Page 99 of Omega's Virtue: Part One (The Hartwell Sisters Saga 2)
“She’s an Orley now,” I reminded him. “And soon I will be Lady Paxton.”
“Very well, but I take no responsibility for what happens to you when your mates learn what you’ve done.”
“Fear not. I’ll take their punishment. I am putting myself in danger,” I acknowledged. “Orley… I must do this. I feel it in my very being that the Goddess ordered things such that there was someone who could go save Hero. I will do that. Trust in the Goddess.”
“Get!” he barked in alpha frustration. “Wait. If they return first, I’ll assure them that you aren’t running away.”
His words should not be funny, but I couldn’t prevent a choked laugh. Running away? It was the last thing I wanted to do. I wanted to be in my nest with my mates. But a young woman was in danger, and my omega nature cried out for me to protect her, bring her home safe. Perhaps we alphas and omegas were not so different in our instinct to look after the ones we cared for.
We ran to the stable, and the grooms rushed to get a pair of horses ready.
I watched the chaos and my blood pounded as it must whenever I must ride a horse. I hated the creatures.
“Come back safe,” Orley ordered again. He watched me for a moment then turned back into the house to look after Vi. “May the Goddess’ blessing be with you.”
The horses were fresh, ready for a run, and I gave the gelding his head as we took off down the drive. Thankfully, my horse followed behind the groom with a steady stride so all I had to do was hold on tight. But a sliver of fear broke through my conviction and the stress of the moment took over. Tears began to stream down my face. My alphas would be terrified when they learnt I’d gone. If they learnt, I had to remind myself. Were my plan to succeed, if I was correct, then I’d be back before them. Who knew how long it would be before they realised that Stimpson had not taken Hero to Gretna Green?
The fields blurred together, and I could not know how anyone liked the country or riding animals who smelt and ran in a way that bumped and bounced you like nothing I could describe. I blamed Stimpson for this, and swore an oath to put a bullet through him for this indignity alone. We knew we were on their trail, for at the last toll the guard had informed us that yes, a carriage had passed through, and described exactly my poor Hero and the villain Stimpson. I’d cursed myself for a fool and not listening to Pax’s warning.
But the runaways had hours on us and so we pressed on.
The horses slowed as we entered some village that had a large posting house right on the green. Orley’s groom jumped down and spoke with the ostler. I shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position while the sun beat down, making me long for the nest I’d abandoned and the mates who had left on what I now knew to be a wild goose chase. I could not be angry with them. They had gone at my request, had gone to soothe my worries and concerns when Hero meant nothing to them.
“Are we on the right track?” I asked.
“Aye, m’lady… You should stay here. I asked and can get you a private room and carriage… You can send a note to their Graces. Much safer for you to return. Not safe for an omega…”
“No. I must be there. She needs a woman or omega with her,” I said firmly. In truth, the thought of cool room and rest called to me. I was still weak from my heat, and no doctor would approve of my hair-brained scheme. But… But Hero needed me. “I won’t abandon her.”
He pressed his lips together with a grim nod. “Drink some water at least. No good if you faint under this sun.”
I nodded but my stomach rebelled. “I’m ready to go on,” I told him.
“If you say so,” he gave me a distrustful shake of his head but otherwise did not argue.
When we arrived at the Red Dragon in Breakshead the first spark of hope filled my breast. A chase was in the yard, the horses being changed.
“Come, M’lady,” he said when he spotted the carriage. “They’re here. I recognise them horses as well as that scrap o’ wood he calls a carriage. Probably ‘summed it that they’d be sought towards Gretna. Youse canny m’lady to think of this.”
“It was your mistress.” I slid off my mount and stumbled, my legs giving way. I’d never ridden a horse for so long or so hard. The groom was more capable. Even as he steadied me, he shouted at a stablehand to water the beasts.
“Go in,” the groom urged. “I’ll be right behind ye’.”
His words gave me strength allowing me to burst into the coffee room. The publican stood there, a faint frown on his face, which cleared when he saw me.
“Where are they?” I panted.
“The private parlour in the back… I… The girl… but I did not know… There are couples enough who arrive after falling out on the journey…” He swallowed. I understood his wariness. Looking too close into the Quality’s business rarely ended well for betas who were not part of the aristocracy.
“Thank you,” I was already down the narrow hall he’d pointed to. Stimpson was a fool. He’d not locked the door and when I burst through, I was horrified by what I saw. Hero cowered behind a chair, a large brass candle holder in her hand, her face red and wet from tears.Why didn’t you scream?, I wanted to ask her. But equally was incredibly proud of her for defending herself for Stimpson pressed a handkerchief stained with blood to his forehead.
“Get away from her.” I shouted. Then, because I was no fool, I began to scream. “Someone! Come! Help! Help!”
The deadly silence that followed shook my confidence.
Stimpson, who’d tensed when I began to scream, relaxed and looked me up and down in a way that made my skin crawl.
“The Hartwell slut,” he sneered. “Spread your legs for any alpha will you… Did you come looking for a real alpha? Those fancy alphas didn’t knot you hard enough? You smell of your heat. What? Did you leave them because they did not satisfy you?”