Tamed by His Omega

by Marie Medina

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2019 Marie Medina

  ISBN: 978-0-3695-0033-5

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To DV

  TAMED BY HIS OMEGA

  Wolves in the Fae Court, 4

  Marie Medina

  Copyright © 2019

  Chapter One

  Ryden stood alone on the edge of the patio at the royal wedding reception, glad no one approached him. His gaze wandered before settling on the fae king and the shifter he had just married. They were so wrapped up in each other Ryden found himself playing a little game in his head. He looked around at the other party guests milling about the patio and imagined ways they could assassinate the royal couple.

  The woman in blue could easily have poisoned their wine. That young man to their left could pull a knife on either of them. Any one of the men on the upper balconies could hit them both with arrows. Almost anyone could kill them both with a handgun, especially as the guards didn’t seem to be checking for those sorts of weapons.

  He frowned as he stepped forward to one of the many refreshment tables and poured himself a goblet of wine. He had nothing against the king or anyone here, but he did see why the elders of his clan, the Sons of Fenrir, were concerned. The fae court would never last at this rate. He eyed all of the guards. At least they weren’t drinking or participating in the festivities. His gaze went back to Asmund and Vadik, and his throat constricted unexpectedly as he watched them kiss.

  At least they’re happy.

  He pulled his gaze away as moved toward the edge of the crowd again and sipped his wine slowly. Corren and Kiran, the other two delegates sent by the Sons of Fenrir, would be falling down drunk before the sun even set. They’d had ale with their breakfast and whiskey right before the midday ceremony, which Kiran had come close to sleeping through. Though he could never tell the two of them, Ryden had actually been sent by their clan leader to keep an eye on them. When their elders had decided someone needed to be at this royal wedding, the two men had insisted it be them. There had been so little interest in coming that no one else had put themselves forward. Corren and Kiran were descended from a much-revered clan leader, and they took great pride in that fact, even though their line had done little of importance since those days, hundreds of years ago.

  Ryden watched the two flirting shamelessly with the women. He couldn’t blame them, though. The women here were certainly among the most beautiful he’d ever seen. He smiled to himself because he knew both men would underestimate the women’s powers. They’d sober up quickly enough if they got too frisky with any unwilling fae.

  Ryden sensed he was being watched, and he turned to find a young man staring at him. He wore a gray suit, cut in distinctly human fashion, which meant he had to be one of the wolf shifters. Ryden gave a quick nod of acknowledgement, but then he wished he hadn’t because the young man must’ve taken it as a sign of encouragement. He closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds, coming so close Ryden stepped back in surprise.

  “Hi,” the young man said, tilting his head back to look up at Ryden.

  “Hello,” Ryden said, knowing he couldn’t simply walk away, no matter how much he wanted to.

  “I’m Owen.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Owen seemed expectant but didn’t say anything more.

  For fuck’s sake, what could he want? “Can I help you?”

  “Most definitely.” He stepped closer. “Your name?”

  “Ryden,” he said, realizing that must’ve been what the shifter was waiting for.

  “Ryden.” Owen smiled. “I love it.”

  “I’m rather fond of it myself. First thing my mother gave me.”

  Owen laughed.

  Ryden cleared his throat and set his wine down on one of the many side tables littered around the stone patio. “And what is it I can help you with?”

  Owen stared up at him, suddenly looking a little uncertain.

  Taking a deep breath, Ryden tried to smile politely as he waited for Owen to find his tongue again. But then he noticed something, subtle yet unmistakable. He gazed down at the shifter, unable to believe it could be possible but suddenly understanding why Owen was behaving the way he was. This puny little shifter is my mate? I’ve spent my entire life selflessly serving the elders and my clan, and the gods do this to me?

  Ryden stepped back. “I believe I understand now, but it’s pointless, little one.”

  Owen’s expression crumbled. “What do you mean? How can you not feel the pull?”

  Owen’s scent was subtle, meaning he was probably an omega, but now that Ryden had caught it, ignoring the enticing aroma proved difficult. “The pull? Yes, I feel it. Bedding you would probably be very pleasurable for me. But you?” He shook his head. “A Fen male is too much for you to handle.”

  “You say that because you sense I’m an omega?”

  “I say it for a lot of reasons.”

  Owen looked down for a moment, but then he lifted his head with a bit more confidence. “When I scented you during the ceremony, I was terrified. You look so … ferocious. But I kept watching you. You’re very handsome, if a little funny looking, and you seem more thoughtful than the other two.”

  “Funny looking?” Ryden asked, crossing his arms. He had no reason to care what this rather plain-looking shifter or anyone else at the reception thought of him, but the phrase got under his skin somehow.

  “That came out wrong.” Owen’s cheeks went a little pink. “But I live in the human world, so I’m still adjusting. Curiosity is one of the things that made me want to come to the wedding.”

  “We’re not so different, though.” He gestured around. “Many of the beings here look far less human than I do.” He pointed a few out. “Elementals. Nymphs. All much more out of the ordinary to human eyes, if you ask me.”

  “I suppose so.” Owen’s gaze moved over him. “You look like a warrior from a fantasy novel or movie.”

  “Do I?” He glanced down at his attire. He wore gray leather pants with high boots a shade darker, a white linen shirt, and a waistcoat the same color as the boots. He also wore a black cloak, as that was part of formal attire for a Fen. “I suppose I do stand out amongst all the silk and bright colors.”

  “The piercings and the tattoos were more what I was referring to. And your hair.”

  “My hair?” His hand moved up to smooth it as he pondered that. For occasions like this, most Fens would have their hair arranged in elaborate braids with lots of ornamentation added, as Corren and Kiran had, but he’d opted to wear it down and completely loose.

  Owen nodded. “So blond it’s practically white. Gives you an otherworldly look. Just so beautiful.” He looked around. “You have the longest hair of anyone here, I think.”

  Ryden shrugged one shoulder. “Probably. My mother took great pride in it because it came from her. She never liked for me to cut it short.”

  Owen smiled at that.

  Wonderful. Now he thinks we’re bonding or something. Ryden said, “Shouldn’t you be getting back to whoever you came with?”

  “I came with other members of my pack, but no one in particul
ar.” Owen reached out and touched Ryden’s arm. “I want to know more about you. What do the tattoos and piercings mean?”

  Ryden lifted his arm, more to get away from Owen’s touch than anything. He ran his finger over the ink on his neck, able to follow the pattern of black marks without having to see it. “Ravens. Very intelligent birds. An important symbol for my people. My grandmother was named Raven, and it was my mother’s middle name as well.” He touched his ear next, running his finger over the studs and small hoops that ran along the shell all the way up to the point almost. “Some piercings denote accomplishments, while others are decorative or to honor family members or past leaders. Most of mine indicate combat achievements.” He pressed his lips together, annoyed that Owen kept drawing him out. He’s an omega. No one will care about a slight to him, will they?

  Yet he stayed right where he was as those curious hazel eyes studied him.

  “It’s obvious you’re a fighter.” Owen swallowed, starting to fidget with the end of his tie. “If we weren’t mates, I wouldn’t have the courage to even look you in the eye.” He held Ryden’s gaze. “Your eyes are beautiful, too. Such a bright blue.”

  If I don’t get away soon, he’s going to be crawling into my lap. “Perhaps you should listen to that part of you that was frightened at first. I’m trying to be what you would call a gentleman.” He smiled, trying to look menacing to put an end to this nonsense. “Trust me, little omega. I’d split you in two.” He let a growl rumble up his throat, and Owen’s breath caught at the sound.

  Ryden turned and walked away, certain he’d scared the shifter enough to be rid of him.

  ****

  Owen watched his mate walk away. That growl had startled him, yet it had also sent a jolt of desire up his spine. The Fen paused and then took a set of steps down from the main patio and away from the reception. Owen hesitated a moment, but then he followed. He found himself distracted by the sight of Ryden, even though all he could really see was his hair and the black cloak he wore. He moved with such grace for his size. His hair fell in snowy waves down past his waist, and the contrast to the dark cloak was beautiful as he walked.

  But then Ryden stopped, his shoulders slumping. He turned and crossed his arms as he glared at Owen. “Are you sure you want to follow me into the woods?”

  “Is that where you’re going?” Owen asked as he looked ahead to the path that formed at the tree line.

  Ryden looked back in the direction he’d been heading for a moment. “I don’t want a little pup tagging along behind me the rest of my life. I have responsibilities. A certain status within my clan. My mate needs to be someone very different.”

  Owen moved to catch up with him. “I’m no pup. I’m a grown man.”

  “If I shifted right now, trust me, you’d feel like a pup.” He turned and strode off again.

  Owen followed him into the trees. “You are much bigger than I am, but you wouldn’t be too much for me to handle.”

  Ryden kept walking, and Owen stayed with him and waited for a response. Just when he thought he wouldn’t get one, Ryden stopped and drew him close. He took a deep breath, his icy blue eyes looking more wolfish as he did so. “Your scent is growing more tempting,” he said softly. He backed Owen up against a tree, their lips almost touching, but then he turned Owen to face the tree, grinding against his ass.

  “This what you want, little one? To lose your virginity up against a tree? To be at the mercy of a man who doesn’t believe in giving sweet words and soft touches as he sates himself?”

  Owen trembled, at once afraid and excited. Ryden’s scent aroused him, yet he could feel how strong the Fen was. He knew nothing about Ryden or his character and had no idea if he could trust him. He’d been warned to be wary of men from the fierce clan, but his excitement at finding his mate had made him feel bold.

  “No, I don’t want you to take me like this.” He struggled to get free, relieved when Ryden let him go and backed off. He leaned against the tree and looked up into Ryden’s eyes. “And I’m not a virgin. I had no plans for us to just jump into bed right away or—”

  Ryden gripped his arm, his eyes going wide. “You aren’t?”

  Why is he so shocked? “No. I’m twenty-five. I lost my virginity a long time ago. I might look small to you, but like I said, I’m a grown man.”

  Ryden growled again, the sound so much louder this time. And his icy blue eyes seemed to glow.

  Owen pulled away, wrenching his arm free. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Ryden turned his head away sharply, seeming to struggle to speak. He pressed his lips together and turned his back to Owen.

  After a moment, Owen moved around so they could look at each other again. “You okay?”

  Ryden’s eyes flashed again. “My wolf doesn’t like knowing someone else has touched you.” He closed his eyes a moment, his breathing slightly labored, and he seemed calmer when he opened them again. “Be glad I have excellent control over my beast. I came close to shifting just now.”

  “You … you think you would’ve hurt me?”

  “No. I would’ve run until I tired myself out, since obviously I wouldn’t be able to confront any of your past lovers.”

  As much as he liked the possessiveness, it also annoyed him because of the way Ryden had reacted to them being mates. Why isn’t he using that as a reason to reject me? “But you keep pushing me away. Why do you care?”

  Ryden’s eyebrows rose. Instead of giving Owen an answer, he asked, “Why are you chasing a man who doesn’t want you? A man who scared you when you first saw him?”

  “Because we’re mates.” Which is the answer to my question, too, but I bet I’ll never get you to actually say it. He shifted his stance, frowning as he crossed his arms. “Look, I didn’t come up to you planning to lead you right to bed. And I didn’t expect you to be thrilled right away either. I wanted to get to know you. Talk with you. Trust me, finding out my mate is a dark elf surprised me.”

  His eyes held a hard, intense look as he asked, “Did you have any children by these men?”

  “No. And before you get any more insulting, I’ve only had three lovers. One was a woman, and no, I didn’t get her pregnant either.” He looked Ryden up and down. “How many lovers have you had?”

  “I’m over a decade older than you. I’ve had dozens of men and women in my bed.”

  Owen laughed, no humor in the sound or in his heart. “But me not being a virgin upsets you? Even though you think I’m not good enough?”

  “I didn’t say anything like that. But you would hate living amongst my people. It would take days to explain to you how different our worlds are. I’m being practical. And before you ask, I could never live close to humans the way you do.” He ran a finger over one pointed ear again. “I don’t exactly blend in.”

  “Maybe I wouldn’t hate it as much as you think. I know you’re very different, but the gods did this for a reason, even if it seems odd to us.”

  Ryden shook his head. “You wouldn’t be accepted. My kinsmen would laugh at the very idea of me mating you.”

  “They’d forbid it?”

  Ryden hesitated a moment before he said, “They wouldn’t dare, but they would think less of me for actually mating you.”

  “You’d deny me because of what others might think?”

  Ryden frowned. “That’s not what I meant. If I believe something is right, I do it.” He came forward and took Owen by the chin. “If I wanted you as my mate, there would be no hesitation. You’d already be moaning and writhing beneath me.”

  Make up your mind! Don’t say shit like that if you’re so set on denying this. Owen inched back until Ryden’s hand dropped. “Would I?”

  “Yes. I need no one’s permission or approval. But I must think of what is best for my clan. As an omega, you must long to stay with your pack. Be near to your Alpha so you may serve him.”

  Owen walked a few feet away, looking back to the edge of the woods. “You’re right. I do feel that. And I s
uppose my Alpha might have objections. Might not want to see me submitting to someone like you.”

  Ryden stepped forward and faced Owen. “Objections to me? A mate who could protect you from any foe? Who comes from a powerful clan and a prestigious line? Who could provide for you as no one else could and give you stronger children than any mere shifter ever could? No better mate could be found.”

  Owen smiled at how easily he’d gotten the response he’d wanted. “I take it back then. You’ve convinced me.” He stepped up on a fallen log just to Ryden’s right to look him straight in the eye. “I accept.” He reached out and wrapped his arms around Ryden’s neck, kissing the man before he lost his nerve.

  ****

  Ryden didn’t like being tricked, but he couldn’t focus on that as the little shifter forced his lips open and kissed him as if they’d done so hundreds of times before. The omega’s scent surrounded him, growing harder to ignore with every second. Owen’s hands were in his hair, caressing his neck, and the shifter moaned into their kiss.

  Ryden broke the kiss, even though his wolf growled deep inside. His cock didn’t like it much either, and it throbbed against the ties of his leather pants. “Don’t tempt me, Owen. I am not a gentle lover.”

  “Love hearing you say my name,” Owen said. His fingers caressed the line of ravens on Ryden’s neck, and then those roaming fingers moved up and over his right ear. “I’m your mate. You won’t hurt me.” Owen actually nuzzled his neck. “Gods, I can’t stop touching you now. You smell so good.”

  Owen’s scent grew stronger, changing a bit, and Ryden jerked back as he cursed to himself. Owen fell forward, and Ryden instinctively caught him, though he then pulled away again. “We shouldn’t be touching like this. It’s sending you into heat.” Since he hadn’t been consciously trying to arouse the other man, maybe it wasn’t too late to stop it. He felt like a damned fool for letting this insignificant little omega distract him so much.