Page 15 of Claimed By the Feral Wolves

What? No. That’s not the responsibility of an alpha.I shake my head. “I’ve never really complained about it before, so he wouldn’t know.”

Ezra seems upset. “He knows you’re an orphaned omega in the middle of the woods. He sure as fuck should be checking in on you and making sure you’re being cared for. You don’t have family or your own mates to care for and provide for you, so it’s his responsibility.” He crosses his arms over his chest, looking determined. “When we leave The Selection, I’ll send someone out there to build up your supplies and do repair work on your cabin.”

“You don’t need to–”

“It’s not up for debate.”

I look to Cayson for help, but he seems just as upset. “He’s right, Jelly Bean. It’s okay to sometimes need someone to care for you.”

“Because I’m an omega?” My words are a challenge as I look between them.

Ezra’s expression gentles. “Even alphas need help sometimes.”

“Really?” I ask, not feeling convinced.

“You helped me already with your suggestion of getting grants. I’ve already informed my father, and we’re looking into it.”

I’m shocked. “Oh.”

“And I need help dealing with my asshole dad all the time,” Cayson admits. “The guy seriously sees me as something just below the goop he scrapes off his shoes, even though he’s never given me a chance to be anything.”

“But you’re… amazing,” I say.

Cayson gives a tight smile. “Thanks, but try telling my dad that.”

There’s silence between us. It’s weird. With how smart, funny, and confident Cayson is, I almost find it unbelievable that his dad can’t see that.His loss.

Ezra opens his mouth, hesitates, then presses on. “When my first girlfriend, Katie, died–”

I gasp. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!”

He gives a sad smile, his expression far away. “I was fifteen, and so was she. We’d dated for two years and thought we’d be together forever, but then she went to the river that day… there was a flash flood, and she never came back.”

“Oh, Ezra,” I whisper, grabbing his hand and squeezing it.

He shakes his head, as if shaking away the memory. “What I meant to say was that, when I lost Katie, I needed a lot of support from not only Cayson and my family, but my whole pack. My family and pack might not have been… as there for me as I had hoped, but Cayson was, and it was invaluable.”

My heart hurts for the man in front of me. I knew Ezra had lost someone, but I had no idea it was a partner. I wonder if that has something to do with his unwillingness to find an omega. The thought makes me sad, even though I understand that need to never be hurt again better than anyone.

“I’m so sorry,” I say.

Ezra shakes his head. “Don’t be. Just remember, alpha or omega, we all need someone. We can’t survive on our own. It’s not how wolves are meant to be.”

And he sounds so sincere that it eases something in my chest. “Maybe you’re right. Just a little bit.”

Cayson smiles. “A little bit is better than nothing. Now, we ready to play this game?”

“I’m ready to embarrass you,” Ezra challenges.

We all focus on the board in front of us, choosing our pieces and getting ready for some fun. Fun that includes pajamas, wine, and two handsome men on my bed.I could do worse.

I study the board, seeing all the properties around the outside, deciding which ones I want to buy first. We’re each given a pile of money. Our pieces are set up at the starting spot, and the dice is pulled out. We’re ready to either land in jail, pay money, or buy properties.

As we play, Cayson openly cheats and Ezra plays exactly by the rules, sometimes catching himself accidentally breaking one and insisting he pay the penalty. It’s comical to be a part of. It’s like the game perfectly captures the two men’s personalities, and I’m loving every second of their contrasting game styles. Especially when my style is somewhere in the middle. I don’t try to break any rules, but if I find that I did, I don’t ask for a penalty.

“Hey,” Cayson says, after one bottle of wine is gone. He’s on his side, his head in his hand, looking up at Ezra and I with aglint in his eye. “What do you say we make this a little more interesting?”

“I amnotplaying another drinking game with you,” Ezra mutters, concentrating as he places his cards down on the board. “Last time, I’m pretty sure I met the gods before I sobered up again.”

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