by L. C. Davis
"So you...became friends?"
"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," Kenneth mused. "We've come to a mutual respect over the years. I monitor the borderlands and he leaves me be, for the most part. Until that mate of his got it in his head to try and involve me in pack functions and the like," he said, scratching his beard. "I don't suppose there's much Mitchell can do about that, though. Angel's a stubborn little thing."
Jesse listened in quiet fascination. Just when he thought he had the alpha figured out, something else surprised him. "If you're on such good terms with them, why don't you join the pack?"
"Forgiveness is one thing," Kenneth said thoughtfully. "Forgetting is another. The Mountain Ridge Pack isn't what it was when Mitchell asked me to head the Southeast Unit, but I've grown set in my ways. Besides, at the end of the day, I'm still no Mountain Ridge wolf."
"But doesn't it get lonely out here?"
"Sometimes." A hint of a smile played at the alpha's lips. "The Spirits have seen fit that I'm never without company for very long when I do get lonely. I expect I'll be worn out by the time I hand you over to Mitchell."
Jesse's heart quickened in panic. "What? Why?"
"Well, it's closer than your pack," Kenneth said calmly. "He's a Council wolf now. He'll have an easier time getting you back to the right people."
"But they could have taken my brother and his friends," Jesse protested. "I know you don't believe me, but our pack has strained relations with the Mountain Ridge wolves even if they are part of the Council now."
"How do you mean?"
Jesse gulped. "You really don't know?"
"I keep to myself. I'm afraid I'm not up on all the latest news with your kind."
Jesse realized he must have been wearing his emotions on his sleeve when the alpha's playful tone turned to concern. "It's a long story," Jesse said softly.
Kenneth nodded and stood from the table. Jesse thought he had decided to drop the matter when he returned a moment later with a fresh pot of coffee. "Better have some caffeine, then."
Chapter 6
KENNETH
Kenneth found himself at a loss for words when the young omega finished his story. In the absence of words, instinct began to take over. Old feelings of possession and rage that Kenneth had merely assumed age had dulled in him began to take over and he found himself taking deep breaths just to keep it all in check. He covered his mouth while he listened so the omega wouldn't catch him snarl.
No wonder the poor kid was so wary of being handed over to Mountain Ridge wolves. Kenneth didn't doubt for a moment that Mitchell really had been innocent in the matter of the attack on the Blue River Pack. That was something Allen Teak might easily have done. In fact, Jesse's recollections about the attack coming in the middle of the night could easily have come from Kenneth's own memories of that awful night so long ago. Mitchell, however, preferred his enemies to know he was coming and to marinate in the fear that realization brought with it. It made the inevitable victory all the sweeter for the brutal yet honorable alpha.
That and Mitchell never would have killed an innocent omega. His hands might have been covered in blood, but all of it belonged to other alphas. Even so, the idea of any alpha turning on his own pack, never mind an omega who had practically raised him, was almost as unfathomable. To think that the innocent omega in front of Kenneth had come so close to being mated to a monster like Noel made his wolf bristle and snarl in ways it hadn't in years.
At least now Jesse's wariness of him made a little more sense. How the young omega could trust any alpha enough to be in the same room with him was a miracle in its own right. Jesse had been there with Laura, the fallen omega, when she died. Kenneth could feel the young man's pain as surely as he had ever felt his own when he spoke of holding her as she faded, doing his best to comfort her. Kenneth could tell he felt guilt for not having done enough. It was to be expected from an omega, never mind one as gentle as Jesse seemed to be.
"Well," Kenneth said at length, smoothing down the wrinkles in the knees of his trousers for something to do with his hands other than clenching them into fists that would certainly give Jesse the wrong message. "I suppose it's settled, then."
Jesse looked up, his gaze full of uncertainty. "What is?"
"I hardly think I'm the best delivery service, but given the circumstances, I'll see to it myself that you make it back to your home."
Jesse's eyes widened with hope. "You will? Thank you."
Kenneth nodded. "It'll still be a while, but I'll see about making it into town tomorrow to at least call your mother and let her know where you are."
"I could come with you."
"No. Even in my beastform, the trip won't be pleasant, and your leg still needs time to heal. You'll be safe here, where it's warm."
Kenneth could tell Jesse wanted to argue, but instead he bit his lip and nodded. A sweet, obedient omega was truly wasted on a pack that couldn't be bothered to keep a better eye on him. They probably had a few and viewed him as expendable. Kenneth had heard of packs with more than one omega taking the younger ones for granted and letting their wellbeing slip through the cracks, which was the only scenario that could explain how he had ended up in No Man's Land. A damn shame.
"I'll contact the sheriff while I'm out there. What'd your brother's car look like?"
"It's a dark green SUV," said Jesse. "But is it safe to tell the police?"
"It is when the sheriff's a wolf," Kenneth said with a chuckle, standing to clear the table.
"I can do that," Jesse offered, standing. He gripped the table as his leg wobbled.
"You can stay off your feet," Kenneth said in a tone that left no room for argument. Jesse offered none. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some chores around the farm to take care of. It's gonna be an early morning tomorrow, so I need to get an early start now."
Chapter 7
JESSE
Kenneth had been gone all day, which wasn't necessarily suspicious in and of itself. Jesse had had the entire day to regret not asking the important questions, such as "How far away is town?" and "When should I expect you back?" and "Why do you smell like pine trees and every good thing?"
The alpha's scent was everywhere in the cabin, yet Jesse found himself missing the source of it. All wolves had their own scent, some more pleasant than others. His mother smelled like jasmine and comfort, Rand smelled like his favorite leather jacket and games of catch in the summertime, and their father had always smelled like cigar smoke, fresh coffee and safety, but Kenneth's scent was something else entirely. Jesse couldn't get it out of his head any more than he could the feeling of the alpha's palm, warm and rough and heavy as it rested on his muzzle.
As evening fell over the farmlands, the snow had lightened up to a soft small of white flakes that made pillowy mounds all around the farm. When it became clear that Kenneth wasn't going to make it back in time to give the animals their evening meal at the same time he had the night before, Jesse bundled up in as many layers of ill-fitted clothing as he could and trudged out into the snow to make the rounds.
"Sorry, chickens," he said apologetically, tossing a cup full of seed into their coup. "I'm a poor substitute for the real thing, but I'll have to do until he gets back."
If nothing else, the chores were a distraction from the strange restlessness that had plagued him all morning. Ever since Kenneth had left, the restlessness had grown stronger. No matter what Jesse did, he couldn't get his thoughts off the alpha and it wasn't just because of the urgent matter at hand. As much as he was afraid for what had happened to Rand and the other betas, there was part of him that couldn't focus on anything other than the alpha for his sake and his alone.
He really was an awful omega.
Feeding the horses was a bit easier than the other chores, at least, and his leg felt much better than it had the day before. There was only so much hay a horse could eat, wasn't there? Jesse wasn't at all sure that he had done everything right, or even done everything there was to do, but it w
as getting too cold to stay outside and he knew better than to think that the wolves baying in the distance were of the permanently four-legged variety.
Hustling back inside, Jesse stripped off the excess layers and went to warm himself by the fire, sipping from the fresh pot of coffee he had put on just in case Kenneth came back soon. The door opened and a rush of frigid air blew into the cabin, but he had never been more relieved to see anyone than he was to see Kenneth walk through that door.
At least, until the alpha's expression shifted from one of exhaustion to what Jesse could only assume was anger. The omega eyed the pile of discarded clothing drying in the corner and gulped. "I'm sorry," he squeaked. "I shouldn't have borrowed your things without asking, I just didn't know when you'd be back and the animals..."
Jesse trailed off when he realized that his excuse wasn't having its intended effect. In fact, he was pretty certain the alpha wasn't hearing him at all. He hadn't so much as blinked or taken his eyes off of Jesse the entire time.
Another possibility for Kenneth's strange behavior occurred to Jesse and he found himself hoping it was just anger. His heart sank. "My brother... is he...?"
"No." Kenneth's voice was rough, almost feral, but Jesse's assumption seemed to have shocked him out of whatever trance he was in. He bolted the door behind him and stepped out of his boots before shrugging out of his thick leather coat. "There's still no word, but I told the sheriff and he's sending out a team to search the woods for them. I uh, spoke with your mother, too."
"You did?" Jesse asked hopefully, taking the alpha's coat to hang on the rack by the door. "What did she say?"
"Just that if anything happened to you, she'd be tanning my hide."
Jesse's face grew hot. "I'm sorry. Mom is..."
"A mother," Kenneth said with a knowing laugh, shrugging out of his shirt. Even his button-down was wet with snow. Jesse reached out to help him out of it and jolted a little when his hands brushed Kenneth's. Their eyes met and the last traces of doubt that the alpha was angry with him faded entirely. There was only warmth in that gaze and it melted parts of Jesse's heart he hadn't even known were there. "I'd be protective, too, if I had something that precious in my care."
Jesse swallowed, but his throat was too dry. He reached out again and slowly peeled the alpha's damp shirt from his body, letting it fall to the floor with the rest of his clothes. He only realized he was working on the man's belt when the metallic sound of the buckle being freed jolted him from his trance.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly, stepping back. "I...I don't know what I was doing."
Kenneth's gaze remained on him and Jesse watched as the other man's Adam's apple bobbed. "It's fine," he said in a husky voice. Jesse realized only then how far it was from anger. When the alpha reached out, Jesse found himself on the verge of collapse. Kenneth pulled him in and his hands came to rest on the older man's bare chest. For support, he told himself.
For a long while, not a word passed between them. Kenneth's gaze lowered and Jesse's eyes fluttered shut instinctively. He didn't need to follow the trajectory of the other man's gaze to feel the alpha's focus on his throat. Jesse turned his head, revealing his neck in a display so brazen he would have immediately judged any other omega for it, yet he found himself powerless to the instincts swirling in him, as foreign as they were formidable.
Kenneth leaned down and his touch was gentle as he swept the hair away from the omega's neck. Jesse swallowed hard in anticipation. Ancient instincts well beyond his years or experience urged him to remain still in submission as the alpha's breath teased his neck, making every hair on his body stand on end. The thrill of expected pain and lust surged in him as he melted into Kenneth's arms and waited for the bite like all his life had led naturally to this moment.
What happened next was a blur. All Jesse knew was that one moment, he was in Kenneth's arms longing for something he had never given more than a few seconds of thought to before and the next, he was on the couch and the alpha was across the room, looking at him like that deer had looked at the SUV right before the collision.
"Kenneth?" Jesse stood and the alpha visible jolted, holding out his hand.
"Don't," he warned, his voice rough with something new entirely. Was it...fear?
"What's wrong?" Jesse pressed, taking a step closer.
"Don't come any closer."
Jesse stopped, instinctively drawn to obey the alpha in a type of submission even Noel had never inspired in him. It was new and thrilling and Jesse found himself grateful for the unseen hand that seemed to hold him back. The tables had somehow turned and he had become the predator stalking his prey.
"What's wrong?" Jesse no longer recognized his own voice. It was every bit as husky as the alpha's only softer and cloying.
"You're in heat." Kenneth's voice was slightly muffled, making it clear he was trying not to breathe.
It took Jesse a moment to process that. Of course, he had known for some time that it was only a matter of time before his first heat made its appearance. He had been eighteen for a while now, and there was only so long nature could put off the inevitable. Somehow, he hadn't made the connection between the restlessness he felt and the call of his biology, but in retrospect, it was impossible to see how he had missed it.
Evidently, it was a bit more obvious to Kenneth. Alphas could catch an omega's scent from miles away. Jesse's head spun with the realization of just how close he had come to being an unclaimed omega in heat within a hair's breadth of Mountain Ridge lands.
"Howling," he said, his voice hoarse. "I heard other wolves while you were gone. Could they have --"
"I'm sure they caught your scent," Kenneth muttered. For a moment, the lust in his voice was replaced with the anger Jesse had expected and now he knew what a vast difference there was between them. Kenneth's lust he found himself all too eager to be the recipient of. Being on the receiving end of the alpha's rage seemed like about the worst thing that could befall a wolf.
"They'll come, won't they?" Jesse's voice sounded far breathier than he wanted it to.
Kenneth was silent, but he didn't need to speak to answer. Jesse could read his energy louder than ever.
"This is No Man's Land," Kenneth said, continuing the unspoken conversation between them. "An unclaimed omega outside of any pack's territory --"
"Is fair game," Jesse said softly.
"I'll fight for you." Kenneth's voice was unwavering.
Jesse shook his head. "There are at least four of them out there."
"There's no time to move you. Besides, it's too cold for you to go out there in your...condition."
"There is another option," Jesse said, taking another step.
Kenneth eyed him warily. "You're in heat. You're not thinking clearly."
"You saved me," Jesse murmured. "By the old ways, I belong to you..."
"I have no pack," Kenneth said gruffly. "No land. The claim wouldn't hold."
"Maybe not if I fought it." Jesse was in front of him, biting his lip as he let his gaze freely explore the alpha's body. Even through his jeans, it was clear that the older alpha was far from immune to the call of an omega in heat. "But I can't imagine why I would."
"Like I said, you're not thinking clearly."
"No," Jesse agreed, letting his hand travel down the alpha's sturdy torso, settling on his half-unfastened belt. "I haven't been able to think of anything but you ever since you left."
A low rumble built in the alpha's chest. "Again. You're in heat. You're going to think about any alpha who's near."
"You weren't near," Jesse reminded him, slipping the alpha's belt slowly through each loop before letting it fall to the floor. For the first time, he held the older man's gaze without effort and moved closer until he could feel the friction between them, their bodies close to touching but just shy of it. "I could still feel you. In here." He took Kenneth's hand and placed it against his chest. The alpha's shirt swam on him and hung open enough that Jesse could feel the other man's fingers brus
h against his bare skin. It was enough to make him swoon and this time, when Kenneth caught him, Jesse knew he wasn't letting go.
The omega melted into the alpha's arms and his kiss. He tangled his fingers in Kenneth's damp hair and nipped his bottom lip in encouragement as the older man carried him up the stairs to the loft. It was only when Kenneth dropped him on the bed that he hesitated.
"This is wrong... You're my responsibility. I'm supposed to protect you."
"Then claim me," Jesse urged, shifting to allow Kenneth space between his legs before pulling the alpha down on top of him.
"It doesn't have to be this way," Kenneth promised, pinning Jesse's groping hands against the mattress. The older wolf's eyes were strained with fleeting self-control, an effort that took strength that made Jesse want him all the more. "I can protect you."
"I want it to be," Jesse said, his tone pleading. "This heat, this moment is something I've dreaded for so long because I knew it would mean giving in to an alpha I didn't want because it's what I'm expected to do. I never thought I could want someone the way I want you, not just now but from the moment I saw you. Please, Kenneth, I --"
The alpha's kiss cut him off, and soon it was just as well, because Jesse could think of nothing other than returning it. He wrapped his arms around Kenneth to pull him closer and arched into him in approval. Kenneth's hand ran the length of Jesse's thigh, parting his legs to allow him better access. When his fingers pressed against the omega's entrance. Jesse moaned his approval against the other man's lips.
Kenneth pressed gently against his entrance and, to Jesse's amazement, he was already well prepared for the alpha's invasion. He knew omegas could lubricate themselves when aroused, but in his limited experience with his own hand, it had never happened. When Kenneth slipped a second finger inside of him, Jesse realized that experience was likely a factor. What he lacked, Kenneth had in abundance.
