Blue Moon III: Call of the Alpha (9 page)

Lion’s breathing had elevated, but no one on the outside looking in could tell. His expression was indifferent, his posture revealing nothing. But his body was responding to the notorious assassin. He’d had no clue he looked like this. Lion was able to control his large body rather easily, especially when he was at ease. He wasn’t in attack mode – for whatever reason, he felt comfortable here. He, of course, didn’t pick up any malice or deceit from Alpha; he was the honorable one for a reason. Omega was loyal to his brother, so no threat there. And Call, the commander, there was no better cherished one for Alpha. Moral to a fault. Here in this foreign country, he’d been welcomed in by men who served another law made by a different chief; but they all fought and stood for the same thing… for right.

Steel-gray eyes sliced up Lion’s tall frame until blown pupils settled on his mouth and continued slowly up to his own golden glare.
Striking
. Omega’s raw, rugged beauty was beyond words. Burning in those mysteriously gray eyes, he saw Omega’s passion, his fire, aggression, and a subtle taste of the man’s defiance that was erotic on Lion’s tongue. Omega dropped his gaze as if he knew he was giving too much away. Lion was sure he’d seen all those powerful emotions swimming in those icy eyes, he was also sure he’d caught the regret of Omega’s captivity. He was a caged beast. His knowledge and skills trapped here in a world that didn’t understand his ways or his beliefs.

If only.

Lion shook off those thoughts and preceded Omega through Hawk and Pierce’s living room, under the open glass ceiling and into the main foyer. He was sure that Alpha and Call were going to take their time walking back, so it seemed like a good time to build some rapport with his new comrade.

Lion unwrapped the dark, silky fabric around his neck and draped it over his head. He walked out the front door and headed in the opposite direction of the path to the car. It wasn’t as broken-in as the main trail, but he made no sound as he stepped over soft earth and vegetation, and neither did the man behind him. It was an overcast day and the sky was a drab-tinged grayish color with smudges of blackness from storm clouds. He peered up when he heard the call of a hawk over their heads before it swept up high into the air, disappearing from his line of sight.

“Not interested in a hike, Lion,” Omega called to him in Persian, he sounded a little ways back, meaning he must’ve stopped several steps ago. There was a flat clearing up ahead, where the canopy of trees opened to the sad sky. Lion eased down to the ground and effortlessly folded his legs beneath him. He let his chin rest on his chest until Omega reached him. When he looked up, Omega was pushing his hood back from his eyes and lowering himself a few feet from where he sat.

“The skies are so angry here. Like the gods are displeased.”

“This land is vast and has many skies. I’ve seen the skies so clear and the waters so calm that the reflection looks like two skies. Maybe our skies are unwelcoming because the gods are displeased with this mission.” 

Lion narrowed his eyes. “Where is your home, Erik?”

Omega’s head snapped from the clouds and leveled on him. It looked like he’d read right through Lion’s question. He was asking if he still felt a loyalty to the Order, was Iran still his home? With everything that was going on within their precious Order, that was an important question which Lion needed the beautiful killer to answer. He needed to know he wasn’t fighting for nothing. His name meant triumphant, he was confident in his fight, but in this… he didn’t want to fight alone.

According to their conversation, who knew how deep the treachery went within the clan. How many were involved? They could really be up against an army. It made sense to involve the commander and his military comrades. Assassins were used to focusing on one target. Eliminating one imposing threat at a time. Military men took out more than one rebel militant at once. Scores at a time. This might just be what was required. It was going to be a journey, an experience he’d never forget. Fighting side-by-side with the beginning and the end – with Alpha and Omega. Collaborating an effort with the legendary Gira-blessed seer of the Brazilian Pomba tribe. Hawk was well known throughout his Order. It’d been centuries since the spirts deemed a man worthy enough to be blessed with sight and perception.

“Home?” Omega looked at him like he’d asked a stupid question.

Lion rose to his feet, knowing Omega would immediately follow. “Home. The place where you feel the safest. Where everything in the world feels good and right. Where you’re at peace, Eriktor.” Lion had inched as close as he dared. It looked like Omega was picturing a place. An image that brought a slight smile to his full lips. Lion took that very brief moment and snapped a mental image for himself to look at later. Lion brought his hand up, wanting to touch Omega’s flushed cheek, but his wrist was grasped in a lighting fast grip. He let Omega spin him and push him hard against the thick base of the tree behind him.

There were at least five ways he could’ve countered those moves but Omega wasn’t his enemy and wasting his skills on anything else was silly to him. He didn’t mind seeing what Omega could do. What was his technique? Spinning him and attacking him from behind was expected. The man was known for taking up the rear and his brother attacking from the front. The hold on his wrist was tight but not doing any damage, neither was the thumb pressed slightly on the pressure point at his wrist. Lion wanted to laugh. Did Omega think he was teaching him a lesson?

“I have no home,” Omega said quietly, regretfully. There was the unmistakable sound of pain, too. His voice sounded like an erotic angel, but the words were not heavenly. “I don’t need a
place
to make me feel safe.
I
make me feel safe. No place can do that.”

Lion twisted his wrist, ignoring the quick shot of pain it caused, wrenching out of Omega’s hold. He was fast when he locked Omega’s other arm and tucked it until he’d immobilized both his hands. Lion reversed their positions, keeping a rein on Omega’s speedy legs. One of those kicks to his shin could cause him to stumble. Lion didn’t know what Omega’s expert fighting style was – not all of them had one – but he had an idea what it was and a feeling that he’d soon find out. Lion executed his move in less than two seconds. Omega was stunned enough to stop struggling. The proximity of their bodies enough to make him pause.

Looking down, Lion bowed his head and inhaled Omega’s hair. He’d wondered where that tantalizing fragrance was coming from. So clean and invigorating. It wasn’t until he was up on the man did he notice it was simply him. The soft, dark strands tickled his nostrils. It was a gutsy move. A strategic thrust upwards and Omega could shove Lion’s own teeth into his face. But he was pretty confident the man wouldn’t do that.

Keeping Omega’s arms tucked into his chest, Lion released them and threw his arms around Omega’s back, holding him tight to him to eliminate any more attacks. “I think you do know a place like that.” Lion spoke against Omega’s temple. He felt him turn into his touch before Omega checked himself and inched backwards.

“Keep your distance, Firuz. My brother wears his heart on his sleeve. I’m not so easily fooled and not interested in falling in love.”

“As long as you can still recognize it. There’s hope, Erik.” Lion regrettably released Omega and watched him disappear into the dense trees.

ἈΙ

Alpha

“Thought you might want to see that.” Alpha didn’t turn at the sound of Hawk’s voice as he continued to look out the window from the third story balcony behind the house. He had to use Hawk’s mini scope since his brother and Lion were at least a couple hundred yards away and pretty well shielded by the thick bushes.

Hawk pointed to the large bird flying above Omega’s position. Nothing moved in those woods without his knowledge. “I wasn’t trying to spy. I simply saw he’d walked off in the opposite direction alone with your brother. I don’t know this Lion. I don’t see much from him.”

“It’s what you
don’t
see that keeps me progressing, seer.” Alpha’s voice was gravely in the darkness of the night.

“No, Alpha. I don’t see deception in him.”

“Omega can take care of himself.” Alpha put the scope down when he saw his brother relish Lion’s touch for a second before he pulled back. He handed the device to Hawk and went back inside the opened patio door. “Good night.”

It was getting late. Hawk had snagged Alpha as soon as they’d returned, before he could even make it to his room with their bags. Watching Omega and Lion felt like an invasion of privacy. He hated that he’d witnessed the moment, but he understood Hawk’s caution.

Their dinner of roasted lamb and vegetables had been quiet, the small talk was kept to a minimum, all of them with something important on their minds. They had one day until Viper got there. They’d go over their mission a couple more times, have one last night of rest and reflection before they’d take a private jet to a secluded airstrip in Tehran.

Alpha went down a level to his assigned guest room at the end of the hallway. The door was cracked and he could hear the shower going in the bathroom. He thought of checking on his brother before Call finished with his shower. There was something there between his brother and Lion, he didn’t know if it was a growing respectful friendship or more.

Alpha eased back out of the bedroom and closed the door behind him. Lion’s room was next to his, he stopped briefly by his door but didn’t hear a sound. Tightening his cloak, he lightened his steps as he made his way to the room Omega had been given on the first floor. He tapped lightly on the door and heard his brother’s quiet, “Come in, Daskshaun,” before easing himself inside.

“I figured you’d be here at some point tonight.” Omega was rotating, doing one-armed pushups on the hardwood floor. God only knew what number he was on, but he wasn’t breathless. He had on his loose, black cotton pants and no shirt, letting the sweat pour from his body, landing on the towel stretched out under him. His perspiration was the only sign he’d been doing this for a while.

“
Veux-tu en parler, mon frère?
” Alpha asked.

“No. I don’t want to talk about it, brother. There’s nothing to talk about,” Omega answered in English. He was definitely upset. Alpha dropped the French and talked in English.

“He seems intense. Focused… on you.”

“I wonder why that is?” Omega switched arms, still not making eye contact.

“A man gets to a certain point in his life and he starts to question what he’s done to make a difference. Whose life he has affected.” Alpha looked out the window at the darkness of the wilderness as he spoke. Speaking from experience. “Either good or bad. Maybe Lion’s still looking to affect someone’s life… in a good way.”

“He’s not out of the Order. He still works.”

“I know,” Alpha responded quietly.

Omega stopped exercising and sat up. His stomach muscles clenched tight. “What are you saying? And no riddles.”

Alpha turned and looked at the man who had been the most important to him in the world until he fell in love with Call. He and his brother had reigned for many years, but their time was over. It was time for Omega to complete his own destiny. “I’m saying. That maybe I’ve been insisting you continue to follow me when it’s no longer necessary. You need to find your own path. But understand. Not all paths were meant to be walked alone.”

Omega didn’t say anything else, just watched Alpha turn and leave. He hoped he’d helped his brother understand. Understand it was alright to not want to be alone.

“I was wondering what happened to you. Thought I’d be sleeping alone tonight.” Call was leaning against the tall headboard with a new autobiography in his lap. His reading glasses were low on his nose and Alpha thought he looked so mature and delicious.

Alpha sighed and looked at his cherished. He was so in love. His focus in life was John Marion. Even their plans to infiltrate the Order weren’t as invasive as they could’ve been. They needed to be careful. Each of them had too much to live for.

Things were about to change drastically. He was going back into the field, his sacred Order was under attack, and now his brother may have found a new companion. One that could give him what he needed. Omega still had a need to fight for justice. Alpha couldn’t continue to have it all. His partner and his brother right there by his side always. That wasn’t fair to Omega. He was still being called on to serve. Alpha couldn’t stand in the way of that. As long as his brother fought for the good and for the Order, then he would have his blessing. His brother was more than capable and Alpha trusted him to stay alive. But with Lion by his side. Alpha had a feeling he would have no need to worry. 

Alpha removed his cloak and stepped swiftly out of his undergarments, turned off the light on the nightstand closest to his side and smoothly eased his body into the soft sheets. He let out a soothing sigh that made Call put down his book and remove his glasses.

“Something wrong, Daskshaun?”

“No.” Alpha’s voice was deep and serious. He climbed on top of Call’s thick body and reached up to turn off the lamp next to him, plunging them into darkness with a shimmering spotlight shining on them provided by the brilliance of the moon directly above their heads. It was amazing. Almost the entire domed ceiling was made of skylight panels.