Page 3 of The Vampire’s Omega

Giving the man attention was a dangerous thing to do, but he couldn't stop stealing glances at him. He was tall and broad, even broader than their Alpha, and he was a very big man. Vampire guards were ominous creatures, and this one was capturing Ben’s attention in a way no one ever had.

James was physically attractive, but he did not exude the power and control that this man did with just a glance around the room. James pretended to care for him but never in public, only in the shadows, and his time of caring had decayed into some twisted humiliation game. He made him watch, and he made him come to these functions and stand back as he carried on with a series of young men. He wanted to leave so badly.

Now he looked at the vampire standing off to his left, so flawless and complete in that masculine way that makes your knees weak. His heart had never acted like this for another. His instincts began to tell him things inconvenient things that had the potential of tearing his stilted, uncomfortable world apart.

The vampire was ignoring him, or he never really noticed him to begin with. He wasn't feeling what Ben was feeling; his cold, flat expression showed nothing but a focus on the people he was there to protect. He wouldn't know the truth he would probably never know the truth.

Ben had used a scent blocker that morning so that he would be prepared to disappear into the woodwork this evening. He couldn’t let his scent of despair and dejection circulate such a room. James enjoyed those scents and often luxuriated in them it gave him a sense of control and authority over everything, even Ben's emotions. He hated James; he fucking hated him.

The companion, Caleb, was just the latest in James' harem he never tired of breaking in a fresh new omega. He promised the moon and delivered nothing but time wasted. He ventured another look over at the handsome vampire; he was solid and silent, with eyes straight ahead. Ben was pushing down the heartbreak that was threatening to take him. He could not show anything here he would cry later and lament the loss of his only escape.

He’d dreamed of his Fated mate finding him and being taken away, but that was now clearly an impossibility. The vampire, even if he did scent him, would not act on it. He would not accept a shifter as his Fated mate, a lowly omega who didn't even have the power to shift.

This magnificent man was from the Rose Coven, ruled by Master Conall Rose. That Coven controlled the city, and he doubted there was room for a defective omega wolf among their number. The thought brought a sad smile to his face, feeling absurd for even considering the possibility.

James and Caleb were making the final rounds before leaving, but he seemed to be drawing it out, taking much longer than necessary. James didn't usually stay late at these functions, but he was probably enjoying Ben’s discomfort too much to leave any earlier. Ben noticed that the people from the Rose Coven were already leaving, and as they headed toward the door, the vampire guard stepped forward and joined them.

Ben forced himself to not stare, but he desperately wanted to make eye contact with the vampire. It would do no good, so why torture himself? He felt them walk past, and then he felt the guard walk past. He kept his eyes on the man's highly polished shoes and held his breath.

The moment went by too quickly, and now he would never know the man’s name, and they would most likely never cross paths again. A coldness settled in his heart, and he leaned his back against the wall to steady himself. He couldn’t stop the sadness and grief that briefly touched his expression.

His mate had been within a few feet of him, and he could do nothing about it. His blockers would have prevented the vampire from recognizing him, but regardless, vampires and wolves do not bond. It didn't matter; nothing mattered, and still his heart sank in his chest, heavy and barren.

The loss was devastating, and yet he could not let anything show. If James got even a hint of what he was feeling, he would make Ben's life a nightmare. He looked out across the ballroom and focused on James and Caleb and schooled his features; he let nothing show.

***

Gabriel walked past Ben and looked over at him, but the omega was staring at the floor. The man’s heartbeat began to race, and his breathing was ragged, although shallow, indicating that Gabriel's presence was affecting him. Whether he knew Gabriel was his mate or not, he felt something, and Gabriel found that fact very pleasing.

He drove Victor and Jaden back to the coven house and then went up to his quarters to review the information IT had sent to him. He poured himself a whiskey first and just stood staring out the small window off his living room and processed the fact that he had found his beloved.

The banquet had been torture, having to ignore and separate his thoughts and feelings, keeping the wave of excitement tamped down in order to carry out his duty as personal guard to the Second and his beloved. The excitement he had contained was now coursing through him, and the desire to track down the little omega and claim him was taking over.

He pulled up the information IT had sent him; it listed his name, Ben Dalton, and his pack affiliation, Garmr Pack, located in the Rochester subdivision. He is listed as an unbonded omega serving in the Alpha's house as support staff. They dug a little deeper, giving him some personal insight.

Ben was listed as belonging to James Fowl Pack Beta, but that classification was removed last year, and he was listed as simply unbonded. He wasn't sure how he felt about that, apart from being pleased that James had released him; otherwise, Gabriel would have had to kill the Garmr Pack Beta.

Ben belonged to him and no other, and soon everyone would be aware of that fact. It also made it even more strange that James had brought him to the banquet and left him standing all alone for the entire evening.

There was a sharp knock at his door, and then Daley entered, calling out to him. "How was the banquet?" He then added. "The game ended early, sorry to say. There was a rowdy crowd, and the Blood Rose needed some added bouncers. They also needed people to patrol the waterfront; there was information that humans were planning a theft.”

“Which assignment did you take, the Blood Rose or the waterfront with humans?” Gabriel asked as he poured his friend a whiskey and handed it to him. They sat together in the living room.

"I went to the waterfront. The Blood Rose is a little too posh for me, and I’m not great around large groups of people in a social setting, as you know." Gabriel laughed.

“You’re just a little rough around the edges; nothing a little etiquette training wouldn't cure.”

"I prefer clean combat, a battle where everyone knows the score, not a social engagement that requires sensitivity and understanding." Daley defended.

"You're good," Gabriel said. "Not everyone is built for socializing."

"So how was the banquet?" Daley repeated. Gabriel looked at him silently, staring for several seconds before responding. Daley sat up and placed his drink on the table, sensing something important.

"I found my beloved." He stated and held Daley's gaze. He was silent for just a beat, and then a smile spread across his face, and then that was followed by a frown.

"Why are you here?" He asked, drawing his brows together. "Why aren't you with your beloved?"

Gabriel gave him the whole story and shared what the IT department had given him. "I couldn't do anything there in the ballroom. I had a duty, and I think he was there with a purpose as well."