Bren Foster as Alpha Darric Grey

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"What do you mean you've given me two weeks to grow up?" I ask.

"Simple grow up, mature, be responsible, you know adult behaviors, god you're slow."

"Listen, witch, I'm not here to trade words with you. Anyway, did you know that my mate is the son of an Elder? Elder Sorenson?" I ask eager to know more about my mate.

"What!" screams the witch.

Damn, she's loud. And I think she just turned red.

"I see I finally one-up you. Yes, his father, excuse me, stepfather, Beta Yorke gave me the lowdown on how his mother got down and dirty with an Elder and my mate was conceived. It seems his mother also foresaw your friendship with him. Something about you saving him? I'm guessing you didn't know?"

"No, I didn't. That explains somethings. Wow? An Elder? I know someone who might have answers. He has a lot of explaining to do."

"Who?"

"No one for you to worry about. Is that all?"

"No, just so you know, I'm going to Salim's to get my mate back." I tell her.

"My mate, my mate, my mate! He is not a thing to tussle any which way you deem fit. You're going to get your mate back? Before you do, ask yourself what you want, if it's Cal, get your act together. I am 'Alpha this, Alpha that, hear me, obey me,' will not cut it. Don't you realize by now that Cal is no ordinary Omega?"

"You and I know that you're still his mate, but he is under the impression that the rejection is final. That you're no longer mates, but we know better. If you think you can go and mess with him again, know two things: one, he's stronger, smarter than you and two, even your Moon goddess will not save you from my wrath if you mess with him."

She continues, "can he live without you, hell yes! Can you live without him, I don't think so. If you think he still needs you, think about this, he now has two mates, you have one, do the math and figure out who has more to lose."

When she stops talking, the ground in her store shakes beneath our feet with her fury. She doesn't move an inch, but I teeter on my seat.

Realization dawns on me. My mate doesn't need me, but I need my mate, I want my mate, Goddess help me, I think I love him.

Then I say the one thing I've wanted to say for a while but too proud to admit or say.

"Esme, please help me, I need my mate, I want my mate back."

Now two weeks later, we're set to go visit Esme. Rafe decides to go with us. He has some business in the area. And his family is leaving. The plan is to drop us off at Esme, take his family home and then pick us for the return trip back to Crimson River Pack.

Many of us will miss the Klynes and their unconventional ways especially Darren, who now follows Georgiana everywhere with puppy dog eyes much to Raul's annoyance. Their stay has been a real eye-opener for all of us.

These two weeks, Rafe and I have gotten to know each other, spending time together away from his family and my friends. Our favorite time is when we sit together in one of the dens to read. He reads, I watch him.

"You know you scrunch your nose when you're reading?" I tell Rafe after watching him for the last twenty minutes. We are in one of the dens.

"And you have not read a word but spent your time watching me," he replies, closing his book.

"I'm trying to picture a younger you and Georgiana and it's hard." I sink deeper into the chair now openly studying him.

"She always makes things fun. Our parents travelled a lot, so did Julian's before they passed so she made herself our 'parent' and Sun god help us if we dare to go against any of her rules."

"I can only imagine. I wish I had such good relationship with my sister."

"What's her name and why don't you?"

"Minerva. I have no idea. I can't recall her ever being nice to me. When we are being bullied, sometimes she joined and other times she just watched."

"That was stupid and mean, terrible combination in a person."

"She is a gamma and I'm an omega so..."

"So what? Families should always have your back regardless. That's one thing I don't understand about weres. The notion that a title supersedes common sense, fairness and love."

"Not all weres. Alpha Salim is different."

Not all our talks were rosy. Rafe and I had an argument a week ago, our first. He wanted me to have an escort every time I go out to gather herbs. I disagree insisting I can take care of myself. We compromised; I will take an escort if I'm going into a new area. And I'll go alone if it's an area I've been before.

Julian has been so nice to me. He tells stories from their childhood. Who knew my mate was such a handful. He tells me that I am the first wolf mate to a High Lord in his memory. When he, Georgiana and my mate start chatting and teasing each other, I am envious of their bond. I think of my sister, Minerva and sad we don't have that familial bond.

Freddy is hanging around the twins a lot. They seem to warm up to her even the frosty Winter.

Jeffery is Jeffery. No smiles, always at attention. Always has everything they ask for. Always stoic. I have yet to see him smile or show any type of emotion.

Their chef and the pack chef are now friends, to the point that Chef Ramsey with the nudging of the pack chef had the vampires' sample medium-rare meat. They tried but it didn't go very well. They want their meat burned, no blood. They offered us a taste of their 'filtered' blood and we all declined. Nope, no way. The irony of the whole situation was hilarious: vampires who need blood for survival detest rare bloody meat and weres who don't drink blood love rare, bloody meat. Funny.

A week ago, Georgiana cornered me in the kitchen and dragged me to her room. We got there, she offered me a glass of red wine, it looked just like the blood she poured herself that I declined. Still not there yet! We sat on the sofa facing each other and I'm ready for the inquisition I knew was coming.

"So, you're my brother's mate. You two seem to be getting along well. I'm so thrilled."

"Thank you," thrown for a loop at her acceptance and mellow mood.

"Contrary to popular opinion, my brother is an innocent when it comes to matters of the heart. He's never been in love before or even dated a man."

"Me either."

"Really? Talk about the blind leading the blind. Don't get me wrong, he's had two long term relationships, but they fell apart because he couldn't give them what they wanted," she sank deeper into the sofa, crisscrossing her legs.

"What?"

"His heart. He said he was waiting for his mate. He knew his mate would be male."

"And your family was okay with that?"

"Of course! His happiness is very important to us."

"Rafe told me that the oldest is always the clan leader, you're older, why is he the leader and not you?"

"I turned it down. I know I don't have the strength or patience to lead a clan."

"But you're tough."

"Yes, I am but I'm also very selfish. I couldn't see myself putting the needs of the clan above mine. And all that politics and running the business is too tiring for this body. Everyone knows their strengths and weaknesses and mine is that I don't have the gumption to be tough in dire situations, I don't have the kill or be killed mentality, Rafe does."

"He's so nice though, I don't see him that way."

"That's the main reason we're having this talk. The reality is that as his mate, you are now also High Lord. He will make decisions you may not agree with, you will still need to support him. You will make decisions with him, and sometimes on his behalf. He must be able to trust and rely on you to make smart and difficult decisions for the survival of your family. Once you're mated, you become one of us. Don't be scared you won't turn into a vampire," when she noticed my frown, "but you will have all that goes with being a Clan leader except for the eyes. So, here's the million-dollar question; do you care about my brother, even a little?"

"Honestly? I was really attracted to him from the moment we met. And as I got to know him, I'm liking him more and more, and may even be falling in love with him. Isn't that crazy?"

"Crazy? No, crazy is being in love with a man for over twenty-three years and always turn down his annual marriage proposal."

"You and Raul?"

"Yes. A story for another time. I'm so glad we talked. I believe you will be good for my brother. Those stuck up vampires are in for a huge surprise. Just remember not to let any one of them intimidate you. I can't wait for nieces or nephews."

"Whoa, whoa, what??"

"You're so cute."

And she left me in her room baffled by what I've come to know as hurricane Georgiana.

Now we are in Rafe's jumbo jet and if we thought Alpha Salim's jet was awesome, this one is beyond words. It's bigger, has bedrooms, kitchen, literally a penthouse in the sky. Even a gym.

"I don't think I'll ever look at Alpha Salim's jet the same way again, this one is awesome sauce!" screams Serena.

The Klynes settle in. Rafe has one of the stewardesses show us around. Everyone scatters to their area of interest as the jet takes off. Rafe and I move to one of the bigger rooms to relax. We sit on the sofa and he pulls me against him. It feels so nice and I lay my head on his chest.

"So, what's the business you have with Esme? Anything I can help you with? Use me, I'm all yours."

"Nothing earth-shattering. Our company needs more employees. The demand is steadily surpassing the supply, so we need more hands. She found us, three new employees. We need to meet them and get them started on the job so we can go back to meeting customer needs."

Rafe turns his head, I look up and he gives me this intense stare, "Callum, your pack really didn't know what a gem they had in you, did they? Remind me never ever to take you for granted."

"Deal," I reply smiling. I reach up, kiss him, and lay my head back on his chest.

"I notice something, you've never call me Cal, you only call me Callum or mate, why?"

"Because it makes me feel special to be the only one who calls you Callum. Mine alone to say."

I reach up and kiss him, I kiss him again harder, running my hand through his hair. He flips us and he's lying on top of me, grinding on me hard. I grind back wanting to feel every part of him. He kisses my neck and moves lower, unbuttoned my shirt and leaves me naked to his gaze.

"You're beautiful and you're all mine," he whispers and runs his hand all over my chest, making me burn everywhere he touches. He rubs my right nipple, bends down and clamps his mouth over my left nipple, blowing hot air on it, making me desperate for more of his tongue on me.

"Suck me, please," I inch up pushing more of my nipple in his mouth. My body's on fire. His mouth cools down my heat and heats up my need at the same time. He sucks on my nipple and pulls it hard into his mouth. I groan in pleasure.

"Aaah, yes, Goddess more." I slowly trace his lips where they are latched around my nipple with my finger, over and over as he sucked harder. I want to feel every part of him, so I grind my cock against his. He's hard and so am I. I don't know what's happening to me, I just want his body all over me, I lift my hips off the sofa rubbing against him fast and hard and he sucked my nipple harder and faster. I...

The door opens and Julian walks in. "We land in ten minutes. Oops. Sorry!" When he sees the position, we're in. He leaves laughing, closes the door with a pronounced click.

"Do you think Esme will make me a repealing spell to keep my family from interrupting when I'm trying to get with you?" asks Rafe breathing hard, with his head on my chest.

I get up from under him, a little bit embarrassed that I was caught in that compromising position. I button my shirt and rush to the bathroom to make some necessary adjustments to my nether regions. I wash my face and try to tidy up. I don't think I can ever look Julian in the face again.

"I thought you didn't like Esme."

"I'll like her a little if she makes me something to stop my family from interrupting my time with my mate. On second thought never mind, knowing Esme's warped sense of humor, she just might do the opposite and I may never have time with you. Just to spite me." He replies as he gets up and fixes his clothing.

I smile because he's probably right. I wouldn't put it past Esme.

"Are you okay?" he asks, stopping my haste to get out of the room.

"I'm fine."

"I promise the next time we make love, no interruption. And Callum?"

"Yes?"

"There will be a next time and very soon."

Blushing, I rush out of the room. I go and sit beside my friends, joining their conversation, in time for us to descend.

I hope to god I'm doing the right thing. Cal my dear, it is time to poop or get off the potty, decision time. And I pray to all that's radiant, it's the right one.

I make a call to Darric. "He should be here in an hour. Give us an hour to do what he's here to do then you may come over."

"Thank you, Esme."

"If you make me regret this, I will roast you."

"I won't, this time, it'll be his choice."

"So good to see you, my favorite bitchy witch," I hug Esme so tight I'm probably choking her.

"Right back at you fur coat," she hugs back just as hard.

We got dropped off at Esme's by two of Rafe's soldiers. After our meeting, Rafe will pick us up for our return trip back to Crimson River Pack. As much as I love seeing Esme, I want out of this area before my ex-mate knows I'm around. I know how vengeful he can be.

"You look good, the cats must be treating you nicely. Or is it Lord Leech that put that glow on your face?"

"Everything's good. I mean he's been with me these last two weeks. He's been awesome. I met his family, they're on another level of cray-cray but they're cool. You know, your friend Freddy is my mate's niece, small world."

"Where's he?"

"He drove his family home and will pick us up later. So, where are our potential employees?"

"In the back room. Are you three mutts just going to stand there?" she asks Raven, Roland, and Serena.

They have been quietly listening to our conversation. As with every time they come into Esme's vicinity, they try to be as inconspicuous as possible. Never works. Raven, Roland, and Serena walk slowly towards us.

"How's the supply holding up?" Roland asks Esme.

"There's enough for all brands for another three months, the sooner we get these people to work and you back to making your creams the better."

"I have a new product that is going into the testing stage. I have been working with Dr. Granger the pack doctor. It's an elixir that is an antidote to wolfsbane. Unfortunately, since we haven't had anyone infected with wolfsbane, I'm not able to test it yet," I inform Esme.

"I've seen what wolfsbane can do to a were, how are you going to get them to drink an elixir when they are out of their mind with pain?"

"That's the other issue with it. Dr. Granger says to be effective; it must be in injectable liquid form. And that requires a whole different composition."

"He's right."

"I know and it got me thinking. I decided to study to be a chemist. To learn more about drug compositions and all."

"A chemist? Not bad, you already have the insight into herb manipulation. Here we are."

We walk into the room and there are a human and two familiar werewolves in the room. I know the wolves: Ed and Katie Johnson, members of my former pack. They are older than me, and I remember they live in town away from the pack. There was a rumor when I was thirteen that Ed was mated to a human. Ed was eighteen then, and Katie was sixteen. The former Alpha had given him and his family a tough time, but he stuck by his mate. Some said that was the reason they moved from pack land to town. It must be true because he's holding tightly to the small pretty woman, who must be the mate. And I can feel some apprehension and resignation from them.

"Hi guys, these are my other partners. Partners meet Jamie Tilson, Ed, and Katie Johnson," Esme introduces the three.

"I'm Cal Yorke, and this is Raven Hayes, Serena Keary, and Roland Tyler. It's nice to see you again Ed, Katie."

"Cal, the pack omega Cal?" Ed asks in surprise, "you're all pack omegas, how are you owners of Wood Inc?"

"Long story that I'm not inclined to go into right now. My question is this: are you going to be okay working for us or not?" I cut to the chase.

"I'm okay with it if you're not tied to the pack."

"No, we're not. Good, let's get started." He mentions the pack, that tells me his mate is aware of who and what he is. Good.

"Wood Inc. is a company that makes and sells natural herbal creams for pain, and skin related issues. Right now, our pain products are specifically made for weres because they are too strong for humans. But our skin products are for everyone. We cater to two specific groups: weres and humans. I know you have gone through intense background screening with Esme, we're just here to meet you in person and welcome you to the company. We are a growing company and want folks that will grow with us."

"How old are you? All four of you look too young to be the owners?" Katie asks.

"I'm 18, almost 19, so are Raven and Esme. Roland and Serena are 17. I hope that will not be a problem?"

"No, no, problem," the human answers.

"Good, if you're not uncomfortable working for three omegas and a witch, I want to welcome you to Wood Inc." I walk over and shake his hand and his sister's, not his mate. He nods to his mate and she shakes my hand.

"Now, one thing I must mention is that you all will be asked to sign a non-disclosure statement. Please feel free to read it in its entirety before signing. I recommend you take it home to read and understand thoroughly before signing."

"We will," replies Ed. "Is the salary real?"

"Of course, why?"

"Well for entry level, it seems exorbitantly high, so I want to make sure it's real."

"Yes, it is real, and that brings me to my next point. You will be entitled to a quarterly bonus based on the company's revenues for that quarter. You have two options in regard to your bonus: take the whole bonus or take half and use the other half and buy into the company. All this information will be in the manual you're taking home with you."

"Thank Goddess, since the fall out with the pack, it has been hard for our family. This is a major break we need. Now they can get married," injects Katie, nodding to her brother and his mate.

"What do you mean? I thought you chose to leave the pack for your mate?" I ask perplexed.

"Yes, I did, but I didn't know we will be blackballed all over town except for this store. The previous Alpha decreed it and the current one didn't do anything about it when he became Alpha. So, no, I have no problem working for three omegas and a witch."

Just when I think Blood Rose Pack couldn't sink lower, hearing things like this makes me furious.