Blue Moon III: Call of the Alpha (35 page)

The tall man had removed his own black uniform and was back in dark cotton pants and a gold and black silk dress shirt. “Yes, Master.”

“Bring the Viper to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If he attacks, wound him again, but don’t kill him.”

Navid dipped his head, “Yes, sir,” and disappeared gracefully through the door that led to the stairwell. Down below was a metal, refrigerated storage room for the food. He’d already guessed that’s where the young squire had secured their spy.

They were only an hour away from Isfahan when they took off and the pilot quickly alerted them they’d be arriving in twenty minutes. Right after the pilot’s announcement, Navid came through the door pulling a tired-looking Viper behind him. The young crane may have a tender, obsequious nature, but he’d defend his master’s honor with the ferocity of a vulture.

Lion wasn’t sure how Hawk was going to get anything comprehendible out of his ex-brother since his throat was swollen to the size of a grapefruit. Viper looked around like he wasn’t sure why he was there and why he was now the one bound by a constrictor’s knot.

“Oh, Dom,” Pierce sighed.

The moment Viper lowered his eyes Lion knew the man could sense he’d been found out.

Hawk’s eyes dilated, the vibrant colors fading to a dreary green. He was hurt. “Why, Dominick? Why did you betray us?”

Viper shook his bowed head, it looked like tears were falling but they had no effect on Lion. Viper put his hand to his throat.

“Mouth the words, you know I can read your lips.”

Viper’s mouth never moved.

“You almost killed my cherished, I suggest you answer him. He’s the only one keeping you alive,” Lion broke the tense silence.

Viper’s mouth started moving after a few seconds.

Hawk watched the sad man’s mouth, his frown getting deeper and deeper. “You tried to kill us for money. You have money.”

Viper’s head shot up in defiance, an angry scowl replacing his sorry one. He mouthed more words, and the more upset he got, the more his words began to sound like husky gusts of breath.

“So because you weren’t as wealthy as us, you did this! You were going to fuckin’ kill us!” Hawk yelled. Still watching, he relayed what Viper said. His once-brother had felt betrayed when Call retired the Beastmasters. He confessed he’d had debt and was struggling to make ends meet while he and Call sat on millions. He felt cast aside and no longer a brother. That family didn’t abandon family. So when he was contacted by the red assassins and offered ten million dollars, he was willing to find them more warriors to build their army. He admitted to giving Backhander’s location, but swore he never thought harm would come to them.

Lion didn’t believe it. He believed Viper knew he was giving them all up.

Alpha came into the room, he had removed his hood and gloves, but like the rest of them, he was still in all black. He didn’t bother to look at Viper on the floor while he made his way around him to the bar for more bottles of water. When he turned around, Viper’s eyes showed the same fear as when he looked at Lion.

“I’m not going to kill you,” Alpha informed Viper. “My beloved asked me not to.” With that, Alpha dismissed him and went back in the bedroom.

“But I won’t do the same,” Pierce spoke up, his voice as strong as his posture. “You did this because I have more money than you? That’s it? How many times did your brothers risk their lives for you? How many times did my husband save your life in the field? And you were willing to let him die. You gave them our location and still, they were going to kill you. You would’ve been in that explosion too, if Dane didn’t warn us… therefore saving you – again.” Pierce walked up to Viper and to everyone’s surprise, the man reared back and backhanded Viper so hard across his face he fell back against Navid’s feet.

Lion was rarely shocked, but he was now.

Pierce looked Lion in his eye and in a tone Lion had yet to hear the man use, issued his own order, “Kill him.”

Viper shook his head violently. Hawk turned his back on his once-good friend and brother. Lion gave Omega the signal. Pierce never turned his intelligent blue eyes away. Omega didn’t make Viper suffer. He cupped his chin and yanked it fast to the right, painlessly snapping the upper cervical vertebrate.

Now… it was over.

Lion and Omega

Three weeks later

“Is your brother home now?”

“Yeah, he said they slept most of the way. He was laughing when he said it, but he thinks Call is enjoying that pain relief serum Master Wong gave him a little too much. Says he brags often that he’s the only US soldier ever shot with a crossbow while in battle.”

Lion smirked. “I’m glad the brave commander is finally embracing his battle scars.”

They’d received a celebration fit for kings at the Order’s mansion. The Elders were pleased with their success in taking down the rebellion and especially Pierce’s assistance in recovering seventy-five percent of the Order’s stolen money. The genius had worked many hours with the Order’s accountants. Hawk was received with honor as well. They’d heard stories of the blessed seer but never thought they’d lay their own wise eyes on him.

They celebrated for two more nights when the Elders and Grandmasters blessed Omega and Lion’s union. After all the praise, Omega didn’t think he’d ever live in the States again. This was his home.

Lion held Omega from behind while they stared out the large bay window in the kitchen of Lion’s spacious, two-story, elevated home. It was perfect. All open space, with skylights and dark-colored leather furniture draped in beautiful hand-made Persian throws. He breathed in deep, his eyes closing at the gust of cool air coming of the foothills of the Zagros Mountains. Omega could stare at this amazing view for hours while he drank his morning tea.

“Pierce and Hawk are staying with them until their new home is built in Suffolk, Virginia.”

“That’s good news. We’ll go visit whenever you want. I know how much you love your brother. I’d never keep you from him.” Lion bent his head and kissed Omega gently on his neck. He craned his head, silently asking for more.

“I’m good right here. Right where I belong.”

Lion smiled against the back of his partner’s head, and whispered to him in French, “You were insatiable last night.”

“Mmm hmm,” Omega purred turning into Lion’s bare arms. He squeezed those hard biceps, feeling like he might want to go one more round before they went to get dressed. Lion had on a pair of green silk pants that molded gorgeously over his luscious ass. Digging his hands in Lion’s hair, he pulled him down to his mouth. Lion gave Omega his tongue, let him suck it the same way he’d sucked his length last night. Smooth and easy.

Moaning and pulling back, Lion shook his head. “Not right now, Erik. I promised Esta I’d bring you into the market today. She’s had something she’s wanted to give you since she heard of our pairing.”

Esta was an older woman who had an embroidery shop in central Isfahan. She also cared for the young men of the Order when called upon. The woman could be trusted; otherwise, he’d never take Omega to her.

“A little tardiness won’t offend her,” Omega said, still tasting Lion’s lips.

“Actually, it will. I’ve been on the receiving end of her discipline too many times. We’re getting there on time, now move it.” Lion swatted Omega on his firm ass to get him going.

Oh, his wild cherished would keep him on his toes for the rest of his life.

Omega’s smile was mischievous, but he simply set his cup in the sink and picked a few pieces of kiwi off his almost empty plate before tossing that in as well.

“Sirs, will you need a ride over to the Order’s mansion this morning?”

“No, Navid, thank you,” Lion answered his squire in his native tongue. The young man didn’t live with him, he lived in the dorms within the Order. He’d come to trim Lion’s hair after breakfast, as he’d requested. Navid had many talents and the utmost discretion. Lion didn’t mind the young man grooming him; it was his job as his squire and student. “We’re going to Esta’s this morning.”

“Will you require my services any more today, Master?” he asked in Italian.

Lion looked at his student. “In French.”

Navid’s narrow face scrunched for a couple seconds, then translated the sentence perfectly.

“Well done. You’re dismissed for the day. Go on. Enjoy some time with your brothers. We’ll resume lessons tomorrow.”

Navid beamed under his praise. “Thank you, Master.”

Lion watched the young Crane cover his head before he darted out the door to join a couple of the other students that were waiting. They were the future of the Order, he had to train them well. Train them in the honorable teachings of Imuma Aga Kahn.

Lion turned and walked down the hall to go dress with his cherished. Knowing his sneaky serpent, he’d probably get jumped as soon as he stepped inside their bedroom.

The End

This concludes the Blue Moon series. Thank you so much for enjoying my fierce men as much as I enjoyed writing them.

A.E. Via is an author in the beautiful gay romance genre and also founder and owner of Via Star Wings Books. Her writing embodies everything from hopelessly romantic to spicy to scandalous. Her stories often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths.
When she's not clicking away at her laptop, she devotes herself to her family--a husband and four children.
Adrienne Via has tons of more stories to tell, but she really would like to hear yours. Via Star Wings Books is currently accepting submissions for established and aspiring LGBTQ authors. I've contracted and successfully published a couple authors - whose information can be found on my website - who can tell you that my passion is giving other writer's stories the love and care it deserves so it could be a gift to another. Visit my site to learn more! 
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Author A.E. Via