Page 38 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

“Do you know the town well?”

“Huh?”

The scent of poplar, which had only been mild a moment before, seemed to build in strength. While the day was clear, there was still plenty of snow on the ground from the last storm. He shouldn’t be smelling the trees so strongly.

Jackson smiled again. “I was right about to tell you the name of the road on the edge of town, but then I realized it probably wouldn’t mean anything to you since you’re so new here.”

Sascha chuckled. “Of course, that makes sense. No, I’m afraid I’m not very familiar with Wolf Creek.”

Ever since Dimitri was born, he’d been more suspicious than he could ever remember being. He supposed it was a protective instinct that had been brought out in him from the baby.

“Well, it’s not far. It shouldn’t take us more than a few minutes to get there. Then, if Brandon and Nic are done for the day, he can drive you back.” Jackson glanced at his watch and pressed his lips together. “Yeah. If you wanna go, we should get moving. I need to be back on shift soon. Wouldn’t want to piss off the Alpha, right?” Jackson grinned.

Sascha realized he was causing a lot of trouble over nothing. The baby was asleep, Jasper was there, and he wouldn’t be gone very long.

“Okay, sure. Let me grab my boots and jacket. I’ll be right back.”

After he’d donned his outdoor clothes, Sascha took one more peek at Dimitri to verify he was okay and sleeping soundly.

He whispered to Jasper, “I’ll be quick. If he wakes up, just hold him until I return.”

Jasper whispered back. “Can I hold him anyway?”

Sascha frowned. “Don’t you dare wake that baby. He’ll be cranky the rest of the day.”

Jasper’s shoulders slumped. “You’re no fun.”

He rolled his eyes. “Just wait. You’ll learn the hard way.”

Once they’d made it to Jackson’s pick-up and they’d both climbed inside the cab, Sascha almost gagged from the overpowering polar smell.

“Is that one of those car fresheners?”

Jackson put the truck in gear and took off down the road to the main street that ran through Wolf Creek. “Is what a car freshener?”

Sascha put his hand against the dashboard, concerned that Jackson was traveling a tad too fast for the icy conditions. He wanted to get back to the baby as soon as possible, but getting into an accident wouldn’t help.

“Uh, that poplar smell. It’s intense.”

Now that Jackson was on the main road, he’d picked up speed. He seemed intent on getting them to Nic’s workshop, since he hadn’t bothered to respond.

“Hey…” Sascha’s body tensed. “Should you be going so fast? I’m not in that big of a hurry.”

“Shut up.”

Sascha straightened at the unexpected command. “Excuse me?”

“I said, shut up!”

Sascha’s dropped his jaw as his heart thundered. He couldn’t discern whether he was more angry or more scared.

“I will not! Pull over right now. I’m getting out.”

“Like hell you are.” The door lock clicked. “The only place you’re going is Hooper Bay where you’ll be shipped off to your new owner in Russia.”

“What? You’re a loyal Alpha, Wolf Creek security. You can’t do this!”

Jackson snarled, “The fuck I can, you freak. As long as I get paid, I don’t care what happens to you or any of those other omegas. I’m done with the Alliance. Nic passed me over for that thieving Alpha who’s completely green.” He gripped the wheel as he glared at the road ahead. “You said I was loyal. Well, you’re damn straight I was fucking loyal. And what did it get me? Nic’s brother appointed me as second, that’s my position. Then Nic comes to see me last night and tells me he’s decided he wants Hawk instead.” He shook his head. “Artur told me a long time ago to get in with the Yukon Deltas. I should’ve listened, quit wasting my time at Wolf Creek.”