Brother Wolf

Chapter 21 Bowers

Maximus went all the way to the end of the hall this time. My view of this apartment took me by surprise. The one the girls occupied was furnished simply but furnished. This one was utterly bare.

"Omegas, " Maximus called out.

There was some noise from one of the bedrooms before two boys dressed in black sweat pants hurried out. A man wearing shorts followed them. All three of them gawked at me but still managed to lay down on their bellies in front of Maximus.

"Omegas, this is the king. Our pack is under his command. We also have other company. You will be responsible for serving them. Come."

Without another word, Maximus spun around and led the omegas out. The smaller omega boy snuck a glance my way and gave me a slight smile and wave before hurrying after his lord.

With a sigh, I followed behind them. I had asked Maximus to act like he usually did. I was surprised Maximus didn't tell the omegas about their dead leader. I guessed he didn't consider them important enough.

The young teen guards were lining the hall as we walked out. "The females will be joining us," Maximus informed Nathan.

"Yes, Alpha Maximus."

Ghan opened the girls' apartment door, but none of the guards stepped inside. Ghan and the other Alpha Guard took up positions by the door. I got a glimpse of Jasmine as I went by. The girl was on her knees, humbly waiting for her mistress. As much as I wanted to go in and pull her to her feet, I let it go for now. Changing these kids' mindset was going to take time, and the changes had to come from Maximus.

The three omegas scurried ahead. I increased my pace until I was next to Maximus, being careful not to pass him. Together we strode toward a little cafe area where Mac and Stan were sitting in a booth.

"Mac, " I called out, stopping when we got close enough, but still far enough away from Stan for some privacy.

The big man wiggled out of the booth and made his way over to me. I watched the omega man turn on the fryer while the boys began setting out plates and glasses on the work counter. Mac glanced at them before facing me.

"Jimbo mentioned the omegas are treated like slaves. How you plan on handling that?" Mac asked with the rise of an eyebrow, purposely not looking at Maximus, who was standing silently next to me.

"Carefully, and later, " I replied, "and with Maximus. He said we need to dig the grave, umm, personally, if you know what I mean?"

"Don't worry, " Mac said with a slight grin, lowering his voice, "we didn't install cameras, because, damn, if someone who shouldn't see, actually saw something... just sound, and just in the common area here. Oh, plus a few panic buttons. Ask Jimbo where they're at, " he added, not at all sheepish over his electronic invasion into Maximus's territory.

"I will, " I told him. "When we finish, we'll come back here. You'll wait for everyone to get up here, with Stan?"

"Yeah, I'll keep him out of yer hair, Brother."

"Thanks, Mac."

As Maximus and I strode off, Maximus leaned over a little and whispered, "What is a panic button, Brother?"

"If something bad happens," I told him, "and you need to call for help, you just push that button, and the call is made automatically. You don't need a phone, so even in wolf form, you could use it. It's a way to make sure you have help if you need it." I considered the situation here for a moment while Maximus processed that concept. "I think I would only tell your two alpha guards for now, and the other guards only if they choose to stay. I wouldn't tell all of your pack members."