Hunted
The Lost Wolves 2
Skye R. Richmond
Skyler Snow
Contents
1. Jacob
2. Leo
3. Jacob
4. Leo
5. Jacob
6. Leo
7. Jacob
8. Leo
9. Jacob
10. Leo
11. Jacob
12. Leo
13. Jacob
14. Leo
Also by Skye R. Richmond
Also by Skyler Snow
Skye R. Richmond
Skyler Snow
Copyright © 2020 Skye R. Richmond & Skyler Snow
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are a product of the author’s imagination. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, is pure coincidence. As are any similarities to any businesses, events or locations.
All products and brand names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective holder and or company. I do not own the rights to these, nor do I claim to.”
Cover Art: Vicki Brostenianc
Edited by: Ann Attwood Editing and Proofreading Service
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1
Jacob
I was so screwed!
This was what I got for lying. I knew that this shit would catch up with me, and I was right.
I couldn’t stop pacing even though Dom had reassured me everything would be fine, what if fine meant getting kicked out of the pack? I was very worried that Dominik would tell me I was out for lying, especially now that he had a family to protect, I should have known that I couldn't hide forever and that Allister would catch up with me.
I kept meaning to tell the truth, but then I chickened out. Before I knew it time had passed, and I kind of thought I was safe, but served me right for forgetting that Allister was relentless as fuck. It wasn't even that he was into me. The man just hated looking stupid, hated that I’d had the audacity to run.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
I couldn’t do this on my own again. If Dominik kicked me out, I was screwed. Before linking up with the guys, I had tried going at it alone. I had put my all into it, and in the end things had been horrible.
Life was definitely not kind for an omega on his own, especially when you wandered into another pack's territory. I’d learned that the hard way. Narrowly getting out of there without getting my ass kicked was more than enough for me to want to find a stable home, a pack.
"Calm down, Jacob, before you wear a hole in the floor." Dominik's voice made me spin around and I couldn't read the look on his face.
"I..." I wasn't sure what I was going to say, so I shut my mouth quickly.
Dominik studied me and I tried not to squirm under the intensity of his gaze. It felt like he was staring right into my soul. I shivered.
"So, I guess we have some things to talk about," Dominik said, brow raised.
My shoulders sagged, and I nodded. "I lied to you," I blurted.
"How about we go take a seat and you tell me what's going on," Dominik motioned in the direction of the study. Or the room that would be the study when we got all the work done in the house.
I walked in front of him, and I imagined this was how people being marched to their execution felt. When he shut the door I flinched, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
This was it. Dominik was going to kick me out, I just knew he was. I would have no one to blame but myself.
Dominik's hand on my shoulder made me yelp and turn around, taking the defensive position. I might have lied, but I would be damned if I let another alpha put hands on me for any reason.
Dominik's hand went up and he backed away, "Woah. Woah. Calm down, Jacob. You're safe. Nothing is going to happen here. I would never hurt you. You know that." The alpha studied me and saw way more than I wished he could. "I guess that answers one question already, so how about we take a seat and talk about the rest?"
Dominik motioned to the couch in the study, so I walked over and sank down into its comfort.
"I guess from your reaction that the man who showed up was definitely not a friend, and he hurt you in some way, but, Jacob, I swear to you, you never have to worry about that here."
I nodded. It was easy enough to hear those words, but to actually take them in? That was a different story.
"Jacob, look at me please." Dominik's voice was soft.
I slowly lifted my head and met his gaze and he shot me a smile. "There you are. I never want you to fear me, or any alpha in this house, okay? This your home, nothing has changed."
I nodded, but Dominik didn't stop there. "So, how about we talk, like normal." He laced his fingers together. “Tell me what’s going on?”
I let out a breath and slumped in the seat even more. "When I met you, I was running away from my old pack."
"Mmm. We are all running from something," Dominik said.
"What I didn't tell you was I was promised to the alpha of the pack, and I ran away before he could mate me."
"And let me guess, that was the alpha that showed up at the wedding," Dominik supplied.
"That's him," I sighed, "Allister picks whatever omega he wants, then once they are of age, he mates them and breeds them.” I met Dominik’s gaze, "I refused, and I ran, and Allister doesn't like being embarrassed. I knew he would send someone after me. I just…” I shook my head. “I guess I wanted to believe that I’d be safe here.”
"That's why you risked linking up with three alphas you had never met." Dominik had a knowing look in his eyes.
"Yeah, you guys had been coming into the diner a lot, and you stopped that guy from harassing me. I hadn't really come across any wolves in a while, and that's how I liked it, but my wolf said you guys were safe."
Dominik lips curved into a wide smile. "Thank you."
I raised a brow at him, "Why would you thank me? I should be thanking you. I was barely making it on my own when you guys took me in."
"Thank you for saying you felt safe with us, I swore that I would never become one of those asshole alphas that took from an omega something he wasn't willing to give. And you saying you felt safe, it means more than you know." Dominik smiled. "So, yeah, thank you."
I gazed up at him cautiously. "Even though I lied to you?" I asked.
"We all have secrets, Jacob. I don't expect you to share yours because you're an omega, but now I need to know everything about Allister, because he doesn't seem the type to understand the meaning of no."
"You can say that again..." I muttered. “I would have told you sooner. At first I figured it wasn't a problem because we weren't close to my old pack, and then when we stopped here in Seven Oaks, I thought it was just temporary... but then we bought this house and it wasn't close to town..."
Dominik interrupted, "Is that why you don't like going into town much?"
I shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. I figured if I stayed home, no one would know I was here and it wouldn't be a problem, but then everyone had to pitch in, and I didn't want you guys to think of me as a burden."
&nbs
p; "You're not. Besides, Jacob, I grew up in a pack with strict structures. That's not what I want here, okay? We are a family, and families help each other out."
My throat grew tight at his words. I hadn't thought about my family in a long time, pushing down the memory because it hurt too much. My parents... I'd left them, and they had supported me. They didn't want me to be one of Allister's omegas any more than I wanted to be one.
But I missed them so much, and seeing Elias and his parents made me miss them even more.
"Allister wants me back, and he's not going to stop until he gets me. Even though he already has two omegas." I closed my eyes and sighed. "Some days, at the beginning when I could barely feed myself, I wondered if it would be easier to just go back, and give in, you know?" I opened my eyes and met Dominik's gaze, "…but I can't... my parents they're fated like you and Elias. I want that for myself too." I looked away when I felt the tears gathering.
"And you deserve that, Jacob. Until you find your mate, just know that you're safe, and as your pack alpha, you should know I always keep my word."
I nodded. The guys and I were right to choose Dom as our alpha. He was fair and kind.
"What about when he comes back?" Because I knew it was a matter of when, not if. Allister was like a dog with a bone.
I chuckled, because I knew how much he would hate being compared to a dog.
"If he shows up here we will take care of it. If he comes on our land uninvited, that means I can protect my pack, even to the death."
I shivered at the way Dominik said it, and when I looked in his eyes, I knew he meant every word. Dominik was bigger than Allister, and I had faith in my alpha, but Allister fought dirty, and Dom had a mate and a child.
"Maybe I should just leave before I cause any more trouble," I whispered.
"You are not going anywhere." Dominik's voice was firm. "If you want, I can make it an order from your pack alpha."
That managed to get a smile from me—until Dom spoke again.
"I know you were trying to protect yourself, and I know that we all have things we don't share, but, from now on, if it affects the safety of the pack, no more lies." He held my gaze and my wolf felt the words like the order that it was.
I tilted my head to the side, showing my neck as a sign of respect.
"I swear I won't lie to you guys again." I knew how lucky I was to have a pack alpha like Dominik. Not all alphas would take it as well as he did.
"Good. Now we will come up with a plan for the next time Allister thinks to show up."
I nodded and released a breath that it seemed I had been holding from the night I’d snuck out of the home I had grown up in. Was that relief? I’d pretended to be okay for so long, but now I really did feel as if I could breathe. I felt more energetic than I had in ages.
"How about a run to clear out all that tension you seem to be holding on to? You look like you need a shift," Dom said.
I so did, being in wolf form meant shutting my brain down for a second, and I really needed that.
"Come on, let's go." Dominik got to his feet and I followed suit.
We walked out of the study and, of course, the whole pack was waiting for us in the kitchen.
"Let me guess, Graysen was eavesdropping," Dominik shot his best friend a look and got flipped off by the other alpha.
I took a deep breath and decided to trust Dominik when he said we were a family. I looked out at Soren, Graysen, Elias, and little baby Lilliana, Tom and Elenore—Elias' parents, and I decided to tell the truth.
"I'm sorry for keeping this from you guys," I looked over at Elias, "Elias, I am sorry for almost ruining your wedding. I've told all of this to Dominik, but like he said, we are a family, and I want to tell you guys this myself."
“I’m sure whatever it is, you had a good reason for it,” Elias said softly, and I felt better just hearing his words.
"I was raised in a pack where the alpha could take whatever he wanted, and in Allister's case, that meant whatever omega he wanted. He already has two omegas, but I guess he decided he wanted another one, because he picked me. I didn't want it. I wanted a mate of my own," I looked over to where Dominik had taken a seat beside Elias, and Elias rested his head against his alpha's shoulder. "I want what my parents have, what Elias and Dominik have found... a mate of my very own, but I guess Allister still wants me, and I don't think he'll give up." I looked over at Dominik again, "Dominik says I can stay, but if any of you don't feel like I should be here anymore, I will leave."
I held my breath and hung my head, unable to look. I felt like a guilty man waiting for his sentence.
I heard feet moving and my breath stalled. The next thing I knew I was wrapped in someone's arms, I finally let out a breath and from the scent, I knew it was Soren.
"Of course, you're stayin’," Soren said, "Who else is going to throw sarcastic comments at us?"
I laughed, but it ended on a cry. The next thing I knew I was wrapped up in more arms and everyone was saying the same thing. They didn’t want me to leave.
Finally, Dom clapped, "So, who wants to run?"
Elias yawned, "I think I'm going to go lie down. I'm wiped."
Dominik brushed his hand over Elias' cheek, "I'll stay if you want me to."
Elias shook his head, "No. Go. I think Lilianna and I are both going to take a nap."
"Are you sure?" Dominik asked his mate.
Elias nodded and leaned in, placing a kiss on Dom's lips. When he pulled back he smiled. "I'm sure."
My heart caught in my chest. That right there was what I wanted—an alpha who loved me, and a baby of my own.
I watched as Dom helped Elias to his feet, then lowered his head and placed a kiss on top of his daughter's head. He gave his mate another kiss. I even heard the whispered I love yous.
There was no way I was settling for less. Allister could go fuck himself.
When Elias finally left the room, Dom looked around, "Any takers?"
Tom put his hand up, "I'll go."
I stared at him in confusion.
"I know, I know, I can't shift, but I can walk behind you guys, right?" Tom shrugged. "I am part of the pack too."
I smiled and saw that Soren and Graysen were as well, but Dominik had a thoughtful look in his eyes that I couldn’t quite read.
“You’re more than welcome to join us for a run. We’ll try to help you keep up,” he teased his father-in-law. “Alright, pack. Let’s go!”
2
Leo
I booted up my laptop. The clinic was still closed, but I’d gotten in early to go over some files and get things prepared for the day. Marcy, my receptionist, would be in soon to really get the place up and running, but for a while it was just me, a cup of coffee and the silence of the office.
Have I been on my own for too long?
I’d grown used to the silence and solitude, but there were moments when the loneliness set in. I tapped my fingers against my coffee cup. Maybe I should try dating again. It had been a long time since I’d gone out of my comfort zone.
It wasn’t as if I didn’t have the time. The upside of being a doctor in a small town was that I was very rarely busy. Every once in a while there was a home visit or a sudden uptick in patients, but for the most part things were calm.
BANG!
I jumped and narrowly avoided dumping coffee in my lap. Three more loud bangs echoed through the office. I left the back room and frowned. There were people standing at the front looking panicked through the glass doors.
I didn’t recognize some of them, but one was familiar. Tom. There was blood on his leg and his pinched face and rapid breathing showed he was in pain. I quickly unlocked the door and waved them inside.
“What’s the matter?”
The man holding him frowned. “We were going for a run in the woods around our house and there was some downed fencing hidden underneath a brush.” He shook his head. “I’m Dom, by the way.”
“Leo.” I frowned. “Damn. Bring him
back to the examination room. I need to take a look at the wound.”
Dom carried the man like he weighed nothing. We packed into the tiny room and he laid Tom on the bed. There was another guy with him who kept quiet, but chewed his lip like he wanted to bite the thing clear off his face.
“It’s okay,” I told him. “He’s going to be fine.”
The guy smiled softly, but there was still worry all over his face. He leaned against the counter while I turned back to Dom and Tom. I frowned at the state of him.
“Can you take off your pants, Tom?”
Tom raised a brow. “I don’t think a man’s ever asked me that before.”
I chuckled. “You’re in a good mood at least. Why don’t you two help him out? Let me glove up.”
I washed my hands and dried them off before I snapped on a pair of gloves. My eyebrows knitted when I started to examine the wound. It was bleeding continuously.
“Was the fence rusty?”
“Yeah.” The guy from the back finally spoke up. “It was. I saw it when we were trying to get him out of there.”
I nodded. “Good to know.” I made sure there was nothing in the wound before I sighed. “You’re going to need stitches for sure. Give me a second.”
I gave Tom a shot of pain medicine before I grabbed my supplies and made sure to clean out the wound thoroughly before I started to stitch it up. It was a pretty nasty gash, long and deep that refused to stop bleeding. The stitches would take care of that. I focused on my task pushing my glasses up with my wrist as I worked.
“What were you all doing running out in the woods?” I asked Tom to keep him distracted. “Aren’t you kind of old to be running around the forest anyway?”
Tom chuckled. “Don’t insult a man that’s sitting on your table and bleeding out, Kalter.” He grinned. “Where’s your bedside manner?”
Hunted: An MM Shifter Romance (The Lost Wolves Book 2) Page 1
