He can’t help himself.
And didn’t the omega feel the same way? Graydon searched his memory and thought yes, he did. There was certainly nothing he’d seen in the way the boy reacted to Elijah that conveyed any mutual interest. Lorcan had made it clear that the omega would have a say over his next mate. Ridiculous, to Graydon’s way of thinking. Giving omegas control over their lives was far too modern for him. Still, he couldn’t help feeling a kinship to this beta, Griffin, and it was in his nature to fix any problem he came across. He could afford to meddle a bit.
“Seeing that omega eat with Alpha Elijah must have made you and your wolf twitchy.”
Griffin couldn’t hide his surprise. To his credit, he didn’t try to lie. “It is agonizing.” His expression sharpened. “Not that I’m criticizing my alpha. I would lay down my life for Lorcan. He has been nothing short of life-saving for the servients of my old pack. Whatever decision he makes for Ryan will be the best one for the boy.”
Graydon held up his hand. “I was not questioning your loyalty to Lorcan, merely sympathizing. Where I come from, when a dominant finds the perfect mate, he acts on it. To do otherwise is a form of death.”
The beta quirked his brows. “My grandsire used to speak of fated mates. He said it was an old tale told in his puphood.” He shook his head. “If only it were that simple.”
“It is,” Graydon practically growled. “Stop using your beta brain and start listening to your wolf. I bet he knows exactly who you’re destined for.”
Griffin didn’t appear convinced, but Graydon was done chatting. His flagging erection rose once more, as thoughts of Ethan again filled his head. “We shall head back now.”
He shifted in the next moment, not bothering or needing a response from the beta. With a howl, he took off, his men flanking him. He poured on the speed even though there was nothing waiting for him back in the compound other than more talking. That was okay, night wasn’t that far off, mere hours. Then Ethan would come to him. Of that he had no doubt.
****
“What did you think of him?”
Kyle asked the question as he sat down next to Ryan. They were outdoors like many of the sigmas, getting the dinner ready for the gathering. It was a nice, warm evening, and Lorcan wanted a bonfire for a big celebration. Joey was setting up multiple grills for a barbeque. Ryan had volunteered to do vegetable prep, but he was doing it on the back porch while Milo napped in a baby swing beside him. It was another human convenience that the pup loved and it left Ryan’s hands free.
Ryan kept his eyes on his knife cuts while he answered. “You mean Elijah?” He shrugged. “He’s very nice.”
Kyle blew out a breath. “By that you mean he’s not Griffin.”
The end of a carrot slipped out of Ryan’s hand. “Oh, um… I guess the others have been talking to you about what happened this morning.”
“No one talked to me. I have eyes, that’s all.” Kyle scooped up the piece of food as it tumbled off the work table. “You think I haven’t noticed how you look at him?”
Ryan kept his gaze on his task, embarrassed and uncomfortable. No matter what anyone said, Kyle was an extension of the alpha first and foremost. He assumed anything he told Kyle would be repeated to the one who had ultimate dominion over him and Milo. He didn’t want to cause any trouble.
“I do like Griffin,” he admitted because lying outright would be totally unacceptable. “Not that it matters,” he added.
“Of course it does!”
Ryan gave the alpha mate the side-eye. “Really? You know that I have to accept anything the alpha decides. And while I know he’s been kind enough to grant me some say, I still have to choose what’s best for Milo and me. The alpha will insist upon it.”
Kyle sighed. “You think this thing with Elijah is a done deal, don’t you?”
“Isn’t it?” Ryan tried not to let any bitterness show. Scooping up the carrot pieces into a bowl, he moved on to celery.
“No, it’s not. It was only lunch, Ryan. Elijah asked for the opportunity and Lorcan gave it to him. It doesn’t have to go any further than that if you don’t want it to.”
Ryan shrugged. “I should. Want it to,” he clarified. “Alpha Elijah seems like a good man. He’s different than Haldon, that much is clear. He was very patient with Milo.”
That was true in a variety of ways that Ryan couldn’t afford to dismiss. In addition to not being put off by his nursing the pup, the man had been endlessly gracious with how much attention Ryan had to give his son instead of the alpha courting him. There hadn’t been any indication that it was all some act to impress Lorcan or Ryan, for that matter. From what little Ryan had been able to glean, Elijah appeared to be genuinely kind.
“He’d make a wonderful sire for Milo and provide us with a safe and comfortable life.” His knife flew through the stalks, the only outward sign he’d allow of his growing agitation. He wasn’t even sure why he felt that way. It was ridiculous to fret over something positive.
Kyle put his hand on Ryan’s arm, stilling his almost frantic movements. “Ryan, this isn’t only about making the best match. You’ve had a rough start with Haldon’s brutality. But that’s in the past. You don’t have to make a decision based on how much someone isn’t like your dead mate.”
Ryan shuddered through a hard swallow and shiver of unease. It was the mere thought of his former life. It continued to have the power to make him fearful. “Don’t I?” he asked softly.
Setting his knife on the cutting board, he turned to Kyle. “I’m only going to get one shot at this. It’s unbelievable that I have the opportunity at all. This time last year, I thought I would die protecting Milo, and from his own sire. It was that bad,” he added, tears brimming.
“Oh, Ryan.” Kyle wrapped his arms around him and hugged him hard. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea, although I should have.”
Ryan accepted the comfort without hesitation. He lay his head against Kyle’s slender shoulder. “If I’d given him an alpha pup, it might have been different. Better. He’d been bragging throughout the whelping that he’d filled me with a worthy son. He was so mad when an omega popped out of me.”
He lifted his head and sniffed. “Sometimes Griffin was my only refuge. He protected me and Milo at great risk to himself. Perhaps my feelings for him are merely gratitude.”
Kyle shook his head and pulled back to stare Ryan in the eyes. “I don’t believe that. What I see is love. And, that’s okay. Truly, Ryan. Lorcan wants you and Milo to be cared for, but he also wants you to be happy. If Griffin does that, then you can have him. Elijah’s suit doesn’t override that. You’re not a bargaining chip or a trade opportunity. You get that, right?”
Ryan nodded. “I do, except at least Elijah is obviously interested in having me. I don’t think Griffin is.”
Kyle laughed and shook his head. “You can’t be serious. Anyone can see he wants you.”
“Then why doesn’t he show it? He’s done nothing to pursue me.”
“Other than spend untold hours drinking coffee in the kitchen? You know he asked Deirdre to put him on the night shift so that he could be done by dawn?”
He hadn’t known that. The information brightened his mood. “Seriously? He’s not very obvious about it. All the moves, such as they are, have been mine.”
“I’m not surprised, and you shouldn’t be, either. You think a beta who has only recently been welcomed into the pack is going to dare court a member of his alpha’s family? He strikes me as way too noble and pack-oriented to be that bold. You’re going to have to be the aggressor in this, Ryan.”
He frowned. “I thought I had been.”
“You’re probably being too subtle. Be aggressive, leave no room for doubt in his mind about what you want.”
“I don’t know, Kyle. That’s not a very omega thing to do.”
“I hear you on that. Unfortunately, I’m hardly one to give you pointers.” He gnawed at his lip for a few seconds. “Why don’t you ask Reed?�
��
“Why him?”
Kyle shrugged. “He’s the most assertive omega here if you think about how he ran away from his old pack and sire to make a life for himself among humans.”
Ryan shuddered. “I can’t imagine such a thing.”
“Neither can I, and he was lucky that Daniel found him before he ran into trouble. Anyway, he’s got some pretty modern ideas. Ask. I’m sure he’ll help if he can.”
“Thanks, Kyle. I’ll do that.” If I can work up the courage to. Then again, if he couldn’t bring himself to talk about it with an omega he didn’t know very well, how could he ever pursue Griffin successfully?
“Do you really think Lorcan will be okay with my choosing Griffin over Elijah?”
Kyle’s face lit up. “Positive. If you mate with Griffin, you and Milo can stay with the Rogues. I’d love it if you do, and what makes me happy, Lorcan is fine with.”
“Thanks.” He threw his arms around the guy and gave him a fierce hug. “I’d love to stay, as well. You’re like a brother to me, Kyle. I don’t care what the official name is for our relationship.”
“I feel the same.” The alpha mate stood. “I’ll let you get back to your work. The bonfire tonight will be the perfect opportunity to entice Griffin. It will be chaotic, but also romantic, I think.”
“Yes.” Ryan swallowed past his nervousness. “I agree.”
Tonight, he’d make sure Griffin would have no doubt about his feelings. Ryan’s only fear was that the beta wouldn’t reciprocate them. But he couldn’t let that stop him. There was no more time to waste.
****
Ethan tried to quiet his nerves as he tuned his fiddle. The big celebration of the gathering was in full swing. After a sumptuous meal of grilled meat, fish and vegetables, along with a variety of side dishes, everyone was sitting around a huge bonfire. The kitchen sigmas were passing out decadent treats made up of cookies, chocolate and roasted marshmallows. All that was missing was music. That’s where the Green Mountain Pack would make their biggest mark. Neither the Rogues nor the Strongbloods had any real musicians, other than Reed, but Ethan’s pack had a long history of playing instruments.
He’d entertained his own people more times than he could count as well as his former mate’s pack. He shouldn’t be nervous now, yet he was. This time was different and the only reason he could think of was that he really only played to an audience of one. Graydon sat with his boys at the far edge of the large group. As usual, they stayed more apart from everyone rather than integrating. And still, the alpha’s focus lay heavily upon Ethan. He’d felt the man’s eyes on him throughout the entire evening. Now was no different.
Ethan didn’t know why it mattered so much to him that his music please this particular shifter more than others. Somehow, it did. His stomach fluttered with unease and his whole body felt on high alert. His agitation had been growing all afternoon since he’d woken up, sweaty and restless from his unplanned nap. The scraps of Graydon’s shorts had remained clutched in his grip. He’d guiltily hid them among his things, masking their scent with wild flowers, not able to bring himself to throw them away. Despite his intense orgasms earlier, he was still aroused.
Putting on a casual front during dinner when all he could think about was meeting Graydon later had been agony. He wasn’t sure he’d done a good job of hiding it. His wolf had been of no help, and he’d excused himself multiple times to use the facilities to wipe away the telltale slick that kept descending. It was one thing to hide his feelings. His arousal was something different. More than once, Elijah had eyed him suspiciously when Ethan had failed to stay upwind of him. Thank the Gods the meal was over. All he had to do was put on a musical show Elijah had promised and he could sneak away.
With his guitar firmly in hand, Elijah started tapping out the beat with one foot. He began a lively tune that Ethan joined in on at the right moment. Graham added in his bongos and the song took on a life of its own. Ethan did love this. His fingers and arm knew what to do without conscious thought on his part. He let the music take over and got lost in it. Soon he broke out into a broad smile and forgot about his other needs.
But he didn’t forget about Graydon. His gaze wandered in the man’s direction. The intensity of Graydon’s expression caused a flash of heat to spread over Ethan. He let the feeling fuel his playing. When Elijah transitioned into another, faster-paced song, Ethan had no trouble keeping up. He didn’t need to look at his instrument to play. He kept his attention, instead, on Graydon. It pleased him to see that the alpha did the same. Their gazes locked onto one another so intensely that his vision tunneled. It was as if they were alone at the edge of the woods with the clear night sky above them.
Pack members got up to dance, a wild mixture of uncoordinated movement. From where he sat beside his brother, Ethan couldn’t see as well past the twisting bodies. For a moment, he felt lost because the connection with Graydon was broken. His wolf whined and chuffed. Then those dark, intense eyes were back. Graydon had leaped onto a rock and stood towering over everyone. He stared down at Ethan, a tether than grounded him once more.
He paid no attention to the time passing or the number of songs they played. Eventually, Elijah wound them down with a slow ballad that ended with a sweetly sad tone. When the last note was played, their audience applauded and hooted their appreciation. Ethan grinned shyly at the attention, and deliberately broke eye contact with Graydon. Without the music flowing, he couldn’t handle the force of all that attention.
Once everyone returned to talking, eating dessert and passing around wine and beer, Ethan packed up his fiddle. “I’m going to return this to the camper,” he told his brother, being as casual as he could. “Do you want me to bring your guitar, too?”
Elijah’s gaze narrowed. “Um, okay. Thanks. Don’t wander in these unfamiliar woods.”
Ethan chuckled. “Why would I do that?”
He hoped the heat he felt in his cheeks didn’t show. Picking up both cases, he headed to the parking area. He didn’t dare look to see what Graydon was doing. He heard and saw nothing of the man until he’d stowed the instruments and closed the camper door again.
A hand shot out of the gloom and grabbed his arm. Ethan would have shrieked with surprise, except his voice was muffled by the force of Graydon’s lips descending on his.
It was a kiss like no other he’d ever experienced, all teeth and tongue. It robbed him of his breath and stifled any protest by turning him boneless from the passion behind it. Just as quickly as his body went lax, it revved up again so that he was clawing at Graydon. He grabbed as much of the man’s arms as he could reach and practically tried to climb him like a tree. With a sweep of his powerful arm, Graydon lifted him high enough that Ethan was able to wrap his legs around the guy’s waist.
Graydon’s big hands cupped Ethan’s ass, holding him in place, squeezing the globes in a way that almost scratched the incessant itch plaguing his hole. Almost. He whined and pressed in closer. The alpha’s rock-hard shaft dug into Ethan’s stomach, but he hardly noticed given how his own dick demanded that he hump the ridges of the man’s abs. The worn material of his jeans didn’t create much of a barrier between them, thank the Gods. Each flex of his hips sent a shock of pleasure along his shaft. His balls, cramped by the tight cloth cupping them, nevertheless pulled up tighter to his body. They tingled with the telltale signs of climax.
The orgasm ripped through him with an intensity that caused him to clench at Graydon’s bulging muscles and scream into his mouth. It felt as if he hadn’t come in ages rather than the few hours since he’d laid helplessly in thrall to Graydon’s scent. The alpha swallowed the sound with his lips, driving his tongue deep into Ethan’s mouth. Ethan scratched at every spot he could as if to meld their bodies.
A rush of air and a sudden dizziness told him that they were on the move. Graydon crashed through the woods, carrying Ethan as if he weighed nothing at all. The cool air dried the beads of sweat that had popped out on his exposed skin. It
made him shudder, but then the heat of the alpha’s skin warmed him again. No point of contact was lost. He distantly wondered how the man could see where he was going with his eyes closed.
Ethan dared to open his own and found Graydon staring at him with a feral intensity that he’d never seen before. He could swear, too, that the man’s wolf was visible inside the black pupils. The fanciful thought fled in the next instant as Graydon slammed Ethan’s back against a tree. The alpha’s arms took the brunt of the collision. Still, the force of the contact pushed out what little breath Ethan held. He gasped and pulled back. Resting his head against the tree trunk, he gazed up at Graydon. The man wasn’t looking at him, though. Instead, he was focused on undoing Ethan’s jeans.
“Wait,” he choked out.
Afraid his clothing would be ruined, leaving his activities clearly visible, he lowered his legs and wiggled to get out of Graydon’s hold. He tried, anyway. The man acted as if Ethan were no more than a fly buzzing around his body.
“Let me down. I’ll get them off.” His voice sounded strained, breathless, weak, even. He stood no chance of calling the shots in this endeavor. How had he ever imagined differently? Except Graydon instantly complied, loosening his grip enough to let Ethan slide to his feet. He didn’t let go entirely, however. When Ethan swayed, the alpha’s hands were there to steady him.
Shaking and unbelievably needy, Ethan tugged at the already loosened jeans to slide them down his legs. When he lifted a foot to toe off his sneakers, he grabbed Graydon’s hips to steady himself. That’s when his attention was drawn to the long, hard cock jutting out from the open cut-offs. The new shorts were no better at containing the alpha’s virility than the old ones had been. In the gloom of the forest, Ethan had no trouble seeing the weeping head of the dick. A sudden desire to taste overwhelmed him. He dropped to his knees before he could think better of it.
Omegas Unchained (The Rogue Pack Book 8) Page 8