by Jane Perky
Raging Passions Books
Mate Is Right © May 2016 by Jane Perky
All rights reserved: No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.
MATE IS RIGHT (Win an Alpha 3)
A desperate Omega. One ruthless Alpha in search of the perfect mate…
I’m plain, no one’s dream Omega. My only redeeming quality is my fine taste in clothing, but today’s my lucky day. The producers of Mate Is Right chose me for a reason. I’m the dark horse no one saw coming. No one expects the plain Joe to win, except a certain Alpha blows all my expectations out of the water.
Dylan Barlow’s ruthless in his business and personal life. He sees what he wants, acquires it…and I’ve just become the number one item on his list.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Mate Is Right
By Jane Perky
Chapter One
Omega Gary Chambers nervously rubbed his palms together. Standing with the other contestants, he could hardly hear the roar of the crowd. To his left was a buzzer on his table and he stared at the button, wondering if this was all a dream. It had to be.
“We’re going on air in fifteen minutes, guys,” one man yelled.
In front of the contestants, the host fixed his bowtie and smoothened out the wrinkles in his suit.
Gary reviewed the rules in his head while the production people milled around.
If he could guess the price of the object belonging to the man who was supposed to be his fated mate, he’d come a little closer to winning the grand prize. No surprise the prize was a hunky Alpha who was to be his mate. The rules defied logic.
All of this was crazy.
God.
Who knew Gary, of all people, would be chosen among throngs of hopeful Omegas nationwide to be in the shifter match-making game show?
First, there had been a lottery to win an Alpha and Gary had watched, heart thumping in his chest, as the winner of the Bachelor: Beta Edition ran to his mate. Well, technically, the Beta in that show broke a one-way mirror to get to his chosen mate.
Damn, it was so romantic. Gary had always been a hopeless romantic, a little dreamer, which was why he impulsively entered his name and put in a video interview for the network’s latest program—Mate is Right.
Damn, Gary went over his head with this one. At twenty-three, he was a virgin Omega for a reason. Male Omegas capable of giving birth were always prized in any pack. It should have been easy for Gary to find a mate, but Gary didn’t want sex. He wanted love in the equation too.
Gary wasn’t pretty-boy handsome or had any redeeming qualities about him. Hell, he knew he was as mediocre as they came. The truth hurt, sucked balls, but Gary accepted that fact long ago. He could still tell the producer he changed his mind, but would they be able to find a replacement?
“Cameras rolling. Smile, contestants,” one of the TV people said.
Gary froze. Thankfully, no one noticed, because the contestants faced the host. They didn’t even know what the Alpha looked like yet.
“Welcome to Mate is Right. If one of these Omegas manages to guess the prices of these objects that belong to our mystery Alpha, he’ll be the lucky winner who will come away with our hunky and delicious man-candy,” the host announced.
Sweat coated Gary’s back. He’d never been good with crowds. Gary rather liked staying in the background, thank you very much, but his sisters had squealed after finding out he’d been handpicked to be one of the contestants.
His father had been Alpha of their pack, and after seven female children, Gary had been his lucky number eight…was anyway. When Gary turned out to be an Omega, his father left the match-making business to Gary’s mother and sisters.
“Don’t waste this opportunity,” his mother had said.
As an Omega unfit for fighting, Gary had spent a lot of time with the women in the pack. He didn’t want to disappoint his mother or his sisters. Okay, he didn’t do this simply for the fame. Gary needed to believe the producers of the show picked him for a reason, not because they needed a plain Joe amongst the other slender Omega contestants who looked like they came right out of a fashion magazine.
The expectations of others shouldn’t ride on his shoulders. Gary should be doing this for himself. Besides, if there was one skill Gary was good at—it was guessing prices. He spent a hell lot of time watching home shopping channels and his sisters always asked him out on shopping trips because he possessed incredibly good taste. Hell, Gary worked as a personal shopper for the prominent pack leaders in the region. He should buck up and have more confidence in himself.
Looks-wise, Gary wasn’t much, but he sure was the best-dressed Omega there. He ought to remember his strengths and use all the weapons in his arsenal. Hot determination burned bright in him when the host unveiled the photo of the Alpha on screen.
“Meet the goal, Omega hopefuls. Feast your beady eyes on lone Alpha werewolf, Dylan Barlow.”
The fire burning in Gary’s chest went right to his loins. No, the fire turned into a raging inferno, because Dylan Barlow was beyond drop-dead gorgeous. He was a fine specimen of a man, the jackpot, so to speak. Built like a line backer, every inch of Dylan was made of hard muscle. In the photo, Dylan’s dark blond hair was cut short, and Gary stared into those blazing blue eyes, so intense and feral.
Gary didn’t miss the finer details either. Despite Dylan’s bulk, Dylan’s custom Armani suit fit him like a second skin. Perfect hair cut too. Cute cufflinks in the shape of a wolf’s head.
Oh Lord.
The arrow of true love hit Gary right in the chest and for a second, Gary couldn’t breathe. Until that moment, Gary couldn’t believe a man so perfectly made for him existed. He had to have Dylan, no matter the cost.
“You think you have a chance?” the red-haired Omega beside him whispered. The guy looked like he came right out of an Abercrombie and Fitch ad. Too bad he had poor taste in fashion and looked more like a beach bum or any other homeless good-looking young man in the streets.
Gary though, wore his finest suit, even though he’d endured the taunts from the other Omegas earlier.
“Our first item is a 100% silk tie, Fantasy Pattern by Christian Lacroix. Make a guess Omegas.”
Gary cursed himself silently for being the last. Damn it, he’d been admiring that tie long ago and knew exactly the price.
“One fifty,” the red-head next to him said.
Gary snorted. Seriously?
The next two made wild guesses that didn’t even come close.
Eventually, it was Gary’s turn. “$1,150.”
The red-head snorted, but stopped laughing when the host, Pop Parker, said, “You are absolutely
correct, Gary. That’s the exact price.”
Gary was too dignified to do a fist pump, but God knew he was tempted. This world hadn’t been all about looks—well, until now anyway.
“Oh, and can I say something, Pop?”
“What is it, Gary?”
“The Alpha has excellent taste in ties.”
The crowd ate that line all up. They started to cheer for mediocre Gary who happened to dress well, but Gary wasn’t doing this for them. After seeing he had a fighting chance, Gary decided he wouldn’t be throwing the towel anytime soon.
Gary needed to meet Dylan Barlow.
In his gut, Gary knew Dylan and he were meant to be. His wolf knew it, but the other Omega contestants believed the same thing. Time to prove his worth.
“Kiss ass,” muttered the Omega next to him.
Gary dug his nails into his palms. For a guy who’d never been good at anything aside from selecting clothes and accessories, it was liberating to be able to win something for once. He shook his head. Too much self-confidence and arrogance wasn’t good. That would make Gary slip somewhere along the way. Who knew when he’d have a chance to win a mate, his mate, again?
“Our next item, everyone, is,” Pop made a dramatic pause.
The curtain on stage unveiled the next mystery object. For the second time that day, Gary gasped. On a violet velvet pillow lay a pair of emerald-cut canary diamond octagon cufflinks.
“21.29 carats of diamonds in total,” Gary whispered, staring.
Gary had money in the bank and occasionally had his frivolous moments, but he’d never think to spend so much of his hard-earned savings on such a thing of beauty. He wasn’t sure what to be mesmerized with first, the piece of accessory that transcended form and economy or the Alpha who possessed such finery.
Oh God. Gary wasn’t just love-struck; he was seriously deep in the water now.
Chapter Two
Hidden behind the two-way mirror behind the stage, Dylan had a perfect view of the audience and more importantly, the contestants. As the heir to the Barlow legacy, Dylan’s werewolf family was old money and in shifter society, considered one of the oldest and purest bloodlines. Not that everything had been handed over to Dylan on a silver platter.
Since young, Dylan and his brothers had been taught the world didn’t give out anything for free. He worked hard, played hard. Everything Dylan owned, he bought out of his own money. While he had the Barlow name, he built his own business empire from the ground up.
Putting aside his personal happiness to focus on work had taken its toll though. While his brothers and sisters found their intended mates, Dylan settled for one-night stands and hook-ups for his fix.
No Barlow would consider joining a crass game show. After all, Dylan could have any man or woman he wanted, but so far, all the prospects fate threw his way had been the same. Every one Dylan dated only saw his money.
Dylan eyed the hopeful Omegas on the stand, his gaze lingering on the last one the longest. Even before the show started, he noticed Gary Chambers. Unlike the other hopefuls, Gary looked out of place with his mediocre looks. Other men or dominant unmated wolves wouldn’t give Gary a second look with the bevy of other attractive Omegas on display.
Dylan wasn’t like other men though. Gary was clearly the best dressed of the lot. The Omega put a lot of thought in his choices, from his tie to shoes. Beside Dylan’s arm chair was a small tablet. Picking it up and scrolling through Gary’s file, he wasn’t surprised to find Gary was a personal shopper of several Alphas in the region.
“Very interesting,” Dylan murmured, eager to find out more.
Even before Gary guessed the price of his tie, Dylan knew it was no use continuing this little façade. He’d made his choice. Dylan could sense his wolf inside him, excited and hungry for Gary at the same time. The longer Dylan stared at the nervous little Omega who initially looked apprehensive but was now bursting with excitement, the more Dylan wanted him.
Dylan never felt like this before in his entire life, like a lightning bolt hit him right to the chest, the heat and force of it so hot Dylan couldn’t focus on anything else. The Alpha wolf in him wanted to appear out of hiding, pull the Omega to him and proclaim Gary his and his alone.
“$4,195,000,” Gary said promptly when the cufflinks were unveiled.
The other Omegas stared at him like he was insane. Chuckling, Dylan heartily approved. After waiting for so long, endless nights sleeping with strangers, Dylan finally found his soul mate. Gary was clearly passionate about men’s fashion, like Dylan. They had one thing in common. While Dylan knew nothing about Gary beyond the obvious facts on file, he was eager to know more about this unexpectedly feisty Omega. Christ. Dylan got hard simply seeing Gary give Pop the flawless answer. Rising from his seat, Dylan didn’t want to watch anymore. His family owned the network and he couldn’t wait any longer.
“Is something wrong, Mr. Barlow?” one of the assistants asked after he walked out of the viewing room.
“Get me the show’s producer. We need to talk. I’ve made my decision.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “But Sir, it doesn’t work like that.”
“Weren’t you watching? We have a clear winner and I can’t wait any longer. Call the producer. I don’t like repeating myself.”
The assistant scrambled to her feet. Dylan smiled, imagining Gary’s reaction. The Omega had nothing to worry about though. Damn. Dylan couldn’t wait to meet him.
* * * *
“What do you mean the show’s cancelled?”
“We’re in the middle of a live show, right?”
The Omegas were in an uproar. Gary bit his lip. After Mate is Right went on commercial break, the TV people ushered all of them into a small room to make the announcement.
“They can’t do this. They need to give people what they want,” the red head insisted.
What the people want? Wasn’t this show about finding their fated mate? The other Omegas didn’t budge and trooped back on the stage despite the protests of the others. Gary’s chest tightened. Disappointment and heart break hovered in the wings.
This show started to mean something to him. When the audience was ushered out the doors and the announcement came that the show was cancelled, the others stubbornly remained. Two Omegas demanded repayment in the form of cash while others wanted more screen time or to be included in another show.
“This show really didn’t mean anything to them. Am I the only one different?”
Gary wasn’t surprised to find himself alone in the dressing room, the same room the producers ushered him and the other Omegas in for the bad news.
Why didn’t he leave?
Why continue to twist the knife in the gut?
“The answer to your question is clear, isn’t it? You’re not like the others,” a deep and refined voice commented.
Gary whirled, eyes narrowed. A stranger had no right making commentaries about how pathetic he was. Gary had a snarky reply ready, but it died the moment he sighted the drop-dead gorgeous Alpha standing by the doorway. No, Gary realized, blocking it.
There was only one way in and out. Why did the Omega wolf inside Gary want to crawl to Dylan Barlow on his knees and offer him his throat, belly and ass? God. Gary’s cheeks grew bright red at the thought. He wanted Dylan to have his way with him, however Dylan wanted and Gary knew he’d only beg for more.
It was a strange feeling. Gary wasn’t sure if he should feel ashamed for thinking such inappropriate thoughts. He needed to get his mind out of the gutter.
“What happened? Why was the show cancelled?” Gary asked, glad to find his voice.
“I cancelled it.”
“Why?” Gary let out a bitter laugh as an unpleasant thought occurred to him. “Oh, wait. I know. You saw who the winner-to-be was. Me, and you got disappointed. Perfect guys like you don’t—”
Gary was cut short with a terrifying growl. Before he realized what had happened, Dylan slammed him against the wall, yanking his wris
ts above his head. Swallowing, Gary became aware of Dylan’s presence, as if the Alpha was capable of filling the entire space. Gary couldn’t look away from Dylan’s eyes, suddenly turned feral and wolf-yellow.
“Don’t ever let me hear you say those words again,” Dylan warned.
Jesus. Dylan smelled so good and he was so close. Only an inch separated their bodies and Gary couldn’t focus, much less think logically.
“What words?” No other man had been capable of reducing Gary to this quivering mess. What made everything worse was Gary’s shaft, getting hard by the second. How could he be turned on by all this? Oh, Gary knew he had a submissive side to him. Every Omega did, but he never acted this way around other Alphas.
“That you think you’re unworthy.”
“But I am. Please give me some credit, Alpha. Perfect guys like you don’t end up with plain Joes like me.”
“I’m far from perfect.”
Dylan closed the inch of space between them, rubbing his body against Gary, worsening Gary’s hold on his self-control and dignity. Gary forgot all about his insecurities though, the moment he felt the ridge of Dylan’s erection pressing against his trousers the way his did.
His neck and cheeks reddened. Good, they were in agreement. Gary could live with this. Dylan might not want him for a mate, but Gary wouldn’t refuse sex with a man like Dylan.
“You feel how hard I am for you, pup? Still think we’re not meant to be?” Dylan whispered against Gary’s ear.
Gary shivered at his warm breath. Anticipation crawled down his spine. If Dylan decided to take him here and now, demand Gary to strip and offer his ass for Dylan to sink his dick in, Gary wouldn’t refuse. Hell, Gary would die a happy Omega. All his life, Gary had been saving his virginity, but he didn’t mind giving it to this amazing specimen of an Alpha.
“How—”
“Hush, pup.”
