The Omega's Heart (Wilde Creek Four) Read online

  His brow arched. “Your pack is the same, isn’t it?”

  “Well, sure, but it doesn’t mean I like it or I think it’s right.”

  “It is what it is, sweetheart.”

  “You say that too much,” she groused.

  He snorted lightly. “I suppose. I’m used to it.”

  Well, she wasn’t.

  The door opened and a man bent with age smiled broadly. “Well, well, looks like my friend found himself a really pretty little mate. Come in before you catch your death, although it’s not much warmer in here.”

  He was right. It was chilly in the house, so she opted to keep her coat on. Jeremiah introduced her and Alfonse to each other and went to fix the furnace.

  “I’m sorry to drag you out of your mating bed,” he said, gesturing to a worn couch.

  “It’s no trouble. We just got back from dinner at the alphas.”

  He nodded. “I never thought I’d live to see humans so easily accepted within the pack.” He looked over his shoulder to where Jeremiah had disappeared down into the basement. “He’s had a tough go of things. Smart, strong, kind. The pack doesn’t see what he is because of what he is.”

  It was her turn to nod. “I know he’s not happy.”

  “He’s happy when he’s helping people who appreciate it. The problem is that most pack members take him for granted. You’ll have to help him put his foot down. He’s allowed to say no, especially now that he’s mated.” He made a face. “I’m a big hypocrite. I didn’t realize he had found his mate or I wouldn’t have called. I could have just as easily called Adam or even Doc.”

  “Doc?”

  “He’s an omega by choice, and the pack doctor. He lives on the other side of town.”

  Jeremiah’s footsteps were heard as he came up the stairs. “I know he didn’t mind coming here, and I’m glad I had a chance to meet you.”

  She stood with Alfonse as he stifled a groan and his joints creaked and popped. “All fixed, Alfonse,” Jeremiah said.

  Honey kissed Alfonse on the cheek. “Stay warm.”

  “I will. I have thoughts of my dear departed mate to keep me warm, but the furnace helps, too,” he said, winking. “Now you turn off that phone, Jeremiah, and take care of your mate. And don’t forget what I told you, Honey.”

  “I won’t. It was nice to meet you.”

  She stood on the porch while Jeremiah threw salt on the sidewalk from a half-full bag that had been tucked into the corner against the railing. It took only a moment and he refused to let her help. Then he helped her down the sidewalk and into his truck.

  “So what did he tell you?” Jeremiah asked as he started the truck and pulled away from the curb.

  “That you’re allowed to say no.”

  “To you? Never.”

  She giggled. “No, to the pack.”

  He didn’t say anything for several minutes. It wasn’t until he pulled to a stop in front of their house that he turned to look at her. “I don’t know if I can.”

  She stroked the back of her knuckles over his cheek. “Are you afraid that they’ll kick you out if you’re not accommodating?”

  “I never really thought about it, but yes. I’m not a real wolf, so they keep me around because I’m helpful. If I stop being helpful, what’s to stop them from telling me to hit the bricks?”

  “I suppose nothing, but Acksel doesn’t seem like the sort to just toss you out because you’re taking time for yourself. I think Alfonse is right. You’re a pack member whether you shift or not, and they shouldn’t be trying to take up all your time. You have a mate now. Will they ask me to run errands when we’re together?”

  “Why would they do that?”

  “I’m omega.”

  “It’s different.”

  “Because you can’t shift? I call bullshit.”

  He pulled her into a hug and chuckled against her throat. “I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before.”

  She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against his strong shoulder. “I feel like all we have is each other now.”

  He moved away and kissed her gently. “We’ll find a balance.”

  “Turn off the phone?”

  He pulled the phone from his pocket and pressed the power button. “As my mate wishes.”

  “Ooh, really? I have other wishes.”

  He smiled. “Do tell.”

  Chapter 10

  Jeremiah woke up for the third time as Honey tossed and turned restlessly in her sleep. They’d made love after they got back from Alfonse’s, and she’d fallen asleep quickly, but it clearly wasn’t a restful sleep. He didn’t mind being woken up, but he did mind her not having peace while she slept. He debated waking her, but he wasn’t sure that was the right thing to do. Pulling her back against him, he curled his body around hers and buried his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. She sighed softly and her body relaxed against his.

  Having a mate was an amazing thing. She seemed to be calmer now that he was holding her securely. He didn’t like her being miserable in her sleep, but he was glad he could help. Even though he didn’t want to think about his pack, he couldn’t help himself. The sun would rise and he’d have things to do. He felt obligated to the pack for his position. He wanted to say no to requests, to put a stop to the work day at dinnertime like a normal person. Honey had been right earlier; he was afraid that Acksel would just send him on his way if he didn’t constantly help. The sweet woman in his arms made him think twice about his previous stance. He didn’t want to be an errand-boy forever. He wanted to be there for Honey in every way. There had to be a happy medium. He hadn’t been truly ashamed of his place in the pack until Acksel had given him a to-do list for the wedding a mile long. Then he really saw himself through her eyes, what he must look like never being able to say no.

  His wolf whined in his head. He didn’t want to be defined by his inability to shift. He’d spent the better part of his life hating what he was, but Honey didn’t care. She looked at him like he was a whole male, perfect in every way. Which he wasn’t hardly, but he liked how it made him feel. With her by his side, he felt like he could do anything, even tell his alpha that he needed to curb his evening responsibilities to the pack because he had a mate now and she needed him. He needed her, too.

  Pressing a kiss to her neck, he closed his eyes and mentally turned off his rambling thoughts about the pack.

  His nose twitched and his eyes opened as he sat up. Slowly he inhaled again. Smoke!

  Slipping from the bed, he moved to the open bedroom door and the scent of smoke grew stronger. He could hear the crackling sounds of something burning. Just as he stepped into the hallway, a smoke detector began to screech. He could see that the outside of the front of the house was on fire, the orange flames licking at the windows. Where were the wolves who were patrolling?

  “Honey!” he shouted, running into the bedroom, grabbing his jeans from the floor, and throwing her clothes onto the bed.

  She sat up and looked dazed for a moment, but then she snapped into action and began to dress quickly. “What’s happening?”

  “The house is on fire, we have to go now!”

  He heard the sound of glass shattering and the crackling noises grew louder. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the bedroom, heading toward the laundry room at the back of the house, which was the only other exit. His eyes stung from the smoke, and they were both coughing as he unlocked the back door and pushed her out onto the small snow-covered concrete patio.

  She made a strangled noise and he turned his head to see a fist come flying at his face and then… nothing.

  * * * * *

  Brynn pushed Acksel’s arm off her waist and fanned herself. She was sweating. Who knew having a wolf sleep next to her would make her so hot? It was like sleeping in an oven sometimes, although Doc had told her that the baby could also mess with her body temperature, so she probably shouldn’t blame Acksel entirely. Even though it was fun.

  Getting up, she
grabbed her robe off the back of the door and trudged out into the kitchen to get something cold to drink. Opening the fridge, she pulled out a pitcher of iced tea; then her stomach rumbled, so she also grabbed a package of cheese chunks and an apple, and closed the fridge door with her hip. Leaving her things on the kitchen table, she found crackers and peanut butter in the cabinet and was about to turn to the table when something caught her eye outside the kitchen window. Peering into the darkness, she saw an orange light flickering in the woods. It was distant, just a bare dot of light, but something made her inner warning alarm go off.

  Moving to the sliding glass door, she unlocked and opened it, leaning out into the cold night. She inhaled slowly as she stared at the orange dot and the faint scent of smoke confirmed her thought. Something was on fire. It was possible that someone was in the woods with a campfire and just having fun, but she doubted it. No one went into the pack woods without clearing it with Acksel. If it wasn’t a campfire, the only thing in that direction was Jeremiah’s house.

  Closing the door, she raced back to the bedroom and woke up her mate.

  “I think Jeremiah’s house is on fire!”

  * * * * *

  Honey rubbed her wrists together, hoping to wiggle out of the thick rope that bound them in front of her, but it was no use. She squinted in the darkness, but wasn’t able to see much outside of Jeremiah’s still form next to her. Someone was sitting a few feet away from her on the floor of what appeared to be a cargo van, and two men were in the front seats. She knew who they were because of their scents, not because she could see them well; her father’s beta, Shred, and two of his goons, Campo and Van.

  She and Jeremiah had run out of the burning house and right into an ambush. It hadn’t even occurred to her that something was up; she’d just done what Jeremiah said. Something hit the back of her head and she’d stumbled into the snow, dazed, and then a thick arm had wrapped around her throat and squeezed tightly. The only warning she’d been able to give Jeremiah was a pathetic squawk, but it hadn’t saved him from being taken out by a vicious punch from Shred. She’d passed out from lack of oxygen, and had woken up sometime later tied up on the floor of the van.

  The gag in her mouth tasted disgusting. She didn’t know what it was made of, but the fabric was coarse and made her want to retch. She looked down at Jeremiah, focusing in the dark and opening her senses. He was breathing, and his heart was beating. She didn’t know what they’d done to him outside of knocking him out and tying him up, but what concerned her most was that she didn’t know why they’d brought him along. If her father’s men were bringing her back to the pack so she could meet with whoever he’d mated her with, Jeremiah didn’t need to be with them. They could have knocked him out and left him. Tears stung her eyes as she realized that they were probably going to kill him.

  She swallowed hard and blinked the tears away. She couldn’t fall apart now, it wouldn’t do anyone any good.

  Something buzzed and Campo answered from the passenger seat. “Yeah? Where? Okay. We’ll be there in about four hours.”

  “What?” Shred asked from the driver’s seat.

  “We’re supposed to bring them to a tract of woods that skirts along a field in Kenote. The alpha is from there and it’s his land. Alpha Williams doesn’t want to wait until we get back to Wyling River to hand her off.”

  Shred grunted. “More like he doesn’t want to wait to take his own prize. After we take care of this mess, we’ll be going to pick her up. Put it into the GPS.”

  Prize? What the hell was he talking about? She’d never heard of Kenote, either.

  Four hours seemed like a really long time. But they weren’t taking them to Wyling River, so maybe that meant she had time to get herself and Jeremiah free.

  Van moved so quickly she wasn’t aware he’d done it until he was inches from her face and a foul smelling cloth was pressed over her mouth and nose. She struggled, and dizziness swamped her.

  “Just in case you get any ideas, little bitch. If you’re lucky, your dad will let you say goodbye to lover boy here before he kills him.”

  She struggled against the hand pressing the cloth to her face, until her eyes refused to open and her limbs went lax as she slipped down into darkness.

  * * * * *

  Jeremiah woke up under a heavy fog, disoriented. His first thought was of Honey. Blinking to clear his vision, he found himself on the floor of a cargo van, bound hand and foot.

  Coarse rope was wrapped around his wrists, which were tied behind his back. His ankles were tied as well, and his mouth was gagged. He was alone in the van, and at first panic filled him as he worried for Honey, but he quickly calmed himself and focused his senses. He heard voices outside the van. Beyond the open doors, he couldn’t see anything but darkness, but he could smell snow and trees. Turning his head, he saw the headlights were on, illuminating the woods. He couldn’t see anyone through the windshield.

  He was grabbed roughly by his ankles and dragged out of the van. His head cracked against the bumper as he landed on the ground, his vision blurring for a moment. Two males grabbed him under the arms and lifted him, partially dragging him around the front of the van and dropping him to the ground once more. He managed to land on his knees and keep himself upright.

  As he straightened, a fist flew at his face and he didn’t have time to duck. It smashed into his mouth and nose, and he groaned and struggled not to fall backward.

  “Dad, please!” Honey begged. Jeremiah shook his head to clear it and glanced around, finding her on her knees, bound but not gagged. A large male stood next to her, and when she spoke, he fisted her hair and jerked hard. She screamed in pain and Jeremiah growled, struggling with the rope around his wrists.

  The male who’d punched him stepped in front of Jeremiah, blocking his view.

  “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble. I was going to leave you and take her, but she’s covered in your scent and wearing your marks, and that’s going to cost me with her new mate. I could have passed her off as a virgin if you hadn’t loaded her up with your come, you asshole.” He snarled again. Jeremiah stared up at him, seething. He knew without being told that this was Honey’s father.

  There were only four of them. If Jeremiah could get free, he might be able to create enough of a distraction for Honey to escape. He couldn’t shift, but he was damn strong and a good fighter. Four against one was typical when he was attacked in high school; he was used to those sorts of odds. He’d never had a more important reason to fight than he had now, though.

  He met Honey’s eyes. She made a soft, whimpering sound and fresh tears tracked down her cheeks.

  The male holding a chunk of her hair in his fist gave her a shake. “Shut up, bitch.”

  She clamped her teeth together with an audible click. Jeremiah could see that she was afraid – the emotion was plain on her face.

  His wolf howled angrily.

  One of the males who had pulled him from the van turned his head as footsteps neared them.

  “About fucking time,” her father said under his breath. Three males appeared, the van’s headlights illuminating them. The one in the middle was older, his face lined, and his dark hair gray at the temples. The males on either side of him were younger, but still older than Jeremiah. He figured they were probably in their thirties, maybe even his sons since they shared similar facial features.

  Honey’s father stepped away and greeted the center male. They shook hands and spoke quietly. Honey stared at Jeremiah, and he wished he could comfort her. He wished he hadn’t failed as her protector. He’d sworn to keep her safe, and now he was pretty sure that he was going to be killed and she was going to be given away to that old asshole.

  His wolf was clawing under his skin, but he knew that growing some claws and fangs wasn’t going to save Honey. She needed a real hero to protect her, and the luck of the mating draw had landed her an incomplete male.

  His ears pricked as he heard the newcomer say to the two males with him
, “Strip her. I want to see what I’m getting in exchange for the only virgin in my pack.”

  Jeremiah growled as Honey screamed in fright. “Dad? Dad! Stop this, please!”

  Her father closed the distance between himself and Honey so fast he was a blur. He grabbed her by the collar of her shirt and lifted her off the ground, shaking her hard. “Do not call me that any longer, little girl. I am not your father. Your mother whored around after I took her and became pregnant with you.”

  Honey’s face was pure shock as she stared at her father. “What?”

  He chuckled in a way that made the hairs on the back of Jeremiah’s neck stand up. “I warned her when you were born, but she didn’t listen. Shred caught her and her lover together, and brought them to me.”

  Silence filled the woods for a long moment. Honey’s voice was a raw whisper. “You killed her? You killed my mom?”

  “Of course I did. I chose her to breed a child for me, but I wasn’t good enough for her. She spit on my status as alpha. I had no choice but to punish them both severely. Enough talking. You’ll say goodbye to that mistake over there, and you’ll do whatever your new mate tells you to.”

  He tugged on the collar of her shirt and split the front. She was bare from the waist up, because they hadn’t had time to get fully dressed. The headlights caught the soft swell of her breasts as her father dropped her to the snow-covered ground, and the two new males laughed darkly and fell on her.

  Everything inside Jeremiah went quiet as Honey screamed in fear and struggled. Then white-hot rage boiled inside him as her father turned to face him and said to the males standing on either side of Jeremiah, “Kill him and let’s go. I have a prize to pick up.”

  Honey’s scream of pain and fear filled Jeremiah’s mind, and his wolf went nuts. He felt strength fill him like never before. His bones snapped, his muscles pulled and tightened, and his face ached as thick fangs erupted from his gums. His hands felt different, the claws longer and sharper. Her father gasped in surprise as Jeremiah twisted his wrists, shredded the rope binding his wrists and freeing his hands. It took only a swipe of one claw to destroy the rope holding his ankles bound, and then he stood and roared.