by Noah Harris
“I agree,” Megan said, intertwining her fingers with Ben’s. “When we have kids, we want you all to be in their lives. You’re all the pack we need.” Ben nodded his agreement.
Adam looked down, but Josh wasn’t looking at him. He put his fingers under the omega’s chin and tilted his head up. His eyes were shining with unshed tears, fingers digging into Adam’s shirt. “Adam, I’m so sorry...” He glanced around at the others. “I didn’t mean... You lost your pack because of...”
“We left our pack by our own decision,” Karen said firmly, and the other murmured their agreements. “Whatever happens from here on out, we have each other.”
“What about you?” Adam asked softly, waiting for Josh to look back up at him. “You can still go back to your pack if you don’t want to be wrapped up in this mess.” It would hurt to let Josh go, but he wouldn’t blame him even as his heart broke.
But Josh only smiled, a wobbly tilt of his lips as his eyes crinkled. “My pack is with you, Adam,” he said softly, shifting up to press his lips to Adam’s jaw.
Warmth bursting in his chest, he looked around at his friends, his family, his new pack. Wrapping his hands under Josh, he hefted the omega fully onto his lap, wrapping his arms around him as Josh obediently nuzzled into his chest, tucking his head under his chin.
“So the next question is... What now?”
“We’ll have to stay here until the heat dies down,” Karen said, turning to Nadia. “Will that be alright, love?”
Nadia smiled, eyes glinting mischievously. “Of course,” she said, looking around the room, positively beaming. Her eyes looked wet with unshed tears. “They are your pack, and you are my heart. You’re all welcome to stay as long as you need to.”
“Will we be safe?” Adam asked.
Her confidence didn’t waver as she nodded. “I have wards set up along my property line. They won’t be able to track you here, and I can set them to keep out all shifters who aren’t you seven. You’ll be perfectly safe here.”
For the first time in hours, Adam felt himself relax. “Thank you.”
Nadia leaned into Karen. “Anything for family.”
He awoke the next morning in an unfamiliar bed, surrounded by unfamiliar scents. His body froze upon the realization, mind slowly drawing out of the fog of sleep to assess the situation. The bed beneath him was harder than his own, but the blankets were softer. The air around him was filled with warmth and spice, as soothing as it was unfamiliar.
He then became away of the solid weight in his arms, the heat spreading through his body where they touched. His nostrils flared, breathing deeply.
Josh.
He instantly relaxed, focusing on the rise and fall of the omega’s chest beneath his arm. They were together, and they were safe.
Memories from the previous day started flooding back. The meeting. Running. His friends. Nadia. His family. They had gone to bed not long after the long talk in Nadia’s living room. She had several guest bedrooms, apparently good for when her family and coven visited, and she had led them all to their own rooms, except for the couples who shared.
Adam opened his eyes, blinking and squinting against the light filtering through the window. He propped himself up on his elbow, looking down at the omega at his side. His light brown hair shone shades of copper where the sun hit, splayed out and a mess against the pillow. His face was soft and relaxed in sleep, lips parted, skin smooth and flawless.
He was beautiful. His beautiful, little omega. The thought of actually following through with his pack’s orders made his stomach twist painfully. How could anyone want to hurt him?
He reached out, lightly letting his knuckles brush along Josh’s cheek. The omega stirred, shifting in his sleep before settling back down, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
Adam wanted nothing more than to simply lay with him here, to go back to sleep and pretend for a moment that everything was alright. But he knew he couldn’t. He was too wound up. Now that he was awake, he couldn’t shake an ominous feeling of foreboding. He didn’t know what his pack, his old pack, was up to. He didn’t know their plans. All of the unknown made him anxious and restless, an itch beneath his skin that he couldn’t scratch.
With a sigh of resignation, he carefully slipped out of bed, gently rearranging the blankets and smiled to himself as Josh nestled into them. Pulling his clothes back on from the previous day, he slipped out the door and down the stairs.
Karen and Ben were sitting at the dining room table, both with mugs of coffee clutched in their hands. Karen smiled before silently pointing out where the coffee and the mugs were. Adam grunted a thankful response before fixing himself a cup. He then slid into a chair at the table, taking a sip and letting his eyes close for a moment as the taste settled his nerves somewhat, grounding him with familiarity.
“We’ve all called out of work.” Karen said, leaning back in her chair with her mug nestled in her hands.
Adam opened his eyes, giving her a curious look before sighing. He ran his fingers through his hair, grimacing at the tangles. “Smart.”
Ben nodded, finger tapping at the table. “We had to. The pack knows where we all work. They could be waiting for us. They could follow us.” He trailed off with a frustrated sigh. “Megan is calling out of work now, setting up a substitute to take her place.”
Adam leaned back in his chair, nodding thoughtfully. “If they check our workplaces, they’ll know you’re all with me.”
Ben scoffed, waving him off. “Let them know. It’s not like it’s a secret. They no doubt checked our homes.”
“You should call out, too, Adam.” Karen said. “And make sure Josh does, too.”
He nodded. “I will.” He set his mug down, idly tapping a finger on it while he thought. “None of us should leave the property for now. Once a few days pass and hopefully the heat dies down, I’ll make a call.” They both stiffened, looking at him warily. Karen’s brows furrowed, and she opened her mouth, but Adam lifted a hand to cut her off. “I’ll call Sarah. I trust her to be reasonable enough to have a conversation with me. I won’t tell them where we are, but we’ll need to know the status of the pack and if we’re... if we’re still being hunted.”
They exchanged looks and then sighed, shoulders slumping. They would survive together, even if that meant uprooting themselves and moving on. Thankfully, the pack didn’t have access to their property or their bank accounts.
Nadia came in from the backdoor not long after, a basket of eggs under one arm, giving them all a cheerful greeting before swooping in to kiss Karen’s cheek. She was just starting breakfast by the time Megan and Josh trudged down the stairs. Josh stopped by to wrap his arms around Adam’s shoulders and press a chaste kiss to his waiting lips before shuffling to the kitchen to help Nadia.
Gwyn and Tom were the last to wake up, both of them looking haggard and tired as they half-heartedly fought over the coffee machine.
Once breakfast was over, Nadia gave them a full tour of the property, showing them her animals and the barns before walking them out and around the property line. She pointed out the wards carved into trees and fence posts, explaining that they would hide their scent and stop any other shifters from crossing the line. As long as they stayed within the lines, they would be safe, and they were welcome to explore as they pleased.
Back at the house, Adam asked if there was anything they could help with to pay her back for her kindness. She had grinned, all straight teeth and glinting eyes, like she had been waiting for exactly that. She wasted no time putting them to work. Tom and Ben were sent to fix up some of the fences on the far side of her property, while she showed Gwyn and Josh her garden and how to harvest and dry herbs. Megan was put to work with some of the animals, and Karen and Adam were asked to take a look at Gwyn’s old tractor.
Several hours later, with the sun starting to dip into late afternoon, Adam and Karen leaned against the hulking machine, cold beers in their hands and grease smeared over their cheeks. They clinked glasses and drank de
eply. It hadn’t been easy to make the old thing operational, but they had done it.
“You’re getting better at engines,” Adam commented lightly, shoving a hand in his pocket.
Karen smirked, shrugging as she crossed an arm over her chest. “I like learning, and I’ve always been interested in this stuff. I was going to be a mechanic once, you know.”
He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Really?”
Her smirk turned wry. “Yeah, but my parents pushed me into pursuing something that would make more money.”
“Accounting does make more than fixing cars.”
She shrugged. “I know, but it’s not as fun. I like being hands-on.”
He nodded, knowing what she meant. “Feels good to finish something tangible.”
She hummed her agreement.
“I like working in an office, though.” He sipped his beer, eyes on the distant trees.
“I thought work was getting tedious for you?”
“It was. I was feeling restless, but I think it has a lot to do with the pressure from the pack. And feeling like I was trapped. I never really wanted more from my job, but after meeting Josh and getting this idea of being Alpha in my head... I just kinda felt like I wanted more. Something more stable. Something to support Josh with. Something worthwhile.”
Karen nodded. “I understand what you mean.” Her voice was fond as she looked over the house. “Finding someone you love... it makes you want to be better, in every way. It makes you want to be a better person for them. Makes you want to do more.”
“I like her.” Adam said, knowing his opinion on Nadia didn’t matter in the long run but that Karen would appreciate the approval either way.
She smiled. “Yeah, me, too.”
The door to the house opened, and Nadia and Josh walked out onto the porch. Josh was smiling, and Nadia chuckled lightly at something he had said. They climbed down the steps and started toward them, and Adam’s eyes locked onto Josh. The late afternoon sun set his skin ablaze, lighting fire in his hair. His eyes sparkled as they met Adam’s, his entire face softening into that small, shy smile.
Warmth bubbled in Adam’s chest.
He reached out with his free hand, and Josh took it, letting Adam pull him in. He wrapped his arm around Josh, holding him to his chest as he bent for a kiss. Josh giggled, melting against him even as his hands pushed half-heartedly against him. He turned his head away, laughing as Adam growled and nipped playfully at his neck.
“You’re covered in grease,” Josh complained, voice light with laughter.
“It makes me look ruggedly handsome,” Adam said, nipping at his ear.
“You’re always handsome. Now, you’re just dirty.”
“I thought you liked me dirty,” he purred, rolling his hips forward and grinning as Josh gasped in surprise.
The omega looked over to Karen and Nadia, who were paying them no mind as they had their own hushed conversation, before turning back and lightly slapping his arm. “Not in front of others,” he chastised.
“Why not? We don’t have to hide in front of them.” He buried his face in the crook of Josh’s neck, smiling as the omega tilted his head to give Adam more room, back arching into him. He breathed deep, letting Josh’s scent, warm and sweet like brown sugar and cinnamon, fill his lungs and ground him, spreading contentment through his veins. “I don’t want to hide from anyone ever again. You’re my mate, Josh. And I’m going to treat you as such.”
He lifted his head, and Josh looked up at him, all soft angles and sweet smiles, eyes glistening and crinkled. He put his hands on Adam’s jaw, cradling his face as he went up on his toes and pressed his lips to Adam’s. His omega was smooth and soft against him, fitting sweetly against his hard planes and jagged angles.
The kiss was chaste and sweet, long and languid, but when they pulled apart, he was breathless nonetheless. It was simply the effect Josh had on him.
Josh stepped away, smiling that small smile that Adam knew meant he was proud of himself. Adam pinched his ass and laughed when the omega squawked, swatting his hand away.
“We’re going into town,” Nadia announced, breaking the moment.
Adam’s head whipped around to stare at her. “What?” His arms tightened around Josh. “No. We can’t leave the property line. It’s not safe.”
She gave Adam a reassuring smile, black curls pulled back into a loose bun, stray coils framing her face. Her eyes were brown and warm, like honey. Her face was open and honest. “I know, but with all of you here, we’re going to need supplies. Specifically, we’re going to need more food. I don’t have enough to feed everyone for several days.” She gestured to Josh. “He’s the only one that doesn’t smell like your pack. They’ll have a harder time tracking him. They’ll recognize him by sight, but we’ll be going to a store on New Moon Pack territory, so your old pack won’t likely be stalking around there to find out. The New Moon shifters won’t question him being there.”
He knew her plan was as safe as it could be. He hadn’t known her for long, but he trusted her, and he trusted Karen’s judgement of people. He turned to Josh, frown deepening. He still didn’t like it.
Josh smiled, pulling him in for a hug. “Adam, it’ll be fine. Nadia will need help with everything she has to get, and I’m the only one who can go.”
His arms tightened around him, face nuzzling into his neck, breathing in his scent. “Be safe.”
“I will. We will.”
Josh stepped back, and Adam’s arms fell away. They watched in silence as the two of them climbed into Nadia’s car and drove away. Adam hadn’t realized the low whine he heard was coming from him until Karen put a hand on his shoulder.
“They’ll be fine,” she said, giving his shoulder a squeeze before nodding toward the house. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up.”
He cast one final glance down the drive, where the dust was still in the air and unsettled. “I hope you’re right.”
Megan was waiting for them inside, putting together a lunch spread for everyone to munch on as they came and went. They tried to steal a few snacks before Megan slapped their hands away, pointing threateningly at them. “Wash your hands.”
They exchanged hidden grins as they went to do as she told them before settling down at the table.
Tom burst into the room in a flourish, slouching and groaning and collapsing at the table with his face down.
Adam raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Ben. “What’s wrong with him?”
Ben just laughed, patting Tom on the shoulder and ignoring his groans. “He’s just not used to manual labor. He’ll be fine.”
“Everything hurts,” Tom whined into the table.
Karen snorted, nudging his leg with her foot. “What kind of wolf are you?”
“I’m not an alpha!” He lifted his head, propping his chin on the table and glaring at her, bottom lip sticking out. “I don’t like parading around with my big muscles. I’m a beta! I don’t have endless strength and energy!”
Ben snorted a short laugh, sauntering over to the kitchen to wrap Megan up in a hug. “He’s weak, but we’ll toughen him up.”
“I’m a lover, not a fighter!”
“Somehow, I doubt you’re either,” Gwyn said, coming into the room and jumping up to sit on one of the counters. She reached over to snag a piece of cheese while Megan was preoccupied with Ben.
Tom pointed a glare at Gwyn. “You’re rude.”
She shrugged, grinning as she crossed her legs, foot bouncing. “I call it how I see it.”
Tom’s glare slid to Karen. “She gets this from you,” he accused.
Karen lifted her beer to her lips to hide her smile. “And I couldn’t be prouder.”
Adam sat back and watched, eyes roaming over his family as a gentle smile curved his lips. A warmth filled his chest, not unlike the feeling he got when he was with Josh. It was soft and gentle. Warm sand beneath his toes and a cool breeze in his hair. It was the feeling of fresh silken sheets and the heat of a fir
e in the middle of a snowstorm. It was the smell of dinner filling the house after a long day of work and the relief of a cold beer after sitting in the sun.
He watched as Karen and Tom bickered. He watched Gwyn tease them both. He watched Ben and Gwyn take turns distracting Megan while the other snuck food. He watched as Ben roughly massaged Tom’s shoulders. He watched as Megan shooed Gwyn off the counter. He watched as Gwyn sat on her sister’s lap, Karen’s chin resting on her shoulder.
His friends. His family. His pack.
Home.
With the warm feelings buzzing in his veins, he basked in their company.
After everyone had eaten their fill, they began to disperse. Adam excused himself to go shower off the sweat and grim of working on the tractor. He took his time, letting the water relax his tense muscles, wishing that Josh was there with him. He dressed in clean clothes he had brought with him, quickly toweled off his hair, and left the room.
He was headed down the stairs when Karen rushed up them, nearly running him over.
“Whoa, Karen, what’s—” He caught her by the shoulders to keep them both steady, but his voice cut off when he saw the look on her face. Her eyes were wide, panic radiating from her aura and scent. His chest tightened, heart in his throat. “What happened?”
She weakly held up her hand where she clutched her phone in a white-knuckled grip. “Nadia. She just called. She—they—Josh is gone.”
And just like that, the warmth leaked out of him, replaced by the ice that flooded his veins.
The drive was tense and silent. Even Tom held his tongue.
Karen had elected to drive after Adam had nearly ripped the front door off its hinges. They had acted quickly. Everyone wanted to go, but they convinced Gwyn and Megan to stay home. When he turned to Karen to convince her to do the same, he had taken one look at her face before deciding otherwise. She was strong and stubborn and someone he wanted at his back.
So he slid into the passenger seat of her car while Ben and Tom wordlessly climbed into the back. Every bump in the gravel drive rattled his nerves, made him clench his teeth and curl his fists tighter, nails biting into his palm. He kept his gaze fixed forward, body tight and wound like a spring, ready to snap. The air in the car was thick with his scent. He could smell fear and adrenaline and worry from the others, but it was muted compared to his own. His inner wolf paced beneath his skin, howling with rage and snarling.