As River walked back out to the car, he took his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed the number of the phone he’d left with Josiah.
“River?” Josiah’s voice sounded a little panicked.
“Hey. I just wanted to call before I go in to work and tell you I love you.”
River heard Josiah’s sigh of relief. “You scared me. I love you, too, but you already told me that before you left.”
“I can’t say it again?” River opened the door to the van and climbed behind the wheel.
“Of course, you can. Have a good evening at work.”
“Thanks.” River paused. “Everything okay at home?”
He waited. Would Josiah lie to him?
“I’m sure it is. I’m not home at the moment, though. I’m with Mark. He picked me up.”
“Oh? Going to eat?”
“We might. I thought I’d go back to the Congress with him. I’m interested in hearing how it’s going.”
“Okay.” River was careful not to sound angry, but he was. He had told Josiah to stay away from humans as much as possible. His omega had obeyed him so far, but River couldn’t in good conscience expect his mate to never visit his friend or the place where he used to work.
“Nobody there wants to hurt werewolves, River,” Josiah said softly.
“That you know of.”
Josiah sighed. “We’ve been through this before.”
“All right. Be safe.” River ended the call and ground his teeth the entire ride back to the club. Josiah could be so stubborn, and it was times like these that River wished for an omega who wasn’t part human. Josiah’s willful desire to cling to what he called his independence was going to get him hurt one day. Why couldn’t he understand that as his alpha mate and pack leader, it was River’s duty to protect him and Josiah should let him do that duty? On impulse, River made a last-minute right at the stoplight just before the turn for the club and drove by the Congress. The parking lot was full, but Mark’s car wasn’t parked in its designated spot. That didn’t really mean anything, of course. Josiah hadn’t said they were already at the Congress. He and Mark could have stopped for a bite to eat or any number of things. Still, it made River uneasy. He wanted to shirk off work and wait for Josiah to arrive, but he knew he couldn’t do that. Rocco was kind and understanding, but the alpha couldn’t take advantage and use a sick day when he hadn’t been working there long.
He drove the rest of the way to the club and hurried through his duties. He knew it was going to be a long night.
Chapter 7: Josiah
Josiah leaned back into the seat of Mark’s car, having lowered the passenger window to allow the cool air to hit his heated face. He didn’t like lying to River. He and Mark were on their way to the omega shelter, not the Congress, and Josiah still hadn’t told River about the place. River had forgotten about smelling strange omegas on Josiah, and with everything that had been going on, Josiah hadn’t wanted to add to the tension by bringing it up. If he’d admitted it then, on the phone, River would have wanted all the details and would’ve been late for work and more than likely angry at Josiah for keeping it from him. Again and again, Josiah had found reasons not to come clean, and it had to stop. Besides, he knew what the biggest reason was.
“I take it you haven’t told River yet?” Mark asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
“I’m afraid. Not of what River will say, but that it will bring back that gap I felt between us before.”
“Don’t you think that had more to do with your circumstances than anything else? From what you told me, everything was tense back at Jax’s apartment. Now you have the house and things are looking up, it’s been better, right?”
“Yeah.” Things had been better. And now he was going to ruin that by telling River. He’d waited so long to admit he’d been helping Mark on these projects, River was sure to be angry and even less likely to consider the good Josiah was doing.
“You sure that’s the only reason?”
“If you’re insinuating River might get violent or something, stop worrying. He doesn’t want me around humans because he’s worried for me, that’s all.”
Mark put on his blinker and made a right turn. “I know it’s a werewolf thing, but it bugs me you let him lord it over you. You’re acting like a 1950s housewife, for Christ’s sake. Do you have to tell River everything you do? What would River have against it, anyway? You’re trying to help people, not hurt them.”
Josiah crossed his arms over his chest. “Like you don’t tell Beth everything? Fuck, Mark. Just because it’s a wolf pack doesn’t mean things are all that different. Sure, being omega and mated makes me want to submit to River sometimes, but not all the time. I’ve essentially been lying to him by omission, and I feel fucking guilty about it.”
“Fine, so tell him tonight. Just get rid of the mood before we get to the shelter. Those omegas are jumpy enough as it is.”
Josiah made the effort, because even if Mark was being a dick about it, he was right that Josiah’s mood would transfer to the other omegas, and they had enough on their plates.
The rogue omegas welcomed them with enthusiasm. Josiah wished he could have brought Sam or Briar with him, but he didn’t want to put his friends in the position of lying to their mates. Soon, after he explained everything to River, Josiah hoped to invite all the omegas to the pack house. There weren’t any unmated alphas there, so they’d be perfectly safe, and he felt sure the group would appreciate the change of scenery. Only a couple of them had ventured from the refuge in the time they’d been there, and that had only been for quick errands.
Josiah greeted the pregnant omega, Nick. He’d gotten to know Nick a little the last time he came with Mark, although Nick hadn’t offered any details on when he’d been impregnated or who exactly the alpha was. He was quiet by nature, but he had a great sense of humor, and Josiah enjoyed talking to him.
“Jaime’s coming,” Nick told Josiah as they settled in the living area. “He’s going to make dinner with Tim tonight. Jaime’s a great cook, and my stomach’s been rumbling just thinking about it. Can you stay?”
“I really can’t,” Josiah said. “I have to get back to my girls.”
“I’d love to meet them,” Nick said. He’d been extremely interested in the twins since finding out they were female.
“You’ll meet them soon; I promise. I’m going to have you all over to meet my pack.”
Jaime arrived soon after, and Josiah couldn’t help but notice the looks the other omega gave Mark when the human wasn’t paying attention. How could Mark be so blind to it? Or was he? Maybe he was ignoring it, hoping Jaime would get over his crush.
“Hey,” Jaime greeted Josiah with a hug and sat down beside him on the couch. “I heard there was a meeting recently at the Congress.”
“Yeah. The pack alpha from Angel Hills attended. Mark’s been hoping Grey would have some humans to visit his pack the way we did at the compound.” Josiah and River had both gone to the meeting, and although River had seemed wary, Josiah thought it had gone well.
“And did he agree?” Keith asked.
“He didn’t say no,” Josiah said. “I know I mentioned this before, but after meeting Grey, I feel even more strongly about it. Angel Hills traded for five omegas, and they’re doing well. I didn’t mention you all to Grey—I only got to talk to him for a few minutes—”And River had been there, Josiah said to himself, “but I feel sure they’d be willing to take on more if any of you are interested. I could have River ask Grey about it.”
Josiah looked around and was surprised to see interest on some faces, although Sandy still seemed to feel the omegas would be nothing but breeders if they accepted.
“What would it be like?” a young man named Tyson asked. “Would they barter over us like cattle?”
“From what I gathered, you would choose from a list of interested alphas and betas, but because omegas are rare there, the alphas would get first choice. You could turn them down if you want an
d choose someone else from the list.”
“We’d have that option?” another omega named Elliott asked.
“Yes, of course,” Josiah said. He looked at Sandy. “It’s mutually beneficial. The pack gets omegas to help it expand, and the omegas get a pack and a mate. I know on the surface it sounds like you’re just breeders, but the pack wants companionable mates to give them children, and you guys want the safety of a pack, right?”
The omegas began talking at once, and Josiah sat back and listened to the various threads of conversation. He was glad the subject came up, because now he’d have to tell River all about it so he could contact Grey. No more avoiding the issue.
Only, that night both twins had a fever. Being sick was rare for werewolves, but with their human genes, the girls were susceptible. Still, Josiah expected them to get over it quickly, but that didn’t stop him from worrying. He spent the evening soothing their whimpers and indulging their clinginess until their fevers went down. River worked late at the club, immediately eating and falling into bed when he got home. By the time Josiah crawled in beside him, the pack alpha was asleep. Had Josiah been imagining River was in a strange mood when he got home? He wished they could talk it out, but Josiah didn’t want to wake the alpha after a long, tiring shift.
* * * *
Two days later the girls were completely well, but Josiah could feel his heat coming on.
Red mist gathered at the corners of his eyes for long moments at a time and an intense buzzing sound like the approach of a thousand bees from miles away lurked in the back of his mind. As Rocco had promised, River got the time off. He had spent all morning helping Kane with the shed. Kane had gotten a job at the Congress and would be starting there next week. Josiah hoped the alpha’s working there would help relations. Right then, he longed for a moment alone with River before his heat started up. He’d just put the girls down for a nap and walked out onto the back porch when Sam came running out and practically threw himself on the hammock where Josiah lay to hug the first omega.
“Guess what?” Sam beamed.
Josiah couldn’t help but return the smile. “What?”
“I haven’t been feeling my heat coming, and Leo said I’d smelled different for a while, but he hadn’t been thinking and…guess what? Guess!” But before Josiah could, Sam blurted out, “I’m pregnant!”
Josiah hugged the other omega. “Congratulations! Looks like our pack is really expanding.” He heard one of the cell phones ring and the rumble of River’s voice outside the screen.
“I hope I don’t start throwing up,” Sam said. “I hate doing that.”
“You’ll be fine,” Josiah assured him. He was so happy to see Sam in good spirits again.
The two lay down in the swing, arms wrapped around each other, and lazily rocked back and forth, looking out into the yard where fallen leaves scattered on the mild wind. Sam’s head fell onto Josiah’s shoulder, and Josiah ran his hands through the other omega’s dark hair. Sam had such a sweet soul, and Josiah was happy for him and Leo.
River walked up the outside steps and opened the door of the screen porch. He leaned back, exposing the tanned length of his neck and a second later let out a loud howl. Josiah recognized the pack call, and within minutes everyone came from various directions to gather on the back porch.
“What’s up?” Leo put out a hand to help his mate out of the swing and wrapped his arm around Sam’s shoulders as he looked to River.
River’s eyes landed on each of them before a smile broke out on his face. “Good news. Mark just called. He’s gotten a letter from Milo saying Xavier has shown up at Angel Hills.”
Pure relief flooded through Josiah, and he saw it reflected on the faces of his friends. Worry for Xavier had been constant in the back of everyone’s mind ever since the alpha had disappeared. “Thank the wolf gods,” Josiah said, and the others echoed him.
“Milo said X is fine. Healthy, and apparently staying at Angel Hills for the time being.”
“I’m so glad he’s okay,” Brooks said. “Do you think he’ll stay there permanently?”
“Maybe. He probably wants a fresh start. Anyway, I know we’ve all been worried about him, so I wanted to tell you right away. And there’s something else.”
River relayed how Stone had also shown up at Angel Hills and tried to kidnap Justin and his pups. “He’s dead now, and Justin’s okay.”
The domineering, hot-headed alpha had helped instigate the mutiny against River, and he’d been an abusive mate to Justin; therefore, the news of his death didn’t exactly crush Josiah or any of the others in the pack. He saw Leo put a hand on Brooks’ shoulder and recalled that Brooks had once considered mating Stone. Josiah took the gesture to be congratulations for having dodged what would have been a terrible mistake.
After the pack settled down, Leo announced Sam’s pregnancy, stirring up another uproar as the pack congratulated the couple. River was smiling more brightly than Josiah had seen in a long while, happy his pack was thriving.
When the hubbub died down, Josiah asked Briar if he’d check on the girls while he and River took a walk. River raised an eyebrow at Josiah but didn’t object.
The two headed out into the cool night.
“Do you want to shift and take a run?” River asked, pulling the leather thong out of his hair and letting the strands blow in the chilly autumn breeze.
Josiah licked his lips nervously. “Not now. I need to talk to you about something.”
“Okay.” River didn’t seem surprised, and Josiah wondered why.
“I’ve been wanting to bring this up for a while, but with everything that’s been going on, it keeps getting pushed back.” Josiah took a deep breath. “I told you I went with Mark recently to the Congress. Well, I’ve been working some there.”
River stopped and turned to face Josiah. “Some?”
Josiah couldn’t read River’s expression, and his heart rate picked up. “I’ve been helping a little now and then. Talking to a few of the wolves we’re trying to help.”
“We’re?” River repeated the word.
Defensive anger coiled in Josiah’s belly. “I used to work there, you know.”
“Used to,” River emphasized.
Josiah ran his hand through his curls. “Would you quit repeating everything I say? I never would have stopped working there, except I suddenly found myself mated to a werewolf.”
River narrowed his eyes. “I assume this has been going on since we got to the city. Why is this the first I’m hearing about it? Yes, things have been busy, but you’ve had plenty of chances to mention it.”
Josiah reminded himself he was in the wrong. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, but…I guess I thought you’d disapprove.”
“You knew I’d disapprove,” River corrected. “I specifically told you to stay away from humans. What wolves are you trying to help? Are they omegas? You stunk of them one day.”
Josiah pushed down the resentment he felt as Mark’s words came back to him about River being domineering. “Some are. They’re werewolves who needed a place to stay.”
“Rogues.”
Josiah nodded.
“Knowing how I feel about them.”
Josiah couldn’t keep the snap out of his tone. “If I’m going to help at the Congress, I’m either going to be dealing with humans or werewolves, and those werewolves are going to be rogues.”
“And you’re telling me now because…”
This wasn’t going at all the way Josiah had planned. He rubbed his eyes, trying to get rid of the red tinge that kept trying to creep in. Maybe he should have waited until after his heat to bring this up, but no—putting it off longer would only make things worse. “I’m sorry for keeping this from you. It’s been eating away at me because I knew I needed to tell you. I wanted to. I just didn’t want to lay something else on your plate.” The frown lines between River’s eyes relaxed a little, and Josiah continued. “I know you disliked taking the rogues into the pack, although bo
th Sam and Foster turned out to be wonderful assets. As did Patrick, Kane, and Matthew.”
River took a step closer to the omega. “The decision to take rogues into our pack is part of the reason we’re no longer on the compound. The pack didn’t like it, no matter how much of an asset the rogues were. And I’m disappointed to learn my mate has been sneaking around behind my back doing something he knows full well I wouldn’t like. Just the fact that you’ve been doing it landed it on my plate. Keeping it from me has only made it worse.”
Josiah made a frustrated sound. “It wasn’t like that, River. I wasn’t trying to be sneaky. You knew I’ve been with Mark a lot.”
“And I’m not so stupid I didn’t realize you’d be at the Congress some of that time. What I didn’t know was that you were actively working there in spite of the fact you knew I didn’t approve.”
Josiah stood his ground. “I have every right to be there if I want.” He glared at River, daring the alpha to say otherwise. “Mark told me they were building housing for rogue wolves. Housing that would keep the weres from wandering around trying to find food in the humans’ trash. That alone will make a huge impact.”
River growled. “You’ve been meeting with these rogues?”
“No, not them. Mark just showed me the housing. He introduced me to an omega shifter who’d been adopted as a baby by humans here in the city. His name is Jaime, and before your hackles go up, I repeat, he’s an omega. He told me he’d discovered a group of rogue omegas living in the sewer system, and he’s set up an old farm building for them as a shelter where they’re safe from the rogue alphas as well as the humans. I’ve visited them a few times and talked to them about their options. It was after one of those visits you smelled them on me. I was going to explain, but you were dealing with Leo and Jax. Actually, I was hoping you might write to Grey at Angel Hills and ask if they’d like any more omegas.”
River’s eyes darkened to a mossy green. “So, that’s why you’re finally telling me.”