Page 89 of Consider The Lilies

“Don’t fucking move!” Lappen screams, pulling a switchblade out of his pocket. He flips it open, pressing it against my omega’s throat. “Don’t do anything stupid, Bear.” Blood pours from his nose, rolling down his fat chin. “I’m not here to hurt your omega.”

My body jerks, desperate to rush him, but Lappen pushes the blade against Stefan’s neck, and the omega hisses.

“I only want to talk to Stanley.” Lappen inches his way to the edge of the porch, pulling Stefan with him.

“He’s going to kill you if you don’t let me go.” Stefan's voice is shockingly calm.

“Shut the fuck up!” Lappen shoves his hand into my omega’s hair, jerking his head back.

“Don’t touch him!” I bark, rage pumping hard in my veins.

Lappen’s eyes go wide. “Holy shit!” He lets out one sharp laugh. “He speaks!” He cackles again. “I didn’t think you knew how.”

Footsteps move over shattered glass, and I turn right as Jack and Yuki step onto the porch. I didn’t even realize the glass on the door had broken. Jack’s hard gaze lands on Lappen, and he immediately starts ripping his jacket off, flinging it away.

“You really are one dumb fuck. Aren’t you?” Jack snarls.

“Don’t!” Lappen snaps at Yuki. The she-alpha stops in her tracks. She was circling him, edging her way around the porch to him. “Don’t make me do something you’ll regret.” He jerks his arm, and Stefan flinches.

Jack lets out a rolling growl as he removes his tie then drops it.

“I’m only here to talk,” Lappen repeats himself. But we’re way past talking. Right now, I just want to see how many shades of red he will bleed.

“You know,” Jack lets out a bitter laugh, cuffing his sleeves up to his elbows, “I’m really going to enjoy killing you.”

“You owe me an apology!” Lappen screams, and Stefan squeezes his eyes shut tight.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Yuki says flatly. “An apology for what?”

“There used to be an understanding between men like us,” Lappen snarls at Jack. “Alphas in power showed each otherrespect, honoring one another's territory. But you’re barreling through, acting like you’re the only big dick in this game!”

Jack curls his fists, angling his upper body, ready to fight. “If you have something to say, I recommend saying it now while you can still form words.”

More boots crunch over the glass. Darius and Rossi move onto the porch, coming to a stop next to Jack. Darius nods once at Jack, and I ready myself to snatch Stefan.

“Let's be honest.” Jack glares at Lappen. “If these are going to be your last moments on earth, the least we can do is tell the truth.”

Lappen backs up, pulling Stefan right to the edge of the porch. The drop isn’t terrible—only a few feet—but I’m terrified of the damage the knife pressed to his neck might do if he slips.

“You didn’t come here to talk,” Jack says. “I think you came here to distract me.”

Lappen’s wide eyes dart between Jack and Darius. We can all see the panic starting to set in. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the fat alpha snarls.

Rossi snorts, crossing his arms. “If you’re going to overthrow an empire, you should probably bring more than a dozen men and a couple of boxes of ammo.” He glances at Jack. “You should have brought a fucking army.

“You are making shit up.” Lappen’s voice pitches high. “I simply brought some backup. Any other alpha would do the same!”

“I have to admire your initiative, Andrew,” Jack says. “I like that you wanted to cut all the shit and fight it out right here in my own home. But it was also pretty fucking stupid.”

Yuki and I both take a step forward at the same time, our instincts completely in tune with our leader.

“Back off!” Lappen screams as real fear takes hold. “You are going to show me the respect I deserve and let me leave. I’mgoing to walk right out that front fucking door! I am going to leave!”

A booming laugh jumps from Jack's chest, then he shakes his head. “No. I’m not doing any of that.”

“Are you sure you want to risk his fucking life?” Lappen jerks his arm again, but this time, Stefan yips, and a drop of blood trickles down his neck.

Every alpha on this porch sucks in a sharp breath then snarls long and loud. Stefan’s whole body shakes, followed by the softest hint of sweetness. I tense, immediately recognizing the scent.Slick. It’s been obvious for days now that he’s on the verge of starting his heat.And this has to be the worst fucking time.

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