Gray (The Boundarylands #10) - Callie Rhodes Page 0,27

been a tragedy. That bastard Sloan had deserved his fate, and it would be hard to find an alpha brother here in the uplands who grieved his death. Still, there was no doubt that if Sloan hadn't snatched himself an omega, he would still be alive and kicking today.

That sort of story was the reason that Gray had decided years ago to content himself with occasionally hiring a whore, and fulfilling his need for conversation and companionship with twice-weekly trips to the roadhouse. Over the years, as he became a mentor and then a leader, Gray had never craved anything more.

Fate evidently had other ideas, however—and a fucked-up sense of humor. Why else would an omega even now be crumpled up on the floor of his cabin like a used rag? Hell, if he didn't do something, Gray had no doubt she'd spend the night there since she seemed too exhausted to move.

Gray may not have wanted his own omega, but that didn't mean he was about to let her sleep like a dog in front of the fireplace.

He pulled her into his arms and got to his feet.

"What are you doing?" she slurred, barely able to keep her eyes open. Gray could tell she wanted to fight him, but she didn't have the energy.

"I'm taking you to bed."

At that, she tried resisting but ended up lolling in his arms more like wounded prey rather than the tiger that had scratched at him tooth and claw earlier.

"Please, not that," she said. "I don't have the energy right now. I can't—"

"Calm down," he cut her off irritably, masking the feelings stirred by her husky voice. "I'm taking you to my bed so you can get some rest."

"Oh." She snuggled her head against his chest in a move so submissive and tender that Gray was certain she wasn't aware of it. "Then, I guess that's okay."

This omega was an odd one. Gray could never be sure what would come out of her mouth or what her next move might be. There would never be a dull moment with her, that was for sure.

Gray laid Olivia gently on his bed, and she immediately rolled onto her side, curling up into a ball. Her breathing was sure and steady. His omega was already asleep.

Gray went to the closet for another blanket to wrap around her. He gently tucked it against her slim outline and was turning toward the door when she stirred.

"Where are you going?" she asked sleepily.

Gray paused to consider the question. If this was an ordinary night, he'd already be headed down to the roadhouse. A few of his brothers were probably already lined up at the bar, waiting to talk to him about one problem or another. Soon the place would be filled with conversation and music from the jukebox.

But the thought of climbing into his truck and driving away from Olivia raised the hairs on the back of his neck.

He didn't want to leave her.

Gray tried to reason away his reaction. Surely he wasn't already growing attached to her. There had to be something else going on. Like…worrying about the betas who had studied his schedule and were no doubt expecting him to leave.

If they came, whether planning to salvage their equipment or dig up a dead body, they'd find Olivia sleeping in his bed instead…very much alive and unguarded.

Gray's mouth went dry as he considered what they might do then. Implant another chip in her arm? Take her back with them to perform experiments on her?

No fucking way.

The roadhouse and his brothers could damn well do without him for one night. Gray had property to protect.

"I'm not going anywhere," he told Olivia. "Just out to the porch to keep watch. You can relax and sleep tight. I'll make sure you stay safe."

Chapter Eleven

Satisfied that Olivia was sound asleep again, Gray settled into one of the twin wooden chairs on his porch to wait out the night. Hour after hour ticked by with no strange sounds or signs of life coming from the surrounding forest.

On the rare occasions that Gray found himself up this late, he would be looking forward to watching the sun rise over the peaks in the distance. But tonight he was too distracted and tense. All he wanted was for the night to be over.

Dawn was still an hour or two away when Gray heard the tires spinning up gravel as it turned onto the private road that led to his house. It didn't take long