Griffin let his wolf growl. “Tell me how I’m wrong.”
“Simple,” his friend replied with a shrug. “Isn’t what’s best for an omega to be loved and cared for by a strong dominant?”
“Yes,” he hissed out. “That’s why the Green Mountain alpha is the best choice.
“No, you are because you’ve loved him his whole life, were prepared to die for him. More importantly,” he added before Griffin could get in a contrary word, “he loves you.”
Oh, how Griffin wanted that to be true. He couldn’t allow himself to mistake gratitude for love, however. “It’s only that he hasn’t had any choices. Of course, he thinks well of me given how I’ve been a good friend to him.”
He looked again at the ruins of his old life. “Now, he has Elijah as an option.” Someone to compare Griffin to, and Griffin felt very sure that the omega would find him lacking.
Chapter Four
Ethan elected to take his meal outside to eat for a couple of reasons. One was that he enjoyed being outdoors, with the sun on his face and cool wind to counter the heat. Now that he was no longer an alpha mate, he had the luxury of more free time, so he’d gotten used to indulging his pleasures with the changing of the seasons. Being at the gathering was no different. After lending a hand in the kitchen, he was no longer needed. Joey and his sigmas had matters under control.
More importantly, he’d spied Graydon and his boys in the backyard. They were ranged along a low stone wall, obviously happier to be there instead of the table designated for them in the great room. No surprise. The Strongbloods were the closest thing to the old ways as Ethan had ever encountered. Being out in the wild was in their blood. Their position provided Ethan with an unobstructed and undiluted view of Graydon.
And bonus, Elijah was busy wooing Ryan at Alpha Lorcan’s table, so Ethan had a clear shot at…well, he wasn’t sure what exactly. All he knew was that Graydon tugged at something deep inside him, at his wolf, certainly. There had been a moment during breakfast in which he could have sworn his wolf had been agitated by a sound that Ethan couldn’t hear. The poor thing had howled repeatedly as if calling to someone undetectable by Ethan. Yet, there was more. Just the sight of the man made Ethan’s hole itch.
When his mate had dumped him back on Elijah, humiliated and feeling worthless, the last thing on his mind had been sex. He hadn’t expected to miss being mounted, yet after the initial shock of it all, he had. His former mate had been a good lover, patient and generous. At least at first. The mountings had morphed into shorter, more perfunctory efforts as the weeks, then months dragged on without a heat manifesting. Yet, even those had brought some pleasure. He’d discovered that his omega body wasn’t merely a vessel for a dominant’s seed. In his mate-less state, he’d become reliant on his own hand. It wasn’t enough anymore. He yearned for a man’s touch, for a cock embedded deep inside him, and the incredible sensation of coming from that intense stimulation.
Although he hadn’t planned on it, the gathering was giving him a prime opportunity to realize that desire.
Ethan found a place to sit at the end of the last step on the back porch. The space was long and his ass was small, so he didn’t impede anyone’s access to the stairs. He stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles in order to balance the plate on his lap. A flat rock on the ground to his right provided a spot for his glass of iced tea. Fixing his gaze on Graydon, he picked up his sandwich and took a big bite out of it. This, too, had been part of his plan. His meal required very little focus, freeing him to focus on the Strongblood alpha as much as he dared.
The results of his efforts were nearly instantaneous. Graydon pivoted his head from where he’d been speaking with his beta to stare directly at Ethan. Even at a distance, the expression in the man’s eyes was fierce. It sent a shiver down Ethan’s spine and a pulse of slick descended his channel. His dick hardened at the same moment. Ethan swallowed his bite of food so fast, he nearly choked. And he almost tipped his plate over. He had to grab it with one hand while he squeezed the sandwich in the other.
It took him a few seconds to recover his composure. When he did, he slowly and deliberately took another bite of food, while keeping his eyes on Graydon. Now was not the time to lose his courage. If he wanted to experience the pleasure of being mounted again, he needed to stay on course. And he had to accomplish it without sending his brother into a murderous frenzy. He had no doubt Graydon would be up for some recreational sex on the side. What virile dominant wouldn’t be? Sigmas offered themselves for such use all the time. Why not a barren omega? It wasn’t as if he was going to ruin anyone’s bloodline with an improperly sired pup.
As he weathered the experience of Graydon’s unwavering attention, he reminded himself that if he weren’t the one to call the shots in this dalliance, Graydon’s aggressive nature might lead to a confrontation with Elijah. That wouldn’t do. Ethan had to plan out the when and how of any assignation, and it started with telegraphing his interest in a way that brooked no uncertainty.
He smiled as he reached for his glass, his gaze steady on Graydon. Thank the Gods he managed to pick up his drink without toppling it over. Then he raised it to his lips and took a long cool swallow. The liquid did little to ease the dryness of his throat or the heat of his blood. But he exhaled on an exaggerated sigh and tipping his head back, he pressed the glass against his throat. He let his eyelids droop and his lips curl up before he put the drink down again. He flicked the tip of his tongue around his lips and took another bite of his sandwich.
His wolf howled, making him jerk and lose his composure. With a frown, he broke his focus on Graydon and redirected it inward. Settle down. What’s the matter with you? All he got in the way of an answer was another howl, followed by restless pacing. Because he still stared in Graydon’s direction, he could see the flash of satisfaction cross the man’s normally stern face. Then, tossing his plate—literally—at his beta, the Strongblood alpha stood and strode toward Ethan.
Surprised and uncertain in the face of this unexpected move, Ethan froze. He put down his sandwich and held the plate against his stomach as he watched Graydon get closer and closer, as if it could somehow shield him from…what, exactly? This was part of the plan, to lure Graydon to him. He just hadn’t expected it to work quite so quickly and frighteningly well. Gods, that had been dumb. He was old enough to know that playing with combustible things could be dangerous.
Get a grip. This is what you want. Smile, dopey.
He managed to get a hold on his nerves just as Graydon reached him. With a flutter of eyelashes, he said, “Hello.” Oops, his voice kind of squeaked on that one word, hardly sexy stuff.
But Graydon simply smiled, in a sort of hungry way. He stood with his feet firmly planted and his long, muscular legs spread wide. The large expansive of bronze skin shimmered in the sunlight that backlit him. His loose curtain of black hair blanketed his broad shoulders. The man was the epitome of masculine beauty. The skimpy cut-off jean shorts he wore were obscene in the way they accentuated his package. Ethan’s gaze homed in on the impressive bulge. The alpha’s smile broadened, and he cupped himself.
“I am assuming your attention over the last few minutes was an invitation,” he said, in a deep voice that caused Ethan’s cock to twitch and his channel to get wetter. “If it wasn’t, now is the time to say so.”
Ethan didn’t get a chance to respond before the nostrils of Graydon’s strong, aquiline nose flared and his chest expanded. “Clearly, you and your wolf are interested, but if this is a tease to amuse yourself…”
Ethan’s cheeks heated and marshalling his courage, he sat straighter. “I wouldn’t do that. I have honor and experience. I know what I’m doing and I know what I want.” He looked at the alpha right in the eyes, while his heart thudded painfully.
Graydon’s pupils dilated to wide circles of deep black. Then he leaned in, looming over Ethan, really. The heady scent of an aroused dominant enveloped Ethan. He nearly whimpered at the powerful reaction his body had. His
lips parted as he became breathless. The plate tumbled from his nerveless fingers. The alpha snatched it before it could hit the ground.
Now Graydon’s expression turned to one that could only be described as hungry. “I think we’re both finished with our meal.” He held out his free hand. “Come, we’ll go into the woods for privacy.”
Ethan was raising his own hand before the sound of someone laughing loudly in the kitchen reminded him of where he was. He snatched it and his plate back, hugging both to his stomach. “No.” His breath stuttered at the sight of Graydon’s face morphing into a scowl. “Not now,” he amended.
With a toss of his head toward the back door, he said, “My brother is inside, as are his men. If I take off with you in such an obvious way, there will be trouble.”
Graydon folded his arms. “That doesn’t bother me in the least.”
“It does me,” Ethan replied with a frown and a firm nod. “I don’t want my brother getting into a fight because of my actions, nor do I want to impose on Lorcan’s hospitality in such a rude manner.”
Graydon’s eyes narrowed. “So this was just a tease after all.”
“Certainly not,” Ethan bristled. Honestly, this man was being awfully thick about matters. “I’m only saying that we need to wait for a better time. I promise I intend to give you access to me with the understanding that you won’t force me into anything I don’t want.”
“I have never forced a servient in my life.” The man sounded affronted at the idea.
“Good.” Ethan swallowed hard to gather his courage. “Tonight, after dinner and the bonfire, I’m sure we can find time to be…alone.”
Graydon seemed to be mulling that idea for a few seconds. “Very well. I must warn you, however, I am not like your brother. I won’t coax my way into your body with sweet words or whatever the fuck he’s doing in there with Lorcan’s family member. I will take what you give me, leaving us both satisfied, that is all.”
There was something so utterly primitive about how he stated his intent that Ethan’s dick, hole and wolf nearly overrode his better judgment. It was difficult to answer in a rational way. “That’s, um, fine. I don’t need courting. A good, hard fuck is all I want.” There, he’d laid it out with equal brutality.
A deep rumble sounded from the alpha’s chest. “Be careful what you ask for, Omega.”
“Ethan. I prefer you call me by my name.”
Graydon looked amused. “And I’d prefer those pretty lips be wrapped around my cock, but we can’t always have what we want.” He dropped his arms. “Tonight. I will be patient and wait for you to come to me. Don’t make it too long,” he added, baring his teeth. “And finish that sandwich. You’re too thin.”
Ethan gasped, affronted at the parting shot, yet still mesmerized by the sight of Graydon’s muscular ass striding away. In the next instant, the man shifted, his massive black wolf leaping toward the woods. The jeans shorts he’d worn were rendered into pieces that dropped to the ground. His men followed him, a small band of powerful dominants bounding into the trees with a chorus of howls and crashing through the underbrush.
Ethan sat momentarily dumfounded and astonished that he’d actually pulled off his effort at seduction. Quickly stuffing the rest of his sandwich in his mouth, he stood, grabbed his tea and downed that, too. Then he took his things into the kitchen before returning to the backyard as quickly as he could. He didn’t bother to consider what he was doing as he scooped up the remnants of Graydon’s shorts. Even before he lifted them to his face, he could scent the alpha’s pre-cum staining them. He furtively inhaled the potent smell while hurrying off to the area where his pack had parked their caravan.
No one was about, thank the Gods. He didn’t want anyone catching him at what he had to do. He went the camper, where he and Elijah had set up their pallets. Climbing in, he dropped down onto his bedding. Then he unzipped his jeans with one fumbling hand while continuing to sniff the cloth he held. His dick ached like a bitch, which was essentially what it was given his omega status. He might not be technically female, but his body acted as if he were one. And just because he was barren and couldn’t go into heat, didn’t mean his arousal was any less potent.
His hard shaft sprung out at the first sign of freedom. Flopping fully onto his pallet, Ethan proceeded to work his dick with his fist in a furious jerking that sent him coming within seconds. He convulsed, jackknifing up and doubling over with the intensity. The movement only served to mash his nose farther into Graydon’s scent. His wolf howled and pranced, causing Ethan’s face to shift to increase his sense of smell. Warm cum eased his furious fisting, sliding his fingers up and down his hard shaft.
He came again and had to muffle the half-scream, half-yowl that escaped him. By the time the aftershocks of his orgasms subsided, he lay spent and curled into a ball. His face returned to human form as his muscles went completely lax. He tried to open his eyes, but his lids were too heavy to lift. His chest heaved and his legs cramped. It was almost like having a fever.
That was his last thought before he passed out.
****
In his wolf form, Graydon’s human mind sunk down deep inside his conscience. He tore through the forest as if on a hunt, yet he had no appetite. At least not one that would be satisfied by deer or other wild creatures. No, the hunger eating at him was lower down than his stomach. His muscles strained with his effort to run off his painful need to mount and claim the omega.
Tonight. The promise was almost a taunt given how long before it would be fulfilled. He had to stay away from the omega until then. If he didn’t, the strain of keeping himself in check would become unbearable. And, he couldn’t allow his personal weakness to damage his pack by causing trouble during the gathering.
So he raced through the woods, uncaring of where he went. His men stayed with him, sticking to their V formation as they ranged around the trees. Occasionally he let out a howl, only to be echoed back by them. While they didn’t have his sexual frustration driving their speed, they never flagged. Eventually, instinct gave way to intelligence and he slowed down to give everyone a rest.
He caught the scent of water and led his men to a small stream. They lapped away their thirst, remaining on the alert out of habit. Once he was satisfied, he bounded up to the top of a flat rock and shifted back to human. Despite his exertions, his hard-on hadn’t flagged. It jutted out as stiffly as it had in his wolf form. Now, of course, he could do something about it. As he surveyed the area, he palmed the shaft and worked it with slow motions.
The view was beautiful, even he could appreciate it. Or would have if not for his vision being clouded with images of the omega. Ethan. What a bold one he was. It would have been almost laughable for an omega to flirt so shamelessly with a strange alpha if not for the serious desire shining through the boy’s eyes. He wasn’t a shy virgin. No, he knew what he wanted and that was Graydon.
Good. It would save him the trouble of maneuvering around Elijah. If the omega wanted him enough to offer himself up on a platter, then Graydon would gladly accept. The mere thought of plunging his dick inside that willing hole caused his balls to tighten. He clamped his fist around the base of his cock to keep from coming. He wanted to save it for the omega. Not that he couldn’t come multiple times a day, but the boy that was worth the wait. When Graydon did come inside him, it would be spectacular. That was what the old ones said about mounting a fated mate.
He worked his cock in lazy fashion to appease it somewhat, uncaring that his men lay around the rock in wolf form. They no more cared about his dick hanging out than he would of theirs. Then he caught a new scent. Scents. Everyone did. In an instant, the others were up on all fours, alert for trouble. Dropping his hand, he shifted and stood on top of the rock, staring in the direction of the approaching shifters.
Not that he was concerned. He knew these were Rogue dominants. Still, habits that literally saved their lives weren’t going to be tossed aside just because there was a gathering. The beta, Grif
fin, and a gamma came trotting into the small clearing. They kept their heads low, signaling that they weren’t intending to be aggressive. When they were within a few feet of Kael and the others, the beta shifted.
He stood tall, keeping his head slightly bowed. “I apologize for the intrusion, Alpha Graydon. We were only intending to have a quick drink before returning to the compound.”
Graydon shifted once again and waved at the water. “Please.” Not that he had any right to permit anything on Rogue land. Given the deference the beta showed, he wanted to be equally civil.
“Thank you.”
The beta signaled the gamma, who loped over to stick his snout into the stream. It wasn’t until he’d finished that the beta did the same, shifting to wolf, then back to human when he was done.
Swiping at this wet face, the man said, “Is there anything I can do for you? Were you looking for something in particular?”
Because the tone was respectful and Graydon could detect no rebuke in the questions, he answered. “No, we merely were taking a long, hard run.” Curiosity had him asking, “Are you on patrol?”
It didn’t seem likely given how casual they were being. And again, hardly any of his business, except he liked Lorcan and if some of his dominants were up to no good, he wanted to be able to warn the man.
The beta’s expression betrayed no unease. If anything, he looked sheepish. “No, sir, like you, we are only letting off some steam.”
“Ah.”
Graydon prided himself on his observational skills. As an alpha, he missed nothing, always taking note of the goings-on within his pack. Being in someone else’s domain didn’t blunt that ingrained alertness. He hadn’t missed the way this beta had looked at Lorcan’s family member, that fairly non-descript omega, by his estimation. Comely for sure, obviously fecund, and docile. All appealing qualities for his kind, although not for Graydon. Not with Ethan walking this Earth.
But Elijah coveted the boy, that was for sure. So did this beta. Bold and ballsy for a lower dominant to set his sights as high as an alpha’s widower. He couldn’t possibly think he stood any chance of making a match with the boy. Yet, there was something in his eyes when he gazed at the omega that resonated with Graydon’s own feelings for Ethan.
Omegas Unchained (The Rogue Pack Book 8) Page 7