His Reformed Omega: MPREG Romance (The Mountain Shifters Book 7)

by L. C. Davis

  "Yeah!" she cried eagerly, taking her place on the other side of the board.

  Jaspar eyed the pieces warily. "I don't know...I haven't played for very long."

  "I'll let you in on a secret," Connor said, spinning the board around so Jaspar had the white pieces. "The best way to improve at anything is to go up against people who are better at it than you."

  "He's right," said Toval, sauntering into the room from down the hall. "I learned how to kick ass by fighting alphas."

  "Toval!" Mel called from the kitchen. "Language."

  "Right. I learned how to kick butt by fighting alphas," he said, rolling his eyes.

  Lucida giggled as the beta flopped down on the couch. "Mind if I watch the game or will that distract the mini Bobby Fischers?"

  "Focus through distraction is the key to discipline," said Connor.

  Toval cocked an eyebrow. "Are you teachin' them to play chess or to fight a war?"

  "They're related skills," he replied matter-of-factly.

  "No military conquests until you finish your vegetables," Mel said, carrying a tray of food into the room. He placed it down and the kids swarmed immediately. Mel sat on the arm of the couch before Toval pulled him onto his lap. "Oh, sweet, I forgot the game was on."

  "That's because Hassan is usually watching one of those stuffy war documentaries that takes up all the space on the DVR," the beta snorted, taking a bite of his sandwich while keeping one arm wrapped around his mate's shoulders.

  "Where is he, anyway?" asked Connor.

  Mel and Toval exchanged a look as the kids returned to the game, oblivious. "He's, um..." Mel trailed off.

  "He's meeting with Mitchell," said Toval.

  Connor's heart plummeted in his chest, another sensation he hoped he wouldn't have to get used to. He had a damn good idea of what the alphas were meeting about.

  "It's not that," Mel said, as if reading his mind. "It's just...well, it's confidential."

  "Right," Connor murmured, turning his attention back to the board, the one remaining place where he could trust his mastery of strategy. "Remember, the bishop can only move diagonally," he told Lucida when she tried to move the piece straight forward.

  She hesitated. "What's diagonally?"

  "Like this," he said with a laugh, moving the bishop for her to claim one of Jaspar's rooks. The young alpha didn't fuss or pout like most would have, but Connor could tell from the way his eyes darkened as they scanned the board, as if trying to see where he'd gone wrong, that Jaspar liked losing about as well as he did. As precocious as he was now, he would make a formidable leader one day. If he followed close enough in his father's footsteps, maybe even a good one.

  Chapter Fifteen

  DUKE

  Duke stood at attention in front of the Tribunal, all twelve of them gathered around a curved oak table, for what was likely to be the last time. This day had once been the only thing capable of getting to the hardened alpha enough to haunt his dreams, but as he stood there, waiting for the Tribunal he had served faithfully and laid his life on the line for more times than he could count, he felt no regret. In fact, he felt freer than he ever had the moment those words passed his lips.

  "Connor is my omega. My mate, and I intend to claim him."

  Once the initial shock had dissipated, the Tribunal had broken to deliberate and only recently reconvened. Even Lana seemed shaken, but as she returned to her seat at the center of the table, its most prestigious position, she wore the same mask of dispassionate severity he was used to.

  "Duke Miller, you have come before this Tribunal to confess imprinting on the omega formerly known as Cutter, previously the most wanted criminal in Federation history," she said calmly, reading off the summary of his confession like it was a formal charge. To be fair, if he had been anyone else, it probably would have been. "You have also confessed to keeping said claim, which poses a significant risk both to the credibility and security of this Tribunal, for a period of two years. Do you wish to challenge any of these facts?"

  "I wouldn't be here if I did, Ma'am," he said, surprised that his pulse was as steady and calm as his breathing. There was plenty of anxiety lingering in the back of his mind, but it had nothing to do with the proceedings and everything to do with the omega he'd left back in Mountain Ridge. Knowing Connor was sick and that there was nothing he could do about it had been the final blow to his ego, but the instincts he had been suppressing for years rose quickly to take its place. If there was anything he wanted to challenge, it was the way his claim was being characterized. It had begun as a confession, but now that the truth was out, Duke found himself overwhelmed with the need to shout it so all the world could hear.

  Connor wasn't some dark secret he had to kept hidden and contained. Good and evil, right and wrong, Federation and criminal, those were labels that had ceased to hold any meaning to him where the omega was concerned. He was bound to a higher law now, one of flesh and fang and a bond the spirits themselves had ordained. Who was he to question it? He had spent long enough doing just that, and it had gotten him nowhere. The more he suppressed it, the more he denied it, was less good, less human than he ever had been. He had even closed himself off from the pack and family that had never done anything other than want him to be happy, even if they were overbearing in their ideas of how that could best be accomplished. He had always told himself it was because he was busy with work, but he knew the truth was that he couldn't stand to look his father and brothers in the eye knowing all that they had sacrificed to make their mates happy and safe while he had left his alone.

  Lana sighed, folding her hands on the desk in front of her. "Under any other circumstances, the penalty for lying to the Tribunal would be no less than two years of imprisonment and immediate dishonorable termination of your position."

  Duke swallowed but his throat was dry. "Yes, Ma'am."

  "But these are far from normal circumstances," she continued. "Given your exemplary and selfless record of serving this Tribunal and the countless lives you've saved, I feel bound to honor that service by giving you the chance to step down on your own."

  Duke stared at her, unable to hide his shock. "Seriously?" He cleared his throat when he realized that came out as less professional than the grave circumstances demanded. "I mean, I appreciate your leniency."

  "It doesn't come without strings," she said, peering down at him over her glasses. "Mountain Ridge is less of a thorn in this Tribunal's side as an ally than it is an enemy, if only slightly. I would vastly prefer to have a former Tribunal member presiding over the Southeast Unit than a man of Everett Hauser's character. I'll expect your official resignation tendered by the end of the week."

  "Yes, Ma'am," he said with a nod. Duke took a moment to look out over the stern faces of each of the tribunal members. Some looked hurt, others merely disappointed. "It's been an honor to serve."

  Lana nodded, lowering her gavel on the table. "This Tribunal is dismissed."

  The room was less than hospitable, so Duke wasted no time in getting out of it. He lingered on the steps leading down from the massive stone building, realizing it was the last time he'd descend them. This place had been the closest thing to home he'd known, even if he laid his head elsewhere at night. It was strange to have that attachment transferred not to a place but a person, especially since said person didn't even want him around. Whether that changed or not, Duke knew that for the first time in two years, he had done the right thing.

  He felt a presence next to him and looked over to find Lana leaning against the stone pillar, lighting up her cigarette. "I thought you quit."

  "I did. Today's a special occasion," she said dryly, watching him. "Was it worth it?"

  "Absolutely," he said without an ounce of hesitation.

  Lana shook her head. "God, I'm glad I'm not an alpha."

  "Probably should be."

  "I can't ask this in any official capacity, but part of the reason for my decision is the hope that you'll be the lesser of two evils. Do
n't prove me wrong."

  "I'm not going to be your informant, if that's what you mean, but assuming Mitchell gives me the post in Southeast, I'm going to use it to do what I've always done," he said carefully. "To protect the interests of this Federation and everyone it governs, and to make sure that no Alpha abuses his authority over his pack or others."

  Lana nodded. "Fair enough," she said, flicking her ashes onto the ground and crushing the embers with a pointed heel. "I wouldn't feel right congratulating you on the mating, but I suppose I can say good luck."

  "Thanks," Duke smirked. "I'm sure I'll need it."

  Chapter Sixteen

  CONNOR

  In the few days that passed since Connor's discharge from the hospital, the omega found himself relaxing into the often hectic but always joyous rhythm of life in the Amari household. At first, he had been annoyed to discover that Mel had taken the alpha's name, but learning that Toval had done the same somehow softened the blow. Not that theirs was any great legacy to continue.

  "Alright, ankle biters," Connor said, handing Jaspar and Lucida their respective lunch boxes. The pups were thoroughly immersed in a game of chess at the table, and they had learned more in a few days' time than Connor would have thought possible even under his tutelage. "You can finish your game later, but you need to get your shoes on before Angel comes to pick you up from school."

  "Okay," Jaspar said brightly, slipping into the gleaming dress shoes that matched the uniform of the primary school that was apparently fit to compete with any exclusive private school in the human world. Connor had been surprised to learn that omegas and alphas generally attended the same schools in Council packs. Maybe things really had changed. He tried not to think about how different life would have been if he and Mel had led normal lives and gone to school, rather than learning all of life's harshest lessons upfront. The time was long past for him, but he was beginning to understand why Mel found the idea of shaping another life and providing a pup with the opportunities and resources they had been robbed of so appealing.

  It was a dangerous line of thought and he was happy for the distraction of the knock at the door. Angel was there with the twins. The trio usually came to walk Jaspar and Lucida to class, and it was clear even to Connor that the group was already beginning to pair off. Jaspar rushed to Tyr's side and started telling him all about his latest game, urging the young omega to come over after school so they could have a chess match of their own. Winnie took Lucida's backpack without a word and slung it over her shoulder with her own while the omega happily followed her into the hall.

  Connor sighed. Like it or not, it seemed that the designations were clear even for a young age. He found himself wondering often whether he would have railed against it so hard if he'd always lived in a place like the modern-day Mountain Ridge. "Sorry, I think Mel slept through his alarm. He was sick last night, but the kids are ready to go."

  Angel seemed surprised, but Connor could only guess as to whether it was because he had apologized or because he'd helped. Probably both, he decided. "Thanks, that's nice of you. Does he need anything?"

  "He'll be fine, it's just morning sickness."

  "Yeah, I know how that is." He hesitated, watching Connor closely, like he was trying to read him. "Are you...? Never mind," he said with a smile. "You know, I was hoping you and I could get together sometime soon. For lunch, maybe?"

  Connor blinked. "Why?" He really needed to work on his small talk if he was going to survive as a unit Alpha's mate.

  Angel just laughed. "I just wanted to talk. We haven't really gotten to know each other."

  "Sure. Yeah, I guess." It wasn't like he was doing anything. "I'll tell Mel when he wakes up."

  "Great! Well, I'd better get the rugrats to class before they're late," he said with a wave as he followed the prattling children down the hall. "See you at noon!"

  Connor closed the door and tried to decipher the new emotion that had wriggled its way into his gut. Apprehension? Surely Angel had some ulterior motive for wanting to meet up. He was the Alpha's mate, after all, and he had every reason to mistrust Connor. This had to be strategic. At least he wouldn't be going in alone. He doubted Angel would try anything too sinister with Mel around. Rather than idle and give more emotions time to crop up and harass him, Connor busied himself with cleaning up. Keeping his cell clean had been easy enough, but Mel and Hassan were as bad as the kids about not picking up after themselves. How Toval had ever managed to keep up with them was beyond him.

  As noon rolled around and Mel still hadn't emerged, Connor knocked on the door. When the omega didn't answer, he went in. "Are you alright?"

  The lump under the covers shifted and Mel's bedhead popped up with a yawn. "Connor?" He looked around, seemingly noticing the empty bed that took up most of the room for the first time. "What time is it?"

  "Almost noon."

  "What?" Mel cried, bolting to his feet. "Shit, I was supposed to get the kids ready for school. How'd I sleep through ten alarms?"

  "The joys of pregnancy, I'd guess," he said dryly. "They eat energy. Don't worry about the kids, they're already at school. Angel came and got them."

  Mel ran around the room getting ready in a panic. "If I hurry, I can put together something before lunch starts."

  "Don't bother, I already packed their lunches."

  Mel froze, staring at him like he'd grown a second head.

  "What?" Connor grumbled. "Just because I don't want to spend my days making sandwiches for an alpha doesn't mean I'm incapable of it. Besides, I don't think you should be responsible for feeding children. Assuming you want them to live to become adults."

  Mel gave him a halfhearted scowl before walking out into the living room. "Whoa, I can see the floor..."

  "It's called a trash can. Later, if really you get the hang of it, I can introduce you to broom and dustpan. Exciting stuff."

  "Hm, maybe I need an omega," he teased, flopping down on the couch. "I could get used to this."

  Connor rolled his eyes. "Don't get too comfortable, Angel's coming to pick us up for lunch."

  "He is?"

  "He said he wants to 'get to know me.'"

  "Ahh," Mel said in a conspiratorial voice. "Knowing Angel, that's probably code for 'he wants to get to know you.'"

  "I'm glad you find this amusing."

  "Relax, Con. Mountain Ridge has its politics and squabbles just like any other pack, but Angel's not like that," he said, standing to pull on his jacket and his shoes. "People are going to be curious now that you're out, but the more you get to know them, the less they'll have to wonder about."

  "I guess so."

  The sound of knocking on the door made Connor jolt. Mel gave his arm a reassuring pat on the way to answer it. Connor felt a twinge of jealousy as he embraced Angel and the familiarity between the two became obvious. Angel pressed a hand to Mel's stomach, grinning. "Hey, you're starting to show!"

  "Oh, fuck off," Mel grumbled, playfully batting his hand away. "Where are we headed?"

  "That's up to Connor," Angel said pleasantly. "In the mood for anything in particular?"

  Death. "No, anything sounds good."

  They followed Angel out of the building and to a deli he suggested not far off. The streets were full of omegas and betas with children in tow and alphas rushing from one building to the next. If Connor hadn't known they were all shifters, he would have thought he was in any other small city in the northwest.

  "So," said Angel once they were all settled in a booth inside the quaint little diner. To Connor's surprise, not as many people were staring as he would have thought. It looked like Mel was right and he was becoming old news. He never would have thought that would come as a relief. "How've you been since the party? I feel bad I haven't really had the chance to come see you, but you were in the hospital when I got back from chaperoning the kids at camp."

  The apology sounded earnest enough, even though it was unnecessary. Angel didn't owe him anything and Connor had admittedly been
dreading spending more than a few minutes with him, if only because he didn't want to say something that would turn Mel against him in defense of his friend. "No, I've mostly just been hanging out with the family." God, that was a sentence he never thought he would utter in his life.

  "Jaspar and Lucy have been telling me all about Uncle Connor's chess lessons," Angel said with a laugh. "Now the whole class is begging the teacher to bring them a board at recess."

  Uncle Connor? Connor knew he once would have bristled at the term, but it was strangely endearing. Mel had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked up over the menu. The little shit was enjoying every minute of his clumsy integration into domestic life and made no attempt at hiding it. "They'll need more than one board if the whole class wants to play."

  Angel grinned. "That's true. Mitchell says you're very skilled."

  "That's...kind of him," Connor said, biting back the retort on the tip of his tongue. Play nice.

  "You know, I'm no military advisor, but I hear them talking," said Angel. "Once you're settled in a bit more, I'm sure you're going to be a busy man."

  "Why is that?"

  "If I know my mate, he's not going to pass up the opportunity to put the infamous Cutter's brain to use for his own purposes," Angel said in a wry tone, sipping at his milkshake.

  It was the first time Connor had heard anyone use his old name so openly and it was more refreshing than he would have expected. It was also the first time he'd realized that he felt more attached to Connor than to Cutter. Cutter was a persona and it felt somehow distant from him. He possessed the name and the image that came with it, but it had ceased to define him. Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing, after all. "It would be nice to do something other than tidying up Mel's messes," he admitted.

  "Oh, so you've discovered his housekeeping secrets," Angel snorted. "Just don't open any of the closets and you'll be fine."

  Mel stuck his tongue out at the other omega in jest. "Don't you two start ganging up on me."

  "Someone has to keep you in line since you've got Toval and Hassan wrapped around your finger."