Exodus

By Bailey Bradford

Survival of the fittest? Not when chaos rules.

Rivvie does his best as beta, but he's lonely and secretly nursing a broken heart. He fell for Matthew instantly, to no avail. Matt was too busy screwing every female in sight. He didn't give one whit about Rivvie. Well, he told Rivvie he wasn't interested. Rivvie just didn't think he meant it.

Matt's whole life has changed. He was the good son, the village hero, and the village stud. Now he's just a man in a pack full of exceptional men. He's a human—smaller, weaker and slower than the shifter males he lives with. External chaos has nothing on the internal crap he deals with every day.

When Rivvie and Matt are paired together for a task, sparks fly. It's just possible that there's more to sex—and more to Rivvie—than Matt ever suspected.

While Rivvie is dancing around an attraction to a certain human male, his brother, Valen is trying to lead his pack and take care of his own mate, Aaron. Just when he thinks he's got everything under control, that very control is yanked from him by a powerful series of natural disasters, and soon Valen's leading his pack on an exodus he'd never expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Apr 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781784304874

Bailey Bradford

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn't happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey's brain demanding to be let out. Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey's office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey's presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

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A Totally Bound Publication

Exodus

ISBN # 978-1-78430-487-4

©Copyright Bailey Bradford 2015

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright March 2015

Edited by Rebecca Douglas

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2015 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 2.

Valen’s Pack

EXODUS

Bailey Bradford

Book two in the Valen’s Pack series

Survival of the fittest? Not when chaos rules.

Rivvie does his best as beta, but he’s lonely and secretly nursing a broken heart. He fell for Matthew instantly, to no avail. Matt was too busy screwing every female in sight. He didn’t give one whit about Rivvie. Well, he told Rivvie he wasn’t interested. Rivvie just didn’t think he meant it.

Matt’s whole life has changed. He was the good son, the village hero, and the village stud. Now he’s just a man in a pack full of exceptional men. He’s a human—smaller, weaker and slower than the shifter males he lives with. External chaos has nothing on the internal crap he deals with every day.

When Rivvie and Matt are paired together for a task, sparks fly. It’s just possible that there’s more to sex—and more to Rivvie—than Matt ever suspected.

While Rivvie is dancing around an attraction to a certain human male, his brother, Valen is trying to lead his pack and take care of his own mate, Aaron. Just when he thinks he’s got everything under control, that very control is yanked from him by a powerful series of natural disasters, and soon Valen’s leading his pack on an exodus he’d never expected.

Dedication

Sometimes you’re running to a new and better life. It can hurt, and it can be a perilous journey, but you’ll get where you’re meant to be.

Chapter One

Integrating shifters and humans into one pack was trickier than Valen had imagined it would be—and he hadn’t thought it’d be easy in the first place. Despite the fact that the two species were indistinguishable in appearance—at least when the shifters weren’t wearing their fur—they were still very different from one another.

Especially when it came to nudity and sex. Gods, are they ever different. Valen wished the pack shaman, Lanaka, was there to help with the issues cropping up, but she’d insisted on taking a spiritual walk. Unfortunately, her spiritual walk also took place in her physical form. She’d left them a month ago, on the night of the full moon, saying she had to find the next shaman for her people.

That was another stressor. Lanaka looking for a replacement meant she knew her death was near at hand. Granted, she was old—really old—but Valen wanted her to stay with them forever.

And all his wandering thoughts were doing nothing to solve the immediate squabble between Jane Wyvern and Makisa. The two women snapped and insulted each other as if they weren’t standing in front of their alpha. Valen was the alpha of them all, human and shifter alike.

Enough, he roared when Jane raised her hand as if to strike Makisa.

She keeps showing off her body to tempt my husband away! Jane shouted, still holding her hand up.

Makisa, clad in the normal shifter garb—nothing—rolled her eyes. As if I’d want that fat troll you call yours. I can’t help it if he looks. Considering you human females cover up every inch of your body, it’s no wonder your menfolk stare at us. It’s probably the only time they ever see a naked woman. Makisa growled. And you think you’re going to lay a hand on me? Bitch, I will take you to pieces!

Obviously, he hadn’t yelled loudly enough. Valen wanted to bellow in frustration, but he didn’t. It hadn’t proved helpful the first time he’d done it. He stood abruptly, and instead spoke in a low, anger-filled voice, "I said, enough. He let his frustration roll off him like invisible electric shocks. You have come to me in my den, my home. Mind your manners. On top of that, I am your alpha and you will act with respect while in my presence."

Oh gods, he sounded like the worst sort of man. Valen stood a little taller, pushing his shoulders back to make himself look bigger. In the animal world, respect had more to do with size and brute strength than anything else. It worked in the human world most of the time, too.

Both women had gone silent, Jane lowering her hand as well as her gaze. Makisa went down on her knees in a show of submission to the more powerful wolf. She trembled as she waited.

Jane bit her lip then knelt as well.

Valen felt like a complete asshole and dictator all in one.

Kneeling isn’t necessary, Aaron said, coming to stand beside him. Respect and decency, on the other hand, are. How can either of you think for one second that how you are acting is acceptable? Did neither of you learn any manners when you were growing up? Aaron nodded at Jane. I know for a fact that your mother would be appalled. She was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Yet here you are, behaving this way.

Aaron never once raised his voice.

Jane’s entire face darkened with embarrassment. Valen didn’t have to be in her head to know she was feeling it. Her expression and even the scent she was giving off proved it.

Valen focused on Makisa, however. And you, Makisa. Are you gloating?

Makisa had been. Even with her neck arched so that she was facing the ground, Valen had seen the plumping of her cheeks from a smile he suspected was quite a smug one. And, as with Jane, Valen could smell Makisa’s attitude.

I suggest you reconsider, Valen advised. It’s not going to be easy for you to be so proud of yourself while you’re digging the new waste holes and covering the old ones.

Makisa glanced up to about his knees. But—

Do you really want to push me on this, Makisa? Valen asked. I made it very clear that everyone had to cover up their genitals around others unless we are preparing to take a run or they’re in a private area. Our two societies have to learn to get along. Which was why he hadn’t made his fellow shifters cover their chests, male or female. He’d compromise, but the humans had to do the same.

Makisa was very lovely and well-formed, and she knew it. There was nothing wrong with being confident and proud of one’s body or face, but flaunting it just to cause trouble was unacceptable. Valen knew that was what Makisa had done. This wasn’t the first time, either. In the past three weeks, he’d had a half-dozen complaints about her refusing to cover up around others.

If you can’t abide by the laws of the pack, you will leave, Valen continued. You know this is our way. There are other packs you might be happier joining.

Makisa shook her head. No, I don’t want to leave.

Then what’s the problem, Makisa? he asked. She’d been a friend to him up until she’d discovered how to use sex as a weapon. It didn’t work with him, and Makisa had crossed him off her list of potential conquests and friends.

"The problem is them, she said with vitriol. Why should we have to change because they’re a bunch of prudish—"

You don’t have to change, Valen interrupted. You can leave. That is all. He wasn’t discussing that part any further with her. Tomorrow you will be covering the old waste holes ten minutes after sunrise. Walter will be along to supervise with two other people who’ll be helping. Make certain you’re properly attired.

After a second’s hesitation, Makisa said, Yes, alpha.

You’re dismissed. He hated being so formal, but being a friend to someone who wasn’t showing respect for him could cause trouble in the pack, and besides, Makisa wasn’t his friend. Like some of the shifters, she needed a firm hand to guide her or she’d act out.

Makisa stood then quickly left the room.

Valen looked at Jane. We’ve made compromises, but we will not change our entire way of living. To expect that is ridiculous. If you’re comfortable wearing so much clothing, then continue to do so. If you’re envious of our females’ freedom, remember that it extends to you as well.

Jane’s eyes rounded. But we don’t do that!

Why not? Valen asked. "What’s stopping you? Certainly not any laws here. Walter and Anita have agreed on everything in regards to the clothing. It doesn’t just apply to shifters. It’s for the entire pack. We are one pack, not two species coexisting for the hell of it. We joined together, he re-emphasized. An idea began to form in his head. Together—and maybe it’s time I make that crystal clear."

Chapter Two

Rivvie gawked at Valen. "You want me to what?" Had his brother lost his mind?

Valen glared back at him. You heard me. I want you to work with Matthew on building a new pack ceremonial building. The old one is nothing but debris. We haven’t had time to rebuild it since the attack.

Rivvie thought about Matthew. The man was snooty and too full of himself, and he was always had at least one woman chasing after him. He was also one of those people who always thought he was right. Okay, Val, tell me what I did to piss you off, because I’ll fix it. I swear I won’t do it again. Put someone else with Matthew.

Valen quirked an eyebrow at him. Really, Riv? You’re scared of a puny guy like Matthew?

Scowling, Rivvie crossed his arms over his chest. "I am not scared of that twig. He’s just obnoxious and not in the fun way like I am. He’s the conceited kind of obnoxious, and he has to have the last word on everything. He’s a know-it-all and I’m going to end up mudding him in between the walls if I have to work with him."

Ha! Valen looked up at the ceiling and Rivvie could see him trying to get his amusement under control.

Valen hadn’t done enough laughing in the past few months, not since their father and several other pack members had been killed by a band of ruthless humans seeking food. Instead of continuing on his trek to establish his own pack, Valen had returned to this one and taken up the position as alpha. For someone who’d never wanted such authority, Valen was doing a damn fine job. Rivvie tried to keep his jealousy tamped down.

It was pointless and stupid to envy Valen when he knew he had neither the intelligence nor the strength to lead like Valen did. There was a reason Rivvie hadn’t been born with the crescent mark on his chest.

He consoled himself with the fact that he made the best beta there was for Valen. Rivvie would die for him, if it were necessary—although he hoped that was never the case.

Valen snorted with amusement before shaking his head and returning his gaze to Rivvie. Funny thing, I can’t really blame you about that. Matthew is… Well, he’s just him. Aaron loves his brother, though, so we’ll put up with his attitude. Besides, I think a lot of it comes from insecurity. He was the village stud before we combined forces. Now he’s just a guy, out-studded by a lot of shifter males. Probably most of the females, too.

Well, we can’t help it that our kind is bigger and stronger, Rivvie huffed. It’s just the way it is, and in the animal world, the stronger beasts get laid more, so that applies to humans, too. A lot of the women are eyeing the shifter men with looks that proclaim they’d like to breed with them. This makes the human males stupid with jealousy, then there’s the human women hating on shifter females because of their sexual freedom and bangin’ bods. That’s just my observation, anyway.

An accurate one, at that. Valen sighed then sat down on one of the wooden chairs Rivvie had made for him.

Rivvie had made a table too, and he was proud of himself for it. Every time he looked at them, he couldn’t help but preen a little, and today was no exception to that.

Valen watched him, a small smile curling Valen’s lips. Yes, you did good with this. He rapped his knuckles on the smooth wooden surface. Who knew you had such skills? We’ll happily put them to use again, once you and Matthew have rebuilt the ceremony building. Stop groaning.

Rivvie bit his tongue until he tasted blood. Ouch!

So, my idea of pairing a human with a shifter for a week or two isn’t one you like, hm? Valen asked. I think it’ll harbor relationships between the two species, and perhaps lead to us—myself included—not thinking that way. I see a future, way down the line, where our species have bred enough that we’re one kind. He shrugged. Who knows what that’ll be like?

Taking a moment to think about what Valen had just said, Rivvie sucked on his tongue, pushing it against the roof of his mouth. Once he had things organized in his head, he was able to articulate them to Valen. "It isn’t the pairing idea I have an issue with, but the practice of it, at least in my case. Why Matthew? Why me?" He might have whined a little there at the end. Whoops.

Valen gestured to the chair beside him. Because you have patience, whether you like to use it or not. These took time, and you didn’t shirk your other duties so you could work on them. That means you are committed once you take a task on, and, Riv, you’ve got a good sense of humor. You’ll need all those things to deal with Matthew. Aaron says he’s not really such a dick underneath it all, that it’s being in a new situation after a lifetime of familiarity that’s making Matthew so, er…unpleasant.

I heard that, Aaron called out from the hall just before entering the room. He frowned at them both. Matthew’s not a complete jerk. He’s trying to find his place here, just like we all are. It’s harder for some than others.

Harder for the humans, that’s what Aaron meant, and in a way, Rivvie got that.

Aaron walked over then sat on Valen’s lap. "Sometimes I hear the way you talk about Matthew and it makes me angry, then I hear him going on about how smart he is and I want to smack him. I won’t. He’s my brother, and he’s got a good heart. Right now it’s just buried under a load of insecurity and fear, so cut him a break. It’s not as if your brother doesn’t get annoying at times."

Hey! Rivvie yelped, scowling at Aaron. "I don’t— Okay, I do, but not constantly. I am aware that I don’t know everything. I don’t have to have the last word, either. But he did have the tendency to be a smart ass, especially when he was nervous or feeling like he didn’t measure up to someone else. Aw, shit."

Care to share what that’s about? Valen asked, peering around Aaron’s shoulder.

Rivvie sighed heavily. "Yeah, yeah, you and Aaron are going to get all smug on me, but I realized I understand Matthew’s frame of mind, his behavior—whatever