Page 3 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

Chapter Two

Brandon ran a hand across the top of his head as he leaned against his Jeep. The Alliance fighters had parked their vehicles in a grove about a half mile from the no-longer-secret facility the rogue Deltas and some mysterious group of Russians had been using to experiment on omegas. In the back of his mind he was aware his body was in pain. The battle they’d fought had been hard won, and it infuriated him that they’d lost so many members of the Alliance.

At least the ones who weren’t traitors.

His growl came out unbidden. That any of the imprisoned omegas had died at all tore at his heart. Three omegas were three too many. Brandon rubbed his chest as one omega in particular came to mind. What was he supposed to do about him? He was jolted from his thoughts by the approach of his sergeant.

“Commander Volkov?” Sergeant Evan Harris offered him a clipboard. “Here are the names of the fallen. I was able to identify five fighters from our pack.” He visibly swallowed before continuing. “I, uh…I’m afraid there were a total of twenty-seven fatalities from all the packs combined and we have several others suffering from a range of injuries.”

The vision of Hawk at the moment he’d been shot flashed through Brandon’s mind. Thank gods his wound was minor.

“Do we have enough safe locations to treat the injured?”

Evan nodded. “It’s being handled right now.”

“Good. Keep me updated on everyone’s condition. I’ll need to make a full report to Alpha Petrov and the council when we get back to the Wolf Creek Pack.” Brandon scratched his chin. “Do we have a sense yet of how many of the enemy escaped?”

Evan shook his head. “I’m afraid not. I’m still gathering the accounts of each troop leader. But of those who weren’t killed, we have eleven prisoners.”

Brandon hoped he wouldn’t be called on to participate in the interrogations. That should be Nic Petrov’s problem. Each pack Alpha had their designated job on the council and Brandon’s was to lead them in ass-kicking. In the over twenty years since he’d taken over the Denali Junction Pack, there’d been very few times when his area of expertise had been needed. However, he’d always kept his troops at the ready.

But now, he had a new duty—one he figured he’d dodged after so many years of nothing.

Fuck.

“Sergeant Harris. The beta who flanked me when I led the charge into the north building, the one with the omegas. I think his name is Cameron. Where is he?”

Evan furrowed his brow. “Uh, isn’t he the one you asked to watch over the pregnant omega?”

Something inside Brandon, an urge unlike any other he’d experienced, made him want to rip Evan’s head off. Considering the man was a nice guy and loyal pack member, Brandon couldn’t imagine what the hell was wrong with him. However, when Evan had spoken about the omega, his omega, as if he were inconsequential—Brandon’s instant reaction had been to maim now, ask questions later. It was a good thing he was a level-headed man of forty-five years instead of a young, impulsive Alpha.

“Sir?”

Brandon sighed. “Yes. He’s the one. Where are they?”

“He did what you asked and drove the omega to the overlook. They’re still there.”

Brandon crossed his arms. “Thank you. Anything else you need to report?”

“No, sir.”

“Then let’s begin to wrap things up on our end. We’ll need ten men and women from each pack to remain behind while we access the situation and to guard the complex in case any of the rogues return. Coordinate that, then give the list to Nic. Volunteers first, then assign if necessary.”

Evan cleared his throat. “Will you be remaining with the beta and omega?”

His sergeant wasn’t an idiot, but he was also sticking his snout where it didn’t fucking belong. Brandon wasn’t quite ready to reveal all yet. He wasn’t sure he ever would be, but he at least needed some time to process the abrupt change that fate had hurled at him.

“Use the walkie if you need to know where I am.” Evan would have to be satisfied with his non-answer.

After climbing into his Jeep, he drove the short distance to where Cameron and his fated mate were waiting. Brandon gripped the steering wheel tighter, his lips pressed in a hard line. What the hell was he supposed to do with a mate? His bachelor wolf pad wasn’t set up for other inhabitants. Not only that, but he still had to deal with the aftermath of the altercation. Humans couldn’t discover the mess, so the Alliance would have to both guard and cover-up what had gone down. He couldn’t possibly be expected to deal with a new mate.

Especially a pregnant one.

Brandon groaned. He hoped fate was having a great big laugh at his expense.

The light of dawn was breaking on the horizon as Brandon rounded the curve where the overlook was located. As he drew near, he spotted Cameron standing outside Hawk’s SUV with his weapon drawn. When they locked eyes, Cameron lowered the rifle. Brandon grinned despite the gravity of the situation. Cameron’s reflexive action pleased him, filled him with more confidence in the beta who would be charged with protecting his omega.

After Brandon had parked his vehicle, he dropped from the truck. In his peripheral vision he caught the form of his omega in the passenger seat of the SUV, staring at him. Brandon didn’t dare make eye contact.