A New Beginning

  Sid and Jaime followed Brooks in.

  “Jaime!” Josiah stood and hugged his friend. “I thought you couldn’t come.”

  “My friend had a last-minute emergency. Sorry to have missed dinner.”

  “We’ll be glad to fix you a plate; there’s still plenty,” Sid said.

  “Where are the alphas?” Nick asked, glancing at the door as though he expected them to burst in at any minute.

  “At the house. They don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  Nick looked down at the mound of his lap. “I don’t mean to make them have to stay away.”

  “Oh, believe me,” Josiah said. “They don’t mind. They’re probably watching something on the television Jax convinced them to buy.”

  Elliott’s eyes lit up. “I’ve seen televisions in the stores, but I’ve never watched one.”

  “I want to get one for in here,” Josiah said. “Then we omegas can have movie night.”

  “That sounds like a lot of fun,” Nick said, and the others agreed.

  “When are you due?” Sam asked Nick.

  “Anytime, I think.” He suddenly looked so lost, Josiah had to say something.

  “If River says yes, would you like to move here? Maybe with a couple others?” He looked around at the group. “I don’t think I could convince him to take all fourteen, though.”

  “A couple of us are thinking about Angel Hills,” Keith said. “After River wrote to the pack alpha, Grey sent us a letter inviting any of us who want to come visit to do so. Elliott, Trevor, and I are going soon. Maybe a few others.”

  “Alone?” Briar asked.

  “No, Mark’s got a few betas lined up to go with us.”

  “I don’t want to be sent somewhere to mate,” Sandy said. “I’d live here, though. Do you think River will say yes?”

  “I’m working on him.” Josiah sighed. “He’s just trying to do what’s best for the pack, but I think he’ll see that taking some of you in would be a good decision.”

  Sam proceeded to tell his story and about how River took him into the pack, and the omegas listened as though to a fairytale.

  “Wow, that’s similar to what happened to Trev,” Keith said. “His entire pack was wiped out by hunters. He only got away because he’d gone down in the food cellar and stayed down there when he heard the commotion.”

  “Holy Fenrir, that’s awful!” Briar moved closer to Trevor and pulled the other omega into a tight hug.

  “It’s been a while now,” Trevor said. “I’m okay.”

  “How could anyone be okay after that?” Someone murmured.

  Everyone remained silent for a few beats until Sandy made a joke and the atmosphere lightened.

  * * * *

  Lying in bed later that night, the old house creaked as it settled. The rogues had gone home not too long after they went back to the main house. Josiah went over and over the visit, barely aware when River propped himself on his elbow to look down at Josiah in the darkness.

  “Can’t sleep?” Josiah asked when he finally felt his alpha’s gaze on him.

  “Not with you thinking so loud,” River said with a small smile. He gently flicked Josiah’s nose. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” Josiah snuggled up to River. “I just enjoyed the visit. It was nice having so many omegas around. I’d missed it.”

  River sighed and lay back down, pulling Josiah into his side. “You want them to join the pack.”

  Josiah bit his lip, knowing he’d have to proceed cautiously. “Not all of them. Some want to go to Angel Hills. But Nick and Sandy want to be here. And I’d really like to ask Jaime if he’d like to move here.”

  River didn’t say anything for a long time, and Josiah began to wonder if his alpha had fallen asleep. He moved to get more comfortable, nose pressed to the soft flesh by River’s ribcage and waited.

  “It’s not that I think the omegas will cause trouble,” River finally said.

  “So, what is it?” Josiah turned his face up. He could barely make out River’s profile in the darkness.

  “Having more omegas makes the pack even more vulnerable. We need more alphas and betas.”

  Josiah rolled over on top of River, aligning their bodies. He loved the way River felt against him. When they were nose-to-nose, Josiah kissed his alpha’s cheek. “You know the answer to that.”

  “I don’t think taking in rogues is a good idea.”

  “How else are we going to grow the pack? Are we going to wait years for the children to grow up?”

  River only grunted.

  Bringing his elbows to rest on each side of the alpha’s head, Josiah pressed their foreheads together. This close, Josiah could see River’s dark lashes fanned out on his skin.

  “What are you afraid of?”

  River’s eyes popped open. “I’m not afraid!”

  “Yes, you are, and I think I know why.”

  River’s big hands came up to cup Josiah’s ass. “Care to enlighten me?”

  “You’re afraid of making the same mistakes over again. You’re afraid if you listen to me and things go bad, it’ll prove they were right to oust you from the compound.”

  Strong emotion flashed in River’s eyes, and Josiah’s heart clenched. “I’m right, aren’t I? Admit it.”

  River let out a breath, warm against Josiah’s cheek. “I just want to be more careful about my decisions.”

  “You seem to think that because you were asked to leave it means you did something wrong. You didn’t, River. The others didn’t want to change. But we have to change. Things are happening around us, and we have to be a part of it. These people need a home.” Josiah kissed River’s shoulder. “What if you put it to a vote with the pack?”

  “Since when do we vote on things? I’m the pack alpha, and the others count on me to make the decisions.”

  “True, but in matters like these I think it would make you a good pack alpha if you consulted everyone. And if they vote against allowing the rogues in, I’ll stop talking about it.”

  River looked at Josiah suspiciously. “You will?”

  Josiah nodded. “And if they vote to take them, it won’t be on your shoulders alone.”

  River sighed and ran his hands upward along Josiah’s spine. “All right. We’ll ask them.”

  Josiah grinned. “Really?”

  “Yeah.” River threaded his fingers through Josiah’s and pulled him down for a kiss. Josiah opened his mouth for their tongues to tangle. He loved this man, no doubt about that.

  “You’re amazing,” he said when they parted.

  “I’m nothing without you,” River whispered, and kissed him again.

  * * * *

  The pack had gathered in the living room. Josiah had just put the girls down for a nap and Sawyer and Liam’s pups slept in their basket by the fire.

  “Something happen?” David asked.

  David looked tense, and Josiah wondered what was going on with him. Ever since they’d announced Brooks’ pregnancy, David had looked like he was ready to shift and tear into somebody. The blond alpha sat on the couch with Brooks, the beta’s hand in his. Jax wasn’t present, and considering the look on David’s face, Josiah wasn’t about to ask.

  “No, but I have a decision to make that will affect us all, and this being a new pack, I want to put it to a vote.”

  “A vote?” Leo frowned.

  “We’ve been through a lot,” River said. “I’d feel better if I had all of your feedback.”

  The pack members looked at one another.

  David cleared his throat. “Okay. What is it?”

  “You all know that some of the decisions I made back on the compound weren’t appreciated. One of them was accepting rogues into our pack.” River looked at Sam. “Sam pointed out recently how much he appreciated that we took him in, and we all know he’s a wonderful addition to the pack. I don’t regret that decision, nor do I regret taking Kane in. That being said, I still feel that you all deserve a say in this.??
? He looked each pack member in the eye one at a time. “Do we accept the rogue omegas who want to join the pack? And do we accept any of the alphas and betas?”

  Josiah realized he was holding his breath so slowly let it out as he took in each of his pack mate’s faces. Sam’s eyes danced with excitement, and Josiah thought it likely Leo would go along with the plan for his omega. As omegas, Briar and Sawyer were shoo-ins. Liam’s expression was serious, and Sid looked receptive to the idea. Josiah thought it safe to assume Kane would be on board, considering his past. David was scowling, but that was normal lately, and Brooks appeared to be thinking it over.

  “Well?” River finally prompted the quiet group.

  “I have reservations,” Kane said, and everyone looked at him.

  Briar voiced the question on everyone’s mind. “What do you mean, you have reservations? Out of everyone, you and Sam know what these werewolves are going through!”

  “Yes, and I also know firsthand how ruthless some of the rogues can be. I hate to say this, because River saved my life the day he took me, Patrick, and Matt in. But he got lucky with us. Years of desperation change people, and there are rogues out there who would sooner rip your face off than look at you.”

  Josiah leaned forward. “I’m sure you’re right, but these have gone through weeks of physical and mental evaluation by the Congress. You don’t have to worry about them being dangerous.”

  Reassured, Kane nodded. “If that’s the case, then I’m on board taking some in.”

  “Too many omegas, and we’ll find ourselves with a problem,” David said.

  “That was my concern, which is why I’m willing to take in a few alphas and betas, too,” River said. His eyes settled on Liam.

  “I’m for it,” Liam said. “As long as we pick and choose. Maybe have some kind of interview process?”

  “That sounds reasonable,” River said.

  After a few more minutes of discussion, it was agreed.

  “I really admire you for asking for our say in this,” Leo said to River as the group dispersed. After he’d left, Josiah squeezed River’s arm.

  “See? What did I tell you?”

  “Okay, don’t gloat.” River smiled at him. “Go ahead and call Mark; I know you want to.”

  Josiah grinned and kissed his mate before retreating to the back porch to phone his friend.

  “You’re kidding,” Mark said as soon as Josiah told him. “I never thought he’d go for it, the way he’s been talking lately.”

  “Give him a break,” Josiah said. “He’s been through a lot.”

  Mark grunted. “Okay. So, what now?”

  “River thinks we’ll start small, as we don’t want to unbalance the pack with newcomers. Two alphas, three betas, and the few omegas interested in living here. I already know which omegas, so there won’t be an interview process for them. Nick’s very interested in coming, and so is Sandy.”

  “Jaime was just telling me the other night when he had dinner at our house, he’s worried about Nick. He’s so close to giving birth and should be relaxed and calm for it, but he’s anything but.”

  “What’s his story? You ever hear?”

  “No. He’s very tight-lipped. We still have no idea who the fa—the sire is,” Mark corrected himself with the werewolf terminology.

  “He can move in tonight, as far as we’re concerned. When can you talk to the others?”

  “I’ll get out there later today. Jax is here; I’ll ask him to go with me.”

  “I didn’t know he was working today,” Josiah said.

  “He wasn’t supposed to, but he came in anyway. I’ll call you later and let you know what I find out.”

  After Josiah ended the call, he checked on the girls. They were still asleep, and Josiah figured he had a half-hour or more before they awoke. Excited about the omegas coming, he enlisted Sam to go with him to the den to prepare for their arrival. Josiah needed to call Jaime. Josiah had been thinking about the benefits living with a pack would have for the city-born omega and couldn’t wait to talk to him.

  * * * *

  The café was one Jaime knew well, and Josiah didn’t feel as uncomfortable as he normally would. For about the millionth time, he marveled at how something that once had come so naturally to him felt weird and vaguely dangerous these days.

  He looked around at the people chatting, eating their sandwiches and not paying any attention to the two werewolves sitting among them.

  “They don’t know,” Jaime reassured him.

  “I know. It feels like they should, though.”

  “No one’s ever detected it with me. Not unless they were werewolves themselves.” Jaime kept his voice low. He sipped his soda and regarded Josiah with interest. “Did you want to discuss Nick and Sandy moving in?”

  “That, and something else.” Josiah met the other omega’s eyes. “I wondered if you might consider joining our pack.”

  Surprise flickered in Jaime’s eyes. “What? Me? Why?”

  “Because we like you. And because you’ve never gotten to be a part of a pack. That’s got to hurt.” Josiah was a little surprised at the vulnerability that seeped into Jaime’s expression. He’d suspected the omega had some issues but hadn’t stopped to consider how close to the surface they might be. When a tear rolled down Jaime’s face, followed by another, Josiah pulled some napkins from the dispenser and pressed them into Jaime’s hand.

  “Sorry. Maybe a public place wasn’t the best idea.” Josiah watched Jaime try to compose himself, but it seemed a dam had broken. The man’s jaw worked under its layer of auburn stubble, and every time he got his tears under control, they’d begin afresh when Jaime tried to speak.

  “I just never realized…” Jaime stopped and blinked several times. He swallowed, expression pained. Josiah clasped Jaime’s hand, the move attracting the gazes of the older couple sitting at the next table. Josiah ignored them.

  “Let’s go back to the pack house,” he suggested, and gave Jaime’s fingers a squeeze. “Unless you’d rather talk in a private room at the Congress.”

  “No.” Jaime sniffed and wiped his eyes with his free hand. “I’d really like to go to the pack house, thanks.”

  Jaime concentrated on driving and didn’t speak until he’d parked next to the plantation.

  “Where is everyone?” They climbed out of Jaime’s car.

  “Most everyone is working. River should be in his office. He doesn’t have to be at the club until six.”

  Josiah led Jaime to the omega den, and they sat down in the living area.

  “Am I wrong to believe you’re open to the idea of joining the pack?” Josiah asked.

  Jaime shook his head, green eyes glistening but no longer shedding tears. “You’re not wrong. I mean, I hadn’t ever considered being part of a pack because I didn’t think it was possible. When you asked, I suddenly realized what it could mean for me. To be surrounded by other werewolves, to have that pack mentality.” His bottom lip trembled. “Maybe to run under a full moon with others like me.”

  Josiah put his arm around Jaime. “We want you here.”

  Jaime gave a shaky laugh. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Believe it. Move in tonight if you want to.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t do that. I need to talk to Mom and Pop. They won’t care, but I owe them at least a day or two to get used to the idea. They probably thought I’d live with them forever.”

  “I’m glad you had them.”

  Jaime leaned back and relaxed a little. “I think they’ve been afraid of what would happen to me when they pass away one day. They’ll be happy about this; I know they will.”

  “Good. As far as I’m concerned, you can’t move in fast enough.”

  They sat grinning at each other a few moments until Josiah remembered there was something else he wanted to talk to Jaime about.

  “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve noticed the way you look at Mark.”

  Surprise and embarrassment warred on
the city omega’s face. “I—” He looked away a moment before meeting Josiah’s eyes. “I won’t insult you by pretending I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just sorry to realize I was so obvious.”

  “I don’t think you really were, but I know the signs from years in high school of watching gay friends fall for straight ones. And I worry, because Mark is straight and with Beth, and this can only lead to you getting hurt.”

  Jaime looked down at his hands. “I know. Maybe living here will help. Mark and Beth have me over all the time because I guess they feel badly for me having to be dependent on my parents because I’m an unmated omega. The last time I was there, Mark and Beth got into an argument—something I’d never seen them do.”

  “All couples argue,” Josiah said.

  “Oh, I know. Usually not in front of people, though, and it made me feel really shitty. Like I’d caused it or something.”

  Josiah frowned. “How could you have caused it?”

  “I don’t know. I probably just imagined it. Even after living as a human all my life, I have trouble reading people. It’ll be good for me to be with other werewolves.”

  “I’m sure it will be.” Josiah smiled. “Why don’t we go make something to eat since we never got to order our food?”

  “Okay, that sounds good.”

  They headed for the main house.

  * * * *

  Two nights later, all three omegas were moved into the omega den. River had started the process of interviewing alphas and betas, and there’d been an almost constant stream of them beginning the day before. Josiah couldn’t blame them all for wanting to belong to a pack and wished there was a way for them to take all of them, but he knew that was dangerous. Not like Josiah didn’t believe in his alpha’s strength, but it would be stupid to outnumber the pack’s alphas from the beginning.

  Surprisingly, everything was going smoothly. Not that Josiah hadn’t known that Nick, Sandy, and Jaime would fit right in—they took to the pack as though they had always been with them—but ever since the vote to accept new members, River’s attitude had noticeably lightened. He seemed almost excited about the interviews, and Josiah was happy to see his mate acting more like his old self again.