by Fel Fern
4
Lucas
Damn. Lucas knew he shouldn’t do it but he smirked. Milo glared at him. Well, well. Lucas never thought the Omega had it in him.
He already formulated a gameplan in his head. Lucas initially planned to give Milo some time to heal. To recover. The last thing he wanted to do was overwhelm Milo. He never expected the Omega to make the first move.
Anyone would’ve been shaken after being nearly clawed to death by a Rogue. Hell, if that healer arrived a couple of minutes too late, Milo would’ve been a goner.
Paying her hefty fee was worth it, especially when Milo was walking and talking. There was the big scar on his chest but Lucas loved battle scars. He had a few of his own to boast about.
“Well? Is that a yes or no? I’m not a mindreader.” Milo snapped.
“Of course it’s a yes. I knew you had a thing for me.”
“God. You’re so full of yourself.” Milo looked around the room. “Where are my clothes? I want to check into my room.”
“Your luggage’s at the foot of the bed,” Lucas answered, amused.
It was right next to Milo. The Omega had been distracted by him. Milo knelt and opened his suitcase. The Omega put on a shirt. What a pity. Lucas would’ve wanted to admire Milo’s sexy and slender body a little longer.
“Oh by the way,” Lucas added. “I’ve also called Rover, he’s the owner of the car repair shop in town. He’s towed your car back to his garage. He’ll call about the repairs and estimates.”
“My car? Oh. I forgot about Betty. Thank you, Lucas.”
“Betty? You named your car?”
“Well yeah. Is that weird?”
“Not at all. I name my junk. It’s Mr. Gigantic by the way.”
Milo snorted. “You’re really one of a kind, you know that?”
“If you play your cards right at our date, you might just be able to get a peek at him.” Lucas winked at him.
Milo moved his gaze from his face and back to the erection Lucas sported for him. He wasn’t shy about hiding the fact he wanted the Omega. Lucas wanted Milo to know what he did to him. He’d never felt this way about someone before.
Lucas was madly in lust with Milo and he wasn’t sure what to do about it.
The Omega’s face and cheeks turned red. It looked like Milo ran out of words. While it was tempting to see Milo looking so embarrassed a little longer, Lucas decided he’d done enough damage. For now anyway. He walked over to his dresser. He rifled through his shirts and pulled out a plain clean tee. Lucas put it on, all too aware the Omega was watching him
“Do your injuries hurt?” Milo asked in a soft voice that only served to harden his dick.
Fuck. Lucas needed to reel in his self-control. Usually, when he saw someone he wanted, he went for the guy. No questions were asked. Once he tapped that ass, he moved on. He and his one-night-stands usually stood on the same ground.
That tactic wouldn’t apply here. Lucas always thought relationships were messy. Complicated. He had a feeling they still were but it was a risk he had to take. Lucas wanted to do things right by Milo.
“Nah, I’m been injured worse. They’ll heal. Alphas possess fast regenerative abilities,” he said.
Lucas was surprised when Milo approached him. The Omega tentatively touched the bandages over his left arm. Milo’s expression was unreadable.
“You said those words so casually. Don’t tell me you don’t care about your own life. I can’t be with someone like that.”
Lucas mulled over Milo’s words for a moment. “I don’t seek death. Not when I have plenty of things to live for. I love my job and my family. I love this lodge. So you don’t have to worry about a single damn thing.”
“You never answered the question I asked Eli.” That almost sounded like an accusation.
Lucas scratched his head. “What was it again?”
Lucas was lying. He remembered but he still wanted to hear the words from Milo’s lips.
“Why did you save me? You almost died in the process.”
“Almost dying sounds too dramatic. I could’ve handled those two beasts on my own.”
“Stop joking around.” Milo gripped the hem of his shirt and refused to let go.
Lucas sobered up. He tipped Milo’s chin using his two fingers, forcing the Omega to look at him. If he told Milo the truth, that he suspected they were mates, he knew how Milo would react.
Milo would run. The Omega was still recovering from a previous relationship. Milo might not even be looking for anything serious but Lucas was going to make sure he was more than a simple rebound. Lucas should take things slow and careful.
“You have to figure out the answer to that question yourself,” Lucas said.
He released Milo because touching him proved too distracting. Lucas could sense his grizzly on the surface of his skin. The animal wanted out. If Lucas didn’t unleash him, he might end up doing something he’d regret.
Like throwing Milo on his bed and having his way with him. Milo was probably wondering why Lucas took him back here, to his room. His private den. The answer had been simple. It just felt right.
“I’m going to check in,” Milo said. “So our date. Tomorrow night?”
“Yeah. Don’t look for me. I’ll find you,” he said.
Milo nodded. The Omega grabbed the handle of his luggage and exited his room. Certain Milo had left, Lucas followed. He shut the door.
His room was located in the basement of the lodge, which was out-of-bounds to anyone else. He was the only remaining Griffin brother to take up residence in the lodge.
Logan had taken their parents’ old cabin and fixed it up. Liam and Eli used to have rooms in the lodge. Liam had taken a page from Logan and built a cabin close to the lodge for Eli and their babies. Lucas bounded up the stairs. He emerged on the first floor. Lucas left the lodge. Guests were only starting to wake up and head for breakfast, he noticed.
He wondered if they were gossiping about him and the mysterious Omega who was attacked by Rogues. Lucas wouldn’t blame some of the guests if they decided to cut their vacation short.
After all, it was on him and his brothers that they allowed Rogues to get so close to the property. Once Lucas was outside the building, he took the trail that would lead him to the woods. While they had carved out proper hiking paths for guests, they mostly left the property and the surroundings untouched.
None of the guests would head down this way. Once he was a good distance from the lodge, Lucas entered the dense woods. He stripped down and changed forms. While he had a ton of chores to do, he didn’t think his brothers would mind that he took some time off for a run.
Sometimes, Lucas mused, it was good to let his animal half out. To be able to think of nothing else except the breeze on his face and the dirt on his paws. His thoughts returned to Milo. How Milo seemed concerned about his injuries. They were more like scratches really.
As the youngest of three Alpha brothers, Lucas had always been concerned about strength. About being able to stand on equal footing with Liam and Logan. He’d end up becoming a formidable fighter any Alpha or Rogue feared going up against. He didn’t like anyone seeing him in a weak light but he didn’t mind Milo fussing over him.
Fifteen minutes into the run, he scented another shifter. He spotted another grizzly Alpha up ahead of him. Judging by the old rake marks on the shifter’s arm, he could immediately tell it was Liam. He slowed down. Lucas changed back to human form.
“Came to see what your little brother’s up to?” He asked.
Lucas reeled in his anger. Couldn’t a man just enjoy a solitary run all by his lonesome? Lucas knew his brothers were just concerned about him.
His brother also shifted forms.
“I heard your Omega’s awake,” Liam said. “
Lucas snorted. “He’s not my Omega yet.”
“But he’s special?” Liam prodded.
Lucas rolled his eyes. Eli and Billy had set him up on multiple blind dates int he p
ast. All of them ended up being weirdos. He thought his brothers were wise enough to mind their own damn business.
Still, both Liam and Logan had more experience when it came to dating and mating. Besides, if he told his brother to fuck off, they’d only get into a verbal argument. Then it would spiral to a physical fight.
It was always like that between the three of them. Violence mostly solved everything. Mostly. However, his relationship with Liam had always been a little different.
When both their parents died, Liam took over the mantle of both father and brother. Liam probably only wanted to see him happy and settled down. Months ago, Lucas would’ve scoffed at the idea but now?
“You’ve never called for a healer when Logan and I were injured.” Liam sounded thoughtful.
“Neither of you had life-threatening wounds and Alphas heal naturally fast. If I didn’t call for the healer, Milo would’ve been dead by now.”
Damn. Lucas should shut his mouth right about now. He’d already given himself away. Should he change the topic? Liam was watching him too closely for his liking.
“Uh-huh,” his infuriating brother finally said. “If you say so.”
What would it take for Liam to leave? If his brother wanted to indulge in a little heart-to-heart, then fine.
“I can sense there’s potential between us,” Lucas admitted. Milo and he were compatible. He was dead certain of it.
“So it’s your turn now, huh?” Liam asked.
His turn? How were Liam and the others so certain Lucas deserved a mate of his own? Mate. Such a scary word. He couldn’t think of Milo as his yet, not when they were still practically strangers to each other. Lucas knew next to nothing about the Omega.
Well, that wasn’t true. Milo loved his car. He’d just broken up with his ex. Milo must be aware of the budding chemistry between them. After all, the Omega had asked him out, not the other way around. There was definitely still hope for Lucas.
“We’ll see.” Lucas paused. “Billy warned me to be careful of Milo but he didn’t need to. I can sense Milo’s a little flighty. He smells like a city shifter. He’s not used to living out here in the wild. I doubt he’s going to drop everything to move here.”
Damn it. Yes. Lucas had thought that far. Maybe he was just that desperate for a mate of his own after watching his brothers acting all lovey-dovey with their mates.
No. Lucas refused to believe that. Milo and he only had one conversation but he’d been so comfortable around Milo. The Omega seemed at ease while they were chatting as well.
“Then it’s easy,” Liam said.
“What’s easy?” He demanded. Was Liam going to impart him with some nonsensical pearl of wisdom now?
“You just have to give your Omega a good reason to stay.”
“It’s not that simple.”
Milo was here for a vacation. A week’s stay. Once that was done, Milo was probably going back to his old life. Where did Lucas fit in the picture? Lucas never put himself out there for a reason.
What if this Omega ended up breaking his heart? His mother’s death broke his father and drove him to homicidal urges. Lucas always feared his old man passed those murderous genes to him.
He shook his head. Lucas was being a pussy about this. Milo and he agreed to one date. That was all. Lucas would see how it turned out. There was still a chance they wouldn’t click, although instinct told him differently.
“Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy,” Liam said. His brother turned back to grizzly form and left him alone in the woods.
Lucas would never forget the taste of fear in his mouth when he saw that Rogue mauling Milo on the ground. Liam told him earlier that one of the Rogues escaped.
Never a good sign. That meant Milo was still in danger. He hadn’t broken that news to the Omega either. Lucas was pretty sure it would send Milo running. He couldn’t have that, not when Milo was still jumpy and unsure. Lucas would just hav to deal with that Rogue on his own.
5
Milo
A date. Milo couldn’t believe he was going on an actual date. He stared at all the clothes on the bed. After checking in and going to his room, Milo had taken a long nap. Then lunch, a walk around the grounds. He did continued a knitting project for some stress-relief. Now he was back in this room, mulling over what he should wear for his date.
“This is ridiculous,” he murmured to himself.
It wasn’t too late to call it off. Lucas would understand if he backed out at the last second. Lucas knew he was still raw from a recent break-up. That would make him seem like a coward. Besides, he asked Lucas out. He’d taken the initiative.
Milo took deep breaths. A rebound. This was exactly what he needed. Distraction. Except deep in his heart, he knew Lucas and he had the potential to become more.
Milo peeled off his shirt. He was about to reach for a plain white button down shirt. It was his only top that didn’t have any wrinkles. He paused. Milo touched the coarse scar on his chest. He padded to the bathroom so he could examine it closer.
He sucked in a breath. It didn’t look so bad, especially considering the fact he almost died. Another reason why he shouldn’t cancel. Milo wasn’t doing this out of gratefulness or because he owed a debt to Lucas.
It just seemed…right. Milo started getting all sweaty again. He was nervous, to say the least. Harvey and him and been together for five years. Five. He couldn’t remember how to date.
Milo took a quick shower. Once he emerged from the bathroom, he checked the sun. Still early afternoon. Milo took another nap. He was woken up by the knocking on his door. Milo groaned and opened his eyes. Darkness greeted him.
Where did the time go? His mind still felt a little groggy. Milo knew he was supposed to be doing something but he couldn’t remember what it was.
“Our date. Crap.”
Milo slipped out of bed. He turned the lights on. He stared blankly at the clothes scattered on the floor. Right. He probably shoved them to the ground while he rolled restlessly in bed.
He grabbed the first pair of jeans he sighted. Wrong choice. They were the black skinny jeans he bought on sale. He’d only worn them once because he decided they were too difficult to take off.
Someone knocked on his door again.
“Wait a damn moment.” With a grunt, Milo managed to haul his jeans up.
He buttoned them and opened the door, slightly out of breath. Lucas smiled at him. The Alpha smelled and looked good. The Alpha was dressed in a blue flannel shirt, plain blue jeans, and a pair of boots. Milo found himself leaning in closer.
What was that wonderful, woodsy smell? Lucas smelled a little like pine and wilderness.
“Are you sniffing at me?” Lucas sounded amused.
He took a step back. “No,” he lied.
“So you’re going shirtless? I like your fashion statement.” Lucas wiggled his eyebrows at him. “Or are we skipping right to dessert? In case you didn’t know, you’re dessert.”
He sucked in a breath. Milo blushed. “I fell asleep while trying to figure out what to wear. I’m not going shirtless and we’re going on a proper date. This isn’t a hook-up.”
Although the prospect did sound mighty tempting. He imagined the Alpha shoving him towards the closest wall and kissing him senseless. Milo wanted to go right on his knees right there and then. He’d take out Lucas’ big cock and—he killed that filthy line of thought.
God. What was this Alpha doing to him?
Milo had never been a sex fiend. He was appalled by the thoughts racing through his head.
“I’ll wait for you out here like a good Alpha,” Lucas said. Figured. Lucas seemed pretty laid-back. The Alpha was confident in his skin while Milo was the exact opposite.
Not wanting to keep the Alpha waiting, he grabbed a clean shirt from the floor and put it on. Milo slipped into his sneakers and declared, “I’m done.”
“Good. I’m starving. I hope you like steak.”
“I’m a vegetarian,” he replied
. They walked away from his room. Lucas halted, staring at him, horrified.
“Shit. Really? I better tell Billy to hold the steak.”
He remembered the sharp-eyed Omega earlier that morning and shook his head. “I was just jerking your chain.”
“Oh. That’s a relief.”
“This is weird.”
“What is?”
“You picking me up from my hotel room.”
“What’s odd about that?” Lucas asked.
They entered the elevator. They encountered an elderly couple on their way down. Their conversation was cut short because both Lucas and he stared at the couple who started making out. The passion between them hadn’t burned out even after so many years.
The elevator pinged. Thank God. He didn’t need to watch anymore. Lucas and he erupted into laughter after they left.
“Man, I’m jealous,” Lucas said as they exited the elevator. Lucas and he headed to the restaurant.
“Of that couple?”
“Yeah. I’ve decided. They’re my new heroes.”
Milo rolled his eyes at that, although privately, he agreed with Lucas. He’d seen Lucas fight. The Alpha was a real beast when he fought that Rogue. Who knew that underneath all those big muscles, beat a soft and tender heart?
“Our table’s this way,” Lucas said.
The Alpha placed a hand behind his back. Usually, Milo didn’t like odd Alphas touching him casually but this was Lucas. He was comfortable around him. The Alpha led him inside the restaurant, past the line of guests that had formed outside.
“We don’t need a reservation?” He asked. Milo then remembered Lucas was one of the co-owners of this place. He could probably come and go as he pleased.
Milo kind of hoped they’d get a private table. He wasn’t surprised to see the place packed on a Friday night. He checked the restaurant online as well and it had plenty of 4 and 5-star reviews.
He blinked when Lucas took him past the kitchen and towards a pair of glass doors that led to the balcony. Milo stopped to stare. A lone table had been set up here. It might be noisy inside but here, they had their own little private space. White lights were strung around the balcony railing. Lucas dragged a chair out for him.