call it good?

Asha will know, I’m sure of it.

He’d secretly wished to meet with the spirit guide and healer shortly after he’d begun shifting, when he’d questioned his parent’s assertion that he was a beta. In the end, when he was halfway there, he’d turned around the truck he’d stolen from their neighbor and gone back to face his punishment. He’d been fortunate the consequences weren’t too extreme, since he’d only been thirteen at the time. If it hadn’t been for his guilt over dishonoring his parents and embarrassing them when he was registered with the council, he might have kept going.

Maybe I should’ve.

Hawk rubbed his brow, weary from his thoughts and the day. If he’d rejected the assertion that he was a beta, he never would’ve joined the Guardian Pack and might not have been there to save his mate.

A lone light in the distance loomed ahead and Hawk tensed. To say they were in the middle of nowhere couldn’t begin to describe the section of wilderness he was driving through, and under the circumstances, any artificial illumination was cause for concern. Hawk checked the car’s digital clock. It was possible he’d made good enough time that they’d arrived at the meeting spot already. He slowed down but readied himself to bolt if necessary.

As he drew closer, the headlights illuminated both his dad holding up a lantern and the side of his green SUV. Not exactly built for speed, but more practical considering the mountainous terrain they’d be traveling through. Hawk pulled over between the vehicle and the old, abandoned trapper’s hut they’d used when he was a kid and they’d gone hunting.

Hawk put the Charger in gear and killed the engine. Jasper woke up with a gasp.

“Where are we?”

Hawk rested his hand on Jasper’s arm, fighting what was quickly becoming an urgent need to claim him. Ever since he’d held him earlier, their spirits seemed to have been uniting, bonding them whether Hawk thought Jasper was ready or not. Being confined in the Charger with Jasper for hours had also been a challenge. His mate’s scent had become almost too overwhelming for him to handle.

He still doesn’t know.

How could he possibly claim Jasper while he continued to suffer from the after-effects of the experiments they’d done on him?

“It’s all right, Jasper. We’ve reached my dad.”

Jasper straightened. “Oh, wow. Feels like I just closed my eyes.”

“You’re wiped out. Why don’t you wait here while I catch up with my dad a sec and load the duffel into his truck?”

At Jasper’s fallen expression, Hawk realized how his suggestion must’ve sounded.

“You don’t want me to meet your dad?”

Hawk squeezed his arm with what he hoped was reassurance. “That’s not it at all.” Mostly not it. “It’s just that I’m worried about how drained you must be.” And that my dad might figure out what’s going on and blab in front of you.

Jasper didn’t appear convinced. “I think I can manage a ‘hello’ before I collapse.” He shook his head. “That came out snarky, I didn’t mean to be so rude. And you’re right about one thing—I am wiped out.” He offered Hawk a hesitant smile. “Maybe saying hi is all I can handle.”

Hawk smiled back, jerking his head toward where his dad stood waiting. “Come on. I want you to meet my dad.”

After exiting the car, Hawk raised his hand in greeting and his dad waved back, moving toward them. Hawk rushed forward to cut him off, not sure what he hoped to accomplish, but hoping he could give at least discourage him from blurting out any fated mate declarations.

Parents always know.

Right as Hawk reached him, his dad gazed past his shoulder and frowned. “Good gods, were you shot at?” He directed a heated look at Hawk. “I love that you have your mother’s compassionate heart, but what sort of risks are you taking for a complete stranger?”

“Dad, I’ll explain, but don’t say anything in front of him.”

His father’s brow creased, and he squinted as his gaze landed on something behind Hawk. Or someone. Hawk whirled around right as Jasper reached them.

“Hey, Jasper. I’d like you to meet my dad, George Ivanov.”

The Charger’s headlamps and the glow of the lantern cast sinister shadows across their features, but Hawk didn’t miss the dawn of recognition on his dad’s face.