Page 70 of The Beta: Part Three
“Reid. I don't see you.”
His hushed reply doesn't make me feel a drop better. “You're not supposed to.”
Then I have to watch in silent horror as Kaleb is swarmed. It isn't like the guys Devon's having to deal with, attacking in smaller waves. They all go at him at once. He did what he could to shoot them as he got clear shots, but there are too many. If they take him to the ground, he's done. Kaleb is throwing them off as quickly as he can, but it's becoming very obvious that there are just so many. This must have been what it was like when Devon was downed at the farmhouse. I should be able to hear gunshots and shouting, but I'm not registering anything but what I'm seeing on the monitor. There are too many. They're going to kill Kaleb.
“They're killing him.” My voice sounds too far away, but I can't be alone in this.
I watch him waste time tapping on the mic on his chest. “Don't watch, Talia.”
Then I scream.
Chapter twenty-nine
Reid
Talia's screaming is ringing in my ears and her complete despair is pouring down our bond. I don't see what she's seeing, but from my vantage point in this fucking tree I can barely make out Kaleb's foot sticking out from under the men attacking him. They were smart. None of us expected anybody to come through miles of country scrub, fields, then woods.
My original goal when I climbed this tree was to watch Pratchett, because fuck Jonas Pratchett. But then he consistently did what he said he was going to do and has done a damn good job helping our defense, so I've been watching him less and putting my effort into shooting people. Between the two of us we've significantly lessened the number that Alex is dealing with. Now Kaleb has fallen and Talia's grief is overwhelming and instant. I feel a similar pull from Jasper, but he isn't watching it in real time the way she is on the monitor.
“Please. Go help him,” she's quiet. All terror, sorrow, and shock. “Go help him. Trent. Please. They're killing him.”
They certainly seem to be trying to. Oddly, Kaleb hasn't been shot. That's what they should be doing. That's what I would have done. I would have immediately shot him in the head the moment he was taken to the ground. But they haven't. What could possibly be the purpose? They can't want to take him again. Then realization dawns. Leverage. They're going to use Kaleb, and Devon from the looks of it, to lure Talia outside. Omegas have been known to go to extremes when their pack members are in danger or hurt, and Kaleb is both. These intruders must be counting on Talia's instincts to go to her alphas aid.
“Talia. I need you to listen to me right now. Stay where you are. I've got eyes on Kaleb. They aren't going to kill him. Stay where you are.” I already know she's not going to do what I say.
“They are. They're killing him. Trent, Nathan. Go get him. Please.Please.”
“Stay put, honey. Reid's got him.” Trent drawls through the earpiece.
“If you don't save Kaleb I will never forgive you. None of you. There are too many. Please go help him. There are too many.” I hear clicks and jostling. Everyone hears it. Then I hear a door opening, and Jasper giving calm orders.
“Sit down, Talia. Not one toe. Just like I said. Reid is telling you he's got Kaleb, and he does. He's saying it for a reason. Alex is closing in, too. Didn't you hear? Look at me. Did you hear Alex say he was almost to Kaleb?”
“No.”
“I'm almost there, sweet pea. Watch the trees.” The strain in Alex's voice is enough to make my own throat tight.
Alex bursts through the treeline a few feet from the terrace, with Pratchett's guys right behind him, just as the sound of shattering glass comes across.
“Jasper.” That's all Corso says.
“Do not leave this room unless one of us opens that door. Clear?” Even distorted by the earpiece I can hear Jasper's command. He might as well be an alpha in this moment. “Talia. Answer.”
“Okay.”
“It's going to be alright. Look at the screens. We're winning.” Then I hear the door shut again.
Alex and Pratchett’s team are working through the ones surrounding and pinning Kaleb down, but something is happening on the other side of the manor. I look through the scope just in time to see four big alphas and two betas close in on Devon. He's slow now, showing true fatigue. After several waves of betas, he's exhausted. He won't make it through this round without help, but the help is on the other side of the manor. And whatever happened to break the glass has to be on the back side because I can't see anything from here.
There's movement on the roof of the porch. It's Pratchett. He's shimmying down the goddamned lattice that was supposed to have been taken down weeks ago. I should have let Alex build the fucking moat. Pratchett drops to his feet and pulls a handgun as he rounds the corner toward Devon.
“Devon. Pratchett is coming around the corner.” Talia sounds a little more solid.
“Betas in the house. First floor. A lot, lost count,” Trent whispers. Damn. Why so many? There are only seven of us, plus two omegas. Granted, we're not doing too badly; but we've had help. Why send this many? We called for COT back up over an hour and a half ago. They should have already been here. With even one additional COT we'd be alright. There's no good reason for them to be taking so long to get here. This is the home of a future councilman and the pregnant daughter of two sitting councilmen. The place should be swarming with COT units by now.
I can hear the shooting that must be taking place inside the manor, but I can't tell what's actually happening with it being so dark inside. There's nothing I can do about that. Alex has tipped the picnic table on its side and dragged Kaleb behind it; now he and the men following him are filing inside the French doors. How did we not realize this place was such a disaster to defend? French doors made mostly of glass and without bars or even a deadbolt. They're gone now, busted in. And I will dig the moat myself.
“Stairs,” Nathan barks, then more shooting. “Corso.”
