by Ardy Kelly
“You’re pregnant,” Virginia reminded him. “Takes a lot of energy to make babies.”
“Even more to raise them,” Trisha added while opening another bottle of wine. She set it down when she heard the front door open.
A man in an expensive suit stood in the lobby. “I’m sorry,” she told the stranger. “We’re closed right now for a private party.”
He gave her a glacial glare. “I’m here to surprise one of your guests.” He sniffed the air.
Trisha knew trouble when she smelled it, too. “May I ask who?”
“Never mind,” he said, brushing her aside. “I’ll find him.” He headed to the parlor.
All the wolves instantly quieted when he entered the room. The stranger waited for the wolves to sniff him before speaking. While they identified his scent, he looked over the crowd, paying particular attention to Steven, Ricky, and Troy.
Mack stood. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here on business,” he replied. “And I believe the business is with one of you. I’m Henry Velun from the Bay Area pack.”
Chet appeared in the doorway, and Henry looked the man up and down. “You are, perhaps, Sheriff Thompson?”
“I am.”
“Moonlighting? I heard crime doesn’t pay. I guess law enforcement doesn’t pay either.”
“I’m helping a friend.”
“And is your friend’s name David Morehouse?”
The tension in the room rose faster than a bottle rocket.
Troy spoke up. “One pack for the whole Bay Area? That’s a lot of territory.”
Henry appeared surprised by the question. He looked around the table to see whether anyone else thought the query odd. Ignoring Troy, he addressed his answer to the table. “It is a large area, but with the population growth, there are surprisingly few places to hunt. The local packs began crossing over onto each other’s territories. We decided rather than fight each other, we would consolidate.”
“With you as the alpha,” Mack said.
“That was part of the deal. Wolves respect power. And I made sure they knew how much power I had.”
“What’s this business you want to discuss?” Mack asked.
“I’m here to negotiate for Dominic’s pregnant omega.”
Chet crossed his arms. “Not going to happen.”
Henry turned a disdaining gaze at the man. “This is wolf business.”
Mack’s demeanor changed, imitating Henry’s casual disdain. “Go. I’m sure there’s something in the kitchen that needs looking after.”
Chet, understanding Mack’s subtle reference, left.
Henry smirked. “It helps to have cops on the payroll, doesn’t it?” He gazed around the room, stopping at Steven. “You must be David. You’re the only pregnant one here.”
“That is my mate,” Mack corrected. “David isn’t here.”
Henry looked confused. “As rare as omegas are, you have four? We’ve only ever had one, and he died in childbirth.”
“That’s not much of an endorsement for your pack,” Steven said.
Henry flashed an angry glare, and turned to Mack. “You let your omegas speak for you?”
Troy rolled his eyes. “No wonder he hasn’t got any.”
Henry huffed. “May we speak privately? Pack leader to pack leader.”
Mack pushed his chair back under the table. “Let’s talk in the library.” He flashed his eyes at Adam, in a silent signal.
Once they were out of earshot, Adam stood and placed a hand on Troy’s shoulder. “Keep the conversation going. I’m going to need the noise to cover me while I sneak David out.”
Troy smiled. “I’ve never had anyone ask me to keep talking before.” He blinked. “Now I can’t think of a thing to say.”
When Chet entered the kitchen, his expression signaled to David something was wrong.
“We’ve got a situation.” Chet removed his bow tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.
“Should I call an ambulance?” Virginia asked.
“Not that kind of problem.” Chet looked over his shoulder. “But I wouldn’t mind sending someone to the ICU.”
“The dessert needs twenty more minutes,” David said. “Can it wait?”
“Take off your apron. We have to sneak you out of here. The alpha from Dominic’s pack is with Mack.”
David pulled his hat off. “Good. It’s about time we get this settled. I’ll tell him I don’t want anything to do with Dominic.”
“Whoa there, wolf-boy,” Chet said. “What happened to your dread of conflict?”
“I’m sick of being nice. I have to do what’s good for the babies.”
Trisha held up her hands when Chet shot her an accusatory glare. “I never talked to him about my thoughts on being nice.”
Chet ran his hand through his hair. “David, I don’t think you comprehend wolf culture. He isn’t interested in an omega’s opinions.”
Adam peered into the kitchen before entering. “We need to get you out of here,” he told David. “I’m taking you to the ranch.”
“But the food—”
“I’ll serve.” Virginia grabbed the chef’s hat. “It should buy you some time.”
Adam opened the kitchen door, and they escaped into the garden.
In the library, Mack positioned himself near the doorway in case he had to block Henry from leaving. “What do you want?”
“Dominic has made a claim.”
“Dominic is already mated.”
Henry waved a hand. “We both know he only wants the child to get hold of the Morehouse money. He is as unfit for parenthood as he is for mating. But he is the father, which makes the cub my responsibility. And being recently widowed, I might be persuaded to mate the omega myself.”
“Members of his family are in my pack, which makes David my responsibility. And he is happy where he is.”
“I’d need to hear that from his mouth.”
“I’m sure we can arrange a video chat.”
Henry narrowed his eyes. “Why do you put so much importance in what an omega wants? They are frivolous things. Any of them would be happy to mate a pack alpha.”
Remembering his courtship with Steven, Mack would have laughed at the comment if the situation wasn’t so dire. “That hasn’t been my experience.”
“The problem is that David wasn’t raised among wolves. His head is filled with all those human ideas of compatibility, tenderness, and communication, as if that is the most important thing in a relationship.”
If only this guy knew how hilarious he is, Mack thought. “What is the most important thing?”
“Where you sit in the food chain. Are you the hunter or the prey? And everyone knows omegas aren’t hunters. I insist you hand him over.”
Mack rarely pushed his alpha powers. The magic was tricky. Non-consensual compliance often led to dissent.
Yet, in rivalries between packs, the measure of an alpha was often the measure of his magic. Ever since Dominic staked a claim to David, Mack began practicing his power.
His worries that the magic had atrophied from disuse were unfounded. They had grown, swelling like a reservoir behind the dam of his neglect.
He let the energy pulse on his skin, just bright enough for Henry to sense it. “As long as you are in my territory, you will play by my rules.”
“Must we?” Henry sat, giving the illusion of lowering his head to Mack without having to drop his chin. “I don’t think you realize the problem you’ve created for yourself. The folklore states alphas born from an omega are especially powerful. Does your firstborn display the signs?”
“What makes you think I have a firstborn?”
“There may not be much known about Lone Wolves Ranch, but don’t think you can keep everything a secret. You mated a recessive. You were still mated to another when you did, weren’t you?”
“I had banished him.”
“Banished isn’t dead. So you should understand how Dominic could fall under the a
llure of an omega.”
“I have a daughter.”
“Pity. Maybe you’ll be luckier with this next one.”
“I’m plenty lucky with everything I have.”
“Are you? Because right now, all those alphas born from your omegas are adorable, I’m sure. But when they get older and start seeing you as the old man in charge of them, your life will get much harder. And without a son to claim your place, your lucky little family could be banished, just like your previous mate. Consider my offer a lifeline. You should be happy I’m willing to take an omega off your hands.”
Before Mack could respond, Henry’s phone beeped. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the screen.
Henry stood, shaking his head. “You don’t think I would have planned for this?” He held the device up to Mack.
A video played, showing four armed guards. The first held David tightly; two others held Adam. Chet was unconscious on the lawn, looking badly beaten. The fourth held the phone up high, pointing at the group while yelling, “Smile for the camera.”
While he stared at the screen, Henry slid past him. Mack chased the alpha into the hall. “You are not taking David.”
“I have no intention to,” Henry said. “I just want to present my offer and hear his response. Alone.”
Despite his determination, one final obstacle remained between Henry and his goal.
Troy stood spread-eagle in the doorway. “You shall not pass. David is an unmated omega and unmated alphas are not allowed to be alone with them.”
“Move,” Henry demanded while his alpha energy crackled in the air. Surprisingly, it had no effect on Troy. Henry resorted to brute strength and pushed him aside before grabbing the doorknob. It was locked.
“Looking for this?” Troy dangled the key before dropping it down his shirt. “Oh, it’s cold,” he said with a shiver.
Henry balled his hands into fists. “I need to have a private conversation with David.”
“And you will,” Troy said. “But I will be present as a chaperon.”
Henry sneered. “You think you could overpower me?”
“No, but I have a very high-pitched shriek that works better than any wolf whistle. The cavalry will come running.”
Henry glared between Mack and Troy. “All right. But only you.”
Troy held up his little finger. “Pinky swear?”
Outside, one of the armed strangers planted his nose in the crook of David’s neck. “You got to get a whiff of this. I always heard pregnant omegas were catnip to wolves.”
“It’s not my nose that wants a piece of him,” a guard replied.
David wished they would shut up. He needed to hear that Chet was still breathing.
Mack, Troy, and an unfamiliar face emerged from the house. “You must be David,” the stranger said.
“And you must be the situation we’re trying to avoid.” David wrenched himself free of the guards, before kneeling beside Chet and rolling him on his back. He was still breathing, but unconscious.
The man frowned, but kept approaching. “I’m Henry, alpha of the Bay Area pack.” The statement was less a greeting than an announcement. “I traveled here to see you,” Henry continued.
David stood and turned in a slow spin. “Well, you’ve seen everything. You can go now.”
Troy giggled as Henry fumed. “We need to talk,” he hissed.
“Then talk,” David said.
“Alone,” Henry snapped.
Troy jumped between them. “With me chaperoning so he can’t give you a mating bite against your will.” He scanned the yard. “Let’s sit in the gazebo.” He grabbed David’s hand and pulled him along, forcing Henry to follow.
“This isn’t a good idea,” David whispered to Troy.
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“He’s twice your size.”
“Only when I’m not pregnant,” Troy replied. “And I’ve got Sharpie.” He stuck out his tongue and pointed to it. “Everyone calls it that because it leaves an indelible mark.”
“You’re going to fight him with words?”
“More battles are won with tongues than with fangs.”
A Victorian-style gazebo, entwined with bougainvillea, stood at the corner of the property.
“Isn’t this nice,” Troy exclaimed. “I think I’ll use it for my daughter’s first tea party. Or one of my sons.”
David stood, waiting for Henry to take a seat so he could sit as far as possible. “So, what did you want to discuss?”
“As you know,” Henry began, “Dominic, as the parent, has rights to the cub.”
“How do I make sure he doesn’t?”
Henry shrugged. “If you aren’t a member of our pack, you can’t. But if you were to join, I could protect you personally better than Mack’s entire pack. Unmated omegas are too valuable to be so easily ambushed.” He noticed Troy writing in a notebook. “What are you doing?”
“Just doodling,” Troy replied. “Don’t mind me.”
Hovering over David, Henry grabbed the omega’s hand and held it tightly. Bringing it to his mouth, he licked a finger. “You were the cook tonight.”
When the alpha loosened his grip, David yanked his arm free. “What of it?”
“Mack makes you slave in the kitchen while he entertains his guests? We aren’t so barbaric in my pack.”
“I’ve lived across the hall from Dominic for a couple of years. Don’t try to convince me my life would be sweeter with him.”
“His mate is only a beta. The same rules don’t apply. Omegas are rare and are treated as such. At least, they are in my pack.”
Troy let out a low, “Pfft.”
Henry shot Troy a withering glance.
However, Troy was not the type to wither. “Dominic doesn’t act like he cherishes omegas.”
Ignoring the remark, Henry sat next to David. “Dominic is entirely unsuited for you. But there are others who would treat you as the precious possession you are.”
“Precious possession,” Troy mumbled, writing in the notebook. “I love good alliteration.”
Henry took two quick strides and snatched the paper from Troy’s hand. He scanned the page. “What is this?”
“I told you. I’m doodling.”
Henry read the page aloud. “He hovered over the caged omega. The glint of a smile that played on his lips failed to reach his eyes. ‘The cage is for your own protection. Unmated omegas are too valuable to be allowed to roam free. Once you consent to my bite, I’ll unlock the door and make you my precious possession.’”
Henry threw the pages aside. “That isn’t doodling.”
Troy grabbed the notebook and held it to his chest protectively. “It is to an author. We’re supposed to write about what we know. And right now, I know you are about to offer David your mating bite.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Plu-leaze. I saw how you looked at every omega at the table. Especially moi. You’re not the first alpha to see me as a trophy mate.”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Henry replied.
“There’s nothing flattering about being seen as an object,” Troy announced with more conviction than he had when first hearing it.
Henry turned to David. “Here is my offer. Mate me, and I’ll protect you and your cub from Dominic. Furthermore, as mate to the pack leader, you’ll have a generous allowance, a palace for a home, and servants. You deserve to have someone cooking for you, rather than you cooking for ungrateful wolves.”
David’s eyes were cold with fury. “And what do you expect in return?”
“What every pack leader wants. An alpha male heir.”
Troy huffed. “It’s not what every pack leader wants.”
“The only reason Mack is in charge of Lone Wolves Ranch is because your pack is nothing more than domesticated pets. Any true alpha would have challenged him years ago. I’d do it myself, but the commute is too far.”
“The farther the better,” David said.
“My answer is no.”
Henry narrowed his eyes. “The offer is a courtesy. It’s not really your decision to make.”
“Mother of pearl!” Troy stood. “You don’t know the first thing about seducing an omega.” He set his notebook down. “David doesn’t want to mate you, and Lone Wolves Ranch is going to fight your claim. You’re going to start a war over this? No non-recessive, non-shifting omega has ever survived a mating bite, let alone childbirth. So what’s your rush? If he dies, you’ll have wasted all that time and energy, not to mention the rumors. I can understand being widowed once, but you don’t want people thinking you’re making a habit of it. They’ll start calling you Henry the Eighth behind your back.”
Despite the disregard Henry held for omegas, Troy was making sense. “This better not be some trick.”
“Trick?” Troy’s hand jumped to his chest, as if clutching at pearls. “Me? A mere omega trick a pack alpha? How could little ol’ me do such a thing? Besides, the council has already forbidden any pack from claiming David as a member or a mate.”
He grabbed David’s hand and his notebook. “It was nice meeting you. We all need a few days to reflect on the pros and cons. Especially the cons.” Troy pulled his friend out of the gazebo before Henry could object.
“You think I’m going to accept his offer?” David hissed.
“Of course not. I’m just buying us time.”
No longer needing to restrain their captives, Henry’s henchmen were guarding the perimeter.
Seeing Trisha bandaging up Chet, David ran toward him. The sheriff’s face had taken the brunt of the fight. An eye had swelled shut and both cheekbones were darkened with bruises.
“I’m sorry,” Chet said. “I told you that you would always be safe with me. I let you down.”
Troy gave David a gentle kick. “Get up. Don’t let Henry see you two are a couple.”
When David rose, Troy embraced him. “Sniffle and tremble. He thinks omegas are defenseless creatures. Let’s not educate him today.”
Henry strolled at a leisurely pace, with his crew falling in line behind him. He addressed Mack. “Thank you for your patience. I’ll be leaving now. But, to remind you, we are still in a custody battle. The omega cannot join your pack, or mate with any shifter until this is settled.”