Page 36 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

“Don’t move, or I’ll shoot!”

Hawk trained his gun on the asshole he didn’t doubt was Jasper’s father. The man glared at him.

“Go ahead, you worthless puppet. Betas and gammas make me sick. At least with an omega, you can fuck it and make it do what you want.” He laughed as he regarded the omega he’d just hit. “And if you hire the best scientists, you can even sell the new and improved version to the highest bidder.”

Denali shifters rushed the room and Hawk whipped his head around. The distraction was just enough for Jasper’s father to fire the gun Hawk hadn’t realized the man held, and his own Glock flew from his hand. White hot pain seared through his arm, but he ignored the agony as he tackled Jasper’s father to the floor.

They rolled and tumbled, the older man’s only advantage being Hawk’s injury—he was sure the bone had been broken. More gunfire went off above his head, but all he cared about was stopping the psycho who was trying to get off another shot, and at such a close range, Hawk doubted the asshole would miss hitting him somewhere more vital.

As more blood poured from his wound, Hawk struggled to remain alert, to wrest the gun from Jasper’s father. Brandon shouted orders for the shifters to whisk the omegas away and more chaos erupted around them. Hawk twisted in Jasper’s father’s grip, finally able to get his good hand, albeit not his shooting one, on the handle of the small pistol.

“Fuck you and the Alliance,” the older man gritted out.

Hawk jerked the gun, tried to yank it away from Jasper’s father, but the man yanked back and a shell exploded from the chamber.

Chapter Thirteen

Jasper mangled the poor blanket in his hands, sleep impossible—even with the calming tea Asha had prepared. The siege should’ve already taken place and Hawk and Nic and everyone had promised they would radio when it was all over. He checked the nightstand clock again.

Eleven-thirty.

He’d been told the Alliance would be storming the compound at ten. Had it turned into an all-out war? If the battle became too loud and obvious, if actual explosives were used, the worry was that all the wilderness in the world wouldn’t shield them from discovery by the humans.

Oh gods. What if they were arrested?

He covered his mouth as bile rose in his throat.

Or worse.

Jasper let out a yelp at a knock on the door. He slapped a hand to his chest.

“Y-yeah?”

The door cracked open and he was surprised to see that Elam was still at the house. Or did he leave and come back while I was napping? Everyone had insisted he try and rest earlier, that nothing would be happening until nighttime so there was no point in making himself sick with worry. Elam had reminded him he needed to stay strong for the baby. It was strangely wonderful to have to take another being’s needs into consideration before his own.

“Hey, how’s it going? Can I come sit with you?”

Jasper swallowed down his fear. Elam was laying it on thick with the ‘everything’s just peachy’ smile.

“Yeah, sure.” Jasper folded his hands and pretended he wasn’t about to freak out at any second. Maybe casual conversation would help. “Is Sophie asleep?”

The one bright spot of Jasper’s day had been having the chance to play with Elam and Nic’s baby. She loved Jasper and had enjoyed smacking his cheeks while laughing.

Elam dragged the same chair over from earlier. “Oh lord, no. She’s at least settled down enough that she’s content in her play yard while grandpa dozes in the easy chair.”

Jasper cleared his throat. “I see. She’s beautiful, you guys are so lucky.”

Elam adjusted his position on the padded set and ran a hand through his hair. “Um, so, I wanted to give you an update on things.”

Jasper covered his face with both hands. “Oh gods. Just tell me, don’t try to spare me from the awful news.”

“Hey, no. It’s not what you think.” Elam gently pried Jasper’s hands away.

Jasper fought the tremble of his bottom lip. He had to be strong. “What’s not what I think?”

Elam nodded, his lips pressed in a grim line. “Okay, yes. Hawk has been shot, but he’s going to be fine.” Elam had clutched Jasper’s hand right as Jasper had let out a sharp gasp.

“Shot! Where was he shot? Can I go see him? Is it all over yet? Are the omegas safe? What happened to my father?” Jasper had to pause and catch his breath.