“That…. That’s brilliant. We could promote them, help them to get their stories or paintings out, have a website.” Gareth’s mind was reeling at the new possibilities. “Wolfgang, do you have any other thoughts or ideas?”
“Well, now that you mention it, I do. Lydon doesn’t have a bed-and-breakfast or a motel. We could get more foot traffic in town, work on making this a tourist destination instead of simply waiting for people in the neighboring areas to visit.”
More thoughts ping-ponged in Gareth’s head. Lydon was thousands of acres of pristine wilderness. Though he wouldn’t allow hunting in the area, he could…. He was sure he’d seen….
“Alpha?”
“One second, please.”
He grabbed the folders and thumbed through them until he found the one he wanted. Deke Simmons was twenty-two last year. He’d majored in forestry conservation, and one of the jobs he’d held was taking people camping or rafting. He would be perfect to head up a program like that for Lydon.
“Damn. Wolfie, you just gave me some things to think about. I wonder, would you consider being part of my council? You have the ear of the business community, so your input would be invaluable.”
“Really? I’d be honored.”
“Excellent. I’ll send you the details.” Then he realized he hadn’t even started putting them together. “As soon as I figure them out.”
Wolfgang chuckled. “Thank you for asking. I’d love it.”
He hung up, and Gareth went back to his paperwork with renewed vigor. Now that he had his blinders off, he could actually see a lot clearer.
A knock at the door surprised him. People normally didn’t show up when he was working, and they never came without scheduling something with him.
“Come in.”
The door swung open, and Lyram stood there, pale and shaky. Gareth surged to his feet and rushed to his Beta.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…. We….” He swallowed hard. “I need you to come with me. Don’t tell anyone where we’re going, though.”
“Okay.”
Lyram didn’t say anything until they were out of the house. “We have a problem. It’s not a small one either.”
“Okay, tell me.”
“It’s Ethan.”
Oh, that was good. Maybe now they could do something about Ryker. “What did he say?”
“Nothing. He didn’t say anything at all.”
“What’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?”
They arrived at Franklin’s clinic. As soon as the door swung open, the scent of decay washed over Gareth. Before he could question it, Lyram opened the door to the exam room. Frank stood at the table, his brow furrowed. He looked up when they stepped inside.
“Oh, Alpha. I—” He took a deep breath. “I thought you wouldn’t want this getting out, so I asked Lyram to fetch you. This morning when I arrived at the clinic, there was a package at my door. It wasn’t unusual, and I thought nothing of it. I picked it up and brought it inside. When I opened it….” He pointed to the table.
Gareth closed the gap between them and his stomach lurched. “What the fuck?”
There on the table was Ethan. At least, his head. His mouth, which was always quick with a charming smile, was open wide and his teeth had been pulled out. Blue eyes, which had been warm and friendly until you pissed him off, were now frozen in fear. Ethan’s throat had been ripped out and his head torn from his body by someone with incredible strength.
“Ryker.”
The word came out as more of a growl than anything else. Gareth’s wolf tore through his mind and came out, snarling. Ethan had been in the pack for thirty years, and he deserved so much better than this. Lifting his head, Gareth howled for his lost packmate and friend.
When his wolf calmed, Gareth shifted back.
Lyram draped an exam gown over his shoulders. “What should we do?”
“First we’re going to bury Ethan. Then we’re going to celebrate his life.”
“And then?”
And then?
“Then we’re going to war.”
SEAN HAD never been to a funeral. He was at a loss as to why so many people were showing up, until he met Ethan’s wife and children. True, they were all grown, but the kids were taking their father’s death hard. Still, when Sean managed to get a glimpse of them, they were huddled together, comforting one another, and that made him feel better.
A hand on his shoulder startled Sean. He turned and found Gareth standing behind him. “We need to talk.” Gareth’s voice was like gravel, deep and broken.
“Yes, Alpha.”
He followed behind Gareth, who took him into the office. Lyram was there, standing beside the desk, his hands folded in front of him.
“Have a seat, Sean.”
Sean did as he was bade. “Have I done something wrong?”
He didn’t think he had. He’d tried hard to be the model wolf. He studied, ate, then studied more. He rarely left his room, instead choosing to focus on the lessons that Caleb had planned for him.
“No, of course not. We wanted to talk to you about Ethan.”
Lyram stood stock-still, without even a hint of a sway. “There are things you need to know.”
About a man Sean had never met? “Okay.”
Gareth paced around the room. “For many years, since the time of my father, Ethan has been our fixer. When we have a problem, he is asked to deal with it. For many years that has been his sole focus. We gave him the job of finding out about Ryker, and—”
“And Ryker had him killed.” Oh God. This was Sean’s fault. Those grieving kids who would never hug their father again. Sean had taken him from them. “I—I….” He wrung his hands. “I should go. It would be best for everyone, I think.” He stood, ready to bolt.
“Sit down, Sean.”
It was a command, but Gareth didn’t push him on it. He just used his words. Sean slid back into the chair.
“This is not your fault.”
He snapped his gaze up. “How can you say that? Ryker is after me. Anyone in his way will get hurt.” He swallowed hard. “Or worse.”
“I sent Ethan. This is on me, no one else. I regret he died, but you were not the responsible person here. Do you understand?”
Sean wanted to believe him, but he knew better. “No, Alpha. This is my fault. I brought this to Lydon. And if I stay, it’s only going to get worse. Ryker wants me, and…. Maybe if I give myself to him, he’ll leave the rest of you alone.”
A growl emanated from somewhere deep inside Lyram’s throat. “Ours!”
When Sean turned to Lyram, he shivered. His eyes, which were normally deep blue, had gone black. His lips were curled back, showing sharp teeth. He was so near a change, it startled Sean.
“Yes, Lyram. Sean is ours. I need you to listen to me and relax.”
When Lyram didn’t move, Gareth got closer to him. Sean was ready to intercede if Lyram attacked, though he had no idea what he could do against an angry Beta.
“Lyram, stand down. That’s an order.”
This time Sean trembled as the wave of power flowed from Gareth. It wasn’t like Ryker’s. His had been about domination. Gareth’s was more about control. For a moment he didn’t think it was going to work, but then the darkness bled out of Lyram’s eyes.
“Alpha? What happened?”
“I think Sean knows the answer to that.” Gareth glanced over to him. “Don’t you?”
Sean sucked in a breath. Gareth knew the truth. Or at least part of it. “Yes, Alpha.”
“What are you talking about?” Lyram wobbled slightly. “What’s going on?”
“Sean, would you tell Lyram?” Gareth faced his Beta. “This goes no farther than this room. Do I make myself clear?”
“Of course.”
Sean looked down at his hands. Anywhere but at the faces of the two other men in the room. He didn’t want to do this. Everyone who knew treated Sean differently, and here he wanted to be normal.
Lyram gasped. “But that’s not possible. They died out hundreds of years ago.”
Sean shook his head. “No, they didn’t die. Once wolves were at peace. Then petty squabbles broke out, which led to deeper divisions that not even the Omega could stop. Wolves became more and more warlike, and the Omega—the wolves that calmed them—had to go. Ryker told me he found books that detailed what an Omega was. He said the details were sketchy, but he thought if he claimed me, he could force me to make people accept him.”
“But what does this have to do with the things going on around here?”
“What things?” Sean honestly had no clue what he was talking about. “What’s happening?”
“Last week, the entire pack was sitting out front, staring at your window.”
“What? No, that can’t be.” What the hell? That had never happened before. “I make people feel good when I’m around, but I don’t—I don’t understand.”
Gareth stepped behind Sean and put his hands on Sean’s shoulders. “You found a place you want to belong. You want safety. That is what was going on. When you slept, the wolves reacted to your fear. They came to protect you.”
The dreams. He remembered them clearly, how he begged for help and—
“Oh my God. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Sean lifted his head and stared at Gareth. “You have to let me leave. I’m a danger.”
“No, you’re not. You are a man who has never had a home before. Don’t walk away from it.” Gareth stepped in front of him. “Lyram, tell him.”
Lyram came to Sean’s side. “You are pack. We would die for you.”
“But I forced you to do things against your will.”
For the first time, Sean got to see Lyram smile. It looked good on him. “No, you trusted us to protect and keep you safe. There is no honor higher. And if you are an Omega, we are privileged to have you here.”
Then Lyram did something Sean never expected. He knelt by Sean’s side.
“I only know stories of the time from long ago, but Omegas are sacred. They are the heart of a pack, and we would do anything to keep you safe.”
Before Sean could say anything, Lyram continued.
“Even if you aren’t an Omega, Sean, you’re one of us. As I would for our Alpha, I would lay down my life for anyone here. This is what makes us pack, and this is our strength.”
Sean swallowed hard. What had he done to deserve a pack like this? He turned his head up and found Gareth standing over him, smiling. His heart beat a little faster. He owed this man his life, but what he felt in his heart wasn’t gratitude. Gareth’s eyes, his smile, his strength. Those were the things that called to Sean.
“Thank you. Both of you.”
He wished he had words to convey what was in his heart, but he doubted such words even existed.
“Come on. We have a funeral to see to.”
Sean got up and trailed behind his Alpha and Beta. From this day forward, no longer would he think his place wasn’t here, by their sides. He was an Omega, and he was theirs for as long as they would have him.
Unease squirmed in his gut. There was still the other thing they didn’t know about Sean. If—when—Sean told them, would it change things? He hoped not, but couldn’t see how it wouldn’t. He knew he needed to tell Gareth the truth, but… maybe tomorrow.
Gareth stopped in front of Ethan’s family. “Martha, this is Sean. Sean, this is Martha and her sons, William and Joshua.”
Something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. She held out a hand. “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know Ethan, but I mourn his passing with you.”
She gave a watery smile and leaned in closer to Sean, who rubbed his cheek against hers. She sighed, obviously grateful for the contact. For the first time, Sean wanted to use his ability to help. He let slip the tight rein he tried to keep on his powers and did what he could for the family, wanting to take away as much of their pain as possible. Their eyes softened and they all moved closer to Sean. The boys sighed wistfully.
“Thank you.”
They probably had no idea what they were thanking Sean for, but it was okay. When Gareth gripped his shoulder, Sean stepped back and looked up. Gareth was smiling at him, and it made Sean feel warm and gooey inside.
He leaned close and whispered in Sean’s ear, “Thank you for that.”
To hear the sweet tone of Gareth’s voice, Sean would do anything.
No matter what the cost.
Chapter Twelve
WHEN EVERYONE was gone, Sean slumped into a chair and rubbed his hand over his eyes.
“Tired?”
“More than. I don’t think I’ve been in a group that big… well, ever.”
Gareth came over and picked Sean up off the chair. He squeaked when Gareth hugged him to his chest.
“What are you doing?”
He smiled at Sean. “The same thing you did for everyone that was there. I could feel your power, you know. It washed over everyone in that room, and their pain eased. I could feel it.” He squeezed Sean. “That was a great thing you did.”
The toll it was taking on Sean was obvious. His face flushed, and he was squinting as though trying to stave off a headache. When he paled and wobbled, Gareth had taken him some food and insisted he eat.
“I wanted to do something for them. I know you said what happened wasn’t my fault, but….” Sean narrowed his gaze. “Are you going to put me down anytime soon?”
Gareth didn’t want to. Holding Sean in his arms seemed right, like Sean was meant to be there. “I suppose I could, if you really wanted me to.”
Sean gazed up, and those violet eyes went soft. “If I’m not too heavy, you could hold me a little longer.”
“You’ll never be too heavy for me.”
There weren’t any words spoken for several minutes, but they didn’t break their exchange. Finally, Gareth could stand it no longer.
“I want to kiss you. You don’t know how badly.”
Sean bit his lip. “Then why don’t you?”
“Because I wouldn’t force myself on you. Never. I know bad things happened in the past, and this would have to be—”
Faster than he thought possible, Sean slammed his hands on the sides of Gareth’s head and dragged him down into a kiss. For an instant, Gareth thought he’d stuck his tongue in an electrical socket, as shocks coursed through his body, burning away all doubt. It was beyond rational explanation, but he knew in that moment that Sean belonged to him. And that scared him. He drew back and peered into Sean’s eyes.
“Sean, I—”
Sean reached up and touched his lips. “Did you feel it too? Like time stood still? You and I were the only two people in the world?”
“I can’t even describe what I felt. It was…. I don’t even know what to say. Me and my wolf were in agreement that you were ours. I know that’s wrong to say, because I don’t want you to think I would hurt you, but I have to say, right now my wolf wants me to claim you.”
Sean tilted his head, exposing his neck. “I’ve never submitted to anyone in my life. I always refused to show weakness. I want to submit to you, though. I want you to be my Alpha.”
“If you want to stay in Lydon, I am.”
A slow smile spread over Sean’s face. “No, not like that. I want you to claim me.”
“Do you know what that means?”
“It means I won’t ever have another in my life. I know that you can have anyone, but—”
“What? Hell no. There is no ‘but’ here. If I claim you, there will never be another for either of us. I am not like any Alpha you’ve ever met, Sean. I guard what’s mine obsessively, whether that’s the pack or our land.” He squeezed Sean. “And I’d like it to be you too.”
“Okay.” Sean was breathless and his eyes were watery. “My wolf says we’re yours.”
Gareth carried Sean to his bedroom and laid him on the enormous four-poster bed
. “No one but Dani, Lyram, and Caleb has ever been in this room. It’s my sanctuary, and I want to share it with you.”
Sean nodded. Gareth climbed on top of the bed and hovered over Sean. Those violet eyes were filled with… love?
“Sean?”
“I love you.”
The words shouldn’t be said. It was too soon. It was…. What Lyram said came back to Gareth. Sometimes our animals are smarter than us. They don’t get bogged down in bullshit, instead going straight to the heart of the matter. Maybe Gareth needed to listen to his wolf for a change.
“I love you too.”
He leaned in and pressed their lips together. This kiss was more than the first one had been. It was deeper, sweeter, and more demanding. Sean clawed at Gareth’s back as he mewled into the kiss. When Gareth sat up, Sean squinted.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’re a virgin.”
Sean’s cheeks flushed. “Yes. Ryker told me that sex with him would establish a permanent bond to him.” His expression fell. “Is that a problem? I mean, I can understand if you don’t want us to bond.”
He turned away, but Gareth put a hand on his shoulder, drawing Sean’s attention back to him. It wasn’t a problem at all, but it did require Gareth to be mindful of Sean’s needs. “No, it isn’t a problem. I told you, I don’t want anyone other than you in my life. What it means is, I’m going to move slowly. I want you to know what I’m doing. You’ve been afraid your whole life, and I want to take that from you.”
Gareth stood and unbuttoned his shirt, then slid it off his shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor. Sean sucked in a breath.
“Do you like what you see?”
“Yes. Can I… can I touch you?”
“Anywhere and everywhere you want, but I think we need to get you out of those clothes before anything else, because I want to get my hands on you.”
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