Page 5 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

It was time to get out of Guardian Pack lands then find out what the fuck was going on.

Chapter Three

Jasper listened in as Hawk and another man spoke right outside the shelter. He couldn’t be certain, because the wind was masking some of what they said, but it sure as hell sounded like a tense boyfriend argument. He could’ve sworn he heard the other man say he loved Hawk.

Bummer.

Not that he had any business lusting after strange wolf shifters given his dire circumstances, but he still had blood pumping through his veins and—when he was around Hawk—most of it gathered below his waist. It wasn’t easy being a horny, teenage virgin who’d been imprisoned and scared half out of his mind for gods only knew how many months. If he ever saw his rat bastard of a father again, he planned to knee him in the balls.

I should probably just focus on my survival and nothing else.

The howls of the wolves from the facility he knew had been sent after him had gotten much too close before they’d bypassed the shelter. That sage stuff must’ve worked. It certainly reeks enough. He’d heard about that sort of thing before in his pack, the Yukon Deltas, but most of his people thought all that herbal remedy, spirit guide nonsense was a load of mooseshit. What mattered was strength and cunning. Anything else was a poor excuse for a weak body or mind.

Jasper held his breath, pressing his cheek even harder against the rough wood surface in yet another vain attempt to hear what was being said.

With my luck, I’ll get splinters in my ear.

What was it about Hawk that made him feel so safe? He’d spoken with the guy for all of five minutes before he’d run off, but maybe that was the crux of it. Hawk seemed to be the noblest person he could ever remember meeting. Once he’d realized how desperate Jasper’s circumstances were, he’d rushed to help. Still, Jasper hoped his initial impression of Hawk wasn’t skewed by his desperation.

The latch of the shack’s door jiggled and Jasper jumped back, scurrying to take a seat on the cot as if he hadn’t been eavesdropping the whole time. He clutched his jacket more tightly around himself—the oversized, down garment one that Hawk had given him before he’d taken off. A rush of cool air followed Hawk inside, and Jasper squinted in the darkness, frustration eating at him that his shifter senses remained impaired.

Hawk shut the door behind him, then shoved something heavy in front of the barrier. Jasper guessed it was one of the trunks he’d tripped over when he’d been feeling his way around the interior while Hawk was gone.

“Are you all right?”

The tinge of worry in Hawk’s voice didn’t do much to assuage his own concerns.

“Yeah. I mean, I still can’t shift and my senses are next to useless. But wow, I can’t believe this stuff worked.”

“Stuff?”

“The sage.”

Jasper fiddled with the jacket’s zipper. Idiot. Why did you say that? Of course Hawk had faith in using the herb. He wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise.

After a short pause that was long enough to make Jasper wish he could crawl into a hole, Hawk responded.

“Not everyone believes in the old ways.”

“Sorry. I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful for what you did, because I really am.” He sighed. “It’s just that I’m from the Yukon Delta pack and I was always told—”

“You’re a delta?”

Hawk’s surprised reaction caught Jasper off-guard.

“Uh no, omega.”

“Are you sure? You’re still young.”

Oh, for the… “Yes, I’m quite sure. That’s what got me in all this trouble.” Jasper crossed his arms, more from irritation than the cold.

Hawk rummaged around, not speaking while seeming to gather some items together as he moved throughout the small space. Something made of a soft fabric was thrust at him.

“Put these on. I know they’re way too big but tie the string in the waistband as tight as you can.”

Jasper fumbled in the dark to put on the sweatpants, grateful for the added warmth on his icy legs. He hissed when the fabric brushed over one of his scraped-up knees.

“What’s wrong?” Hawk’s voice bordered on panic.