Yet, he couldn’t give into his own needs, not when his brother’s life depended on him making the right decision. He couldn’t let anyone use him the way the previous Alpha had intended to do. Hell, Alpha Clifton had talked of taking him as a mate to ensure he would never be able to leave. So he couldn’t give in, even if he suspected it might mean he would have to walk away from the shifter who was beginning to mean too much to him.
Ricky was jerked out of his thoughts as a low voice sounded next to his ear, “You are my Semme’, Ricky, the one I was meant to love above all others, but I also understand that you may want to take this slow. I will not force you to do anything you do not want to do.” Alpha Grant continued to massage Ricky’s neck before he turned towards his brother. “Have you been able to find out exactly what is going on in the Willow Creek Pack?”
Jason shook his head. “No, which is why I was hoping your mate—er Ricky here could help us fill in the gaps.” The other wolf blushed slightly as he glanced down at his folders.
It was clear they were all trying to give him a choice, which was more than his previous pack had done. He also knew now that he would be safe because the other thing Maria told him was, Semme’ mates would never hurt the other. It was one of the reasons his father had changed so much after meeting her and was the reason he had killed himself when she was dying. Ricky placed his hand over the Alpha’s as he took a deep breath and began to tell them what they needed to know.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ROGER SANDERS WALKED TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS, HIS backpack slung over his shoulder. It was finally the weekend and for the first time since Charlie had disappeared, he was able to go spend some time with his friends. They were all meeting up at their usual campsite in the mountains. His wolf was already close to the surface at the thought of a whole week of running and hunting in the mountains. Thanks to Alpha Grant, his father had all the help he needed and his father had encouraged him to join his friends. The young wolf couldn’t wait, especially since Rebecca had said she’d be there too.
He took a deep breath as he entered the lower forested area but frowned as he realized he smelled more than one wolf in the area. The scent was strange to him, which immediately caused his hackles to rise. He dropped his backpack and quickly shifted, his ears lay back as he turned to face the strange wolves now coming through the trees. For a brief moment he felt the need to defend his territory but then common sense kicked in. He turned tail and ran back towards the Alpha’s house, howling as he went. Unfortunately, before he could get too far a large form jumped on him and brought him to the ground. His last thought before darkness took him was that he was glad Rebecca wasn’t here.
Ricky sat back in the chair, his head falling forward as he listened to the voices of the Alpha and his brothers around him. About mid way through his story, David had joined the other two Walker brothers in the small office. They had asked him if he was okay with the middle brother joining them, which was nice. He’d agreed because it didn’t matter at that point how many people heard his sad tale. Soon everyone would know what a loser he was anyway.
It had been a grueling couple of hours, but now they not only knew of his shame but also how weak and stupid he’d been while he’d been a member of the Willow Creek Pack.
“Would you like something to drink or eat, Ricky?” The human jumped as a hand was placed on his thigh. He’d been so absorbed in his memories that he hadn’t noticed Jason kneeling in front of him. Ricky shook his head as he glanced at the other two shifters in the room. David was sitting in one of the other chairs in the office while Alpha Grant was standing with his hands clasped behind his back while he gazed out the window.
“You realize that this wasn’t your fault, right?” Jason continued as he stood and patted Ricky’s shoulder. “From what you’ve told us, your stepmother didn’t really give you enough information to make the right decisions for you or your brother. Of course, she probably thought she would have time to help you understand more about us.”
The eldest Larson shrugged as he glanced down at his clasped hands. He didn’t want to think about that part of his life. Instead, he concentrated on the men that currently surrounded him. Now that all three brothers were in the room, he could see the family resemblance. Jason looked the most like Grant, but a slightly smaller version. He wore his black hair shorter and spiked. Of the three brothers, he seemed to be the one who balanced out the other two. Grant reflected his name in mannerisms while David seemed to be the joker of the group. But Jason had a way of making you feel immediately comfortable, sort of like an old friend.
In a way, he could see himself becoming friends with them. In fact, the longer he stayed here, the more he thought just maybe this could be a safe place for himself and his brother. He couldn’t deny the strong attraction he felt for the Alpha either. Even now his cock throbbed and his hole twitched at the thought of having Grant in his bed. Thoughts that just a few weeks ago would have caused him to have a panic attack, now felt like something he was beginning to yearn for. Ricky was brought back from his musings when David spoke up.
“Jason is right. You are not to blame, but Alpha Clifton certainly knew better!” David shook his head as he glanced over at his silent older brother. “He knows an Omega can’t be controlled by any shifter. It’s why they were hunted during the Great War by both sides.”
“What do you mean?” Ricky asked as he glanced up at the middle brother. The similarity between David and Grant was apparent but he didn’t have long silky dark black hair. If Ricky was honest with himself, he couldn’t wait to see Grant’s hair loose so he could run his fingers through it. David on the other hand wore his light brown hair in a short military cut that belied the shifters lighthearted demeanor. The eyes though were the same color brown as his brothers’, except they seemed to be filled with mischief most of the time.
David grimaced. “How much do you know about Omegas?”
Ricky thought back to the little Maria had told him and realized other than knowing his brother was a special kind of shifter and needed to be protected, he really didn’t know much about his brother’s abilities. “Actually, not much. In fact, as you all found out, I really didn’t know much about shifters in general.” Ricky blushed. “I remember the first time I objected to Alpha Clifton taking Sandy out on his first hunt. He was only two years old at the time. I mean at two years old humans can’t take care of themselves so I just assumed it was the same for wolves.”
Alpha Grant turned around and shook his head slightly. “Shifters have to mature more quickly in some ways than human children. As soon as our pups are able to hold their shifted form, they are taught to hunt. It was necessary for survival, especially in the time before humans knew of our existence and became even more important after. During the years where we warred with humans, many pups found themselves without anyone to protect them.”
Ricky glanced at the Alpha for a moment before he looked down at his hands again. “Yeah, Alpha Clifton filled me in on what would be expected of Sandy to be a vital part of the pack. Before we left, my brother was able to hunt with the pack and showed that he was able to defend himself while in his wolf form. I try to remember it’s different for shifters, but when I look at Sandy, I see a six year old boy who loves cookies and ice cream…”
“It’s understandable, Ricky, and in some ways you’re right, he is still a pup and needs to be allowed to mature emotionally. He must be prepared so that when he comes into his powers at age twenty-one, he’ll be ready to accept them and use them,” Jason replied.
Ricky jumped as he felt a strong hand on his shoulder.
“He still needs guidance, maybe even more so than a normal pup,” Alpha Grant said gravely. “If he is raised in the wrong kind of environment, an Omega could cause great damage.”
“Sandy wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Ricky said quickly. He glanced around the room and saw the grim looks on all the shifters’ faces. F
or the first time since he came here, he felt afraid for his brother. “Alpha Clifton tried to convince Sandy that humans were inferior. It was one of the reasons he told my brother that I had to be trained…” Ricky swallowed and closed his eyes as his memories threatened to overwhelm him. The hand on his shoulder squeezed tighter for a moment and suddenly he felt like he could breathe again.
“No one here will hurt you or Sandy. Your brother has already shown he is not only smart and resourceful, but he is also loyal to you. However, even if that weren’t the case, we would still protect him and you.” Alpha Grant glanced at his brothers. “I believe Alpha Clifton never intended to kill Ricky, but instead he meant to use him…”
“…like a collar,” Ricky said quietly, as he glanced up at the Alpha for a moment before he leaned forward in the chair. “The reason I left when I did wasn’t just because of how I was being treated. As long as Sandy was being cared for, I thought…well, in a way Alpha Clifton was right in that I deserved what I got. If I hadn’t been so careless with Robert, then Maria would be alive and Alpha Clifton could have eventually married her.”
“I call bull!” David said loudly as he slammed his fist on the desk. “That bastard knew the chance of him getting Maria as a mate was gone when she found her true mate.”
Ricky shrank back from the sudden violence from the middle Walker brother.
“But…” Ricky started to protest but stopped when he heard a low growl next to him. He sat back and quickly looked down at his hands. Years of training to never look at those deemed to be better than him kicked in as he waited for his punishment for disagreeing with the other wolf. He closed his eyes and tried to keep his breathing steady, once again the room felt as if there wasn’t enough air.
“Ricky! Listen to me!” Alpha Grant’s voice broke through the white noise until he couldn’t help but look up into the intense dark eyes. “That’s right, you need to calm down. I told you no one would hurt you here and you need to accept it.”
Ricky heard David snort as Jason rose and once more knelt down in front of him. “What my older brother is trying to say is, eventually you’ll learn to trust us. But for now, why don’t we concentrate on trying to figure out what Alpha Clifton is up to huh?”
The frightened human took a deep breath and nodded. He watched the Alpha move back to the window, his back once more turned to them as he looked outside.
“I’m sorry…” Ricky tried as he glanced at the obviously upset wolf. He didn’t mean to make the Alpha angry.
“There’s nothing to be sorry for, Ricky,” David said as he smirked. “I can guarantee that my big brother’s bark is worse than his bite. In fact, somewhere inside beats the heart of a marshmallow, right ,Grant?”
The Alpha turned and glared at his brother before he looked back at Ricky. The Alpha took a deep breath and softened his voice as he continued, “When a shifter finds his or her Semme’, it is a bond that lasts a life time. Your father’s life would have been extended to equal Maria’s longer life span. Alpha Clifton knows this and he also knows that once both parties accept the Semme’ mating bond, nothing can break it. So you see, Ricky, no matter what happened, you could not be blamed for Alpha Clifton losing his right to mate Maria.”
Before Ricky could respond Jason stood and walked back to his desk. “I imagine the Alpha thought he had struck gold when he found what possibly could be the only Omega currently living. It would give him a good reason to keep Sandy in his pack. But I would think he would have treated Ricky better. After all, Sandy could have chosen to leave at any time. If Ricky had been killed, there would be no reason for the Omega to stay with the Willow Creek Pack. In fact, it would have guaranteed that Sandy would leave the pack.” Jason sat back at his desk and glanced at the computer screen before he sighed. “On the surface he looks squeaky clean.”
“But we know that usually means he’s just really good at staying under the radar,” David replied, as he ran a hand through his short cropped hair. “Surely he had to know if word got out about what he did to a human, the peace that has existed for over fifty years would be shattered.”
Ricky sighed as he cleared his throat. “I overheard Beta Biff and Alpha Clifton talking before I left. I didn’t understand at the time, but Alpha Clifton was angry at Biff for being too harsh with his latest round of ‘training’ with me. He told him they needed me to keep Sandy under control.” He leaned forward and looked at the shifters. “Why is Sandy so important to him? Just exactly what will my brother be able to do?”
Alpha Grant sighed and faced them again. “Omegas have a special gift provided by the goddess Gaia. They can command any animal to do their bidding…” The Alpha paused before he continued, “…including our inner animals. Not even an Alpha is immune, although according to my father some Alpha’s may be strong enough to resist. But that is only rumored.”
“So Omegas are feared because they can control you?” Ricky swallowed. “And humans don’t like them because they could turn all of the animals against mankind?”
The sound of the clock ticking on the wall could be heard through the silence that descended upon the room. Each person was lost in their own thoughts for what seemed like a long time, but in reality it was only a few moments. Ricky couldn’t believe his brother would eventually harness such power. How was he supposed to keep his brother safe from not only the human hunters, but any paranormal who might want to either use his brother or kill him for what he could do?
He’d believed Alpha Clifton when he told him he owed him retribution for the death of his former fiancé. The choice had been between his servitude and obedience or giving over custody of Sandy to Alpha Clifton. Now he found out none of that was true. He’d suffered and his brother had been traumatized for no reason other than he was stupid.
He absently rubbed at the tattoo on his upper arm. Maria never should have trusted him with something so important. He knew she had felt his little brother’s latent power just as he still felt it. Ricky didn’t need to wait until Sandy turned twenty-one. He knew his brother already was special and had already exhibited some of his abilities. Even now if he opened his mind, he could tell his brother was having a good time with Sparky. For years they were both able to tap into what the other was feeling. The fact that his brother would not only be sought after, but also hunted because of his ability only made him feel even more overwhelmed.
A chill caused him to shiver as he realized how close he’d come to turning his younger brother over to Alpha Clifton. When he’d heard the Beta and Alpha of Willow Creek discussing how they would use him to keep his brother under control once he came into his abilities, Ricky hadn’t understood the significance. Now he finally understood why Alpha Clifton hadn’t killed him. He was to be the leash that kept his brother loyal to Alpha Clifton and the Willow Creek Pack.
Suddenly, he felt strong arms lift him as he was pressed against a strong chest. Ricky struggled for a moment but then sighed as he let his body relax into the feeling of safety the arms offered him. “Don’t worry, Ricky, everything will be fine. I will make sure no one hurts you or your brother. But for now I’m taking you back to bed so you can rest.” Alpha Grant’s deep voice rumbled in his ear.
Ricky looked up at the Alpha. “What about Sandy? Will he be safe in town?” The thought of Alpha Clifton getting his hands on his brother was enough to almost fully bring him back to full wakefulness. The Alpha continued to walk up the stairs. He opened the door to the master bedroom and gently deposited Ricky on the bed. For a moment the eldest Landon thought he was going to be ignored until the side of the bed sunk in. A gentle finger traced the tattoo that showed below the sleeve on the T-shirt he wore.
“Did Maria ever explain to you what this tattoo means?” Grant asked quietly. Ricky shook his head. “According to my father, humans who accept this binding symbol will always be at the side of the Omega Wolf. Both the human and wolf will share a bond closer than any on this land, including Semme’ mates. Just as you would die to prote
ct Sandy, your little brother will do the same to protect you.” The Alpha smiled as he rubbed an area on his lower leg,. “In fact, he already has to the detriment of my favorite jeans.”
Ricky couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped. He knew his brother was just as protective of him and he’d shown it more than once. But now that he knew what the future held for his little brother, he couldn’t help thinking someone made a colossal mistake in choosing him for the job of protector. He jumped when he felt a finger under his chin lifting his eyes up from the blanket he’d been examining.
“Maria made a mistake when she chose me,” Ricky said softly as the hopelessness he felt filled his eyes.
“And that would be where you are wrong, Ricky. You think brute strength is all that is required to protect an Omega?” Alpha Grant continued to gently trace the tattoo. The feeling of his calloused finger on Ricky’s skin was sending small electrical currents through his body and directly to his cock. The injured human couldn’t help leaning into the man as he nodded his answer to the shifter. “Well, you’d be wrong. What you did, letting those bastards use you so that your brother would be spared shows more strength than many men or shifters I know.”
“Right, like I really saved him. If it hadn’t been for my friend Jake, we’d still be trapped there!” Ricky started to protest but was stopped by the Alpha’s claiming of his lips. For a moment he relaxed into the kiss, even exploring the warm mouth on his, tasting and groaning as his cock filled. The Alpha tasted of the chicory flavored coffee Ricky enjoyed whenever he’d been able to drink it. He allowed the kiss to deepen as a soft moan fell from his lips. He’d never been kissed like this, as if he actually meant something to the shifter. Even his initial forays into kissing with Robert hadn’t been this intense. If they kept this up, he was going to have to do something or explode from the tension building in his body.
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