The Alpha's Love: Lost Omegas Book Four: A M/M Shifter Romance

by Claire Cullen

  “Exams start in two weeks and then I’m finished until after the summer,” Ro said, with a sigh that suggested he was tired just thinking about it.

  “I know. It’s been a long year. And I know you’ve been looking forward to the break but something has come up that I need to talk to you about.”

  “What is it?” Ro asked, turning towards him.

  “Raventree. They’ve just announced trade talks with all the Packs they do business with. They want new contracts drawn up.” Raventree were one of only a small handful of urban Packs. They controlled the city the Pack business operated out of. “It’s happening four weeks from now.”

  “Four weeks? So, you're going?”

  “It would be in Glenoak’s interest to be represented, so yes, we’re going to attend. But, as the Pack’s Omega, we need you with us.”

  Ro was silent.

  “I know it’s a lot to ask. You’re only out of heat and your exams will have just finished but it is very important for us to have you there.”

  The Omega nodded readily even though Seb could see he wasn't too happy.

  “Of course. If you need me there, I’ll be by your side.”

  “Good.” Seb smiled, relieved it hadn’t led to an argument. Ro struggled with his role when it came to their interactions with other Packs. In the past, it had led to a few fights between them but they'd worked out ways to make things more tolerable for him.

  Omega were still such a novelty that the behavior of Packs on meeting Ro ranged from amusing to infuriating. Seb did his best to protect Ro from the worst of it but there were limits to what he could do without damaging relations with other Packs.

  “There’s one more thing,” Sebastian added, deciding to get it all out into the open.

  “What’s that?”

  “Daniel, my ex, will be there at the talks. He’s working with Raventree as their trade advisor.”

  “Oh,” was all Ro said, turning his head to look out the window.

  Chapter Three

  Jay woke to a boot nudging his side and opened his eyes to an unfamiliar world. It was too bright, for starters, everything shiny and clear. But his ears felt like they were clogged with dirt, even the sound of his own heartbeat was muffled. And his nose… it was like it wasn’t even there, so faint were the scents he could smell.

  Rolling onto his stomach, his limbs didn’t seem to work right. He scrabbled around, trying to work out how to use them, when laughter drew his attention upwards. The two men from before stood staring down at him.

  “What a mess,” one of them said with a look of contempt on his face.

  The other crouched next to him, reaching out one hand and fisting his hair, turning his head this way and that.

  “He’s not bad looking, Mike. Small but strong enough. Got nice eyes. Once we get him cleaned up, we’ll make a killing on him.”

  He shoved him, hard, so that he lay on his back on the ground.

  “Stay there,” the man growled when he tried to get up. “Unless you want to get better acquainted with Mike's stick again.”

  Hands felt along his body, squeezing his arms, pressing on his stomach.

  Mike stood at his feet, stick in hand, surveying him with interest before he kicked his legs apart.

  “Brett, what’s that?” he asked the other man.

  “What’s what?” Brett replied.

  “That, on his inner thigh.” He jabbed the stick against it, and Jay jumped.

  He legs were suddenly pulled wide apart, and fingers ran across the skin.

  “Is that what I think it is?” Brett asked, voice hushed.“Oh, we have hit the jackpot here. What are the chances we’d pick up a stray Omega?”

  He tensed at the man’s words. Omega. He’d heard that before, long ago. Amid angry words and tears. But what did it mean and why did it make them so happy?

  Brett took the stick from Mike, holding it in one hand while he gripped Jay's face with the other, turning him so they were eye to eye.

  “Well, now. You’re going to be very good for us and we’ll see to it that you’re well fed and clean. You give us trouble,” he punctuated the word with a jab of the stick to Jay's stomach, sending waves of pain across his body, “we give trouble back.”

  They dragged him to his feet as he panted from the pain. His legs wouldn’t cooperate, unused to being on two instead of four and they had to support him between them as they carried him from the room.

  He was scrubbed from head to toe, had his facial hair shaved, his hair cut and his nails clipped. Only then did they feed him, a bowl of meaty stew and a slice of bread. It didn’t taste great, but it was food and it was hot and that was what mattered. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d eaten a cooked meal.

  They shoved him back into the dark room, this time with a bucket and orders not to change to wolf form. It was hard for him. He’d been so long as a wolf that he no longer felt like he fit his human body. Walking on two legs was strange, he couldn’t get the balance right. Four was easier and he didn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t use all their limbs.

  He fell asleep, waking to find himself back in wolf form. His wolf was tired of being cooped up, locked in the dark. He wanted to run. So he crouched by the door, waiting impatiently for the men to return. He’d seen the rooms out there, knew there were windows and doors leading to the outside. All he had to do was get to one and he’d be able to escape.

  Footsteps approached and he tensed, ready for them. The door pushed open and he slipped out, hearing the men’s shouts of surprise. He raced to the end of the corridor, turning into the kitchen, and leaping onto the counter to get to the window. There was a roar behind him and strong arms wrapped around his middle, dragging him backward. He growled and snapped, but a second pair of hands grabbed him around the neck, choking him. He whined, paws scrabbling against the surface beneath him. But their grips were firm and they carried him back to the dark room, throwing him onto the floor.

  A rhythmic sound drew his attention. Brett had the stick in his hand and was slapping it against his thigh.

  “I thought we had an understanding, boy. You stay in human form and you stay in this room.”

  He growled low in his throat. As humans, they were soft, their necks like any rabbit he’d killed. It would be no different.

  He tried to pounce but Mike stamped a foot down on his tail and the stick jabbed against his throat.

  “Turn back,” Brett demanded, giving him a brief reprieve from the pain. Panting, he focused on easing the torment, but just when he’d gotten his breath back, it hit him again.

  “Change back,” Brett shouted.

  It was too much. So he tried, put all his energy into forcing his body to make the change. It hurt almost as much as the damn stick but he did it, flopping to the ground as his limbs gave out.

  “There, that wasn’t so hard was it.”

  “That was too close,” Mike said. “If he’d gotten out that window…”

  He was dragged to his feet and over to the far wall.

  “Get the chains,” Brett said and Mike left the room.

  A hand under his chin forced his head up.

  “Here’s what going to happen. We’re going to set some new ground rules. You’re going to stay in human form and we’re going to keep you chained up until we feel you’ve learned your place…”

  He bit Brett, teeth sinking into warm flesh.

  A blow rocked his head and he tasted blood.

  “Bastard, you’ll pay for that,” Brett snarled, nursing his bloodied arm.

  Mike returned with a set of chains, securing them to a piece of metal embedded high in the wall and wrapping the cuffs around Jay's wrists.

  They let him go and he sank to his knees, arms outstretched above his head.

  “Now, don’t you make a pretty picture,” Brett said.

  He whined, tugging hard at the chains.

  Brett rolled his eyes. “One final touch, to teach you to keep your mouth closed unless we tell you ot
herwise.” He reached over, stuffing a rag into Jay's mouth and securing it there with a strip of knotted material. "We might need to get you a muzzle," he added.

  Jay's eyes burned with hate as he glared at his captors.

  Brett patted him on the shoulder.

  “Oh, you think this is bad? Wait until we find you an Alpha. Once one of them gets their hands on you, you’ll wish you were back here.”

  Byron stared at the lists in front of him, the words blurring before his eyes. So much to do, so little time, the trade talks only weeks away. Footsteps outside had him on alert well before his door opened. His brother never did learn to knock.

  “Felix, what can I do for you?”

  “Father has sent me to offer my services,” the younger man announced.

  And that was not a good sign. They'd been arguing again. While Felix had an amazing work ethic, it was only on his terms.

  “I’ll take any help I can get. The organizational metrics for this are a nightmare. We could sorely use your skills.”

  Flattery sometimes worked with Felix and he hoped might be enough to soothe the sting of whatever their father had said to anger his brother.

  “Well,” Felix capitulated in a bored voice. “Hand me some of those folders and I’ll get started. Who’s handling security?”

  “Daniel is, but you can oversee if you like. We’ve got the hotel booked out and some of the guest houses nearby. We’re keeping the more contentious Packs outside the hotel. Don’t want any ructions in between the talks.”

  To his surprise, Felix sat down, taking the seat across from him.

  “Father is still acting like the responsibility for this whole thing lies on his shoulders.”

  “He never did learn how to let go,” Byron agreed, privately thinking Felix and his father had their stubborn natures in common.

  “Well, if he doesn’t now, he never will,” Felix added and, for the first time, Byron caught a glimpse of emotion behind the facade.

  “He’s lived to a good age.”

  “That’s rubbish and you know it. We’re shifters. We can live past a hundred.”

  “But we’re not impervious to wear and tear on our bodies. His heart…”

  He didn’t have to say it. Their father’s heart could no longer cope with the strain being put on it. The doctors said a matter of months.

  “You’re too young to lead,” Felix said. “We’re too young to be taking responsibility for the Pack.”

  Byron agreed, especially in Felix’s case. Though there were less than two years between them, Felix’s twenty-two looked much younger than Byron’s twenty-four. The result of being the eldest, of always knowing one day the running of the Pack would fall to him.

  “It can’t be helped. Father mated and came to power late in life. The result being we get to do things a little sooner than most. At least, with new trade agreements in place, things should be stable for the next five years. We’ll have time to settle into our new roles.”

  “Your new role, you mean. The only thing Father has in mind for me might be overseeing sanitation.”

  Despite his words, Felix grinned and Byron couldn’t help but laugh. It sounded like the kind of thing Father would say. Where Felix was concerned, his patience had worn thin long ago.

  “Leave these with me,” Felix said, folders in hand. “I am, as always, your humble second.” He gave a mock bow and headed for the door.

  Byron shook his head, thankful that, for whatever reason, Felix was in a cheerful mood. He had been in unusually good form for weeks now and he was so much easier to deal with when he was happy. Maybe there was a new girlfriend on the scene, not that Byron heard anything.

  His phone rang, bringing attention back to the work at hand. His father. No doubt with more instructions, more changes and more headaches for Byron to deal with. He’d have gladly traded in the honor of becoming the next Alpha for a peaceful life of obscurity in the suburbs. But that was not his destiny. Leading Raventree was.

  Chapter Four

  Daniel was gorgeous and suave with dark brown hair and auburn eyes. He had a sophistication that left Ro feeling like an awkward child and wore a sharply cut suit that made the Omega feel like he was wearing rags.

  When Daniel spoke, everyone listened with rapt attention. When Ro spoke, his words were greeted with indulgent smiles. To them, he practically was a child. But not to Seb.

  Around people who weren’t Pack, Seb was protective of him. As they made the rounds of the room, he kept one hand on the small of Ro’s back and the other gently gripping his elbow.

  “You’re doing great,” he murmured into Ro’s ear. “Just another hour or so and we can take a break.”

  Seb knew how uncomfortable Ro felt around strangers, especially strangers who were very aware he was an Omega. But they both knew this had to be done. For the Pack’s sake.

  Daniel walked up to greet them, leaning in to place a hand on Seb’s arm. Ro tried not to bristle at the familiarity.

  “Sebastian, it’s so good to see you. And this must be Robert. I’ve heard so much about you, Rob.”

  Ro winced at the use of his old nickname. No one had called him that in a long time. Seb caught his expression, drawing him closer.

  “Seb’s talked about you, too,” Ro said, adding “and it’s Robert, I don’t go by Rob.”

  It was the truth; his mate had mentioned Daniel a handful of times, though all he’d said was that what was between them ended long ago. Ro felt there was more to it, that Daniel had hurt Seb somehow.

  “Of course you don’t. Well, don’t you two make such an endearing couple. I’ll be sitting in on your negotiations with Raventree, they want someone with my business acumen on hand.”

  “It will be nice to have a familiar face in the room,” Seb said, smiling blandly.

  “And how will you be keeping yourself occupied during the negotiations, Robert?” Daniel asked.

  “Ro will be with me, naturally,” Seb answered for him.

  Daniel looked surprised.

  “Surely you’re not going to subject him to days of boring talks? You’re in the city, with so many things to see and do. I’m sure Martin or Kevin can take his place.”

  “I like to have Robert by my side,” Sebastian said firmly.

  “Of course,” Daniel said smoothly. “What the Alpha wants, the Alpha gets.”

  Someone called his name from the other side of the room.

  “Until tomorrow, gentleman.” And then he was gracefully crossing the floor. Ro couldn’t help but notice how Seb’s eyes followed him.

  Seb let out a little sigh as Daniel left, then his hand squeezed Ro’s elbow.

  “There’s Byron, Raventree’s Alpha Successor. Let’s go and say hello. I’d like to introduce you.”

  He led Ro across the room, Ro looking back over his shoulder to see Daniel watching their progress.

  It was going to be a long week.

  In contrast to Daniel's, Byron’s blue eyes were warm, his smile genuine. Ro liked him almost instantly when he greeted Ro with the same attention as he had anyone else.

  “I’m looking forward to hearing both of your thoughts on advancing trade between the Packs. It’s such an exciting time for us all.”

  “Yes, I feel we’ve made more headway these past few years than we have in decades,” Seb agreed. “Ro has been looking at a renewable energy venture as part of expanding the Pack business. I know that sort of thing is something you’ve always held an interest in.”

  Byron nodded with enthusiasm. “Most definitely. If you’re not too busy, perhaps we could meet to discuss it one evening?”

  Ro agreed readily as Seb replied, “I’m sure that could be arranged.”

  All in all, he felt much happier when they broke for dinner. Things took a dip afterward when they met Byron’s younger brother, Felix. On being introduced, Felix looked Ro up and down, eyes lingering. It was very obvious, making Ro uncomfortable and putting Seb on the defensive, the Alpha drawing Ro closer,
a protective arm around him.

  When Felix caught the look Seb was giving him, he offered a disingenuous apology.

  “I haven’t seen an Omega up close before. I do feel perhaps, that at events like these, there should be a dress code. What’s the use of a bauble on your arm if it’s not showing a little skin?”

  He grinned, showing teeth. Ro swallowed down his disgust as Seb brusquely excused them both. He led Ro from the room and into the elevator, then hurried them along the corridor to their own room. Once inside, Seb closed the door, catching hold of Ro and pushing him against it.

  “I’m sorry I’m putting you through all this.”

  He reached for Ro’s tie, loosening it slowly, long fingers undoing the buttons of his shirt. Then he leaned in, kissing the soft skin of Ro’s neck.

  “You are so much more than window dressing.”

  His fingers tangled in Ro’s hair as he brought their mouths together, kissing him deeply until they were forced apart, both gasping for air. Taking him by the hand, Seb led him to the bedroom.

  “But I thought I was coming with you,” Ro said to Seb the next morning as they stood at the door to their hotel room.

  “I thought so too but Raventree have said they want to keep the numbers small. They’re asking for just two at each negotiation. And as much as I would love to have you there, in your rightful place by my side, I’m afraid I’ll need Martin’s knowledge and expertise. He’s known most of these wolves longer than anyone else in the Pack. He attended the last trade talks with my father.”

  Ro couldn’t hide his unhappiness at the exclusion, as much as he understood Seb’s reasoning. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was Daniel’s doing. A way to get Ro out of the way.

  “I’ll see you for lunch and we’ll have dinner together and do something this evening. Maybe see a movie? And Joel and Sam are here, there’s plenty the three of you could be doing that would be much more fun than spending the day in a room full of territorial Alphas.”

  Ro nodded, reaching hands to fix Seb’s tie and smooth his shirt.

  “You look good,” he said, trying on a smile that became truer when Seb beamed back at him. The Alpha’s hand caught his chin, tipping his head up as he leaned in. The kiss, though short, was heavy with the promise of more, Seb’s tongue nudging his lips apart.