Alpha's Protection (Indigo Mountain Pack Book 1)

by Hawke Oakley

  She’d just called Flint daddy - the same term she used for me, her actual father.

  Wordlessly, we exited the room and quietly closed the door behind us. As soon as we were away from her room, Flint turned to me. “Did she just - “

  “She did,” I confirmed.

  Flint blinked. “Okay. For a second I thought I was hearing things, but I guess not.”

  I decided to test my luck. “Do you… What do you think about that?” I asked carefully.

  “About what? About her calling me daddy?”

  I nodded.

  Flint stared at the wall, his face scrunched up in thought. “I don’t know. I think…” His eyes met mine. “I liked it?”

  My heart fluttered. Did I really hear that correctly?

  “You do?” I asked.

  His face set as he nodded. “Yes, I do. I’m sure of it.”

  Suddenly Flint strode closer to me so we were barely inches apart. He gazed down at me, his eyes blazing with a new passion. His scent overwhelmed me - it was musky and masculine, like pine sap on a cold winter night. It made me shudder. My wolf whined beneath the surface - it wanted more of him. I wanted more of him.

  My breath came out shakily. Flint put a hand firmly on my shoulder. His touch was intense and fiery. My skin prickled. The front of my pants tightened.

  Flint swallowed before he spoke again. His voice came out rough and husky. “You’re close to your heat, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “I am,” I admitted.

  That was the whole reason I’d left Scarlet Ridge - to escape Gunner’s control over my next heat. And it was happening now. My omega pheromones must have been overwhelming to poor Flint.

  “I can go out for the night,” I said, hanging my head in shame. “Or I can go buy pheromone blockers so that you don’t have to smell it.”

  “What?” he growled. “What makes you think I don’t want to smell it?”

  “Isn’t it distracting?” I asked, still unable to meet his eyes now. “I don’t want to tempt you. After all, you don’t want an omega like me.”

  A primal growl ripped out of Flint’s throat, more wolf than human. It was so intense that my eyes shot up to meet his. They blazed like a roaring fire.

  “An omega like you? What does that mean?” he growled. “You’re kind, smart, nurturing and - excuse my language - fucking hot as hell.”

  My jaw dropped.

  Flint’s alpha aura flared as he put his other hand on my shoulder so that he was holding me so that I squarely facing him. My omega wolf reacted instantly; it wanted me to press against him, rub on him, anything to get physically closer to him. But the logical part of me was still in shock. I couldn’t believe Flint had just said that to me.

  “Charlie,” he growled. “Listen what I’m about to tell you. Okay?”

  I nodded. “I’m listening.”

  “I don’t want to pressure you into mating with me,” Flint said. “But the smell of you… your omega aura… everything about you is calling to me. It’s making my wolf go crazy. Like the gods themselves are telling me that you’re the one I need.”

  “But - why me?” I gasped. “I have a pup already, and - “

  “Stop,” he growled. “I don’t want to hear the rest. Stop putting yourself down. And don’t talk about Casey like she’s unwanted around here. I love her, Charlie.” His gaze softened. “I really do. And I love you, too.”

  For a moment I stopped breathing. Flint’s words sunk in. I threw myself into his arms and he instantly wrapped them around me, holding me close. His body radiated warmth and strength; I never felt so safe as I did then. His scent intensified and mingled with my own, creating an olfactory symphony of two shifters in love.

  Flint’s nose nuzzled into my hair, deeply inhaling my scent. “So I guess this means you feel the same way?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I said with a breathless laugh. “At first I thought the feeling would go away, but it never did. It only got stronger…”

  Flint chuckled, his breath ruffling my hair. “Good. I’m glad we’re on the same wavelength. Just like an alpha and omega should be.”

  I bit my lip and gazed up at him. His eyes reflected the same primal hunger as mine currently had - I felt the urge to mate crawling up my body like a sensuous snake. I knew Flint felt the same way, judging by the strength of his musky scent and the firm way he gripped my shoulders.

  “Casey is asleep,” I began slowly.

  Flint raised a brow as he understood my meaning. “She is.”

  “We have all night,” I murmured. “If you want to…”

  A low, possessive growl rose from his throat. “I do want to. I’ll make you mine tonight.”

  Those words sent an electric shock through my body. My muscles felt weak, like I was going to melt into Flint’s arms. I wanted nothing more than for him to claim me. I was breathless and aroused now; I dug my nails into his chest.

  Flint smirked. “Come on, my sweet omega.”

  Before I could react Flint scooped me up into his arms and carried me possessively into his bedroom. He plopped me on the bed and began stripping. I was mesmerized by the display; the way his shirt flew off and exposed his firm, smooth muscles and abs. He flicked off his belt and snapped it in the air, making me sit up straight. My body reacted instantly to his display of power; I was ready for whatever he wanted to do to me.

  Soon he was stripped down to his briefs, which strained heavily because of his already-hard cock. I stared at the bulge as desperate hunger built inside me. I didn’t know I needed this so badly until right now.

  Flint put his hands on my chest and quickly undid my shirt with a growl. I gasped as he ran his fingers down my bare skin and gently pinching my nipples. My back arched, desperately leaning into his touch.

  He reached down and palmed my cock through my pants. Within seconds he had my jeans undone and thrown aside, along with my briefs, revealing my desperate cock. He began to pump it while he leaned down and kissed me. I was breathless. His mouth was hot and wet and his scent overwhelmed me, musky and thick, like a tight embrace. His alpha wolf aura fully came out and mingled with my omega wolf, like fingers intertwining.

  My heat came out in full force. I was in the midst of a desperate, aching need to mate. I grasped Flint’s shoulders.

  “Please mate me,” I murmured. “Make me yours.”

  He growled deeply. “I will.”

  He grabbed me by the hips and hiked me up. He traced his fingers around my hole, which made me gasp. With a reassuring growl he slipped half a finger inside. I moaned and whimpered, wriggling my hips. My body reacted to his touch instantly. My skin prickled with electricity, burning like I was on fire in the best way possible.

  Flint added more fingers into my slick hole, stretching me out in preparation. I was reduced to a whimpering mess. Flint leaned over and began aggressively kissing my neck as he stretched me. I felt his teeth graze my skin and I moaned. I wanted him to bite me; to mark me as his own.

  Flint must have understood my aching need. In the next moment his fangs dug into my flesh, biting down in a way that was both firm and gentle. No doubt it left a mark on me, which is exactly what I wanted. A relieved sigh escaped my lips.

  “You’re mine now,” Flint growled affectionately in my ear. “My beautiful omega.”

  “I’m yours,” I murmured. “My strong alpha.”

  Suddenly I felt a hot pressure pressing against my hole. Flint had aligned his cockhead with my entrance and began to push inside. My heat exploded. My body opened up for Flint, desperately wanting him deeper within me. The heat and wetness enveloped Flint’s cock as he thrust into my ass. Without thinking, I hooked my legs around Flint’s lower back, wanting to intertwine my body with his even more than we were now.

  He growled before pulling back a split second before slamming his hips forward, pushing his cock into me. Pleasure and passion exploded. My body screamed in pleasure, pushing itself further onto his cock as it swelled. I bit my lip so hard I al
most drew blood.

  Our bodies crushed together. Sweat trickled down our brows. Flint growled and increased his rhythm. His cock pounded into me so hard that I sank into the mattress with every thrust. I felt him hit the wall inside me and still wanted more. I cried out, unable to contain my exploding pleasure anymore.

  “I’m going to claim you,” Flint muttered, his voice hoarse. I tightened around his cock in response.

  “Breed me, please, Flint,” I begged.

  My body needed it. I needed it.

  Flint let out a deep, possessive growl laced with his wolf. He grabbed my hips fiercely, his nails digging into my skin. His body curled over mine and his thrusts increased, turning hard and fast. His balls slapped against my ass with every thrust. My own cock strained achingly for release. Flint filled me completely, claiming me as his own. Everything was tight, hot pressure and pleasure until Flint let out a noise halfway between a feral scream and a moan. He thrust hard and fast into me until I felt his cock throb and expand moments before filling me with hot, thick liquid.

  I groaned and my own orgasm hit me like a tsunami. I came all over my stomach as Flint continued fucking me until his orgasm ended. I felt his seed filling my womb and sighed contentedly.

  Flint pulled out of me with a grunt and reached over to the bedside table before he cleaned me up. I was too exhausted to move; I lay there, panting heavily as I stared at the ceiling until Flint pulled me close into his arms. His scent was warm and comforting. I sighed as his strong arms curled around my shoulders. I’d never felt so safe and cared for.

  My heat subsided almost immediately. The taut, stressed out feeling of desperately to be bred desperately dissipated into thin air. I sighed against Flint’s chest.

  “What is it?” he murmured.

  “Nothing,” I replied. “I’m just… happy.”

  He buried his face into my hair and I felt him smile. “Me, too. I finally have an omega to call my own.”

  “And now I have an alpha. A proper alpha.”

  He growled, a mix of possessiveness and affection. “That’s right. No one’s ever going to treat you badly ever again. You’re mine, now. I’ll protect you until my last breath, Charlie.”

  A warm feeling blossomed in my chest. I cuddled deeper in Flint’s chest, wanting to be as close to him as physically possible. He squeezed me tight.

  “I love you, Flint,” I murmured.

  “I love you, too, Charlie.” He kissed the top of my head. “I wonder how long we’ll have to wait to find out if you’re pregnant?”

  “We can use a store-bought test in about a week,” I told him. “You’ll have to teach me how to use it, though,” I added with an embarrassed chuckle. “I’ve never used one before.”

  “I’m sure there’s not much to it. I think you just go on a stick,” Flint mused. He paused with a frown. “How did you find out you were pregnant with Casey?”

  “Oh. It was through the breeding clinic,” I said. “It was a very… cold experience. I was told to come in two weeks after the artificial insemination and then the nurses checked my hormone levels. When they found out I was pregnant, they just sent me home with some prenatal vitamins and a reminder for a check-up date.”

  Flint growled and shook his head. “That’s despicable.” He hugged me tighter. “You’ll never have to go through anything like that again, I swear it.”

  I sighed contentedly against his chest and let the memory fade. “I know. Thank you, Flint.”

  But as we fell asleep, I couldn’t help but think of Hector’s threat - that he would be back to collect me. Gunner was aware of my heat schedule; would he really just let me go that easily?

  6

  Flint

  A week passed in complete bliss. For the first time in my life, I felt whole. No longer was I a lone alpha, living in seclusion from my pack. Now I was an alpha with an omega; one half of a whole.

  Ever since that first night of intimacy with Charlie, a new feeling of power and protection rose up within me. I had a new purpose in life - to protect my omega, and my new family.

  Neither of us had told Casey the news yet, since we weren’t quite sure ourselves. Charlie wanted to hold off telling her she had a little brother or sister before he took a pregnancy test. Meanwhile, I was getting more impatient by the day. The suspense was driving me nuts. I called up the guild and planned a hunt for today, because the sitting around and waiting was making me stir-crazy.

  I woke up early with Charlie cradled in my arms. He was still asleep, with his chest slowly rising and falling peacefully. I smiled and brushed the hair out of his face. He looked so content like this, I almost didn’t want to wake him. But I didn’t want him to wake up and wonder where I’d gone.

  I roused him gently. “Charlie. You up?”

  He mumbled and stirred. “Yeah.” He blinked one eye open curiously. “What is it?”

  “I’m going on a hunt today with the rest of the party,” I told him. I reached over to stroke his belly, which was still flat. “We want to keep the fridge stocked for the possible little one, don’t we?”

  He smiled. “We do.”

  “Come on. I’ll make you both breakfast before I go.”

  After Charlie woke up Casey and prepared her for the day, I created a huge breakfast for my family. It felt strange, calling them that, but not in a bad way - it felt natural, like my whole life was leading up to this moment in time.

  Casey gasped as she saw the breakfast spread. Scrambled eggs, sizzling bacon, buttered toast and - of course - a stack of blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes awaited them. She planted her bottom in the chair so fast I’m surprised she didn’t topple over. Casey was already stuffing her face by the time Charlie took his seat.

  “Slow down,” he told her with a chuckle. “It’s not going anywhere.”

  “But daddy, I’m hungry!” she protested.

  “Maybe she’s going through a growth spurt,” I offered, patting her on the top of the head.

  Her eyes glinted hopefully. “I am?”

  “I think so. You look taller than you did yesterday.”

  She beamed. “I want to be as big and strong as Flint daddy!”

  Warmth filled my chest. I still wasn’t used to Casey referring to me as her father. It made me so happy to hear her call me that.

  “Flint is going out for a hunt today,” Charlie told Casey, “so that he can bring us more food.”

  Casey gasped. “Can I come?”

  I ruffled her hair. “Maybe some other time.”

  She frowned and swatted my hand away. “I want to come this time!”

  “Honey, it’s dangerous out in the woods,” Charlie said, trying to soothe her. “It’s no place for a pup your age.”

  “But I want to go with daddy!” she protested.

  Charlie and I exchanged a glance. He shrugged. I figured the choice was up to me.

  I kneeled down so I was face-to-face with Casey. “I’ll tell you what. This time daddy will go hunting with the guild. Next week, you and I can go alone and bag a big buck of our own. How about that?”

  Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. She threw her arms around my neck. “Yay! Thanks, Flint daddy!”

  With Casey placated, they returned to finishing their breakfast while I got ready for the hunt. I tossed a light leather bag over my shoulder, filled with a skinning knife and gloves. The bag also functioned to hold my clothes while I was shifted. As I headed out the door, I glanced back at my new family.

  “I’ll see you both tonight,” I called.

  “Bye, daddy!” Casey exclaimed, waving excitedly.

  “Goodbye, dear,” Charlie said with a smile.

  Both their smiles tugged at my heartstrings. I was the luckiest alpha in the world.

  The hunting party met outside the guild building. It was a cool morning, but most of the guys dressed in a simple shirt. As alphas, we had naturally high body heat. Some kind of biological thing to keep our omegas warm.

  Most of the party had
gathered already, except for Jericho, who was prone to being late.

  “Where the hell is that guy?” David grumbled, crossing his arms.

  “He’ll come soon,” I said. “He would never miss a hunt.”

  Tyson nodded towards the street. “There he is now.”

  Sure enough, Jericho was power-walking towards us. He stopped in front of us and I noticed his hair wasn’t as messy and windswept as it usually was. He had parted it to the side and actually combed it. His outfit was spiffy, too - a nicely buttoned up shirt compared to one of his many graphic tees that he usually wore.

  “Sorry I’m late,” he said with a grin. “I was putting together a look.”

  David snorted. “For who?”

  Tyson laughed and elbowed Jericho. “Probably for himself.”

  “Nah,” Jericho said. “Just in case we run into any more omegas, you know? I want to look nice for them.”

  He tossed a smirk in my direction. I raised a brow.

  “What are you looking at me like that for?” I asked.

  “You know. You and Charlie.” He made a string of hand gestures I didn’t understand in the slightest.

  “Use your words, man,” Ken chimed in.

  “Come on, guys. Do I have to spell it out?” Jericho threw his hands in the air. “Flint. Charlie. Alpha and omega sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G?”

  Tyson and Ken broke out into laughter. David just groaned and rolled his eyes. I said nothing, but I hoped the embarrassed blush on my face wasn’t as visible as I thought.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “We’re a thing now. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

  “I wish I had an omega to put my panties in a twist,” Jericho said with a playful wink.

  David pushed past Jericho and grunted. “Come on. We’re losing daylight here. We have a job to do.”

  “He’s right,” I muttered. “Let’s go.”

  At the edge of the woods, we all stripped and put our clothes away before shifting. Suddenly the small hunting party of men disappeared and was replaced by one of massive wolves hungry for the hunt. It felt good to be in my wolf form again. The last time I took this shape was the night I met Charlie - the night that changed my life forever.