by Noah Harris
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow, looking among the group.
Another woman, an older alpha by the name of Susan, spoke up. “Yes! Josh here tells us that he has an incredible apple pie recipe, and he’s been giving us tips in exchange for some of our own.”
“I didn’t know you knew how to bake,” Adam said, eyeing the omega.
Josh shrugged as he toed the grass with his shoe, the ghost of a smile on his lips. “You never asked.”
“He’s a genius!” Susan exclaimed, patting Josh on the shoulder.
“It’s just a recipe I got from my old pack. With... a few of my own twists.” He chuckled, like it was some sort of joke that Adam wasn’t privy to. He didn’t mind. He was just glad to see Josh happy and fitting in.
Josh had been extremely nervous about coming to his pack get-together. Although they’d both agreed to ease him into the pack gradually by inviting him to events like this, Josh had still been reluctant. Adam had gathered Josh in his arms, talk to him about pack functions and the fun they always had. Adam had assured Josh that he’d be there and nothing would go wrong. He’d told Josh his pack would love him, and he had apparently been right.
Before they had left for the pack house, Josh had taken a long shower, scrubbing clean any trace of the New Moon Pack scent and lingering traces of Adam’s scent that clung to him. It wouldn’t do for him to appear and immediately be scented out as the enemy, or worse, as Adam’s lover.
His pack was curious about the shy omega who hid in Adam’s shadow, and Adam wasted no time shoving him into the depths of the crowd. He’d introduced Josh as a lone wolf that he had met through work who was interested in joining them. No one had questioned it, and Sarah must have taken pity on Josh, or her instincts as pack mother had kicked in, because she’d quickly taken him under her wing.
“It’s good to see you’re all getting along,” he said, open and honest.
“Josh is a delight.” The third woman was Sarah’s younger sister, a beta in her late twenties by the name of Emily. She gave Josh a fond, welcoming smile. “It’s so rare to see male omegas these days.”
Josh blinked, looking between them. “Is it?”
Susan nodded, lifting her glass to her lips. “Oh yes, my dear. We have only a handful in our pack. Our men are mostly alphas and betas.”
Josh’s brows pinched slightly. “My pack—My old pack”—he corrected quickly, and no one seemed to think twice about the slip-up—“My old pack had quite a few male omegas.”
“We just don’t seem to attract many to our pack,” Susan said with an offhanded shrug. “Which is perfectly fine. They tend to be more likely to be problematic, if you know what I mean.”
Josh’s brows furrowed, small confused frown on his lips. “I’m, uh... I’m afraid that I don’t?”
Susan patted his shoulder. “Oh, dear, didn’t you know? Male omegas are more likely to be attracted to other men.” She clicked her tongue, shaking her head like it was a shame. “We don’t condone that kind of behavior here.”
Adam was too practiced in his poise to outwardly show his contempt. Outwardly, he was perfectly calm, still relaxed as could be. He was certain his smile was the same, even if it felt more strained. Inside, his gut clenched, chest tightening. He risked a glance at Josh to find the omega had stiffened, expression looking a little tighter and eyes a little more empty and void. He wasn’t sure anyone else would notice, but Adam knew him better than that.
“Oh,” Josh said, offhandedly and lightly but sounding carefully blank to Adam. “That.”
“But not all omegas, obviously,” Emily cut in. Her voice adapted a soft quality, eyes drifting beyond their group to someone across the field. “My mate is an omega, and he’s so soft and kind. None of those hard edges and big tough-guy acts that alphas put on.”
Susan nodded. “Yes, yes. Phillip is an extraordinary fellow. Perhaps we should introduce you, Josh? I’m sure you two would get along.”
It took all of Adam’s willpower not to outwardly cringe.
Josh chuckled, all good-natured and easy but without the usual warmth that Adam was used to hearing. He realized then, with a little bit of shock, that Josh was actually a good actor. He, too, knew how to hide his emotions and play the part, how to deflect attention and blend in seamlessly. Adam wasn’t sure why he didn’t expect it. It was probably because Josh had always been so open and genuine with him. He hadn’t thought that the guy had it in him to hide behind a mask.
Turned out they were a lot more similar than Adam had originally thought.
“Maybe later,” Josh said, sounding for all the world apologetic, but Adam knew better. There was an air of standoffish politeness that he could read clear as day. “I’m actually—I, uh...” His cheeks flushed. “Where can I find a bathroom?”
“I’ll show you.” Adam said before any of the others could. He put a friendly hand on Josh’s shoulder, squeezing softly as he nodded to the others. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse us.”
“It was nice talking to you!” Josh said.
“Come find us again if you can!” Sarah said as they waved.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” Adam said as the led the way across the lawn toward the house. He kept his tone low and private, smiling as they passed people.
“They’re very nice.” Josh said, and Adam knew he meant it. “I like them. It’s very... peaceful here.”
He glanced at the other man, one curious eyebrow raised. “Is it not peaceful at your pack?”
“No! No—I mean, yes, It is peaceful! It really is. For the most part, anyway,” he said quickly, then huffed a small laugh and continued under his breath, “But you’re here...”
When Adam smiled at a passing group of his pack mates, his smile was genuine, warm emotions filling him to the brim.
Adam led him into the house, feeling a wave of relief wash over him as soon as the doors were shut and the noise from outside was muted and dim. The silence rang in his ears, and it was peaceful. He heaved a long sigh, letting his eyes close. A soft giggle caught his attention.
“What?” he asked, small smile in place.
Josh shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets as he looked around. “Nothing, it’s just... interesting to see you in Alpha mode. You’re so different, but... But you’re also just... exactly the same.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, I guess,” he said, amused.
“It is.” He gave him a side glance. “You were cute playing with the kids.”
“You saw?”
He chuckled. “We all did. Sarah was talking about how she thought you’d make a good father.”
“Yeah,” He scratched the back of his neck. “She said the same to me once, too. I’d like to be a father someday. There’s just too much going on right now.”
“I think you’d make a good father,” Josh said, voice soft.
Adam smiled, reaching out like he’d been wanting to for hours and pulling Josh to him. He came willingly, folding himself up against Adam’s chest, arms wrapping around his waist. With one arm wrapped around him, Adam put his fingers beneath Josh’s chin and gently tilted his head up to look at him. “I think you would, too.”
He bent down just as Josh went up on his toes. Their lips met, kiss slow and languid, lips sliding together. He licked his way into Josh’s mouth, tasting him slow and tender, loving the way the omega opened up to him. Josh’s fingers curled into the back of his shirt, tiny pleased moans slipping from his throat. Adam ran his fingers through Josh’s hair, cupping his cheek and tilting his head just a little more.
When Adam pulled back, Josh’s smile was small and sad. “It’ll be a while before we can openly do that,” he said, eyes glistening and dark with emotion as he gazed up at Adam.
Adam sighed, leaning down to put his forehead against Josh’s and gently caressing his cheek. “I know, but hiding it is only temporary. Once my pack accepts you, and you leave the New Moon Pack, we’ll wait until I’ve been accepted as the official Alpha, and t
hen we’ll tell them.”
Josh pulled back, just far enough to search his face. He chewed on his bottom lip, brows furrowed. “I’m not sure they’re ready for that, Adam.”
Adam stroked his hair, pulling Josh in and tucking his head beneath his chin. He wanted to wrap Josh up and keep him safe. For now, this was the best he could do. He idly rubbed the omega’s back. “I don’t care if they’re ready for it or not. Times are changing, and so must we. Eddie was confident that the pack would come around to my... circumstances, and once I’m the official Alpha, they’ll have no choice but to accept it. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Adam...” Josh said, tightening his arms around him and nuzzling into his collarbone. “Are you sure? It’s not too late to go back...”
Adam smiled, resting his cheek atop the smaller man’s head. “You’re my mate, Josh, and I’m their Alpha. Things will work out, I promise.”
They stood like that for several more minutes, simply content to breathe each other in and bask in their warmth while the muted sounds of the pack barbecue could be head outside the door. Finally, Adam sighed, pulling away from Josh reluctantly. For now, no one could know they were together, and if they continued to stand like that, Josh would walk away with his scent clinging to him far more than normal.
He took Josh’s hand, leading him through the empty halls of the pack house to give him a grand tour, thankful that everyone was outside and they had a moment to themselves.
“They need to pay!” Levi said, slamming a fist down on the table. He’d been standing for nearly ten minutes already, and the pack meeting had only been going on for fifteen.
“We already agreed we can’t let them get away with it,” Alice said, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest. Adam wondered when, exactly they had decided this because he certainly hadn’t approved. “It’s just a matter of how!”
“I say we go out there, drag their Alpha out, and slit his throat like they did with ours,” growled Neil from his customary place at Levi’s side. Those two were the heart of Adam’s headache. Having been extremely close to Eddie, they were hit hard by his loss. They were dealing with their grief by lashing out, which was pretty common for alphas, but it would do them no favors here.
“And start a war between packs?” Adam asked, speaking up for the first time since the senseless shouting had started. He had been sitting silently at the head of the table, arms crossed and leaning back in his chair, one leg propped up on his knee. He had been watching them all, closed off and calculating while he assessed the situation. A wrong move from him here could end in disaster.
The meeting room was one of the biggest in the pack house. A large table took up the center of the room, much like the conference rooms at his office. He sat at the head of it, in a chair that was slightly bigger than the others. Millie sat at his right-hand side, oddly and suspiciously quiet as she watched the chaos unfold, lips curled into a small, amused smile.
Anyone and everyone over the age of sixteen was allowed to attend pack meetings, but their typical attendees were those of higher positions within the pack. The seats at the table were occupied by the high-ranking alphas, both males and females. A few betas and even fewer omegas hung around the edges of the room, either standing or sitting in the seats pressed up to the walls. They stayed silent, merely observing the arguing alphas.
Seeing as this was a meeting specifically about what to do about the New Moon Pack, most of the pack’s alphas had attended, and quite a few of the betas. Even so, there was a lot of members who’d chosen to sit out and let others handle the situation. Nearly all his friends, for one, sat out. They’d all given him looks of sympathy as he’d left for the pack house, and he knew they wanted to be there to back him up. But this was a stressful environment, and at odds with the temperaments of his closest friends, and he didn’t blame them for not wanting to attend.
Before he’d become the acting Alpha, he’d rarely attended the meetings.
Karen, however, was there. She didn’t sit at the table with the other alphas, though. She hung back, arms crossed and leaning against the wall by the door, observing with eyes that missed nothing and a small frown of disapproval. They made eye contact a few times, and he knew he had an ally in her, even if she were a silent one.
He didn’t raise his voice when he spoke, but his voice carried nonetheless. Crystal clear and cold as ice, hard and unyielding, he had the voice of an Alpha. He wasn’t sure how he had adapted to it so easily, whether it had been from years of watching Eddie or whether it was natural for him, but either way, he’d slipped easily into the role.
His voice and posture radiated power and a silent command for respect. So much so, that when he spoke, his voice effortlessly cut through the arguments. Everyone turned to look at him, conversations dying on tongues as they all blinked in surprise. Perhaps the surprise was because it was the first time he had spoken, or perhaps it was merely because they weren’t expecting him to have such a strong Alpha influence.
Perhaps it was both.
Neil was the first to recover. He jabbed a finger down onto the table, leaning forward on an arm as he growled, “If that’s what it takes, then yes.”
Adam raised an eyebrow. It was the only change in his expression. “You would really have us start a war, after we just managed to find a tentative peace after generations of it?”
Neil grit his teeth, face and jaw working as he struggled to come up with a response.
It was Levi who answered for him. “They started this when they killed Eddie. Our Alpha.”
“And if they can be believed,” Lily said, just as venomous as the others if not a little calmer and icier in her outrage, “Eddie went to them with offers of a true peace. And they killed him. So tell us why we shouldn’t start a war?”
Eyes were back to Adam. He could feel the tension in the room, thick and choking. There were far too many worked-up alphas in a confined space. Their scents were sour and bitter and strong, musk and leather and earthy. It felt as if half the room held their breath, silently watching the volley between Adam and the loudest of the other alphas.
“And if they are to be believed,” Adam said coolly. “Then their Alpha had nothing to do with Eddie’s death.”
There was a shifting in the room, a low grumbling.
“Can we honestly believe a word they say?” another alpha spoke up from across the table. A man by the name of Patrick. There were some rumblings of agreement, which encouraged him to continue. “They want us to make the first official move so they can blame the war on us, but it was clear as day that the Alpha was lying.”
“He wasn’t,” Adam said sternly, void hard and unyielding, leaving no room for argument. A few people started to speak up, but he silenced then with a sharp hand gesture “He was not lying. He meant it when he said he ordered Eddie’s safe passage and did not condone his death.”
“Maybe so,” Millie said into the silence. He turned to look at her, meeting her eyes, steel against ice. She held his gaze as she spoke. “But members of his pack could have done it without his direct say-so.” He felt a knot in his stomach tighten. He had hoped no one would bring this up.
He clenched his fists under the table where they were hidden, feeling his nails bite into his palm. He didn’t look away from Millie. “Be that as it may, if they acted against their Alpha’s orders, he no doubt isn’t aware—”
“Or,” She cut him off, making him bristle. She was the only one in the room brave enough and brash enough to do that to their acting Alpha. Her tone was as calm and strong as his. “He knows and is hiding them and protecting them from receiving proper punishment.”
“If he’s hiding them, then he’s just as guilty,” Levi said, jumping at the thread and pulling hard.
“Maybe he wanted them to do it but couldn’t openly say so!” Lily threw in, earning a murmur of soft outrage.
“We have no proof,” Adam said, eyeing them across the table.
Neil pounded the
table. “Their scent is all over the crime scene!”
“Then we ask their Alpha if we can investigate their pack to sniff out the criminals.”
“Do you honestly think he’d let us do that?” asked an alpha female by the name of Megan. She glared at him, dry sarcasm in her voice.
Adam bit his tongue and glared back. “If he wants to protect his people from a war, yes, I do believe he will.” He actually had no idea, and he doubted the New Moon Alpha would allow them to sniff through their ranks. He doubted he would line up his pack mates like cattle to the slaughter. Werewolves were, after all, prideful creatures. He had to hope, though, and he couldn’t let his pack see his doubt.
“I think they made it clear that they don’t want peace,” someone said.
“Our bad blood runs too deep to back out now.”
“We can’t let them get away with murdering our Alpha.”
“I, for one, won’t rest until we get justice for Eddie.”
“For Eddie!’
“For Eddie!” It rang as a chorus around the room, voiced mostly by the alphas with a few betas around the edges nodding their approval. The faces he saw were hard, set and determined. Adam knew he was quickly losing this argument.
It was time to act.
He stood quickly, chair moving silently across the carpet. He slammed both hands on the table, palms flat. It was loud and abrupt, causing everyone in the room to jump, heads whipping around to face him and eyes staring, mouths hanging agape. Adam leaned forward, hunched over the table with his brows furrowed. He swept the room with his eyes, making eye contact with every single member until they each looked away. His aura was pulsing, strong and powerful, scent drowning out the others.
He was Alpha.
He would be obeyed.
And they would listen when he spoke
He was the Alpha of this pack. His family.
For Josh.
“For Eddie?” he said, voice slow and cold, ice and iron. His voice was a lot rumble, but knew it would carry. “For Eddie?” He raised his voice, spitting out the words in his disgust. “You want to start a war for Eddie?” He stared hard at the loudest alphas until their eyes dropped to the table. “Eddie was a close friend of mine. He was a close friend to everyone here. He was a good leader, and we all looked up to him, respected him, loved him. Eddie wanted more than anything to forge peace and bring an end to this feud. He wanted us, his pack, to live happily and without the threat of fights breaking out daily. He wanted a bloodless future for us, our children, and his children.”