Chapter One
“Gammas are pretty thick on the ground in these parts, so sure, I can spare one if he wants to go.”
Finn gave the grizzled alpha a sincere smile and nodded. “Excellent, sir. I was hoping that would be the case.”
He drained his mug of beer and looked around at the betas and gammas seated at the rustic table. For the most part, they struck him as an aging and surly lot, taking their affect from their alpha. He wasn’t sure any of them would fit into the Rogue Pack. Still, beggars couldn’t be choosers, and Lorcan was counting on his returning with at least one new gamma to strengthen their pack. He’d struck out twice already with others. Giving up fighters was a hard thing for any pack to do, and he had nothing to offer in trade except relieving them of one extra mouth to feed. This Canadian pack seemed fairly primitive, living mostly off the land, so he’d hoped from the moment he’d entered their sparse lands that his offer would be appealing.
The alpha, Magnus, leaned back in his chair and gave Finn a toothy grin in return. He snapped his fingers. “More beer!”
A young male omega appeared out of nowhere, a pitcher of beer in his hands. The boy was smaller than most and slender to the point of being skinny. Raggedy clothes hung off his frame and his hands shook as he lifted the heavy container to refill first the alpha’s mug, then Finn’s. He gave the boy a nod of thanks, not that the kid was looking. The omega kept his gaze firmly down, so that only his fan of thick lashes showed. His light brown hair was pulled back in a long braid, leaving his pretty face on full display. High cheekbones, pink lips, and pale skin—he must be some lucky guy’s mate.
When the omega tried to move away, however, the alpha reached out quick as a snake and grabbed the boy’s arm. The poor omega jumped and became even paler, but he didn’t fight the hold, simply rocked to steady his footing. His too-thin chest heaved in obvious fear.
Magnus leaned forward and pinned Finn with a hard stare. “Of course, if you want one of my gammas, you’re going to have to take this omega, too. That’s my condition.” Letting go, he settled back again. The omega didn’t move a muscle.
Finn frowned. “I don’t understand. You’re giving up an omega?”
With a nod, Magnus said. “Yes.” He flicked his hand toward the boy. “I want this one gone. I won’t lie to you, he’s a handful. Disruptive. But, he’s fertile, so I expect a new pack like yours could use the breeding stock regardless.”
If the omega was hurt by his alpha’s condemnation, he didn’t show it other than a bit of rosy spots coloring those pale cheeks and a tightening of his grip on the pitcher.
The meaning of the alpha’s words sunk in. “You say he’s fertile? He’s whelped already?”
Magnus took a long drink and sneered as if tasting something sour. “Once last year.”
“And, who is the sire?” He couldn’t imagine any male shifter letting his mate, let alone a pup, go to another pack.
“Who knows?” Magnus shrugged. “This little slut offered his ass up to every male who wanted to mount him, yet refused to mate with anyone.” The alpha scowled. “No one was good enough to his way of thinking, I suppose, and we don’t do forced matings in this pack.”
Seriously? Finn kept himself from voicing his skepticism out loud. From what he’d seen of this alpha and his pack, he wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that omegas were forced to mate with someone of their alpha’s choosing. That was the norm in many even more modern packs.
“Anyway, the boy has no family left and no one has claimed the pup as his, so it goes with its father. Of course, your alpha may choose to kill it if he wants to breed off this bitch himself and keep his line pure.”
A sound like the one an animal would make in its moment of death erupted out of the omega’s mouth, and he staggered toward the table. Finn grabbed the pitcher before it toppled out of the boy’s hold and set it on the table. Putting his hand on the trembling omega’s shoulder, he tried to catch his eye.
“It’s okay.” He kept his tone low and soft and forced down his anger at the alpha. “We’ll take you both.” He flicked his gaze at Magnus. “We’re mostly a pack made up of discards from others anyway. We gladly accept a breeding omega and his pup. We’re trying to grow our numbers, after all.”
Magnus merely grunted at the statement, but the omega slowly raised his eyelashes to peek at Finn. Bright green eyes shone up at him, shiny with tears. “Thank you, sir.” His words were spoken almost at a whisper.
“You’re welcome. Now, go and pack. I want to leave soon.”
The omega glanced at Magnus, who waved him away. “Go on. You’re his problem now.”
With a jerky nod directed at no one in particular, the boy shot off. Magnus watched him leave with an expression that didn’t look relieved or even indifferent. There was a strange sort of hunger to it. Before Finn could ponder its significance, the alpha turned his attention to him.
“You’re welcome to stay the night.”
“Thank you, but I’ve got a long journey back, and I prefer to hit the road and put in a few miles, or rather kilometers, behind us before retiring.” Picking up his mug of beer, he took a long swallow. He felt a bit unsettled. “Now, the gamma?” He looked around the table. “Who’s it going to be?”
Magnus snorted and got to his feet. “No one here. These are my most trusted pack members. Come, I have someone in mind.”
Standing, Finn followed the alpha out of his longhouse and into the brisk spring afternoon. He’d started his trip as soon as most of the snow had gone. This far north, there were still some patches on the ground here and there with late storms always possible.
Magnus led him to a spot at the far end of the compound. A very large, red-haired wolf came loping out from the tree line at the alpha’s sharp whistle. The gamma stood with his head cocked, waiting for orders.
“Change,” Magnus barked.
A mountain of a man unfolded in front of them, standing considerably taller than either Magnus or Finn. This gamma was bigger even than Lorcan. Impressive, although it was hard to tell what was lurking beyond those vividly blue eyes.
“Caleb, this is Finn, a beta for the Rogue Pack.”
The gamma raised his eyebrows. “Interesting name.”
“We’re an interesting pack,” Finn retorted, although secretly pleased that this guy was young, virile-looking and seemed to maybe have a sense of humor—a rare trait in a gamma. “And, we’re in the market for some new gammas.”
“You got trouble?”
“Some,” Finn conceded. the Haldon Pack had been quiet for months, but Lorcan still worried about them, as did he and Deidre. “We could use fresh blood and more muscle. Our lands are fertile and can support a lot more pack members.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Are you game?”
The gamma, Caleb, didn’t answer right away. He seemed to mull the idea over, and that spoke well of him. Most shifters thought gammas weren’t into thinking much and tended to jump into things. The fact that this one wasn’t doing that was a good sign.
Caleb looked at Magnus. “Alpha?”
“It’s your choice. You know you have a way to go to move up in this pack. Could be a good opportunity, and you don’t have much family left here.”
A look of profound sadness crossed the gamma’s face before he squared his shoulders. “Where to?”
“Upstate Maine.”
Caleb’s expression morphed into a cocky grin. “The States, eh?” He shrugged. “Sure, why not? Could be fun.”
Finn clapped his hands. “Great. I want to leave quickly and get as much of our journey underway as possible. How much time do you need to pack?”
“I ain’t got much, so maybe fifteen minutes.”
“Perfect. Hopefully the boy will be ready by then, too.”
At Caleb’s confused look, Magnus spoke up. “He means Will.”
Finn gave a quick nod. “Yeah, your alpha insisted we take the omega along with you, and our pack needs breeders as much as it needs muscle.”
The gamma’s expression hardened. “You’re taking his pup, too, right?”
“Of course,” Finn was quick to assure the guy. He wondered, however, if he’d just found the pup’s sire. Certainly, Caleb’s reaction indicated that he cared in some fashion for the omega and his offspring.
“Good.” Caleb inclined his head formally at Magnus. “With your permission, sir, I’ll leave my post.”
The alpha waved him on. “Go. You’re no longer part of my pack. From now on, you answer to this beta.”
The gamma nodded briefly. “Yes, sir. It’s been an honor to serve you and your pack.” With that, the guy hurried off, his large, naked body equally impressive from behind.
His words, though, had been tinged with a certain insincerity, or perhaps that was merely Finn’s imagination. He’d been on the road for a while. It was going to be good to get back home. Yeah, home had a new meaning now. It hadn’t taken long for Lorcan and the rest of the Rogue Pack, as well as their new lands, to become important to him. He’d thought he’d never have that sense of belonging again, yet here it was giving him a sense of urgency to return.
Magnus gave him a two-fingered salute. “Good luck.”
“Thank you, sir, for all your help.” He meant what he said, except the alpha wasn’t really listening. He’d already turned to head to the longhouse.
Feeling suddenly antsy, Finn returned to his truck. Liam’s truck, actually. The gamma had lent Finn the extended-cab working vehicle for the trip, and Finn had on occasion even slept in it to save money. Lorcan had given him a good amount of pack funds for expenses, but Finn had been raised to be frugal, and he could do no less for his new pack. Sometimes he worried that his alpha was a little too generous.
“Excuse me, sir.”
Finn turned to find the omega standing only a few feet away, wearing an inadequate jacket and a sling of brown fabric around his front. A shock of curly, yellow hair peeked out from the top of the cloth and for a moment, he was transported back to a different time and place. The memory of a pup being carried like that by his mother hit him right in his solar plexus, forcing the breath from his lungs. For a few seconds, he lacked the strength to shrug off the reaction. He blindly reached out to lean against the truck’s hood, and a shudder ran through him. He stood staring, unfocused and trying to pull himself together.
The omega, Will, wrapped one arm protectively around his small bundle while hefting a battered duffel on his free shoulder. He stared at Finn warily, aware of the heightened emotional reaction, perhaps. Fortunately, he didn’t ask any questions. With an internal shake, Finn forced his mind and body to relax. This was here and now, not then and there. He had a job to do, and freaking out the omega—a totally unexpected bonus that would delight his new pack—would not make the journey back any easier.
He straightened. “That was fast. I appreciate it.” He nodded toward the truck and pulled open the back door. “Come on and get settled in. We’re waiting for Caleb.”
A ghost of a smile graced the pretty boy’s lips. “Caleb is coming with us?” He pulled his bag off his shoulder as he approached. Then stopped and dropped his gaze. “I’m sorry, sir. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”
“You didn’t.”
The boy looked unconvinced. “I have trouble curbing my tongue and make my superiors angry.” He took a half-step back, hugging his pup even more tightly to him.
“It’s fine. And, I’m not angry,” Finn said, except he caught sight of his reflection in the truck’s side mirror. Frown lines carved deep into his face. Weird, he hadn’t meant to react badly to the question about Caleb. He felt sure that there was something between the omega and the gamma. Well, that was all to the good. Maybe they’d become a mated pair and give the pack even more pups, big and strong like their sire.
Shaking his head, he tried to change the muscles in his face to a more pleasant arrangement. He hadn’t had a lot of experience smiling the last few years, but the timid omega deserved to be handled with care. Spooking the kid from the start wasn’t going to benefit any of them.
“Here, let me help with that.” He reached for the duffel and after a second’s worth of minor tussle, the omega relinquished his hold and immediately used his newly-freed arm to hug the pup two-handed.
Finn tossed the bag into the far end of the back seat and had intended to move out of the way. Instead, he couldn’t resist sneaking a closer peek at the contents of the sling. The pup was small for its age, asleep and sucking adorably on its thumb. The kid was bundled up warmer than its father. Obviously the omega took care of his child if not himself. Looking at the quiet, gentle boy, it seemed hard to believe that he’d run wild within this pack, stirring up trouble as Magnus had said.
“What’s your pup’s name?” The question popped out unbidden.
Will smiled down at his precious cargo. “Annie.” He gnawed at his lower lip while he feathered a couple of fingers through the bit of his daughter’s hair sticking out from her knitted cap. “My new alpha is really going to accept her, isn’t he?”
The raw fear in the quiet question stabbed at Finn’s heart. “Of course. I promise you.”
With a sniff, the omega simply nodded and placed a chaste kiss on his pup’s head. Feeling the need to reassure the boy even more, he put his hand on his shoulder. He didn’t miss the way the boy flinched, but chose not to point it out.
“I know this must be scary leaving your pack, especially so suddenly.”
“Yes, sir, but I’m used to being scared. I won’t give you any trouble, and I promise I’ll make sure Annie’s good.”
Finn hated to think of what the boy’s experience must have been to make him say such a thing. Pups by their nature caused all kinds of trouble. It was actually one of the things shifters loved about their offspring. Unlike humans, they appreciated how the young needed to test their boundaries before maturity allowed them to be molded to pack rules. He didn’t get a chance to assure the omega that he wasn’t worried about the pup because Caleb’s arrival took both their attentions. The gamma hustled up to Finn, carrying a duffle much like Will’s.
The big guy smiled. “Hey, Will.”
The omega blushed. “Hi, Caleb.”
Once again, Finn had to wonder if the gamma was the pup’s sire, or more likely had simply been one of the many supposed males who’d serviced the omega during his heat. Finn’s lips curled up for a second, and he just barely kept the growl rising in the back of his throat from slipping out. He swallowed hard. Shit, what was his problem? He was tired, that was all.
“Let’s get going,” he said more gruffly than he’d intended. “Caleb, you ride shot-gun.”
“Yes, Beta.”
“Finn,” he called over his shoulder as he made his way to the driver’s side. Sliding in behind the wheel, he flashed a grin at his companion. “We’re kind of a relaxed pack, you’ll find.”
“Oh yeah?” Caleb slid in beside him and stuffed his duffel on the bench seat between them, crushing the empty bag from Finn’s lunch. “What’s the alpha like?”
Finn buckled up while starting the engine. “He’s a good strong shifter, without being an asshole.”
The gamma chuckled. “I like him already.”
Backing up, Finn caught sight of the quiet omega in the rear. The boy had maneuvered his seat belt around his body while still wearing the baby sling. The pup remained asleep.
“Crap,” Finn swore quietly. When anxious green eyes stared back at him, he elaborated. “I forgot we need a car seat for the pup. Do you have one?” Even as he asked the question, he bet that while the pack might have a few, no way the omega owned one of his very own.
Will lowered his gaze. “No, sir. I’m sure she’ll be fine, Beta.”
Finn shook his head. “The humans have strict laws about this. I’m not risking getting pulled over, nor am I risking the pup’s safety.”
“There’s a store along the way that would sell that kind of thing,” Caleb offered. Reaching into his front pocket, he added, “I have some money.”
“Good about the store. And, that’s okay on the money.” Finn put the truck in drive and headed out. “I appreciate the offer, but the alpha—Lorcan—gave me enough to cover all of our traveling expenses.”
Caleb froze. “You sure?”
“Absolutely. Annie is the Rogue Pack’s responsibility now.” With both hands on the wheel, he concentrated on driving carefully. Annie’s safety demanded his care. Tension filled him, but he ruthlessly buttoned himself down. Now, wasn’t the time to lose his shit.
Damn, it was going to be a long trip.