by A C Wilds
Omega Christmas
Blackclaw - Book 2
A.C. Wilds
Copyright © 2019 by AC Wilds
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
A.C. Wilds asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
A.C. Wilds has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
First edition
Editing: Kala Adams and Trenda London
Cover Design: Eve’s Garden of Eden
Created with Vellum
For Al, the Elf on the Shelf.
Stay strong, buddy.
Contents
1. New Normal
2. Frustration
3. It’s a Date
4. The Drive
5. Visitors
6. First Meet
7. Books and Blood
8. Captured
9. Meet Dr. M
10. Saved
11. Reunited
12. Home Sweet Home
13. Meeting
14. Christmas Summit
15. Aftermath
16. Christmas Morning
Acknowledgments
Also by A.C. Wilds
Alpha’s Match
1
New Normal
Clara
The icy chill of the wind whips through my fur. The winter sunsets are a little gloomier with the colors of the sun hiding behind gray clouds of the coming storm. I’ve been rooted in this spot for an hour trying to come up with a plan to survive Christmas. All those wolves coming to pack lands and probing our relationship for the truth. A truth I can’t give them.
Christmas was never a happy time for me, even before I came to the pack. My parents celebrated it, but it always felt like a chore. Something they had to do to show we were a normal family, instead of the broken thing that was us.
Sticking my nose in the air, I inhale the scent of a wolf on the breeze. It’s a comfort that they’re always protecting me. It’s something I’m not used to, neither my parents nor the pack ever made me feel safe, but I’ve come to accept it from my mates. Evil lurks in these woods, and I’m not strong enough to fight. Something is coming, something whispered on the wind, but I just don’t know what.
“I told you I’d be home in a few hours. No need to come and stalk me again,” I tell the wolf now at my back. Since our mate bond clicked into place, we can speak in each other’s minds. In the beginning, it was only the feeling of proximity and emotions, but now when we are in our wolf forms, we project.
His grey and white fur come into the corner of my eye when he drapes his head over my shoulder. I lean into him and breathe him in. Nile, my mate, and gamma of the pack, the one that calms my wolf the most. We grew to trust him when he helped us heal from a bear mauling this past fall.
He whines a bit and drapes himself over me, knocking me to the ground. My wolfy laugh comes through like a growl snort. Snapping at his neck, I twist him around and pin him under me. He’s a much larger wolf, but he lets me. His eyes bore into mine, and my wolf leans down to caress his face with her muzzle.
“Hey, why does Nile get cuddles?” A sandy-colored wolf trots through the clearing, our alpha on his tail. Ralph is the beta of the pack. Half-omega, but all dominant. He controls the alpha’s temper and keeps him in check. Our magics are similar, except my wolf is submissive, and I hate her every day for it.
“He didn’t ask. Nile is a doer, and before you make a wise-ass comment, no you can’t do it too.” I lope off into the direction of the cabins. My quiet moment ruined once again by the three males up my ass.
“We need to talk about the Summit,” Bruno commands through our bond. He’s a bit behind me but catches up quickly. His white coat shimmers in the setting sunlight. A broad chest and very pointy teeth block my way.
“There’s nothing left to talk about. It’s not like I don’t know what’s going to happen. We’ve discussed this a million times. I’ll lie for you to convince the packs, but I can’t give you what you want.”
“And what is it that I want, Clara? Because you haven’t let me explain.”
“You want the mating to be complete. You want for us to be one happy mated pack and to prove that you are still the Big Bad to the American packs, but I can’t, Bruno. I’m not ready to forgive you for all the years of mental abuse and for the forced mating. Whether or not you didn’t know, doesn’t mean anything to me.”
My statement hangs in the air like a guillotine. One false move and the blade will come crashing down around us. Our relationship is fractured and two months isn’t going to fix it. We won’t be what they need before the Summit.
Pushing past him, I continue on my path. My words won’t be the last that is said, but for now, it’s going to have to satisfy them, until they come up with another way to try to convince me to push forward in our relationship. I’m mostly annoyed with myself for not remembering this Summit was happening at Blackclaw.
Every year one of the four American packs hosts The Christmas Summit to discuss pack matters, settle any grievances or conflicts, and celebrate the coming year. Mostly, it’s the other packs looking for a weakness in a stronger pack. Right now Blackclaw is the strongest, but if they find out the Omega isn’t fully mated to them, well ... let’s say there will be some alpha-challenges this year. It could mean people getting hurt and if all of it goes to shit, we could die.
Of course, I don’t want this to happen, but a little part of me, the part that has been growing back slowly as I’ve learned to heal, doesn’t care. My heart was shattered before the mating. My whole life was centered around the care of others, ones that didn’t care about me. I want to be selfish and make them suffer. I want them to feel all of the turmoil that I’ve felt and the pain of when I needed something so badly and they rejected me
I push further into my run, trying to get the thoughts of the pain out of my head. It’s always there, like a darkness ready to consume me, but I’m trying to let go. Being alone with my garden and the sunset helps, but they are always there. I don’t get enough time to process it all.
I hate myself for thinking about wanting to run and never come back. There are children in the pack, and Noah, the new omega. He was sent here by his parents, just as I was, except he’s only ten. He’s scared out of his mind, and I need to protect him at all costs. Bruno has tried to make things right for both of us, but there are still others out there who just can’t change the way they feel about omegas.
Bruno wants to bring this new knowledge about omegas to light. To make sure the other packs know how strong they can be if they protect and nourish their omega. Except we’d need to show them, and that’s where I come in. Stubborn and angry.
“What do you want for Christmas?” Nile asks, running up alongside me. Forever the peacekeeper, I sigh and continue on.
“Nothing, I haven’t gotten a present for Christmas in a long time. I don’t need anything. You’ve moved me into one of the guest rooms, I have new clothes, and I’m eating now. There’s nothing else I need.”
“So, how about something you don’t? Maybe something girly, like perfume or a new hat?”
“How is a hat girly? Guys wear them too. And perfume? Are you trying to ruin my sense of smell?”
“You’re right, no perfume. How about jewelry or makeup? I heard girls like that stuff.”
“I’m not a girl, Nile. I’m a woman. If you want to get me something, then you’ll have to think of it on your own. I just hope you all don’t expect something back. I don’t have the money or the resources to shop.”
“No money? That’s not right. Don’t you get a small allowance like the rest of us?”
If my wolf’s eye could roll into the back of her head he’d be seeing white right now. “Nile, sweetheart, I had nothing until two months ago. Please stop acting like I’m like the rest of you.”
He had the good grace to look as taken aback as he should, but I was tired of explaining to them all that I’ve felt. All that my life was before.
I take off again, needing to be free from this conversation — from them. I push my displeasure down the bond and take off for the cabin. I’d see them at dinner. I can’t take anymore coddling. Nile tries so hard to make up for what they did, but it’s not them that need to be at peace with it, I do.
The forest is quiet around me, the dusting of snow soft under my feet. The exchange of the night and day animals is taking place. A fox sees my approach and burrows back into his den. An owl hoots from above and the first sign of the moon comes into view. Dusk is my favorite time of day, it’s the finale. The last hoorah before night takes over.
I can still sense them, the sentinels that are still guarding me. They pound through the forest, making sure nothing is in my way even if they are behind me. I let out a wolf sigh and try not to play the endless loop of love and hate.
Finally, the cabins come into view, and the smoke from the chimney carries the promise of food. My mouth waters as I think about the last time I ate, but first, a bath to try to settle my mind. If my run didn’t calm me, maybe a soak will.
2
Frustration
Nile
Running. She’s always running from us. I can’t blame her, but it has been beyond frustrating. Two months have passed since the bond clicked into place and yet we’ve only gotten so far. If the packs come and the mating isn’t complete, Blackclaw could be destroyed.
A shimmer of magic comes over the woods as Bruno shifts into human form. His stare tells me to do the same. The intense unspoken command of my alpha makes my wolf recede and my human form reveals itself in his place. Ralph follows quickly behind and all three of us walk next to one another toward the cabins. I glance over at Bruno, a smile blooms upon my lips. I think of the last time we were all together, covered in sweat and all sated. That night I was full of both of them, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do to get that back. Adding Clara to the fantasy would make it even better, but she’s not ready yet. Our encounter was something she regrets, and it sends a pang of grief through me every time I think about it.
“I don’t think she’s going to be ready by the Summit,” I voice, trying not to let all of my sadness flow through the bond. As much as we all want to be fully mated to Clara, I think I want it the most.
“She has to be. This is not an option. We can’t afford to let the other packs see what happened here. If she wants real change to occur, she’ll see that. We’ve been giving her everything, and she still won’t do what we’re asking of her,” Bruno snarls. He’s frustrated and scared. The bond pulses with his uncertainty and his love for Clara. Being Alpha and part of a quad mating is hard to balance. His anger is geared more to our actions, but I do understand how he’s feeling. We want what’s best for the pack, but also for ourselves. Being denied is wearing on us all.
“I think if we’re going to survive the Summit there needs to be a back-up plan. We can’t leave this all to her. She’ll get us killed. All it needs is for one mention of a loose bond and Stavo is going to be all over us. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t know what was going on right now,” Ralph says, watching the forest floor as if it will hold answers to the world.
“How could that asshat know pack business? He’s the alpha of Ravenwell and lives in Alaska. It’s not like our borders are close,” I say, disbelief gliding across my face.
“I heard that the woman from Ridgeback left pack lands. Went out west somewhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if she told the whole country the story of what happened to Colt.”
I suck air in through my teeth. We should have killed her when we had the chance. She should have never been permitted to leave, but that night was when we claimed Clara. We weren’t thinking clearly.
“We’ll take that as it comes. There’s no reason to think otherwise and trying to pull things from the future isn’t going to help. And if it was that bitch that betrayed us, I’ll have her head,” Bruno growls.
The cabins loom before us, and the scent of freshly cooked meat hits my nose. Our new chef, Wren is a master in the kitchen, and every meal is a surprise.
Warm air brushes against my face as we come in through the doors. I flick the bond to make sure Clara is here and she’s safe. I’m the gamma; the one who holds this quad together, and I’m not doing a very good job of it. I wish she would let me in so I can take care of her. Making my way into Bruno’s bedroom, I go straight for the shower. Maybe dinner will bring better things.
When I arrive, everyone is seated at the table. I give a small nod to my alpha and take my seat. Clara changed as well. Her long hair is hanging loose at her side. She looks like an angel in her cream-colored sweater and black leggings. Her scent drifts over to me, and I have to adjust myself. I close my eyes and growl low. This is killing me.
“What’s wrong, Nile?” Ralph quips, a smile plastered on his face. That bastard.
“Shut up, asshole.”
“What’s for dinner?” Clara asks, looking around for the servers. Since she’s been claimed as our mate, she doesn’t work in the kitchens. The cook, Sarah, has been a bitch about it, but she can’t deny the alpha’s orders.
“I don’t know, but it better come quick before I start eating my hand. It smells incredible,” Bruno says, his eyes alight with mischief.
When it’s just the four of us, the alpha can relax and be himself. He doesn’t need to put on the tough guy act, and he doesn’t need to pretend to want to kill everyone. It’s a pleasant change from his annoying gruffness.
Moments later the servers come out with the food and place the plates down in front of each of us. Roasted chicken, red potatoes, and steamed carrots. An orange honey glaze coats the skin of the chicken and butter is melting off the hot potatoes. I don’t waste time with niceties. I’m too hungry.
“Holy shit, this is delicious,” Ralph murmurs through some chicken. “No offense, Clara, but Wren is an amazing cook.
“None taken. I hate cooking, always have. I’d much prefer to have someone who loves to cook feed everyone. When it’s a chore, the food tastes horrible.”
“We need to talk,” Bruno says, crushing the casual mood we had going. Clara’s whole body stiffens in response and she immediately looks like she wants to run again.
“No more running. You’ve done that enough. You need to listen to what we’re saying. It’s not like we have much time or a choice. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth.” The words spill from my mouth before I get a chance to process what I said. I’ve never been this harsh with her. Guilt fills me, and I run my hand through my hair, exhaling the breath I’d been holding.
Clara’s face is shocked. She flinches in her seat, old wounds returning. My eyes bore into hers, not looking away, and s
he must see the seriousness there because she squares her shoulders and turns to Bruno ready to listen.
“The other packs will be here by the end of this month. The Christmas Summit isn’t just about the packs gathering, we’re also discussing the possibility of electing a Head Alpha of the North American packs. Meaning that person would be in charge of all the wolves. Something that’s never been done before, but with all the outside tension from the vampires, it’s something that needs to be done.”
“Vampires? What vampires? Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?” Clara’s voice rings clear with disbelief. It’s easy to forget how sheltered she is.
“We think the vampires are trying to gain territory or start some sort of turf war. We have scouts in a few of the areas they are most active in, and it looks like they are organizing a movement. It’s unlike them to be working together.”
“It’s of no concern at the moment, but if they get too big and we aren’t organized there could be trouble. It’s a safety measure we need to put into place,” Ralph explains. He’s been the go-to guy for all of the scouts. They report directly to him.
“If the packs get here and see that our mate bond isn’t secured, there’s going to be a challenge. My power is based on the stability of this pack. I have control over my wolves unlike anyone else, and that’s all because of you. Your omega powers are strong, but if there’s doubt then I could fail and the rest of the alphas will try to fight to take my place. We need this, Clara. We won’t be able to stand against the vampires if we don’t.”
