CHAPTER SIX
RICKY WOKE SLOWLY AND GROANED AS HE TRIED TO MAKE his mind focus. The last thing he remembered was talking to Alpha Grant and then, he’d panicked. God, the Alpha wanted to know about Sandy. It was obvious he already suspected that his brother was an Omega but would he try to use him the same as Alpha Clifton? One thing had become clear, they couldn’t stay here. He’d made that mistake once and refused to make it again. Maybe the best thing to do would be for them to just disappear.
He glanced down at the slight weight lying across his legs.
A smile curled his lips as he saw the white fur of his brother. “Hey, short stuff,” he said softly as he gently nudged his brother. “How about you shift and get off big brother’s legs? My toes are a little numb.” He watched as light blue eyes glanced up at him before with a slight shimmer in the air his brother’s human form emerged.
“Are you okay, Ricky?” Sandy asked softly as he moved to sit on the corner of the bed.
“I’m fine, but I’d be even better if you could find both of us some clothes,” Ricky said softly, looking at the door. They were probably locked in. He glanced at the window and tried to figure out if they could escape that way instead. He jumped when his brother dropped a stack of clothes on the bed beside him.
“You want us to leave don’t you?’ Sandy asked as he began to pull on his own clothes. “Did Alpha Grant hurt you, Ricky?”
The older sibling moved slowly to the edge of the bed and began to get dressed. He winced as he pulled the T-shirt over his healing back. He wasn’t as strong as he would like to be, but at least the room didn’t spin when he stood to finish dressing. Ricky saw the duffle bag he’d brought with him laying against the wall. At least he hadn’t lost everything.
“Ricky?” Sandy’s insistent voice broke through his musings.
He sat back on the bed and sighed. How was he going to explain to his younger brother that the Alpha scared him more than just physically? He didn’t understand his own feelings; much less the reason that he still felt drawn to the shifter more than his need to get away. But he’d made a mistake accepting Alpha Clifton’s word that they would be safe and now that Alpha Grant was questioning Sandy being an Omega, he just couldn’t take the chance. He absently rubbed the tattoo on his upper arm as he answered his brother.
“He didn’t really hurt me, Sandy, but I’m not sure this place will be safe for you or me.” Ricky watched as Sandy began to chew on his lower lip. “I know you like it here but we really don’t know these people and until I can be sure, I have to do what I think is right to keep you safe.”
Sandy looked up and shook his head. “But where will we go? You said the bad shifters would find us if we didn’t come here. The Alpha came in while you were sleeping and he was really sorry he scared you. He even brought me cookies and let me stay with you. Alpha Clifton never let me stay with you…” Sandy paused for a moment. “…and this place is supposed to be safe. Jake said so too and he’s your friend, right?”
Ricky stood and carefully knelt in front of his brother. He had to admit since being here his brother was looking much better and was coming out of the shell he’d crawled into while they lived with the Willow Creek Pack. What Sandy said was also true. Other than the Alpha asking questions, he hadn’t been hurt and he’d been treated like one of the pack. He just wished he could be sure. Then there was his attraction to the imposing man.
“Going somewhere?” A man walked in carrying two trays filled with food. He was a smaller version of the Alpha except his dark black hair was worn short and was spiked on the top. His face also seemed softer somehow. The shifter continued into the room and placed the trays on the bed before he turned and held out his hand to Ricky. “My name is Jason Walker. I’m Grant’s younger and smarter brother.”
Ricky couldn’t help the slight twitch of his lips as the man knelt down and ruffled Sandy’s hair. “I understand you tried to take a bite out of my brother again shorty. Give me five!” He held up his hand and laughed when Sandy smacked it. He stood and motioned towards the bed. “Why don’t you two eat before you make any decisions? I find it’s always easier to think on a full stomach, don’t you?” Jason paused and looked directly at Ricky. “And if you don’t mind I’d like to talk to you about why Alpha Clifton declared you a rogue when you’re definitely not a shifter.”
Ricky sighed as he nodded at Sandy to go ahead and start eating. What little appetite he had was gone as he sat on the edge of the bed and faced Jason. “Like I told your brother, we joined the Willow Creek Pack after my parents died. It seemed like the best solution since Sandy was just over a year old. I mean he was born in his human form but once he started shifting, I really had no idea how to raise a baby much less one that could shift.” He glanced at his brother and smiled softly.
Jason shook his head. “It must have been hard. You were only eighteen at the time right?”
The human nodded. “Yeah, and I didn’t even have a job. We could have stayed with Robert I guess but Maria had been so sure about Alpha Clifton.”
“So what changed?” Jason asked as he sat back in the chair and crossed his legs. Ricky looked at his brother for a moment before he continued.
“I thought everything was going fine. At first the Alpha treated us both like his own sons. But then he found out.” Ricky swallowed and glanced over at his brother again.
Jason nodded his understanding.
“If you’re up to a short walk, I’d like to show you what I’ve found on the Willow Creek Pack through my own research. Maybe you can help me fill in some of the blanks. My office isn’t far and I won’t keep you long.” Jason looked at Sandy and smiled. “And if it’s okay with your older brother, don’t you have an appointment with Sparky to go into town and get some clothes? I seem to recall you now only have the pair of pants you’re wearing.”
Sandy jumped up and looked at Ricky. “Can I go with Sparky? Can I? I know you’ll like it here, too. I mean they have a huge house and the lady who cooks makes the best cookies. She said if I was good, she’d make me one that looked like a wolf…” Ricky laughed and held up his hand.
Jason grinned and added, “Don’t worry, Sparky will keep a close eye on him and Grant will send along a couple of Sentries just to make sure there aren’t any unpleasant surprises. Not to mention the town Sheriff is a shifter and a good friend of ours. He was with us when we found you.”
The elder Landon knew when he was being double-teamed. He glanced over towards his brother. “Fine, but you listen to what you’re told, don’t talk to strangers and for heaven sake…”
Ricky paused as he saw his brother roll his eyes and finish his sentence in a sign song voice, “Don’t shift where others can see me. I know Ricky and I promise I’ll behave. Can I go?”
Ricky nodded. “Fine, I’ll see you when you get back short stuff and then maybe we can have dinner together okay?” He stepped back as his little brother launched himself at him to wrap his arms around his waist. He hugged his brother back before releasing him. Sandy waved at Jason and raced from the room calling out the name of the other shifter as he went. Ricky tried not to let his worry show but a strong hand on his shoulder showed he still wasn’t good at hiding his feelings.
“He’ll be fine, Richard. Now if you’ll come with me maybe we can figure out a way to make sure you and your brother are both safe and feel comfortable here.” Jason opened the door wider and motioned for the reticent human to walk ahead of him.
As they walked through, Ricky couldn’t help but notice there wasn’t a lock on the door. Maybe he was over-reacting after all.
“Ricky,” the young human remarked absently as he walked beside Jason.
“What?” Jason asked
“I usually go by Ricky. Richard makes me sound ancient,” he replied as he watched Jason smile. For the first time since he arrived he actually felt like things might be okay. Now, if he could just figure out Alpha Grant.
“Here we are, why don’t you take a s
eat and make yourself comfortable. I’ll just pop over to the kitchen and grab us a couple of sandwiches. I don’t know about you, but I seem to always be hungry.” Jason motioned to a comfortable leather chair.
Ricky glanced around in awe as he took in the multiple computer screens, a whiteboard with diagrams on it that made absolutely no sense to him and of course the desk that was cluttered with papers and folders. He’d never seen this much computer equipment in his life. Just as he started to get nervous, the door opened and Jason entered with sandwiches and a couple bottles of beer.
“Don’t tell Doc Houston but you look like you could use something a little stronger than tea or coffee right now.” Jason plopped down in the other chair and after settling in; he reached for a folder that was lying right on top. “So why don’t I tell you what we do know and then you can fill in the missing information, okay?”
Ricky took a sip of the beer before he settled back in the chair. He was pretty sure this would take a while and he had to admit he was curious what was in the folder. He picked up the sandwich and took a small bite. He groaned as the taste of egg salad exploded across his tongue. The human couldn’t remember the last time he’d had egg salad, much less one that tasted this good.
He glanced up as Jason chuckled. “I see you like Meg’s egg salad as much as I do. Don’t worry, she’ll make you as many as you like. Nothing makes Meg happier than someone who enjoys her cooking. Unless it’s playing mother hen, it drives my brother Grant crazy when she does it to him.”
“I didn’t think anyone could get under your brother’s skin,” Ricky replied before he could stop himself. He quickly looked down and placed his hands in his lap. How could he be so stupid? Jason would report what he said and then he’d be punished. How many times had he let his guard down with one of the members of his old pack, only to have it come back to bite him in the ass. He jumped as a finger was placed under his chin, pulling his gaze up to meet dark brown eyes. But instead of anger or censure, he only saw understanding.
“I realize you don’t know us and I also know that my brother can sometimes be…” Jason paused as if trying to find the right word, “…intense. But no one here will ever hurt you or your little brother.” The shifter backed up and sat back down. He placed his finger on his chin before he smiled. “Why don’t we start with me telling you a little about Windy Creek Pack?”
Ricky nodded even though he was still not sure he believed that he wouldn’t be punished. Jason pulled a picture from the side of his desk. It showed three men standing with an older couple. The mountains that showed outside the office window were in the background. They all smiled and looked happy. He recognized Alpha Grant and Jason so the rest had to be their other brother and parents.
“This is my family. As you know, shifters live for a long time but we’ll start with more recent history. Over two hundred years ago my father and his pack were traveling through the mountains when they came upon a small Indian Village that was under attack by a rival tribe. The smaller tribe was being overrun and it was likely all were going to be killed when my father interceded. Most of the men had lost their lives, so my father agreed to stay on and help defend the tribe. When the Shoshone moved on, they gave my father the land in gratitude for his help.”
Jason smiled as he looked down at the picture. “It was my father who decided that his pack would become a sanctuary for anyone who needed help. Even during the Great War between humans and shifters, this area remained a place where those who needed protection would come.” He paused and looked at Ricky. “Even humans were sheltered here during the War, which was unheard of. It caused some packs to resent my father, but luckily they quickly learned that challenging the Walker Family patriarch and his oldest son would result in a quick death. Neither my father or Grant have ever lost in battle.”
Ricky could hear the pride in Jason’s voice as he talked about his family. It sounded like their family had been close, unlike his own. For a moment, he wondered what it would have been like to have a family like the Walkers. But then it wouldn’t do any good to look at the past, as it wouldn’t change anything.
“So, Alpha Grant said you have over three hundred members in your pack right now?”
The shifter grinned. “At least and still growing. Luckily, we have more than enough land in these mountains to shelter everyone. But it does make it hard on Grant.” Jason sighed. “And also is why he can be a jerk at times. But don’t worry, my brother David is still trying to get him to loosen up and learn to delegate more. Grant is still old school in his thinking when it comes to an Alpha’s responsibilities.”
“What do you mean?” Ricky couldn’t help but ask.
“Well for one thing, most packs aren’t anywhere close to this large or spread out. Even my father’s pack was much smaller. But since Grant has taken over, word spread and people have come seeking his help. He never turns anyone away and feels responsible for every member of his pack.” Jason stopped and looked at Ricky. “He thinks he has to bear all the weight for keeping the pack healthy and safe which doesn’t leave him much time for his own needs. Something David and our cook Meg love pointing out on a daily basis.”
Ricky sighed as he sat back in the chair. “And now he has to worry about me and my little brother. Maybe it would be better if we moved on. Alpha Grant was right; he has enough people to worry about without taking on our problems, as well.”
“And that would be where you are wrong.” A deep voice came from the doorway as the Alpha entered the office.
Ricky jerked and would have dropped the plate with his sandwich if Grant hadn’t been quicker. As their hands brushed he sucked in a breath at the electricity that seemed to flow through his skin directly to his cock. What the hell was wrong with him? He was acting like he was in heat or something.
“Sorry about startling you but I thought I’d join you and Jason, if you don’t mind.” Alpha Grant stood to the side and handed the plate back to Ricky.
“Sh—sh—sure,” Ricky stammered not sure why it seemed like all the oxygen had left the room as well as his brain it seemed. Great, the shifter probably already thought he was damaged and now he would be convinced. The human glanced down at the sandwich in his lap and swallowed. Maybe if he closed his eyes, the Alpha would disappear and he would be able to breathe again.
A soft chuckle sounded from the desk. “You two really need to have a conversation or at the very least find a room.” Jason continued to snicker as Ricky glanced up at the Alpha from under his lashes. He swore he could see the beginning of a blush under the tanned skin.
“Jason.” A warning growl came from Alpha Grant that caused Ricky to shiver in apprehension. He jumped as a hand landed on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly as the Alpha continued to speak, “I thought you were discussing our problem with Alpha Clifton; not my social life.”
Jason continued to chuckle as he held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. You’re right. Ricky and I were just getting acquainted before you barged into my office. Which by the way, this is my office, right?”
Ricky watched in amusement as the Alpha shook his head and stepped to the door and knocked loudly. “There, satisfied? Now can we get serious and discuss our problem? I haven’t heard a word from Alpha Clifton and it’s been four days since we found Ricky. Surely the Willow Creek Sentries have reported back to him by now.”
The eldest Landon brother felt as if a cold bucket of water had been thrown over him. Alpha Clifton knew he was here? And worse, he’d let Sandy go into town. What if the shifters found his little brother? His chest hurt and the room seemed to be getting darker when he heard a deep voice next to his ear as his head was forced down. “That’s right, deep breaths now, Richard. You are safe. Alpha Clifton won’t come to our pack lands without announcing his presence. You have lived in a pack and know that is a transgression that can be punished with death, especially if he does something to harm anyone under my protection.”
Ricky took a deep breath and tried to get
his wits about him. He knew the signs and if he didn’t get himself under control, he’d end up in a full panic attack. The last time that happened he’d passed out and woke to a world of pain. He opened his eyes and saw Jason kneeling beside him, a glass of water in his hand. He nodded his thanks and took a drink, his hand shaking but at least he could breathe and see again. “Thanks, and it’s Ricky, not Richard.”
“Okay, ah Ricky, take deep breaths and relax,” Alpha Grant said softly as he massaged the tense muscles in the stressed human’s neck.
Ricky sighed and leaned into the touch. For a moment he felt a connection he didn’t understand. He looked up into the dark eyes of the Alpha and recognized the look of lust. He’d seen it too many times not to shiver. Yet, for the first time he felt his own body answer the call. He groaned softly as the Alpha lowered his head and gently placed his lips on his, seeking permission. Ricky opened his mouth and sighed, as he tasted the man that had suddenly become more than his shelter in a storm.
A soft cough caused both men to separate “I’m sorry, Grant, but you and your mate will have plenty of time to get acquainted later. Right now we need to talk about why Alpha Clifton wants Ricky and his brother so badly that he’s willing to start a war between packs and even the humans.”
Ricky felt himself blush as he sat back in the chair. His cock pressed uncomfortably against the zipper in his jeans as he tried to refocus on what Jason was saying.
“What do you mean?’ Ricky finally managed, as he watched Alpha Grant take a step back, but still kept his hand on his shoulder. He decided it would be better to focus on Jason than what he was feeling at the moment. It wasn’t the first time he’d been referred to as the Alpha’s mate since he’d been here. But he thought he’d imagined it. It certainly explained the reason he wanted to climb the Alpha like a tree. The large imposing man standing beside him was his mate.
Maria had explained it to him. Shifters could really mate with anyone, just like humans. However, the goddess Gaia in her wisdom would sometime intervene and give them a nudge in the right direction. A shifter could scent their mate and humans would feel a slight pull towards the shifter but unlike many romance novels, that was all it was. The two people involved could decide to act on the pull or they could walk away. The only problem with walking away was it doomed the pair to never feel complete. To mate with your fated match meant both would be bound together in a way that no one could interfere with. It would be a life match and would bring both parties great happiness. He’d seen it between his father and Maria.
The Alpha's Promise Page 7
