His Dominant Omega Jarrett, J. (ebook reader with highlighter .txt) 📖

“Father, stay put.” Cole laid his father’s head back on the ground. He pulled off his shirt and laid it under his head. “I need to help my mate.” Cole didn’t wait for his father to comment before shifting into his wolf and charging the alpha.

Drake yelped and released Josef from his meaty jaws when Cole hit his side. The alpha tried to turn around and catch Cole with his teeth, but Cole was faster. He bit down into Drake’s back leg right around the thigh and pulled. Skin and muscle ripped from the alpha’s body, and the man howled in pain, but Cole didn’t stop. He spat out the chunk he tore from the man’s body and went back for seconds, being sure to stay clear of the alpha’s mouth.

He struck again and again going around in circles with Drake. The alpha faked left and went right and spun on Cole quicker than Cole would have imagined with all the bite wounds. Drake bared his teeth and growled. The man walked slowly toward the left, and Cole countered his movement, going right. They walked in a circle, snarling and snapping at one another.

Cole knew the instant the alpha was about to break free and charge. His right paw scratched at the ground as if he were getting a running start. Cole’s body tensed for a split second before he charged forward, beating Drake to the punch. The distance between them grew shorter, and he was just about to be nose to nose with Drake when shots rang out.

“No!” his father shouted as he knocked Cole to the ground. He lay trapped under his father’s heavy weight.

“Caleb, hold your fire.”

Cole could hear shouting and more gunfire, but he couldn’t follow along. He managed to wiggle out from under his father and shifted.

“Oh, God no. Dad!” Cole cried as he pushed his hands to the sopping-wet wound in his chest.

His father’s eyes blinked open. “I can’t remember the last time you called me dad.”

Cole let out a short laugh. “It’s been awhile.” Tears burned his eyes, and he couldn’t stop them from running down his cheeks.

“Well, I’d venture to say that was due more to my fault than your own.” His dad coughed, and it sounded wet, as if he were fighting for every breath. “Did I hear you say mate earlier? When did this happen?”

Cole smiled through his tears. “Yeah, Josef, we met when he hired me for a job.”

His father struggled for his next breath, but Cole could see the old man grinning up at him. “Congratulations, Son.”

“Thanks,” Cole whispered. His throat ached from holding back his sobs.

“Father.” Josh’s voice broke through the quiet bubble Cole felt like he was sitting in. His brother rushed toward them, and Josh slid in on his knees, getting to their father. Jake followed suit and knelt next to Josh. “It’s going to be okay, Father,” Josh said as he clamped his hands over Cole’s where they rested on their father’s chest.

“Son, it’s okay.” His father reached up to rest a hand on Josh’s arm. “I want you boys to know…” His words trailed off as a bout of coughing took over. Blood dribbled out the corner of his mouth, and Cole knew it was bad. “I want you to know that I love you all. I won’t lie. I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but my love never faltered.”

“We love you, too, Dad,” Cole said.

His father turned to look at him. “Don’t make the mistakes I did. Loss is a part of life, but you can’t let it consume you. I want you boys to be happy.”

“We are, Father, we are,” Jake said through his tears.

“Did you boys know your brother has a mate? A man named Josef.”

“Yes, Father, we know. Josef and his pack are the ones who came to help rescue you,” Josh offered. “He’s a good man, Father. You’d be proud.”

“I am proud of all three of you. Don’t ever forget that.” His father’s voice started to falter, and his skin became pale. “I love you.”

Cole watched as his father’s eyes fell shut and his chest ceased to move up and down. He shook his father’s shoulder. “Dad.” He shook again. “Dad!” he screamed. “No, no, no.” It wasn’t fair to lose his father now. This could have been their new beginning, but it was gone and for what?

“Cole.” Someone pulled at his shoulders. “Cole!”

“What?” He looked over his shoulder to see Josef. His skin was ashy, and he had a hand held to his neck. Cole could see the drying blood on his skin.

“He’s gone, baby,” Josef said softly and with compassion in his eyes.

Cole looked back down to his father, and he lost his grip on his emotions. He cried and cried. Tremors raked through his body for a man he barely knew but still was one of the most important people in his life.

He could faintly hear his brothers’ sobs over his own, and time seemed to stop. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t seeing. He couldn’t feel anything. It was as if his body didn’t belong to him anymore. He was beyond thankful his mate was okay, but it didn’t replace the pain of losing his only living parent.

Chapter Fifteen

Viktor went back for their SUV and drove it up the driveway of Alpha Drake’s house. Josef, with the help of Viktor and Shane, got Cole and his brothers into the backseat. They all looked to be in shock. Once he had Cole in the back seat, he kissed him gently on the lips then shut the door.

Josef spun on his heel and marched toward where