by Nora Phoenix
Lars’ cheeks colored bright red. “Will you kick me out if I don’t take the job?”
Lidon was about to completely lose his patience with him when a booming voice behind him saved him the trouble. “I’ll handle this, alpha,” Grayson spoke.
He stepped into Lidon’s view and pointed a finger at Lars. “You, come with me,” he said, his voice heavy with dominance.
Lars rose to his feet, his face set to a thunderstorm, but still obeying. Sven pushed his chair back. “You can stay here,” Grayson said, his voice much softer and kinder. “I promise I’ll return him in one piece.”
Seconds later, Grayson and Lars had walked out of the kitchen, leaving a trembling Sven behind.
“He doesn’t mean to be insolent, alpha,” Sven said, biting his lip. “He’s… It’s not been easy for him. For us.”
Lidon took a deep breath to make sure he wouldn’t take out his irritation on the wrong brother. “I understand, but that doesn’t mean he can disrespect me. You’d better make sure he understands.”
“Yes, alpha.”
Lidon kissed Vieno on his head, then planted him on his feet. “Show Sven around so he can help out, sweetheart.”
Vieno nodded, his eyes showing understanding that Lidon needed to cool off. He walked out, Sven’s smell reminding him his heat wasn’t far off. They’d have to separate him when his heat was close, Lidon realized as he walked outside. Enar, Palani, and he hopefully wouldn’t have an issue resisting him since they were mated, but the other men around would, especially if he had the gene like Enar suspected.
Hmm, how would they pull that off for him and for other omegas that would come to stay? He pulled up a mental picture of the ranch. They could add an omega wing to the main house. There was enough space to do it, but it would still be awfully close to the bedrooms of any alphas staying, too close to keep the scent out. No, that wouldn’t work.
He mulled it over in his head as he wandered around the swimming pool which had been cleaned and was being used daily by Vieno and Enar, who both loved to swim. What if they added an extra building to the compound? They’d have to widen the perimeter of the gates, but it would be safer. They’d need a few bedrooms where omegas could retreat, whether they were riding out their heat alone or with a partner. Each bedroom would need its own bathroom. Maybe four or so? And they’d need a kitchen there as well, so they wouldn’t have to come into the main house for replenishments.
He stopped in his tracks as it hit him that he wasn’t entertaining the concept of multiple people moving in. He was counting on it. Sven was the first, but more would follow. They’d create a safe haven here for anyone who needed it. He knew Enar encountered many omegas who needed help, for short term or for a longer period. Lidon would love nothing more than to open his ranch to them, but they would need to make adjustments to make it work.
Safety was a number one concern, especially if they were taking in omegas who had the gene. Damn, he recalled how Vieno had smelled that first time—and that was when he’d been weak and exhausted. Palani’s stories about those poor McCain kids had been heartbreaking. Lidon would do anything to prevent that from happening on his property even if it meant investing in self-contained units to keep omegas away from alphas.
Now that he’d made up his mind, he wanted to talk to Jawon to see what the options were. He found him painting the newly built barn where all the farm equipment could be stored.
“Hey, alpha,” Jawon greeted him when he spotted him.
“Why do you keep calling me that?” Lidon wondered. “I have a name, you know.”
Jawon shrugged. “I know, It seems appropriate, somehow. I dunno. Do you mind?”
“No, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re obliged to use it, like I’d insist on it.”
“I know. What’s on your mind, other than that?”
“Checking in,” Lidon said. “How are things going?”
He’d spotted Ori and Servas working on extending Vieno’s vegetable garden, distributing top soil and leveling the patch of land. They had gates ready to put around it to keep out deer and other wildlife. He hadn’t seen Urien, but maybe he was working on something else.
“Good, we’re almost done with the extension of the vegetable yard, so you’ll need to tell us what the next priority is.”
“Good. It looks great,” Lidon said.
Jawon looked around with a satisfied smile. “I love seeing it come to life. Projects like this make my heart sing, you know? We’re rebuilding something and I dunno, but it feels right.”
“I know what you mean. Where’s Urien?”
Jawon sighed. “He had to leave to pick up his daughter. Her school called that she had a fever.”
“Poor kid. Where does he live?”
“Other side of the city, south side. It’s quite the commute for him to come here, almost forty-five minutes.”
Lidon’s eyes widened, and he whistled through his teeth. “I hadn’t realized he was that far out. And south side? Ugh, that’s a crappy neighborhood to raise a kid.”
“True, but it’s what’s still affordable, you know? Ori, Servas, and me, we’ve been talking about getting a place together so we can split costs, but with the economy being what it is, we’ll probably end up renting on the south side as well.”
Something stirred inside Lidon. A deep sense of what was right.
“I may have a solution,” he said.
21
Lidon ended the call with Detective Helly, who had led the investigation on the attack. The result was as Lidon had feared and expected: nothing. He’d known calling his coworkers in would result in little, but he’d had no choice given his position. He had to play by the rules, even when those rules weren’t gonna get him anywhere. Now that that was confirmed by the detective, it was time to take matters into his own hands.
He still wasn’t sure what to make of the true alpha stuff. It sounded like a legend, like the stuff of movies and made-up stories, and yet he couldn’t shake the connection he’d experienced with it deep inside. Grayson’s words…they’d sounded like a prophecy almost, and he’d felt them in his very soul. He’d spoken them once, but Lidon could remember every word.
Danger is coming, Grayson had said. He’d been right, hadn’t he? Danger had come to the ranch, and they’d almost lost Vieno because of it. Lidon never, ever wanted to experience the terror he’d experienced when he feared he’d lose Vieno. So even if he wasn’t fully convinced of the true alpha element, he’d follow the man’s advice. He’d follow his instincts, and right now, they were telling him to build his pack.
An hour later, the living room was packed to the max with all the men. Every single one of them was there, including all of Bray’s men—Lidon had promised he’d keep it short—and his cousins.
When Lidon rose from his chair, Vieno sitting at his feet, a silence fell over them.
“Thank you all for coming. I got a call from Detective Helly that they have no official leads or suspects for the attack on the ranch.”
An angry murmur traveled through the room.
“That means it’s time we do things our way. Starting today, things will change. We’ve already started on rebuilding the gate so it protects a bigger part of the surrounding buildings, and we’re constructing a second gate around the entire property…but that will take longer. Jawon, Ori, Servas, I want to ask you to move in as long as you are working here on the ranch…which will be a while. We can build a separate cottage for you guys close to the main house, but you’re part of my pack, and I want you inside the gates.”
Jawon shared a look with the other two, then made eye contact with Lidon, his face serious and his eyes strong. “Yes, alpha. We’re in.”
Lidon nodded. “Good. Urien, your situation is different considering your daughter. I’d like to invite you to move in with her into the main house. She needs to be safe.”
Urien let out a small gasp. “God, yes please. Thank you, alpha.”
Lidon turned to Bray. “Bray, I need
you in the main house, considering your importance to my security. Choose four of your men to live here permanently as well. We’ll build them a cottage as soon as we can.”
Bray nodded. “Yes, alpha.”
“Lucan and Grayson, you’re free to leave at any time, but we would love for you to stay here, for your safety and for our friendship.”
Father and son answered at the same time, their voices strong. “Yes, alpha.”
“We’re staying,” Grayson added. “We love living here and being part of your pack.”
Lidon took a deep breath. “About that… I haven’t figured it all out, so bear with me as we work out all the details, but starting today, we will function as a pack with me as the alpha. I’m…” He breathed out, trying to find the right words. “I’m not sure of what it all means, and how it fits, but after what happened, I need to follow my instincts. This is my pack, and I’m inviting you all in. If you accept, that means you accept my leadership. If you have an issue with that, you’ll need to leave. There will be no discussion over who leads. It’s gonna be me. This is my home, my pack, and my rules.”
Grayson shot him a look of deep pride. “Who is your second in command, alpha?”
This was the hard part. It didn’t make sense, but it was what his instincts told him was right. Even though he had multiple alphas in his pack, including one in his bed as others would see it, there was only one option for him. “Palani.”
Palani gasped, and he wasn’t the only one, but Lidon’s eyes were fixed on Enar. Would he understand? He never meant to hurt him, and he’d never forgive himself if he had, but he wasn’t the right choice, the right fit.
Enar lifted his eyes to look at Lidon. “Excellent choice, alpha,” he said, his voice strong. “He’s who I would’ve picked myself.”
A wave of relief rolled through Lidon. “Thank you.”
“Are…are you sure?” Palani asked Lidon, who shook his head, amused.
“Did you really think I’d choose you if I wasn’t convinced you were the best man for this job?” he asked.
Palani looked sheepish. “True, but it’s just…you have alphas here and yet you chose me.”
Lidon reached out for him and pulled him close, putting his hands on the beta’s shoulders, not ashamed to show anyone in the room his emotions. “Palani, you have the sharpest mind here in the room. Your analytical skills are second to none. You have a tight rein on your temper…usually,” he added, thinking back of the incident Palani had confessed to him where he’d clocked Enar. Wrong as it might’ve been, it had led to Enar finally opening up.
Palani grinned, then shot a cheeky look in Enar’s direction. “I only hit people when they deserve it.”
“I need someone I can trust blindly, someone who won’t impulsively decide but follow the facts... I want you by my side,” Lidon said. “This pack will judge people by their talents and competence when it comes to jobs, not by their status or identity.”
Palani’s face grew serious again. “Thank you. It’s an honor, and I won’t let you down, alpha.”
Lidon smiled, then kissed him soundly. “I know you won’t.”
He turned Palani around to face the room. “As my second in command, my beta, Palani will have my authority. His orders are to be treated as if they were mine.”
Everyone nodded.
“I haven’t figured it all out, what it means to be a pack and what I want mine to look like, but I do know this: we protect what’s ours. Our omegas, our children, our land, our home. We protect our pack. That’s our priority. Anyone who has any ideas on how we can do that, please speak up.”
“Will you allow new people in the pack?” Ori asked.
“Yes, but after vetting from me or Palani. We may ask Bray to run a background check. And people, remember: no strangers inside the gates.”
“What’s your policy on relationships within the pack?”
That was Lars. Lidon wasn’t sure what Grayson had told the beta, but he’d apologized to Lidon and had told him he’d gladly accept the job offer. He’d worked outside ever since, and Jawon reported he was doing excellent work and had made valuable suggestions.
Lidon wondered what had triggered Lars’ question. Had the beta spotted someone he was interested in? He frowned. What should be his stand on that? He didn’t want drama, but he also couldn’t prevent people from hooking up…or falling in love. He looked at Palani, maybe the beta would have an idea on how to handle this?
“If it’s consensual, I don’t see why we’d have an issue with it,” Palani said. “But we’d like a heads up, just so we’re aware. And if it involves an omega, we do need to consent beforehand because we want to make sure the omega enters into the relationship willingly and isn’t pressured.”
Lidon nodded, happy with that answer. “Yes. That sounds right.”
“And what about heats?” Sven asked, surprising Lidon by speaking up. “Do I ask permission before asking an alpha to help me?”
“How was that traditionally done in a pack?” Palani asked Grayson.
“The omegas would ask the beta, the alpha’s second in command, for permission,” Grayson said. “Sex was always discussed openly in a pack…even shown openly. They all lived in the same house, or in close proximity anyway, so it made no sense hiding.”
“Okay,” Lidon agreed, “So that answers your question, Sven. Find Palani and he will…”
“Pimp you out,” Palani said, grinning. It earned him laughter in the room.
“Can I make one suggestion, alpha?” Grayson said, and it struck Lidon again with how much reverence the older alpha used that title for him.
“Yes, please.”
“I think you should declare all omegas off-limits as a general rule. Mated ones obviously, but also the unmated ones. State that anyone wanting to sleep with an omega needs your permission, even if it’s for a heat or for a one-time thing. That way, you can protect vulnerable omegas in your pack.”
“I like that,” Lidon said. “So ordered. Also, anyone who has medical questions or who needs medical care can seek out Enar. Anyone else?”
“Will you allow me to make an announcement?” Enar asked, and Lidon’s heart all but burst out of his chest, because he knew what his best friend was about to do. He was so fucking proud of him, and so…in love.
He loved him. He’d always loved him as a friend, a fuck buddy, but watching Enar gather his courage here, his body twitching with nerves, Lidon’s heart swelled with a new kind of love. A love that made him want to protect him, cuddle him, fuck the shit out of him and kiss him senseless. He loved him, and the knowledge made his heart sing.
“Yes, but you’ll stand right here next to me when you do,” he said.
Enar got up, and so did Palani and Vieno who had to know what was coming. Hand in hand they stood, the four of them, facing a room of curious faces, though Grayson and Lucan looked like they knew what was coming.
“My request to the pack is to please consider me a beta from this moment on. It’s how I feel, it’s what I am inside, and I no longer want to be treated or referred to as an alpha…” Enar said, his voice thick with emotion.
Lidon saw some confusion, but others nodded immediately. It couldn’t have been that much of a surprise to anyone who had spent any time with Enar lately. The man had been confident to show more of his true nature, and it had been heartwarming to see him blossom.
Lidon squeezed his hand. “Acceptance of Enar’s status is required to enter the pack. If anyone has an issue with this, don’t join. This pack will allow people to be themselves, no matter what society may think.”
They wrapped things up quickly after that, and Lidon sent everyone off, back to their jobs. He asked Vieno, Enar, and Palani to stay back. When the room had cleared out except for his men, Lidon pulled them close. He was so sure of this, he didn’t even hesitate.
“I want to alpha-claim you.”
Enar froze as Lidon’s words registered. He was kidding, right? Or he meant Palani. T
here was no way he…
“Both of you. I want to claim you as mine, because you are,” Lidon said.
Enar swallowed. Did he dare to ask? He chastised himself. He’d come out as beta to a room full of people. Why the hell was he afraid to ask this?
“D-do you love me?” he brought out.
Lidon’s face softened as he leaned in for a soft kiss. “I do, and I’m sorry for not telling you. I would have if I’d realized sooner, but it didn’t hit me till minutes ago. I’ve never been more proud of you in my life, Enar, but I’ve also never loved you more.”
Much to his own surprise, Enar burst out in tears. Not a soft welling up of his eyes, no, he shattered into a million pieces, but the pain didn't hurt. It soothed and comforted and made his heart sing like it never sung before.
“I’m sorry…” he cried as Lidon pulled him into his arms. “I can’t seem to…”
“Shut up,” Lidon said mildly. “Let me hold you, Enar. Let me take care of you, please.”
Enar hid his face against his alpha’s strong shoulder and allowed himself to fall apart in Lidon’s strong arms, crying until he had no more tears to spend.
“I love you,” he whispered when the tears dried up, his voice hoarse. “I think I always have.”
Lidon kissed his head, then his mouth, apparently not caring about the hot mess that Enar was right now. “Will you accept my claim?” he asked.
Enar nodded eagerly. “God, yes. Please. I want to be yours.”
“You’re not concerned what it will mean to your…your status?” Lidon asked, taking the tissue Palani offered him and wiping Enar’s face like he would a child’s with incredible tenderness. Enar had to fight back his tears, or he’d fall to pieces all over again.
“I don’t give a flying fuck about my status,” Enar said from the bottom of his heart. “All I want is to be yours, to be together.”
Lidon kissed him again, a kiss that showed every ounce of emotion he wasn’t able to express in words, because Enar felt it in the way his alpha claimed his mouth. He didn’t let go, clung to him even as the kiss ended, almost scared to break whatever was holding them together now.
