Abel unbuckled Fan and picked him up, dead weight on his shoulder. Bax met him in front of the van with Noah already in his sling—a new one, his Christmas gift from Jason.
Duke strolled up to them, trailing their suitcase, a bag over his shoulder, and a clothes basket full of the pups’ things on one hip. “We good?”
Abel nodded, and then Roland came out the door to greet them. “Welcome, Mercy Hills,” he said.
“Jackson-Jellystone,” Abel returned.
“Come in,” Roland said, and stepped aside.
Abel walked in, Bax behind him, and Duke bringing up the rear. He remembered where the guest rooms were and took the hallway to the left, down to a small suite. Two bedrooms, a bath, and a sitting room—enough that he could conduct business on his own if he wanted to. Abel took the larger of the two rooms, leaving the smaller one for Duke.
“I’ll get Fan into his pajamas,” Bax murmured. He laid Noah down in the center of the mattress and shrugged off his coat, then came to take Fan from Abel. Duke set the clothes basket on the floor inside the door, and rolled their suitcase in.
Roland stood right behind him. “Once you’ve put the pups to bed, we’ve got food if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks,” Abel said. “We’ll be out in a minute.” His brusque dismissal didn’t sit well with the Jackson-Jellystone Alpha, but it was part of the game. Abel had only so much room to negotiate, with the new trial date looming next month and no idea if he was going to be held to this quarter-million payment on Jason’s behalf. Laine thought it was promising, but so much could go wrong—so much had gone wrong in the last one, even in the middle of the things that went right. He wanted Bax to have the mating ceremony he deserved.
Bax dug in the clothes basket, extracting the new pajamas for Fan, and deftly rolled him into them.
While he was doing that, Abel unloaded the rest of the things in the basket and lined it with the blanket they’d brought to make a cushion for Noah to sleep on. “Do you want to bring Noah out with us?”
Bax shook his head. “He’ll be fine here.” His voice was grim.
Abel paused in trying to organize the pups’ things in one of the drawers. “Are you okay?” he asked in a low voice.
“I’m fine.” He picked up the little air mattress they’d brought for Fan and started blowing it up.
“No, you’re not.” Abel left off putting away the pups’ things and came over to hug Bax from behind. “Do you want to stay here with the pups while I go out and do the civil thing?”
Bax paused with the mattress half-filled. “Would you think less of me if I did?”
“No. I know there’s bad memories here for you.” Abel rested his chin on top of Bax’s head. “Maybe you should have stayed home.”
His mate was silent for a moment, then he sighed. “No. I need to lay these ghosts.”
“And maybe a little sweet revenge?”
Bax chuckled. “A little egotistical, are we, Alpha of Mercy Hills?”
“Don’t worry.” Abel squeezed him and dropped a kiss on the curls tickling his chin. “I have a mate who reminds me every day how lucky I am.”
Bax spun in his arms. “I don’t guilt trip you, do I?” His eyes searched Abel’s anxiously.
“Just the opposite.” He pressed his forehead to Bax’s. “You make me rethink a lot of things. I wonder sometimes what I would have been like if I’d been born somewhere else, or if I’d been born something other than alpha. And, to be honest, it scares me. I’m where I am because I had a head-start, not because of who I am. And I’m sorry you couldn’t have that same opportunity.”
“Well, you can make it up to me for the rest of your life.” Bax’s eyes crinkled and he lifted his head for a kiss.
Abel gladly gave it, pulling his mate closer and promising with his body what he’d already promised with words. Love, protection, faith. Forever.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
The night of our arrival passed without causing me too much grief. The pups slept, and the conversation in what had once been my living room stayed mostly on neutral topics: who had mated, who was expecting a pup, plans for the pack. This was the only one that actually touched on our reason for being here was a discussion about power and solar cells, and Mercy Hills’ new design. Even I could tell that Roland was trying to get a feel for how much Abel valued my pups, and how much he could ask for. Abel was appropriately intimidating during the discussion—a side of him I’d never seen before. To back him up, I played my role as well, the passive, submissive omega.
I don’t think either Roland or his mate caught our silent laughter at the charade.
That night in bed, I coaxed him into lovemaking. The master bedroom was right next to ours—I knew Roland would hear every creak of the bedframe, every groan and ecstatic cry. Now try to say I wasn’t Abel’s. The fact that I’d let him into my bed, or encouraged him into it, would reduce what could be asked for me, I hoped. Gossip spread faster than wildfire in shifter enclaves—I knew it would get back to Buffalo Gap. Fuck my reputation.
And in the morning, I made sure I was up before everyone, and I made the best breakfast of my life, serving it around as if this was still my own house. It might have been childish of me, but the resentment I felt had been brewing for months, and I couldn’t seem to help myself. Though the fact that Abel seemed to approve made it a bit easier.
After breakfast, I cleaned—much better than Miranda or her hired help had done—made coffee, and brought it out to the living room, where Abel and Roland were beginning their negotiations. Noah sat happily on Abel’s lap, and Fan played with his race car at Abel’s feet. That surprised me—I’d been certain that he’d want to go find some of his old friends, but he hadn’t seemed interested. He was smart, though, and he knew why we were here. It was entirely possible that he felt he needed to show some sort of pack loyalty to Abel.
Later, perhaps, I’d take him around to visit. He shouldn’t be cooped up all day.
Noah was chewing on his new favorite thing, a piece of rawhide dipped in beef broth. His teeth were coming in with a vengeance and Abel was kept busy with a cloth, wiping drool from his face before he could get it on everything.
Roland cleared his throat. “Perhaps Bax should take the pups out so we can talk without distractions.”
Abel looked up at him, wearing a deceptively mild expression. “They won’t distract me. And right now, Fan is my heir. He should hear how Alphas negotiate, in case he’s ever in that position.”
That seemed to take Roland back. Even more so, when Able pulled me down onto the couch beside him. Memories flooded over me, and I almost reached for my hidden romance stash in the cushions, except they were all gone, and I had real romance beside me. I smiled and rubbed my cheek against his shoulder. This should be interesting.
Roland wiped the pained look off his face and began. “I see you’ve grown fond of our Bax here.”
Abel raised his eyebrows. “Your Bax? My understanding of pack law is that, now that Patrick has gone to the Moonlands, Bax belongs to Buffalo Gap again. I’m here to negotiate for the pups.”
Ah, that was a shot Roland hadn’t been expecting. Did he really think I was stupid enough not to know what my status in Jackson-Jellystone really was? I kept my satisfaction off my face and watched Fan vrooming his car up Abel’s leg.
“I don’t believe Buffalo Gap wants him back,” Roland tried, but Abel wasn’t having any of that.
“Roland, do you think I’m fool enough to come here without having spoken to Buffalo Gap? That’s my next stop, and they’re awaiting my arrival eagerly. So let’s talk straight, Alpha to Alpha. I’ll offer you six solar collectors, and training for one member of your pack on how to maintain them.” It didn’t sound like much, but Roland also needed to save some face here. If he could talk the Alpha of Mercy Hills into higher compensation for the pups, then it would improve his standing with the pack, and he’d be less likely to cause trouble later if Abel had to go to the pack council about
Jason.
“I’m not certain you understand the value of what you want to take from us.” Roland’s smile said we were playing him perfectly. “Not only are they the pups of the previous Alpha, but they created a relationship between us and Buffalo Gap.”
Abel snorted. “And Buffalo Gap is such a profitable relationship.”
I hoped this wouldn’t get back to Buffalo Gap before we got there.
“Fan will be an alpha,” Roland reminded us. “The girls will make good mates, or will be alphas in their own right. Everyone knows pups take after their sire, especially when the bearer is an omega.”
I pressed my cheek harder against Abel’s shoulder. Don’t get mad, I told you to expect this.
“True.” Abel wiped Noah’s chin again and played tug-of-war with the chewy. “But there are still no guarantees. I’ll give you eight solar collectors then, on the assumption that we’ll get two alphas out of them, and train your pack member.”
“And what happens if one of the girls turns out to be alpha?”
How I hated the way packs valued us based on our status. What was wrong with being beta, or gamma, or delta? I didn’t even think about omega. We shifters were as bad as the humans in some way.
Noah began to squirm and squawk. I quickly checked his diaper, but he seemed fine. Probably hungry again—he hadn’t wanted solid food this morning, insisting on nursing until I had to force him to stop. I wondered if he sensed my tension. “He’s probably hungry,” I said quietly. “I’ll take him down to the room.”
Abel nodded at me and discreetly gave my fingers a squeeze before he handed Noah over. “Come back when you’re done.”
I nodded, seemingly obedient to the core, and hurried out of the room with my grumpy pup. It was odd—I wondered if my false obedience would change once we were truly mated, when he’d taken me in heat. Would I then have no will outside his? It hadn’t happened with Patrick, not completely, though the urge to serve had grown stronger with him. I trusted Abel, though. He’d made so many choices that were in my favor, opened so many doors for me, it probably wouldn’t make any difference in my life. And, when the time came—the thought of his pup growing inside me made me shiver in delight.
Noah nursed well, and I took the time to change his bum, now wet. I had packed some animal crackers and I dug out a handful, hoping he’d last longer between meals with solid food in his stomach. He grabbed the first one and gummed it happily, ramming his still unpaired front teeth into a lion’s head with glee. We danced down the hallway to the living room, where I had to put on my sober omega disguise again.
I couldn’t wait to get out of there and be myself once more.
The men were just getting out of their seats when I got back. I looked a question at Abel, who nodded. “Roland is going to contact the pack members he thinks would be good candidates for training.” He smiled down at Fan, who had gotten to his feet and grabbed hold of Abel’s hand. “Maybe Fan can show me all his favorite places?”
“Yep!” Fan said and bounced in place, hanging off Abel’s like a monkey instead of a wolf. “We can see the creek and the climbing tree and my old fort!”
Roland held out a hand for Abel to shake. “It’s good doing business with you, Mercy Hills. I look forward to further dealings.”
“I’ll keep you in mind if the lab comes up with anything you might find useful. We’re still very small, unfortunately. I need to get a few more wolves out to university first.”
“Something we should all be working on.”
His words almost sounded respectful, which surprised me. But then again, Roland hadn’t been a bad Alpha. Just my experience with him had been, and even if I resented it, he’d done the best he knew how for me. Didn’t mean I wasn’t going to enjoy any small revenge I could have, though.
We walked down the main street, headed toward Central through the rows of battered trailers and rough-built houses.
“How much did you end up giving him?” I asked.
“Ten collectors and two techs.”
Hmmm. “So, less than you were willing to pay.”
“Yep.” He smiled, his wolf peeking through. “I expect I’ll have to pay through the nose for you.”
I elbowed him, and he grunted. “Don’t you dare! We can’t afford it.”
“I can’t afford not to, if that’s what mates us for good.” He pulled out his phone and turned on the data, going straight to a web page with lines of numbers that reminded me of some of the financial reports I’d seen around the office.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Alpha Hunt,” he replied smugly and showed me the screen. “It released yesterday.”
“Holy crap,” I said, far louder than I’d meant to.
Fan frowned up at me. “Dabi! Language.”
“I’m sorry, baby. You’re right. I apologize.”
“Don’t do it again.” He jumped and swung from Abel’s arm.
“I won’t,” I told him, and shot a dirty look at Abel, who was biting his lip to keep the laughter inside. “You wait until he starts throwing your words back at you,” I hissed. “Then see who’s laughing.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” He slung an arm around my shoulders. “I can’t expect the income from Alpha Hunt to stay like this, but this should push a good chunk of change toward Jason’s fund. And I’ve rented the fields outside walls to someone to graze horses. Now, if Laine’s right about our chances in the counter-suit, we could be in the money.” He stopped and gazed out over the enclave. “How would you like to have a house—a real house, not an apartment—of your very own?”
I sucked in a breath in surprise. “We’re doing that well?”
“Better than I expected. Things are coming together like I’ve never imagined.” He looked down at me, his expression serious. “I have no idea what changed, but I’m glad it did, because it means I can give you all the things you deserve, without shorting either you or the pack. That’s a luxury I haven’t had since I took over. I plan to spend it where it’s most important.”
Oh. What could I say to that? My knees went weak and I went to him, pressing myself tight against his chest. My hero.
He chuckled; it rumbled, deep and comforting against my ear. And I made myself and him a promise that I would do everything in my power to make him happy.
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
We happened upon some old friends of Fan’s, friends who had dropped him like a hot potato when he was no longer Alpha’s pup. Fan ran ahead to say hi, and my heart clenched with worry for my boy. I hoped they wouldn’t be cruel. I hoped he wouldn’t close himself off from me again—he’d made such strides since moving to Mercy Hills.
I shouldn’t have worried.
Angry shouts met our ears and, without a word, we quickened our pace. One of the boys had Fan’s new car in his hand, holding it tauntingly just out of reach. “Omega’s brat,” the pup spat at mine.
“Give it back, it’s mine!” I could almost see steam coming out my oldest’s ears, he was so angry.
“Gonna get your Pappuh to come take it back? Oh, I forgot, you ain’t got one!”
Fan stamped his foot. “Yes I do! I have a new Pap.” Then he turned and ran for us, tears of rage streaming down his face. “Pap, Pap, he took my car.” And ran straight into Abel’s arms.
I covered my mouth to keep from sobbing out loud. I’d never even dreamed of this, but, oh, after this, if nothing in my life ever went right again, I could be still be happy.
Abel raised his eyebrows at me, then looked over at the now apprehensive pups. “That’s okay, Fan. We’ll go get it back.” He picked Fan up and walked toward the small group, his power swirling around him. He never did that, unless he was trying to make a point. I felt it reach toward the pups, and he would have been well within his rights to give them a good snap with it, but he held off, letting it hover no more than a finger’s length away from their skin. “Fan forgot his car,” he said in the politest of tones.
The boy hol
ding Fan’s car cautiously held it out to him. “I’m sorry, Fan,” he said nervously.
Abel let Fan down to retrieve his toy, then picked him back up again. “Boys, I’m not going to deal with you myself, but I will be letting Roland know about your behavior. I suppose he’ll know what to do with you.” Then he held a hand out to me, and we walked on, so Fan could show us the special waterfall in the little creek that ran through the enclave.
We spent a second night in Jackson-Jellystone. In part to give Fan a chance to run around and play with some other pups that hadn’t been a part of the first group, but also because it was a ten hour drive between there and Buffalo Gap—and that was without stops for bathroom breaks and meals. Abel spent the afternoon interviewing candidates with Duke, and eventually got the list down to the two he thought could get up to speed the fastest, and one spare in case something happened to their first choices.
The papers were officially signed that evening at a small celebration held in the commons, with food I didn’t have to cook, and entertainment I didn’t have to arrange. It was heaven. And more so, because the pups were now officially Abel’s. No matter what happened to me, they had a home, and a father who would raise them to be good shifters, and good leaders. An omega could ask no more.
Then the next day we were packed in the van, Duke and Abel in the front, myself and the pups in the back. We had fun snacks, and Duke had shown me different places on the map we could stop and let Fan stretch his legs. I was as happy as I’d ever been. And now that the opportunity to go home for a visit had come up, a tight knot of homesickness had settled into my stomach. I was ready to see the people I’d grown up with.
Abel's Omega(Gay Paranomal MM Mpreg Romance) (Mercy Hills Pack Book 2) Page 23