Jax didn’t recognize the car, but he did recognize the two FBI agents who climbed out of it. Agents Oaks and Kumar walked through the gate.
“You’re a hard man to track down,” Kumar said to David. Both agents looked grim. “Mind getting out of the pool?”
Jax exchanged a look with David. “We—er, we haven’t got any clothes on.”
Oaks picked up Jax’s robe from the ground and held it out. Jax hoisted himself up the side of the pool and stood. He took the robe and slipped it on before grabbing a towel that was draped over the chair and handing it to David as he pulled himself out of the pool and straightened, water cascading down his body.
“I’m sorry to do this, David, but you’re under arrest for the attack on Senator Joseph Parker. He’s pressing charges.”
Alarm ripped through Jax. “What? You’re telling us that criminal can press charges on David?”
“I’m afraid he can, and he is.” He turned to David. “Put your clothes on; I’m going to have to cuff you.”
Jax watched David pick up his clothes from the ground. He turned to the two agents. “Can’t you do something about this? You know what kind of a man Parker was. That fucker deserved getting the shit ripped out of him. Hell, David could have killed him if he’d wanted to.”
Kumar looked sympathetic. “And we all know he wanted to and would have if the others hadn’t pulled him off. Parker’s calling it attempted murder.”
Jax covered his face with his hands, unable to process that his lover was being arrested. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to David.
“It’s all right, Jax.”
Jax cringed as Kumar locked handcuffs on the alpha’s wrists. “No,” he said forlornly. He looked at Kumar. “What will happen to him?”
“I’ll be fine,” David said. Kumar had the alpha by the arms. David’s eyes didn’t leave Jax’s.
“Go to the pack house and explain to Brooks. Tell him I’m okay.”
Despair washed over Jax at the thought of how upset Brooks would be without his alpha.
“You will, won’t you?” David pressed.
“Of course.” Jax swallowed. “I’ll get you out of this. I swear.”
David smiled. “I’ll see you soon.”
“I’ll get you out, David,” Jax said more firmly.
David only nodded and went with the agents, Oaks reading him his rights. Kumar opened the back door and helped David slide in.
A terrible roar started up in Jax’s ears and a scream threatened to tear from his throat. He clapped his hand over his mouth as he watched the car pull away and drive into the distance with the man he loved more than life inside it.
Chapter 26: Josiah
Josiah sat on the steps of the pack house watching River pace in front of him. Two weeks had passed since the omega trafficking operation had been dismantled, and Jax had shown up at the pack house without David, looking so upset, Josiah had feared something had happened to the second alpha. He suspected the others present had thought the same thing, because Leo had immediately gone to Brooks and put his arm around his friend, and River’s face had gone white, and he’d dropped the project he’d been working on. When Jax had told them the FBI had arrested David for the attempted murder of Senator Parker, the news had been a relief. At least David was alive.
Then had come the explanation: that Senator Parker, who had had to get over a hundred stitches in various places on his body, was pressing charges for attempted murder.
“If David had wanted to kill him, he would have done it,” River had stated. “He could have with a single bite to the neck. Nobody can tell me Parker would have been strong enough to stop him.
Angela Newman had been instrumental in finding David a good attorney. Meanwhile, the alpha had been taken to a shifter prison facility. River had just returned from visiting him the second time, and the pack alpha was agitated.
“That place is deplorable,” River growled.
“How is David holding up?”
“He says he’s fine. It’s a load off his mind that Jax is here with Brooks and Jarrod-Grant.” River turned dark green eyes on his mate, and Josiah inwardly shuddered at the despair he saw in them.
“I hate seeing him in there, Josiah. It’s so wrong. Most of the prisoner population is made up of the Turned. David doesn’t belong with them.”
Josiah felt sick. The Turned were dangerous creatures to both humans and shifters. “Can they get to David?”
“David said the guards keep them partly sedated, and most of the time the creatures don’t know their asses from a hole in the ground.”
“The lawyer’s supposed to be good,” Josiah said. “He’ll have David out soon.”
“If that fucker Barrens can go free, David had better be able to,” River said. The charges against Stephen Barrens hadn’t stuck because the feds couldn’t come up with anything to connect him to Parker other than the occasional shared golf game, but the agents took Angela’s suggestion and had strongly advised Barrens to help develop the needed antidotes, so that was something.
River took a deep breath and let it out. “I’d better go talk to Brooks and Jax. They’ll be wanting to know how David is.”
David had made the pack alpha promise not to bring his mates to the prison, and River had managed to keep his promise, although he’d almost come to blows with Jax over it.
“They’re upstairs in their room. Brooks has been crying all morning.”
River ran his fingers through Josiah’s curls and softened his tone. “Hey. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
When Josiah realized he’d been subconsciously wringing his hands, he stilled. The thought of the mates being separated made him edgy, but he didn’t want River to stop confiding in him.
“I’m okay. I want to be here for you.”
River leaned down and kissed Josiah softly. “I appreciate that, but I’m fine. Okay?”
Josiah nodded and watched River cross the porch and enter the pack house. Before Josiah could stand, the pack’s green VW bus rolled up the drive. Josiah walked over to meet Leo and Sam.
“How was it this time?” he asked the omega.
“That stuff makes me dizzy,” Sam said. “But I’m feeling so much better already, it’s worth it.”
Leo had thrown a fit when he’d found out Sam had insisted on taking the untried antidote, and it had taken River baldly telling the other alpha that his mate was dying for Leo to give in. Sam had just completed his third treatment at the hospital. Every time the antidote was given, the omega would stay the night in the hospital to make sure there were no complications, and so far, the drug seemed to be doing its job: Sam had gained weight, had more energy, and was sleeping much better. By all accounts, the pup he was carrying was healthy, too.
“I’m going to check out the guest houses to make sure they’re clean,” Josiah said, turning in that direction.
“Aren’t just Xavier and Christopher coming?” Leo asked.
“Yeah, as far as I know. But I want to be prepared just in case. What if Grey decides to bring his omega mate for treatment?”
“I can’t wait to see Xavier,” Sam said, practically vibrating with excitement. None of the pack had laid eyes on X since the night in the wilderness when Trace had been killed by the Turned. They’d worried for his safety and been relieved to hear he’d shown up at Angel Hills.
“Me, too.” Josiah waved at them and set out walking toward the edge of the property where the three guest-houses stood. The houses they’d built for the betas were a little closer to the woods and spaced out along the perimeter, allowing the betas to keep watch for trespassers. He was relieved to find them clean. Deciding to fix up the last guest house for Christopher and X, Josiah went out into the field and picked a bouquet of purple passion flowers and black-eyed Susan’s to set on the living room table. He then tucked a few home-made sachets under the pillows and in the drawers before closing up and walking back to the pack house. He smiled when he saw River sitting
out on the porch swing waiting for him with two glasses of iced tea.
“Tired?” River asked, wrapping his arm around Josiah when the omega sat down next to him on the swing.
“A little.”
River looked down at him, eyes fringed with dark lashes, and Josiah was suddenly so filled with love, he didn’t know what to do with it all.
“I’m happy, too,” River said. He gently rocked the swing. “I’d be happier if my best friend was safe with the pack, but you’re right—Josh Reynolds is supposed to be the best. They’ll at least be setting bail for David now that he’s gotten on the case.”
Josiah shook his head. “I can’t believe shifters are treated so unfairly. I mean I can, but I can’t. I know that doesn’t make any sense.”
River kissed the top of the Josiah’s head. “One hurdle at a time, love. We’ll make a difference.”
Josiah smiled, thinking how far his mate had come in the last couple of years. He took River’s hand in his.
They sat swinging and drinking their tea until Sophie stuck her head out the door and announced Sam said dinner would be ready in thirty minutes.
“Okay, sweetie,” River said.
“You and your sister clean up your toys and wash your hands!” Josiah called after her, then said to River, “Why do I always have to be the bad guy?”
River chuckled. “I’m naturally the fun one.”
Josiah heard a car engine and turned his head to see a black Chevrolet Colorado pulling up the driveway. River stood and headed down the steps, and when Josiah saw Xavier climb out of the driver’s seat, he rushed to the front door of the house and shouted, “They’re here!” before running down the steps and throwing his arms around the big alpha.
Xavier caught the omega with a soft “oof” and hugged him hard before setting him on his feet.
River growled a little but then shared a hug with X.
Josiah looked the alpha over. He’d forgotten how big X was. Taller and broader than any alpha the omega had ever encountered, X was intimidating to say the least, but his brownish-gold eyes that matched his hair were kind.
“This is Christopher,” X said, and Josiah turned to meet the beta who had, Grey had told them, pulled Xavier out of his grief over Trace.
He was young and had the most soulful eyes Josiah had ever seen, hazel displaying a kaleidoscope of greens, blues, and brown flecks. He was blond and lean and had a friendly, shy smile. Josiah immediately liked him.
“Chris, this is River, pack alpha of Cascade City pack, and his omega, Josiah.”
“Glad to meet you.” Christopher shook each of their hands.
By this time, the rest of the pack were spilling out of the house into the yard, exclaiming over X and hugging him before waiting to meet Christopher.
“We’ve missed you,” Josiah said to the big alpha when they all went inside and prepared to eat dinner.
“I’ve missed you guys, too. I’ve had some difficult times, but I’m doing better now.”
Sam, who had stayed behind in the kitchen to finish the food, squealed when he saw Xavier and ran and jumped into the alpha’s arms.
“Wow, Leo got you barefoot and pregnant?” X teased when he’d looked Sam over.
Leo came down through holding Jimmy. “Our second child, and get your hands off my pregnant mate.” He clapped Xavier on the back. “Good to see you again, X.”
Dinner was loud and boisterous, with everyone asking questions. The pack was eager to know what had happened to X since they’d seen him last, and X wanted to know what was going on in everyone’s lives.
“Where’s Sid? And David?” he asked, and that started another line of conversation.
Jax sat beside Brooks, Jarrod-Grant on his lap. The little boy had been timid and withdrawn since David’s incarceration, but he was slowly adjusting to Jax’s presence.
After dinner, River and Josiah walked X and Christopher to the guest house where they’d be staying.
When River paused at the fields to tell X about the harvest, Josiah kept walking with Christopher.
“The antidote’s been working well for Sam,” Josiah said, sensing the beta was nervous about the hospital visit.
“I’m so glad. I hope it works as well for me.”
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t, but they have a really good chemist working with them who should be able to tweak the compound if needed. What are your symptoms?”
“I have a lot of pain with penetration,” he said.
“That must be terrible for you.” Josiah knew betas didn’t go into heat or rut, but shifters in general were much more sexually driven than humans. Sex was a large part of their lives.
Christopher blushed and nodded, looking over his shoulder to where X stood with River. Josiah was usually the one to get uncomfortable talking about sex, so he was surprised at Christopher’s reaction. He decided to change the subject.
“I thought maybe Grey would change his mind and send Gabriel for treatment. I would have liked to have seen Gabriel again.”
“He’s being cautious, I think,” Christopher said. “Gabriel really wanted to do it, but Grey put his foot down. Ian—that’s their beta mate—he’s on the fence about it, I think. They want to protect Gabriel. I guess I’m the guinea pig in this situation, but I didn’t hesitate. I want to be normal again.”
“I don’t blame you at all. I’d be jumping at the chance, too.”
When X and Christopher were settled for the night, Josiah and River walked back to the pack house, hands clasped between them.
“X looked really good,” River said.
“Yeah, he did. I’m so glad he’s doing okay. Christopher seems nice, although a little young for X, don’t you think?”
River made a huffing sound, and Josiah looked up at him. The alpha’s long black hair was untied and fell past his shoulder blades. River didn’t like for it to get much longer than that, so Josiah occasionally cut it for him.
“You’re saying Christopher’s too young for X, but we have approximately the same age difference.”
Josiah thought about it. “You’re right. Huh. Doesn’t seem like it.”
River squeezed Josiah’s hand. “Are you calling me immature, omega mine?” His eyes crinkled at the sides when he grinned.
“No. I’m saying I’m exceedingly mature for my age.”
“Let’s hope these treatments solve whatever problem Christopher’s having.”
“He said it’s pain with penetration. Poor kid. He must be having a hard time.”
River was quiet a moment.
“Maybe he and X switch it up.”
Josiah stopped mid-step and stared at his mate, sure he’d heard wrong. “What?”
“I said maybe they switch it up. You know, maybe Christopher tops X.”
“Are you saying X might allow Christopher to top him?”
River looked amused. “Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Alphas don’t get topped!” Josiah said.
River shrugged and looked out over the fields. “I’m not so sure about that. I think it’s just not talked about. I’ve even heard of alphas mating, although I’ve never met any who have. Granted, it’s sort of taboo because of the need to assert dominance, and some pretty nasty terms have come out of it, like ‘alpha bitch,’ which is basically the lesser alpha in a situation like that. But if Christopher’s situation won’t allow him to be penetrated, it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility X could let the boy top him if that’s what they wanted to do.”
Josiah wanted to wiggle his fingers in his ears to make sure he’d heard right. He’d thought he understood the dynamics, but here was River, pack alpha and his oh-so-dominant mate, telling him that alphas sometimes bottom.
“Come on, Josiah. Look at David, Jax, and Brooks.”
“What about them? Are you saying David lets Brooks top him?” Josiah had a difficult time imagining it. “Oh, my God. Did David tell you that?”
Josiah was aware the conversation he
and River were having would sound ludicrous to a human, but an alpha was an alpha, and the act of penetration took submission. Alphas did not submit.
“No. I’m just saying it could happen. What they do together in private is none of our business, just like if we decided to do something like that, it wouldn’t be theirs.”
Josiah had no words. Imagining him topping River blew all his circuits.
“And before you say anything, no, I’m not comfortable trying that. I’m not even sure it’s possible in an alpha-omega relationship. But alpha-beta, or alpha-alpha, it probably is.” River caressed Josiah’s face. “So, if X really loves Christopher, he could submit in bed. Or they could go without penetration all together.” River shrugged, and, taking Josiah’s hand again, tugged him closer.
The kiss began as something sweet but quickly turned into much more. Josiah’s hormones were all over the place, and thinking of topping River—even though Josiah didn’t really want to do it—was so damned sexy, it was all he could think about. He suddenly wanted the pack alpha more than he wanted to take his next breath.
“River,” he said, voice raspy. He palmed the alpha’s cock. His alpha was hard and ready for him. “River. Now.”
“Here?” River’s eyes lit with desire. Josiah rarely wanted to do anything where they could be caught, and here he was suggesting River take him out in the fields. The pack alpha had to be stunned.
Josiah nodded emphatically. He wanted it right then, hard, fast, and dirty. He began to strip. The air on his naked skin felt decadent and naughty. Josiah dropped to his hands and knees. At this angle, they were partially concealed from the pack house by the barn, but if someone were out walking, they could easily see them.
Josiah didn’t care. Not at that moment. The smell of omega slick and River’s arousal in the air had Josiah squirming as he watched River over his shoulder. The pack alpha pulled his engorged cock out of his pants and hovered over the omega.
Josiah keened as River pushed inside him, loving the heat, the fullness, and even the slight edge of pain. He pushed back, earning a gasp and a snarl from his alpha, and soon River was hammering into him, driving Josiah higher until the omega threw his head back and howled.