The Alpha 6: Protect. Procreate. Prevail., page 5
That makes sense. I nodded.
But that leads back to what I said earlier, when I asked you if you’re sure you wanted to follow these rogues into the dead of night. Aunt Eva gave me a pointed look. I don’t feel comfortable following these betas, especially without the rest of your pack behind you. We don’t know who these rogues are running from, or even if they’re running from anyone. But if they are escaping the pack who killed your parents, then we don’t want to get involved.
I wanted to correct Aunt Eva, and I wanted to say that I would get involved if it meant I could slaughter the alpha who’d killed my parents. But I also knew where she was coming from, and the reason she stopped running as soon as she realized these betas were relocating without an alpha.
However, if you do want to know more about these rogues, then you’ll need to know more about the rival pack first, my aunt continued.
Yeah, I’ll need to know if the pack you ran from has expanded south, I agreed. Do you remember the alpha’s name?
Theo Finch, Eva growled. I’ll remember that name for as long as I live.
Theo Finch sounds like an asshole, Benji barked out a laugh.
Okay, perfect, I sighed. So if I can find out information on Theo Finch, I can try to piece more of this puzzle together.
But Jesse, how are you going to find out more about him without getting close to the pack? Nikita asked. You know the internet won’t tell you anything.
Because I won’t need to go online to get this information. I smirked. I know someone who could tell me everything.
Arthur Mordaine? Arielle suggested.
Nope, I chuckled. Hazel Wise.
As soon as Hazel had told me what the SDD did, and what their mission was, I told myself I wouldn’t run to her for answers. I much preferred finding out the details myself, so I didn’t want to order a government agent to tell me everything.
However, like Nikita said, I couldn’t run into Washington and track down Theo Finch without risking my life, and the lives of my entire pack. I had to do this subtly, without anyone finding out, and Hazel was my only subtle option.
I never thought I’d see the day where you went to the government for help, Benji laughed.
Yeah, but needs must be met. I shrugged. The SDD keeps track of every shifter in the country, so there’s no way Theo Finch’s pack won’t be on their radar.
If that’s what you think is best, then I’ll support you, Eva said.
And me. Arielle smiled.
As long as it means you’re safe, then I agree, too, Blair added.
Hazel Wise is probably our only safe option at the moment, Nikita said. I know it’s very hit-and-miss with her, but I think you’re making the right choice.
I also wouldn’t say no to having more wolves in the pack, I laughed. So the quicker I can look into these rogues, the quicker I can decide whether to leave them alone or have them come and join us.
Fuck yeah, dude! Benji whooped and leaped between the trees like a hyperactive puppy. More wolves to boss around!
I think that’s Jesse’s job, but okay, Nikita giggled.
I’m a captain, am I not? Benji winked. Which means I’m my brother’s right-hand man.
Yeah, and don’t make me regret that decision, I joked.
All of a sudden, a large raindrop smacked me straight between the ears, and I glanced up and noticed the thunderous gray clouds that covered the entire sky. Then a second and third drop landed shortly after the first, and I blinked the water away from my eyes as it rolled down my cheek.
Aah, fuck, Arielle groaned. I heard there was a storm on the way, and it looks like it’s about to hit.
My sweet omega rarely cussed, so it always made me laugh whenever she said anything remotely vulgar. She once said, “fucking hell,” and then she acted like a kid with their hands caught in a cookie jar for the rest of the day. It was hilarious.
Then I think we should head home, because it’s going to take us a few hours to get there, I decided.
I kept the sweet scent of caramel and peanuts locked in my memory as we turned on our paws and headed back the way we came.
As we ran back toward the open field and the northern border of my territory, I wondered whether or not we were going to return to hunt down the rogues. If Hazel agreed to look into Theo Finch’s pack, and she told me the tiny details I was desperate to know, then that would help me decide whether or not to leave the wolves alone.
Hazel Wise could maybe even give me an insight into this wandering group, and maybe then I’d work out whether the rogues had a motive or a reason to be near my land without an alpha present. But until that time came, I decided to stand back and leave the wolves to do whatever they were doing.
Fortunately, we managed to find the open field without much issue, especially given that we hadn’t headed out this far before. Kristina’s group had taken over from Caleb’s, and they all turned their heads to greet us as we ran into the clearing.
The rain had picked up in the time it took to reach the field, so Kristina, Thomas, Christopher, Serena, and Gemma were all cuddled together in a pile to stay sheltered from the weather.
Nice night for it, Kristina joked as we made our way over.
Yeah, I love going for a run in the rain, I laughed.
I actually do like running in the rain, Gemma said. There’s something nice about feeling the chill of the rain break through my fur.
That’s because you’re weird, Blair laughed at her older sister. I like watching the weather through the windows. That’s it.
Now, now, girls, Benji snickered. This isn’t the time for petty arguments.
Kristina then changed the subject, and she told me everything Caleb had told her. She asked if we had found the wolves during our expedition, to which I nodded and informed her of the conversation we’d just had in the forest.
Serena and Gemma were shocked that these wolves could be linked to the pack who’d killed my parents, whereas Thomas, Christopher, and Kristina were just as eager as I was to find out the truth.
Caleb said his group were willing to join you once we had taken over from them, but we hadn’t heard from you, so they just headed home, Kristina said. However, he told me to tell you to ring him if you needed a few extra pairs of hands.
It was probably a good idea they headed home, because we ended the night earlier than planned, anyway. I shrugged. But once I’ve spoken to Hazel, and I’ve come up with a plan, I’ll see if I need to include more of you as we continue on with our search.
Of course, Alpha. Kristina’s feline lips curled up in a smile.
Also, if this storm gets really bad, try and take shelter in the forest, okay? I told them all. Don’t feel like you need to stand in this field all night.
My patrol group nodded their heads, and then I thanked them for their hard work before we ran back into the forest that took us into Monroe. I probably didn’t have to tell them to take cover, but I’d found that some of my betas literally did exactly as I said, and they would have stayed in the field and gotten drenched if I didn’t tell them otherwise. At least that showed how loyal they were to me, I guessed.
The storm intensified as we neared Monroe, and the entire sky lit up with a flash of lightning, followed instantly by a terrifying clap of thunder. Even with the canopy of leaves above us, the rain poured down without any signs of ending, and it almost made it hard for me to see the trees in front of me.
Then a high-powered wind whipped through the air, and the trees and branches were forced into an awkward angle as my group and I did our best to keep our balance.
Shit, Arielle, I thought you said a storm was coming, Benji said as we continued to run. This isn’t a storm, it’s a fucking monsoon!
Weren’t you taught never to trust the weather report? Arielle joked. The reporter said a storm, so it’s him you should be blaming for this!
Damn you, weather reporter! Benji howled.
Let’s just hope we don’t become the main characters of a Twister sequel, Nikita laughed.
‘I gotta go, Julia. We got cows!’ Benji quoted. Or maybe it should be: ‘I gotta go, Julia. We got werewolves!’
Fuck, I love that movie, I chuckled.
I remember the conversation Benji and I had the first time we watched Twister. It instantly became our dream as young and innocent kids to become storm chasers. We even sat in the front seats of Aunt Eva’s car and pretended like there was a tornado directly behind us. Benji and I would scream, laugh, and twist the steering wheel from side to side as we raced across an imaginary road.
But we had to decide whether to become professional wrestlers or storm chasers, and back then we had no idea what life was really going to throw at us.
By the time we reached the cabin, our fur was slick and matted from the rain, and I desperately wanted to shake out my body like a dog, but I knew Eva and Arielle wouldn’t have been pleased if I covered the house with water, dirt, and leaves from the forest.
Thankfully, because my aunt was always well prepared, there was a linen cupboard near the front door that held fresh towels for moments like this.
We all shifted back into our human forms, and then we covered ourselves in warm, fluffy towels. My dark hair fell down my forehead in tangled clumps, and I wiped away the droplets as they fell onto my face.
“I can’t help but think about those werewolves we smelled while there’s a storm like this,” Arielle sighed as she attempted to dry her hair with a corner of the towel.
“Ha! I don’t care about them,” Benji chuckled.
“Yes, but what if it was you out there,” she said. “You don’t have a warm cabin nearby or a place to seek shelter. They could be stuck out there for days.”
“I love how compassionate you are.” I smiled and placed a sweet kiss on Arielle’s cheek. “But until we know who they are, then there’s no reason to feel sorry for them.”
“For all we know, those wolves could be as bad as Aiden, and I certainly wouldn’t hand him a warm fucking towel,” Blair scoffed.
“I’d give him a swift kick to the balls.” Nikita shrugged.
“Ooh, with a studded boot on!” The lynx’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
The two omegas giggled and clapped their hands together, but Arielle simply slumped her shoulders and bowed her head with a frown.
“I guess you’re right…” Arielle mumbled. “I dunno, I just feel bad that people are out there who don’t have it as good as us.”
“Which is what we love about you,” I said with a grin. “Now, why don’t you head on upstairs and have a shower, and I’ll phone Hazel Wise and see if I can get this ball rolling.”
“Yes, and then we can work out whether to feel sorry for the wolves or not,” Nikita offered.
“Okay, that sounds good.” Arielle smiled.
Once everything had been sorted, my omegas, Benji, and Aunt Eva went upstairs to get cleaned up, and I searched through the pockets of my jeans as I tried to locate my phone.
When I had my phone in hand, I made myself comfortable on a couch, dried off my face, and then located Hazel’s number in my contacts list.
I listened to the monotonous ringing, but that was when I realized just how late it was. It was nearing midnight, and I had been so distracted that I hadn’t even bothered to check the time before I started up the call.
“Hello?” Hazel Wise answered a few seconds later. “Mr. Rafe?”
“Hey, I didn’t wake you up, did I?” I asked.
“Uhh, no, I was about to go to bed, but not just yet,” she said. “How can I help you?”
Hazel sounded slightly surprised, yet also confused to receive my call. After all, it had been a few weeks since she and I had last shared a conversation.
“I know this is slightly random, but I was wondering if we could possibly meet up to discuss something,” I said vaguely. “Not tonight, of course, but maybe in the morning?”
“Can I… ask what this is about?” the agent asked.
“You can, but in person,” I allowed. “I’d much prefer talking about this in private, instead of over a phone. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
“Jesse…” Hazel sighed. “I’m assuming this is something important?”
“Yes, very.” I nodded. “I wouldn’t have called you so late at night if it wasn’t crucial. You even said to call you if I needed help with anything, so that’s exactly what I’m doing.”
I refused to say more than that for a reason. I didn’t want the rest of the SDD to know about my small issue, just in case the call was being recorded. I had started to trust Hazel Wise, but that didn’t mean I trusted the rest of the government.
“I… sure,” she said after a small delay. “I’m free in the morning if you want to meet at a diner in the city?”
Alice’s Restaurant, the diner in Monroe, had recently reopened after the werefoxes’ drive-by shooting. But Hazel hadn’t offered to meet there, she had said a diner in the city, and I didn’t feel comfortable discussing the werewolves with a bunch of non-shifters around.
“Actually, would you be okay coming here?” I asked.
“To the cabin?” she clarified.
“Yes.” I nodded. “Like I said, this is important, so I need to know that no one else can listen in on our conversation.”
“Okay,” Hazel said. “I’ll be there first thing in the morning.”
“Excellent.” I smiled.
“I just hope you’re not wanting me to go completely against my duties to my department,” she said in a pointed tone.
I considered this before choosing my words carefully.
“Don’t worry, I don’t plan on making you do anything super illegal.” I grinned to myself as I stressed the ‘super.’
“Then please, Mr. Rafe, do not make me regret this decision,” Hazel replied.
“Of course not,” I said honestly. “But thank you very much, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
The SDD agent let out a deep sigh as she hung up the call, and I sat back against the couch as I laughed quietly to myself. Had this call happened when we first met, or a few weeks ago, Hazel probably would have started shouting, and she definitely would have refused to help me. But she had agreed to come speak with me, and I just hoped she didn’t change her mind when she found out what I really needed her for.
I remained on the couch for an additional few minutes, and then, as I stood up, I noticed the damp, ass-shaped mark I had left on the material. I had been so caught up with my conversation with Hazel Wise that I’d completely forgotten about my desperate need for a shower, but that quickly came back to me.
The wind continued to smack against the windows, and the rain, thunder, and lightning caused the entire cabin to shake and fill up with light, but I just hoped the storm gave in before I woke up. I didn’t mind running around in the rain, but a storm as powerful as this was a different matter.
I closed up downstairs and headed for the master bedroom, and in the time I’d been on the phone, Arielle and Blair had already taken their showers. Blair was blow-drying her sleek black hair, and Arielle had made herself comfortable in the center of the circular bed.
“Has the agent agreed to help?” Nikita asked.
My omega was completely naked as she ran a brush through her tangled hair.
I had to shake my head to focus on the question she’d asked me.
“Uh, yep, it’s good to go.” I smiled. “She’ll be here in the morning.”
“Oooh, yay!” Arielle said excitedly. “I hope she’ll actually help us when she gets here.”
“So do I,” I chuckled. “Is the shower free? Or were you about to go in there, Nikita?”
“Please, Alpha, help yourself.” She grinned. “You deserve a hot shower, and I can go in after you.”
“I mean, I don’t think that’s strictly correct, but okay,” I said with a grin of my own. “I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.” Nikita blew me a kiss, and I thought I saw a hint of mischievousness in her teal eyes, but it could have been a trick of the light.
I walked into the warm, steam-filled bathroom, and the scent of Blair’s fruity body wash was still thick in the air. It smelled amazing, and I wasted no time in dropping my towel and stepping into the shower.
The glass walls were covered in condensation, the tiled floor was still warm, and I hadn’t realized how chilly I felt until the hot water smacked against my head and shoulders. It almost felt like a completely different temperature, but it didn’t take long to warm me back up.
I stood under the spray of water for a minute or two as I gathered my bearings, and then I grabbed my body wash and poured a healthy dollop of gel into the palm of my hand.
But then, as I rubbed the gel into a lather, the shower door suddenly opened behind me, and I jumped around in shock as I noticed Nikita standing patiently in front of me.
“Fuck, you almost gave me a heart attack,” I chuckled.
“I’m so sorry, Alpha,” Nikita said innocently. “I just thought I could join you?”
A devilish smirk crossed my face as I realized what my omega was up to.
I knew she’d had that sultry look in her eyes, and I was exceedingly excited to see just what Nikita had planned for our shower together.
Chapter 4
Nikita never took her eyes off me as she closed the door behind her. She caught her plump bottom lip between her teeth, and then she delicately stroked my gel-covered chest with both hands as she took a step closer toward me.
My cock instantly became hard and erect as I took in the sight of the hot water bouncing against her beautiful breasts. This was only meant to be a short shower, mainly just to wash away the events of the evening, but I no longer cared about that. I could have quite happily spent hours in this confined space with my stunning werecat omega. Whatever Nikita wanted, I would be sure to give her.
“Did you plan this with the others?” I grinned.
Nikita, Blair, and Arielle constantly orchestrated these special evenings, and they always blocked everyone else from their thoughts in order to make it as private as possible. Sometimes they planned for all three of them to attack and claim me, but other times they decided who got to have the one-on-one session with just me.
