Mace wasn’t looking for a mate, but when his alpha makes an alliance with the nearest pack, an omega intended for Mace is part of the deal. Mace goes into the relationship wanting nothing more than to please his alpha, but the omega’s reluctance to commit to the mating right away gives him pause. He convinces the younger man to give him a chance, and Mace soon discovers that being with this omega is going to bring him pleasure far beyond simply pleasing his own alpha.
This story was originally released in 2016. It has been edited for Twisted E-Publishing.
Excerpt
Mace sat across the table from his alpha and didn’t look up. He’d expected big news upon Gideon’s return from the pack summit, but he hadn’t expected this. Not at all.
“That’s why you’ve been going off alone so often the past couple of months,” Mace said.
“Yes.” Gideon sat back and folded his arms. “Such changes are long overdue. Thomas and I love each other. The fact we’re both alphas is a good thing. Our packs will join and be stronger, and if one of us dies, the transition will be smoother because there will still be a strong alpha in place.”
Mace cleared his throat, feeling his chest tighten. “I simply didn’t realize the pack leaders were going to discuss anything besides the fair treatment of omegas.”
“Our request opened up the floor. Other alphas said they wished to take mates according to their feelings rather than the need to breed. We’ll never be exactly like human society, but we can’t keep living the way we used to. It helps with the omega issue, actually. It’s long past time we put an end to omegas being breeding stock.”
I’m glad. I know it used to be a lot worse.” Mace was a beta in his pack, but his mother had been an omega. She’d had eleven children with different men and shown little interest in raising them. He’d loved her anyway, which had made her indifference even worse.
“However, there is one concession we made to appease the leaders who objected. I’d like your help, though I could ask another.” Gideon focused his gaze and paused, and that told Mace he might not like what his alpha was going to ask of him.
“What? I’ll do anything for the good of the pack.” I’d do anything for you, even keep my feelings hidden forever. Even though I’m sure I won’t like what you’re asking, I’ll do it. For you. Mace loved his alpha more than he should, and though he’d just been told there was no longer a chance for anything to happen between them, he would still do anything for Gideon. Anything, including staying at his side as he took another as his mate.
“Since we’re both alphas, obviously we can’t breed and produce an heir. We don’t want to bring another, male or female, into our bed. So, we’re settling, in a way. Thomas has a younger brother who is an omega. I promised the gathered leaders that“not like what his alpha was going to ask of him.
“What? I’ll do anything for the good of the pack.” I’d do anything for you, even keep my feelings hidden forever. Even though I’m sure I won’t like what you’re asking, I’ll do it. For you. Mace loved his alpha more than he should, and though he’d just been told there was no longer a chance for anything to happen between them, he would still do anything for Gideon. Anything, including staying at his side as he took another as his mate.
“Since we’re both alphas, obviously we can’t breed and produce an heir. We don’t want to bring another, male or female, into our bed. So, we’re settling, in a way. Thomas has a younger brother who is an omega. I promised the gathered leaders that we would find Noah a mate and make his children our heirs.”
The silence hung between them for a moment before Mace broke it by asking, “Find him a mate?”
“Yes. I would like for it to be you. I need someone I can trust. Someone I respect. They’ll be here tomorrow. I’d like for you to spend time with him. If you like each other, we’ll consider it a match.”
So I have to not only see you with Thomas but also breed another male at your command? Mace tried to keep his voice steady as he said, “I thought you were tired of the old ways. Of alphas telling people who to be with.”
“I’m not forcing you. If you don’t like him, we’ll find someone else. Same thing if he doesn’t like you. Neither of us will force it. I’m asking you because I have the most faith in you. He’s very attractive and intelligent, so we’re hoping he’ll like you. Thomas is very particular about his brother, but I’ve assured him you’re more than good enough for Noah.”
Mace bristled at that last part. He knew he was an appealing male and couldn’t imagine an omega turning him down. Or anyone, alpha or not, disapproving of him as a mate for an omega. “You know I’ll do anything you ask, Gideon.” He swallowed against the tightening of his throat and added, “Thank you for your faith in me.”
“Of course.” Gideon leaned forward and said, “Anything I ask? Including getting over me?”
Mace went still, casting his eyes down again. He’d always made it clear he’d obey in anything, though he had never actually offered his body to his alpha.
“Gideon sat back and sighed. “You think I was oblivious? Never. It’s why I never took you to my bed. I knew your desire for me was more than lust or the need to please your alpha. Even though I find you very attractive, I refused to hurt you. And you would’ve been hurt, Mace. Trust me when I say it’s better we never touched.”
Not wanting to respond to any of that, Mace asked, “Does your mate know?”
“No, I didn’t tell Thomas. I don’t want him to treat you differently. Or worry unnecessarily. You’re my best beta, and I need you close. It would be awkward if he knew.”
“And he wouldn’t want me fathering your heirs.”
Gideon paused a moment. “No, probably not. I need him to value you as I do. Jealousy of any kind, even if it was unfounded, would inhibit that.”
“I’ll try my best to hide my feelings better.”
Gideon sighed. “Don’t be like that.”
He met Gideon’s gaze without fear, not even caring if he was reprimanded. “How can I be any other way? I wish you’d told me there was no chance for us sooner.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Mace stood up, already seeking to distance himself from this conversation. To detach from this situation and his feelings altogether. There was no longer any reason to hang around Gideon’s home when duty didn’t require it. “I’ll take this omega as a mate, if he’ll accept me. If I can’t serve you in your bed … I’ll be obedient to your will and serve you in mine.”
“I’ll try my best to hide my feelings better.”
Gideon sighed. “Don’t be like that.”
He met Gideon’s gaze without fear, not even caring if he was reprimanded. “How can I be any other way? I wish you’d told me there was no chance for us sooner.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
Mace stood up, already seeking to distance himself from this conversation. To detach from this situation and his feelings altogether. There was no longer any reason to hang around Gideon’s home when duty didn’t require it. “I’ll take this omega as a mate, if he’ll accept me. If I can’t serve you in your bed … I’ll be obedient to your will and serve you in mine.”
Gideon’s expression hardened. “Mace, stop. You’re still my right hand. I know it hurts now, but—”
Mace held up his hand to stop his alpha’s words. “I’m fine, Gideon.”
“No, you’re upset.”
“Then let me leave to compose myself. Have faith in me, as you said you do. It seems we have a big day tomorrow, welcoming our mates.”
Gideon stood as well, crossing his arms and moving around the table. “All right. But it’s not a done deal yet. You’re meeting him to see if you two suit.”
“My alpha wishes the match. Noah is the brother of another alpha. Our children will be important. I’m honored I’ve been selected to breed him.” He waited for a response, fully aware that his flat tone held as much disrespect as any sarcastic remark he could’ve thrown out there.
“You’re defensive.” He shook his head. “Just go. You’ll be more rational in the morning.”
Mace turned on his heel and left. He couldn’t really focus on anything until he got back to his own cabin. As relieved as he was to have the confrontation over, part of him had wanted Gideon to say more, to do more. His pack lived in the forest at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. Thomas and his pack lived just over four miles away, on the other side of one of the smaller mountains. Uniting their territories made sense. Thomas and Gideon had been coordinating their efforts for years to keep both packs safe and well provided for. And, it seemed, working together so closely had allowed them to fall in love.
Mace opened a beer and sat down on the couch in his living room. He’d expected the blow to hurt more, but instead a dull ache had settled in his chest. All of his longing would now go unfulfilled. None of his fantasies would ever be reality. He sat there and considered his future. Taking Noah as a mate and providing Gideon with heirs did appeal to him. He would be serving the alpha in a unique way. His family would always be in favor, and he did want that for his children.
He wondered what Noah would look like, what he would be like. Thomas was a large man, even for an alpha. But being an omega, Noah would be smaller and shorter. He likely wouldn’t be as hairy and masculine as his brother.
Mace sighed and rose to throw his empty bottle away. There was no point in speculating. His mate would arrive tomorrow, and even though Noah wasn’t the man Mace wanted, he’d be damned if he’d welcome his mate into a dirty house. He cleaned the kitchen first, glad of the distraction. Next he moved on to the bedrooms and living room, tackling the bathroom. He finally fell into bed two hours later, his house clean and his heart heavy.
