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Chapter Four

Sheppard

Maybe I was a little…harsh on the man. It wasn’t his fault my betas acted like jerks and strung him along. He thought he was coming here for his mate.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

I got up from my desk and paced the floors for a bit, trying to close my eyes and allow some of the stress of the day to evaporate from me. But when that didn't work, I marched to the window to see what my pack was doing.

The usual suspects were hanging around, trying to look busy while doing a lot of nothing. I trusted my betas to watch over them and to appoint some leaders to correct those situations, but none of that was working.

In fact, as I looked out over the rows growing our food and the fields that pastured the pack’s animals, I didn’t see a lot of work at all.

I breathed out a sigh that created a little haze on the window in front of me. I didn’t ask a lot. There was no clocking in and out. No one was asked to be a slave. It was all for the common good. About 90 percent of what this pack ate and used was produced right here on pack lands. Those who did not work the land, like the forest rangers, many of whom were members, contributed in other ways.

So, we got only what we put in, and, from my vantage point, we were going to be starving soon.

I’d tried everything to motivate them, including spending time out there working myself, trying to provide a good example. But even then I heard the whispers.

Look who came down from his throne.

Must be nice to be the alpha and work when you want.

They had no fucking idea that I would trade a month of my alpha work for a year of theirs.

They had the option of letting their work go at the end of the day. When you worked the gardens, once the sun set, your work was done, and all you had to do was maintain it.

Being alpha plagued my thoughts twenty-four hours a day. There was no such thing as being off the clock or my work being done. Most of the time I added to my to-do list before I could begin to finish the first draft.

I even dreamed about situations I couldn’t resolve. And had nightmares about our fate.

It wasn’t that we were so far gone, but, for some reason I couldn’t discern, things had trickled downhill for the past six months or so. Production was down. Animals were dying in the jaws of wolves in the area while those on security detail napped.

They had lost their desire for this pack’s welfare, or at least, that was what it seemed.

I cocked my head to the side as something in the distance caught my eye. It was someone who wasn’t dawdling around at all.

Oh, it was him. I shifted closer to the window to get a better look. He had taken his shirt off, and the sun beating on his bronzed skin was making him sweat. Tiny rivers trickled down his spine as he raised the axe and then slammed it down, sending shards of cut wood around the stump.

His muscles tugged and pulled, giving me the best show I’d had in a while.

So good in fact that I had to adjust myself to keep things under control below my waist.

It didn’t work, for the record.

Shit. It was like the male called to me. He stood out there in the woodyard alone, working his ass off, raising his arm to brush sweat from his brow now and then.

I swallowed against the need threatening to bubble up within me, fueling a passion I hadn’t experienced in years—maybe ever.

I needed to see him in action. Closer. Raise my nose in the air and take in his scent.

Not thinking twice, I marched downstairs and outside. I was half-ass greeted by some pack members, but they tittered to each other after they thought I was out of hearing range.

Had I become a laughing stock? If so, I needed to pass on my post to another alpha who might be better suited for the job.

Finally, I got to a tree near where Toklo was working, and I leaned against it, just wanting to observe him for a bit.

He paused and whirled instantly. “Alpha.” He lowered his gaze to the ground and bared his neck.

More of a greeting than I’d gotten in years from most of those in my pack. Well, my betas still showed respect, but it was on the surface. I mean, clearly, they didn’t respect me much. They’d tried to buy me a mate.

“Toklo. I see you have some skills with an axe.”

He nodded and gave a smile. It didn’t reach his eyes but still seemed sincere. “In Alaska, you learn to cut wood or you freeze to death.”

“Well, if you don’t hurry, we will, too.” Gods, why was I such an ass?

“Yes, sir.”

He turned and went to it again. I crossed my arms over my chest and watched in awe. But as I ticked my gaze around, I realized I was not the only observer. My lazy pack members had nothing more to do than watch me? I’d see that change.

“Keep it up,” I barked at him before leaving the area.

He didn’t respond this time. Probably because I was a colossal jerk.

Chapter Five

Toklo

I reached a good stopping point a bit before the noon meal, and, with my muscles tight from the repetition of winging the axe, I decided to go for a run in the forest and stretch out. Undressing, I left my clothes over a rail on the woodlot fence and shifted. The trees were thicker here than in my home area, and I drew in a deep breath of warm, humid air. Scents of pine and the leaf mulch underfoot delighted my nose, although my layers of fur were not especially suited for this climate. I wondered if I’d end up with green fur as I’d heard some of my brother had who’d left the cold lands, but was more interested in seeing it than worried about it. It caused no harm, I was told. The hollow strands of our coat were susceptible to algae inside and out. A polar bear thing like being lefthanded.

There were fields and orchards maintained by this pack, but the lands abutted this ancient forest, with trees taller in height, their girth larger than I’d be able to span with my arms, even in this form. The wood I split came from a different type of tree, for which I was grateful. So few of the old giants had not been destroyed by the humans over the last century and a half in this part of the US, and I paused after a while to scratch my back against the rough bark and cool off a little. In the shade, it wasn’t really too hot, and I hoped my bear could adjust to the weather here.

Not as much as I hoped the alpha’s watching me meant more than the orders he barked at me. As the only person actually accomplishing anything within his sight at that time, his choice to insist I worked harder either meant new arrivals were expected to carry the burden of the pack, or that, for some reason, he was angry with me. It was understood he had not himself sent for me or filled out the forms. But I hadn’t known that.

Surely, I was as entitled to anger as he. More. I’d come here with the understanding I’d made a commitment, at least a preliminary one. I’d left my home—albeit, I’d probably have had to do that anyway. He’d gotten nothing except apparently a male to do most of the work. This was much more human thinking than I usually experienced as a bear.

And my bear’s irritation at the clinging-to-human consciousness rang clear.

We don’t have any more time, anyway, I informed him. We had to get back for lunch, and I’d worked hard enough all day to want the food. Off in the distance, I spied a stream. It might hold fish, which my bear particularly enjoyed. Next trip, I promised before we turned and headed back for the alpha’s house and something to eat.

But as I passed the tree line, right after shifting, I found Ralph standing by the woodlot, holding my clothes. “Omega, did you go off into the woods by yourself?”

“I—is that a problem?” From the drawing together of his brows, I sensed it might be.

“Did you forget the rules already?”

“I—” I hadn’t listened at all, but I wasn’t ready to admit that. Especially after our earlier conversation about the pack regulations. He’d think I was a total idiot. “I’m sorry.” Often an apology would smooth over issues, and I totally did not want to have issues this soon.

At least not more of them.

He shoved my clothes at me, his gaze raking my naked body. “There’s a reason single omegas don’t go running off by themselves. It’s pretty wild out here, especially once you pass the property line.”

“The woods aren’t on the property?” I’d thought they were. Packs were known for maintaining wild areas.

“It’s part of the national park. We use it, but it’s not ours. And lots of others can access that as well. You don’t know who you might run into out there.”

“I didn’t think.”

“No, you didn’t. And the alpha would like to see you in his office, immediately.” He turned to go then turned back and gave me a reassuring smile. “I know you’re new here, but if you want to fit in, you need to pay attention. You could be an important part of this pack.” And he marched away, leaving me gaping. He sounded like an ally, and this far from home, without a single friend, I needed people who wanted me around.

But since he was done with me, I headed for the house and climbed the stairs to the alpha’s office. I had to steady my nerves because he’d barely been willing to let me stay at our first meeting, and been downright grouchy the second. Now, he’d be likely to send me packing.

I had my hand lifted to knock when he barked out, “Come in,” then jerked the door open and stood there looking so hot, I almost lost my mind and flung myself into his arms. Which is not me. So not me. My people are reserved and certainly not gushy. But his scent filled my head and made me dizzy, yearning, craving, and in a state of brain fog that only lifted when he growled out, “What the hell were you thinking, omega?”

He’d called me omega, and I had to force myself to remember that he meant it only in terms of my status in general and not because I was his omega. And this was a formal meeting, so he might not appreciate my flinging myself at his feet and begging him to take me to his bed.

Cheeks flaming, I cleared my throat. “Where I come from, it’s not unusual for an omega, mated or otherwise, to run on his own. I made a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

“Didn’t Ralph tell you the rules?”

My head bobbed. “He did. But I’m afraid I didn’t take them all in. I promise to be sure I read them over before I sleep tonight.”

“See that you do. Even if it wasn’t against the rules for single omegas, how many polar bears do you think are running around the forest here?”

“I’m guessing none?” Was he going to rebuke me constantly?

“Well, one today. If any humans were passing through, there would have been quite an uproar.” Pointing at the chairs in front of his desk, he said, “Sit

down. I’m going over the rules with you myself. Are you hungry?”

The change of topic caught me off-guard enough to say, “Yes, starving.” “I’ll have some sandwiches sent up, and we can eat lunch and review the

regulations. That way you can be back at work on time.”

We were going to have lunch together! I tried not to make too much of it, but my bear was dancing around inside me, and he would not be denied

.

Chapter Six

Sheppard

I’d wanted to have a whole lot more with the man than lunch, but I settled for that as we went over the rules.

Rules he promised he would obey, and I believed him. There was no hint of a lie in his voice.

He was worn down. I knew that from his scent. Waves of exhaustion poured off him and made me regret putting him on the laborious duties for a second.

The bear inside me was beyond livid at my behavior, and I had to mentally push him down time after time as he decided his input on the situation was necessary the entire time the omega was in my office.

Feed him. Care for him. Touch him. Mate him.

It never ended.

He did win over on the feeding issue, and the alpha part of my human side was in agreement. The man was starving, and I couldn’t override the need to satisfy that one hunger over the rest of them.

I’d ordered a plate of brownies for him, as well, because I wanted to. And the moan he released while savoring the chocolate and sweet flavors absolutely did me in. It was a full ten minutes after he left before I was able to get up from the desk without a raging hard-on.

I was in trouble with the omega who came here under false pretenses.

“So, who wants to tell me the whole goddamned story? Let’s just lay it all out on the table. I don’t want to hear half-truths and then have to hear details later. Whose idea was it, and who was the executor?”

That was how I started the meeting I called with my betas after slapping my palms on the eight-foot-long cedar table in our meeting room.

The betas were up shit creek without a paddle, and I was about to blow a hole in their boat.

They hung their heads in turn and blew out weighted breaths. At least they had the good sense to show some remorse.

“I’m not a patient man,” I growled—as if they didn’t know already—and glared at them from my seat at the head of the table.

Ren shared some kind of look with Holt. Holt shook his head, but Ren’s resolve was already there. I could just tell. “You know what? That’s why we did it.”

Holt must’ve known what was coming because he got up and closed the

door to the hallway, giving us a semblance of privacy.

Ren went on, “Alpha, this is what we are talking about. Your attitude and your ways are out of control. We realize you are big and bad and absolute, but goddammit, do you have to be such a jerk while you do it? Over the last ten years, you have become irritatingly foul. You can banish me or whatever, but you are a grade-A dickhead, and the entire pack thinks so.”

I vibrated with rage but allowed him to finish.

“That’s why we did it. I know that I was getting more and more high- strung, the longer I was without a mate. Holt was, too. You remember that, I know. We all were. It’s the nature of our animals. We have needs for comfort and affection and touch and…well, to be frank, to get a little ass now and then from someone we love. So, we scheduled behind your back to try to get you an omega. And yes, it was my idea and Holt did the talking to the omega. There. And while I’m sorry about the way we did it, I’m not sorry we did. That omega is one fine man, and you deserve an honorable omega.”

He nodded, signaling he was done with his tirade, and all of us leaned back in our chairs.

There were a couple of ways I could handle, this and I remained quiet, contemplating each in turn.

One: I could banish both of them for their indiscretion and boldness.

Two: I could admit they were right. Because they were. The knots in my body and my mind had tightened over the years, making me tyrannical at best. I used to be fun and forgiving and empathetic.

Now, I was just mean and…pathetic.

The entire situation was insane, but I couldn’t deny the pull I had toward the omega. My body swayed in his direction every time he was near. The rich timbre of his voice sent shivers down my spindle and made warmth bloom through my lower belly and beyond.

His ocean-blue eyes hypnotized me, making me wonder if they sparkled while he came.

Still, who would want a grumpy dickhead like me?

“I’m too far gone, I think, boys. Maybe the time for an omega has passed me by.” I made the confession under my breath, more to myself than them.

Ren inhaled deeply then leaned forward. “Alpha…Sheppard, come on. That’s not true. But it’s time to put down that fence of yours and go after him. Say what you will about our methods, the Male-Order app doesn't lie. It matched you two almost 100 percent. And we didn’t lie about anything on your application. Explore it at the very least and admit you need someone in your life.”

It wasn’t in my nature to admit my faults and failures, but I was cornered, and they were right.

“Okay. I’m agreeing with you, okay? Shit. I don’t even know how to do this. I haven’t dated since high school.”

I’d become alpha right after graduation and trapped behind that godforsaken desk ever since.

“Well, I mean, clearly, the omega is willing. He came here to be your husband for crying out loud. Just be nice. I mean, I know that’s a new concept for you, but try.”

I flipped him off. This meeting had gone from staunch betas and alphas to a friend intervention in ten minutes flat.

“You’re not off the hook for the app thing, though. We need to tighten up around here. The pack is defiant and lazy. I went out this morning, and the only person giving a shit about his work was Toklo who’s been here less than twenty- four hours.”

They all nodded. Ren said, “We agree and have tried some things, but we’re not sure what else to do.”

“Well, come up with some strategies and let’s meet again tomorrow. I want some solid ideas.”

Holt decided it was time to chime in, probably since my anger had subsided. “Shep, we did it for your own good. That’s what friends do.”

I nodded and stood. “I understand. Thank you for the effort. Put the same effort into getting this pack in order, please.”

I returned to my office.

Looked like I had an omega to woo.

I didn’t even know what that entailed anymore. Or if he might have changed his mind.

Who could blame him?

Chapter Seven

Toklo

After lunch, the alpha sent me back to work. Although when I stood to leave, I had aches and pains already on my aches and pains and hours left to go. But I wanted to prove my worth to the pack, so back to it I went. The afternoon passed quickly, and once I got going, the pains eased up. I’d gotten plenty of exercise at home, and split my share of wood, but usually didn’t do it for a whole day.

Still, from what I could see, most of the others in the pack were doing very little to pull their weight, and while I didn’t want to judge them since I had little experience with their group, I could darn well do a good day’s work.

I couldn’t take responsibility for anyone but me. That joy belonged to the alphas and betas in our world. As an omega, I just had to make my own good choices and try to keep them in line with the rules—now that I’d finally paid enough attention to them to know what they were—of the pack I was associated with. Not a member, not yet at least. And that was another reason to work extra hard. I could be turned out at any time to try to make my way elsewhere.

In fact, I could make my way elsewhere, in terms of earning a living, since I had skills in various areas of construction, game and fishing guiding, and a few others, but the difficulty would be finding another pack to admit me. Packs were notoriously unwelcoming to outsiders, especially where different species came into play. Since the few polar bear groupings were interconnected, they were out.

My best bet was to stay here, if the alpha allowed.

As the afternoon waned, a bell rang from the back of the house, and those “working” nearby dropped their tools and started in that direction. Unwilling to leave things in a mess, I took a few moments to straighten my area before following them, and as a result when I found the dining hall, the others were already seated and digging in. Plates were piled high, and servers moved between tables, refilling water glasses and serving dishes as they emptied. Iced tea and coffee were also available, but no alcohol, which I found encouraging. Packs liked to party together, but those who drank every day had big problems. Whatever was causing the lackadaisical attitude around here, it wasn’t booze.

I found a seat at the back of the room, noting those of higher status, including the alpha, were toward the front. Most of those had partners with them, omegas they were talking and joking with, but although the alpha was surrounded by his men, he looked alone. He ate quickly and left, and my heart ached for him.

Leadership was difficult at the best of times, as in when the alpha had a mate, but this one seemed determined to go it alone. I’d come a long way to make sure that was not the case, willing to give it a try based on the Male-Order app’s word that we were compatible, but he’d made it crystal clear he did not have the slightest interest in me.

He’d actually taken quite an interest in me as a newcomer to the pack,

established his authority, told me his expectations, and gone over pack regulations. Did he spend so much one-on-one time with everyone who joined the pack?

I ate almost without paying attention, seated at a table with other laborers, and not really paying attention to the conversation until the grizzly on my right elbowed me. “Hey, new guy, we’re headed to the roadhouse to shoot a little pool. You in?”

I was shocked. I hadn’t even been talking with them, but they were including me?

“Well?” the guy on my right asked. “If you want to come, finish up because we’re out of here in about ten.”

“I’m Toklo, and thank you. Sounds like fun.”

By the time we all piled in an SUV and drove down the highway to the roadhouse, they’d all told me their names, but there were about six of them, and I was having trouble putting names to faces.

It had been a really long day, and I probably should have just gone to the bunk house, but the chance to bond with the pack members, or at least get to know them, couldn’t be passed up.

The moment we poured through the door into the low-roofed wooden building, I knew I’d been wrong about alcohol not being a factor in the pack’s issues. The others ordered a pitcher and had it refilled often. I didn’t mind beer, but after I had a couple of glasses, and my companions many more than that, I settled on a stool at the bar to watch them pretend to play pool. Mostly, they were laughing and bragging about ridiculous things and not taking many shots.

I would have left if I’d had a car, or if it were okay for a single omega to run alone in the forest, but since they were my ride, all I could do was sit here. A tall rangy man took my empty and wiped the bar. “Can I get you anything?”

“No, yes. Soda water?”

“Sure.” He turned, filled a glass from the soda hose, and set it in front of me. “I’m Jagger, the owner here. I saw you come in with the local pack. You aren’t a grizzly or brown bear…”

“Polar.” I shrugged, recognizing his eyes as mountain lion without even asking. They tended to hold a certain look even in human form. “But they’re pretty welcoming.”

“Yeah, that’s why they are making all the noise while you sit here alone at the bar. If they get too out of hand, I’ll call Sheppard. I’ve about had it with them bothering the other patrons.” Someone at the other end beckoned to him, and he drifted away, leaving me feeling just as alone as he’d said. I sipped my water and tried not to look pathetic.

“Noisy bunch over there, isn’t it?” A deep voice came from my left, and I glanced over to see someone had taken the empty stool. “You know them?”

“Yeah. More or less.” I focused again on my glass, but the guy kept going. “Doesn’t look like they are paying much attention to you.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know them all that well, but they’re my ride, so I’m just

killing time for now.”

“Well, if you want to get out of here, I can take you wherever you want to

go.”

“Thanks, no.” I could feel his gaze on me. “I’m just going to wait here.” But he wouldn’t let up, and after another ten minutes, when the pack

members still showed no sign of wanting to leave and the irritating guy’s leg was pressed to mine, I got up and went to the bathroom. Maybe if I stayed out of sight for a while, he’d hit on someone else. It would have been nice if I could have gone over to the guys I came with, but they were verging on out of control, and I had no desire to have Jagger report to Sheppard that I was getting in more trouble.

On my first day.

Chapter Eight

Sheppard

My cell phone rang and came up with Jagger´s name on the ID. ¨Hello,¨ I said, gruffer than necessary, but no good could come from a call from Jagger.

“Alpha, we’ve got an issue. There’s a polar bear omega in here with your boys, and the creepers have their nuts out. I tried to keep them away from him, but it’s like trying to keep flies off shit.”

“What’s going on?” I stood, knocking my desk chair back, not even giving enough shits to pick it back up. I was burning the midnight oil, working on paying the monthly bills, my least favorite of all the tasks that came with the job. I always had to take care of it at night when no one would bother me or knock on the door for something stupid like someone had taken their cup at dinner or their favorite shirt was missing.

I hated the petty problems.

“Well, right now, your new polar bear has holed up in the bathroom to get away from Gary. You know how Gary is.”

I let the “your” go by. He was new to our pack.

And I did know how Gary was. If there was a sleazeball among men, it was Gary. He oozed predatory lust, and it made even the more dominant omegas keep their distance.

“What else? Are the other pack members helping the polar? He’s hanging out with them?” At the bar? He did not strike me as the roadhouse type.

And fuck, I sounded too eager. But I was eager. I wanted to know how he was getting on and if he was getting it on with any other males, though he didn’t strike me as the one-night stand type. Not that I had any right to tell him no after I rejected him so firmly and had not given him any reason to think that had changed.

“Nah, stayed by himself most of the night. He tried to move from the bar, and Gary sat across from him in the short booth. He got all wide-eyed, and I’d intended to try and get him away, but he bolted to the bathroom.”

I huffed out a growl. I didn’t like the sound of Gary or any other male around Toklo, but then again, I couldn't’ be around him all the time. “What about the other boys? You just calling to tell me about the polar, or are they up to shenanigans?”

“Listen to this.”

I heard the clinking of glasses and loud laughter, a crash or two. He must’ve put the phone on speaker and held it facing the room because the volume on the crowd rose, and I recognized more than one of my men as the culprits.

“Those are your pack boys being a little too rowdy. I’ve already had to cut most of them off, but they’re getting worse. If they start a fight in my bar, I’m gonna have to ban them, pack or not. You feel me?”

“Yeah. I’m coming down there. And keep an eye on that polar, okay?”

“I’ll do what I can if he comes out of the john. Get down here, asap,