Page 170 of Labor of Love

Anatoly exhaled heavily. He was feeling melancholy. It happened on occasion when he hadn’t returned home in years, so he knew the time was nearing for a prolonged visit. Maybe he would remain this time. He hadn’t decided, but he felt certain leaving this place was nearing.

Stepping over a fallen log, Anatoly paused, catching a scent that tantalized him. Pulled at him. Made him hunger in a way he hadn’t in a long time. A gust of air swept by, and the aroma vanished, leaving Anatoly wondering if he’d actually scented it or had imagined it. Maybe thoughts of his mate and home had him believing he’d scented something he hadn’t. Lifting his head, he closed his eyes and held his breath, then slowly released it. Yes, maybe it was time to go home.

Opening his eyes, he continued on, following a trail only he could see, one he’d walked countless times. He knew the lay of the land, had watched the forest grow and spread. He liked that the humans here hadn’t tried to chop it down but had nurtured it, instead. It helped that there were a couple of shifters on thelocal council and were able to show the benefits of having it. A few vacation cabins had been built, and now they had a good tourist trade.

Whenever Anatoly wandered through the forest, he always had the sense of freedom, like back home, and there he was again…thinking about home. Sometimes it was like that. One day you were fine, and the next, you realized you had to go somewhere else to relax and recharge.

Nodding to himself, Anatoly felt some of the tension he hadn’t been aware he was carrying disappear. He’d clearly made the right decision, and now that he had, he smiled—until that scent reached him again. Stronger this time, deeper, more complex. Snow and fur and lemons. That’s what it scented like to Anatoly. A shifter from the fur. Snow because Anatoly loved the snow. And lemons, his favorite tea to drink.

Lifting his head, Anatoly took several deep breaths, turning slowly so he could figure out which direction the scent came from. Once he’d figured it out, he followed it, pausing to make sure he was on the right track, then continued until he heard quiet sobs. They tore at him, making his heart ache. Someone in front of him hurt, and Anatoly knew it was his mate.

Stepping out from the tree he’d hidden behind, he looked into the eyes of his mate and gasped.

2

Blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, Kael Whitlock tried hard to summon up the energy to pretend to be happy. God, he wanted this day to be over—but at the same time, not. Once the day was over, he was one day closer to mating the alpha from the Renford pack, Nigel. He’d heard repeatedly how it would be a good mating for their pack, Silver Tree. Their pack had severe financial difficulties, and the Renford pack had plenty of money, so the Silver Tree alpha, Sylvester, had agreed for Kael to mate Nigel.

Nigel had taken one look at him, and that was it. Kael’s life and future had been bargained away. Kael had met Nigel, who looked him up and down, licked his lips, and said Kael would do. Whenever Kael tried to talk to Nigel, he’d been dismissive. At one point, he’d patted Kael’s head and told him to be a good boy and let the men do the talking. Kael had heard Nigel requested a test run. A test run as in Kael sucking Nigel’s dick.

Even the thought of performing such an act on Nigel made Kael gag, but it was something he would be doing soon. Kael was an omega and had now been sold for the good of the pack. Not that Kael wanted it, but he had no choice. Sylvester had toldhim he would be mated to Nigel, and now, preparations for the mating ceremony were underway.

Because they wanted Nigel and his pack’s money, Sylvester made sure Kael understood how important this mating was. When Kael had objected, Sylvester had slapped him, then told him he had no choice. As an omega, Kael’s life belonged to Sylvester, and he’d decided Kael would mate Nigel.

“We didn’t know what to get you,” Sherry told him as she handed Kael a present.

Smiling, Kael hugged her. “I know, Mom. I’ll be leaving soon. I still don’t know what I’ll be able to take with me.”

Todd, Kael’s father ran a hand over his face. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way.”

“We could run away,” Aled, Kael’s brother, suggested. “Me and you, Kael. We could pack up and leave tonight. We’d be miles from here before they knew anything about it.”

“Then Mom and Dad would suffer because of it.” Kael shook his head. “Sylvester would take it out on them.”

“It doesn’t matter about us,” Todd told him. “This is about you and your future.”

“I know, but I couldn’t leave knowing what he would do to you two. He’d hurt you, Dad. We know what he’s like.” Kael closed his eyes, sighing softly. “Dad—” A knock on the door had Kael opening his eyes as he fell silent. Todd stood, straightened his shoulders, and walked over to the front door, opening it.

“Sylvester wants to see Kael now.” Matlin, Sylvester’s beta, stood at the door, his hard black eyes fixed on Kael.

“I’ll get my coat.” Kael stood, gave a subtle shake of his head to Aled when he went to stand, and walked over to the front door. He paused to put his sneakers on, then grabbed his coat. “Don’t eat all my cake while I’m gone.” He smiled, or tried to, and followed Matlin outside. He didn’t look back. He didn’t want to see his family watch him leave. One day he’d walk out of thedoor and never return, but he had a few more days before that happened.

“Get in,” Matlin demanded.

Kael walked around the sleek silver Audi A6, seeing how new it looked and glanced at Matlin, who watched him. If the pack was broke and Kael had to mate Nigel for the money that would bring, then how could Matlin afford a car like this? Kael didn’t ask the question. Instead, he got into the passenger side and waited for Matlin to take him to Sylvester.

The silent drive had Kael biting his lip, the heaviness inside the car pressing down on him. Matlin said nothing as he drove, and Kael watched the scenery pass by instead of attempting to talk. He had nothing to say to Matlin. The beta had a reputation for shutting things down. Painfully. Kael had seen more than one pack member face Matlin’s wrath, and he didn’t want to be one of them.

When they reached the alpha’s house, Kael got out and walked to the front door, pausing for Matlin to let them in. Matlin growled at Kael as he stormed past. “You wait for me, omega.”

Kael nodded. “My apologies. I won’t do that again.”

“You won’t be here to do it again. You’ll be on your back as Nigel fucks you.” Matlin smirked. “Don’t expect to do anything for a few days. I’ve heard what Nigel has in store for you. You’ll be walking with a limp for a long time to come, and he’ll make sure you give him plenty of pups too.” Matlin stroked his cheek and leaned closer. “Shame. I always wanted a piece of your ass. Maybe I should have a go before you’re mated.”

“Nigel wants me untouched,” Kael murmured, his eyes low.

“I’m sure for your family’s sake, you’ll say nothing, won’t you?” Matlin kissed Kael’s lips. “Hmm, yes. You and I are going to spend a few hours together before you’re mated.” Matlin grabbed Kael’s black hair and yanked his head back. “These eyesof yours,” he whispered. “I’ll be looking into them as I fuck you.” Kael said nothing as Matlin released him. “Can’t do it tonight. Too much going on, but tomorrow, I’ll come for you, and you will do what I want.”

Kael swallowed hard but stayed silent until Matlin chuckled and opened the front door, pushing Kael inside. He walked along the hallway until he reached Sylvester’s office, and Matlin knocked, then opened the door. Kael stepped inside. There stood Sylvester and Nigel. Kael quickly glanced at Matlin, who glared at Sylvester. It appeared the beta didn’t know Nigel would be there.

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