Page 48 of The Beta's Bargain

Onyx

All right, so Dylan has just taken off like the hounds of hell are after him, and I have no idea why. All I know is I’m now in a hallway with three very large, furious alphas.

“What just happened?” Falcon barks.

“I don’t know,” I say through numb lips.

He reaches out and grabs my throat. I feel like a rag doll in his grip as he pushes me roughly up against the wall. There’s no way to avoid his gaze, so I meet it head on. I’m scared right now, terrified. Dylan’s not here to save me, and I’ve never been around an alpha this mad.

“What do you think just happened?”

I hesitate because I really don’t know if Dylan wants them or not. I’m guessing based on his reactions. “Falcon,” I plead, “I don’t know, but I can find out.”

Falcon leans closer and then pauses, his nostrils flaring as he inhales deeply. I tremble, my thoughts scattering to last night. His expression turns puzzled. He just studies me, and then abruptly, he lets go and steps back.

“Grayson, I think we need to have a conversation.”

“But Dylan-“

“Onyx can deal with him. You, Silas, and I need to have a conversation.”

I don’t miss the threat in those words. I peek up at Grayson and find him smirking. He winks in my direction and then shoos me away.

“Run, little beta.”

I don’t wait for a second invitation.

As I leave, I don’t quite run, but I do move quickly and keep moving until I’m at least three entire rooms away from them. Only then do I settle down enough to think logically. There are several places I can search for him, but it will take me all day. I hum as I walk towards the foyer. I spot the security desk and get an idea.

Simon warily watches me as I approach.

“Hello, sir. Um, so Falcon, well, Alpha Treyfield has instructed me to find Dylan, but he took off. It’s imperative that I find him quickly.”

Simon studies me in silence and then reaches for the phone. He presses a single button and then lifts the handle to his ear.

“Alpha Treyfield, yes. I have the beta here- Okay, sir. Yes, sir. I will, sir.”

Simon puts the handle down and studies me intently. “I’m to give you whatever help you want.”

I take a breath, trying to steady my nerves. I don’t think Simon is ever going to like me, but then again, I haven’t seen him like anyone. He doesn’t appear to have friends. With his slicked back black hair and his intense eyes, he comes across as cold and intimidating. “Can I please see the security feeds?”

“Come around this side of the desk then, Beta Davies.”

I wince at the verbal slap he’s just given me and creep around the desk while he instructs a man named Gavin to pull up the footage.

“There!” I point to a screen.

Gavin follows screen after screen until I know the direction and what area of the resort Dylan is hiding in.

“Thank you.” I say and rush out of the main building. The day is overcast and dark like a storm is coming. I don’t know why, but I don’t want him alone in this. I run through beautifully manicured lawns and the forest that surrounds the resort.

It takes me an hour, and just as I spot him, the heavens open, and thunder cracks across the sky. He huddles deeper, his arms tucked tightly around himself as he stares blindly at the ground in front of him.

I approach carefully. I can’t miss the scent of pain, even with my dulled senses.

“Hey,” I mumble. I don’t want to spook him.

He turns his head in my direction and then looks back at the dirt.

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