Page 44 of Taming The Omega

“I know. Caleb told us. We are willing to explore joining you. We would like permission to roam your lands while we do so. If a fight happens in the meantime, my gammas and I will come to your aide, but only on the condition that the boy will have a refuge here in your longhouse.”

“That is a given even if you didn’t fight for our side. We protect vulnerable shifters as a matter of culture and law in this pack.”

The beta, Destin, gave a curt nod. “Then we have an understanding. Sir,” he tacked on. “If the day comes when my males and I join your pack, I will pledge my loyalty to you as alpha. As will the gammas, of course.”

“Your omega, as well, I presume.”

An indulgent smile crossed Destin’s face. “Loki is a good boy. He does as he’s told. Which is why it’s critical to me that his alpha considers the boy’s needs in decisions affecting him. Loki has no ability to look after himself.”

Seth grimaced at hearing those words. Shifters the world over didn’t think twice about treating omegas like perpetual pups. It irked, although being cocooned within Caleb’s protective embrace was overwhelmingly the perfect place to be. For the first time in weeks, he felt truly happy.

“I’m sure you do an admirable job caring for him, as will I if you accept me as your alpha. We have an understanding as far as I’m concerned. Enjoy the hunting and relative safety of my pack lands.”

Destin inclined his head. “Thank you. Caleb told us of a small cave nearby that will serve well as a base for us. A place to keep Loki safe from the elements.”

Seth realized with a jolt that the beta referred to their cave—his and Caleb’s. He didn’t much like the idea of another omega calling it home. But that was foolish. He’d spent a small amount of time there, most of it in pain. It shouldn’t matter to him, except it was where his love of Caleb had started even if he hadn’t recognized it at the time.

“Don’t fret,” Caleb whispered into his ear. “We’ll have our own home soon. The cave will serve their needs better than ours.”

If Seth had loved Caleb before, his feelings swelled to greater heights at the reassurance. His mate understood him. Without a single murmur from Seth, the gamma had caught onto the idea that handing the cave over to others might bother him.

He rubbed his head against the hard chest. “I know you’re right. It’s okay.”

After giving Lorcan another brief nod, Destin turned, shifted and rejoined his group. The four of them took off into the woods. For a few seconds, no one said anything or moved. Then Lorcan bounded up the stairs. He clapped Craig on his back before waving him off to whatever the gamma had been doing before Caleb had arrived with the ferals.

The alpha smiled at Caleb. “Welcome home, and thanks for convincing Destin to come with you.”

“I had intended to spend more time with him and the others.” He glanced down at Seth. “I returned as soon as I knew something was wrong, of course. Fortunately, I’d already established a tie with them.”

“No one would have blamed you for cutting your journey short even if they hadn’t come with you. We took the best care we could with your mate. Obviously, he needed you most.” He looked in the direction the ferals had gone. “I have a good feeling about Destin and his small pack of ferals.”

Caleb resettled Seth in his arms, easing the strain on both of them. “I could tell by the way they treat Loki that they’re a decent bunch. The gammas, Carr and Bard, are completely committed to Destin. If he pledges allegiance to you, they’ll follow suit. And Destin’s devotion to his little brother is reciprocated. The omega worships him.”

“Well, a good job all around. Thank you, Caleb. The pack will be safer and stronger for it. Now, I’ll let you two have your reunion.”

Caleb wasted no time carrying Seth back to the couch and sitting down, cradling him in his large, naked lap. In an instant, Seth felt his mate going hard. The rigid shaft rose up between them, pressing against Seth’s thigh.

He lay his head in the crook of Caleb’s neck. “I missed you,” he confessed.

Caleb huffed. “I missed you, too.”

“I know. I can feel how much.” He giggled from the relief of worry lifting. With his mate back, he knew everything was going to be okay.

Caleb rolled his eyes. “Don’t pay any attention to that. My dick doesn’t yet understand it’s on lockdown for the foreseeable future. There will be no mounting while you’re pregnant. Or, nursing for that matter. I figure we’ll get back to that maybe when the pup’s four or something.” The set of his mouth made it clear he wasn’t joking.

“Oh, Caleb.” Seth sighed. “I’m sure Andrea will give us the all-clear soon, if not right now. It was only a bit of spotting. I told you the pup and I are fine.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll wait to hear that from the healer herself. I need a few minutes to just hold you, then we’ll go see her.”

“She examined me this morning and said I could lie out here all day. I don’t need another check-up.”

“Uh, huh. All the same, I’ll carry you to her in a second, and then we’ll see. Regardless, there will be no fucking.”

Seth shook his head before giving up and snuggling in. He was wasting his breath. His mate wasn’t going to be moved on this issue, and really, did Seth want him to be any other way? There would time enough to wear the gamma down on the sex issue. Even if Andrea said no more mounting, there were other ways to take pleasure. Seth intended to explore every single one of them whether Caleb liked it or not.

They sat quietly, Seth taking comfort from the steady beat of his mate’s heart. “I love you.” The words popped out before he could stop them. Caleb stiffened a second before hugging him tighter. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. I don’t expect you to feel the same way. Honestly.”

Staring straight ahead, his mate grimaced. “I heard it. Up in Canada. I heard your wolf cry out, and I knew you were in trouble. I never understood how strong that mating bond could be. And yet, I heard your wolf’s anguish across that great distance.”

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