Our Omega

By JJ Black

Sometimes two just isn't enough.

Noah Steele is a broken man. Though born a strong, confident Alpha, the torture and betrayal he experienced by order of his own father have left him a shell of the man he once was. Still gripped by the fear left in the wake of his trauma, he no longer trusts his instincts or his ability to lead. Shamed, he hides himself away, even from the mate he longs to claim as his own.

Dax Marshall needs some downtime. Between protecting the Pack in his role as Beta and leading teams to search for more of Alpha Steele's facilities, his responsibilities are starting to overwhelm him. If only he could find the one person destined to soothe both himself and his wolf.

Between dominant wolves, power struggles are always an issue. Time and patience will be needed to make their mating work. Unfortunately, time is in short supply. New information has Dax, Noah and a team following a lead to a breeding facility—and much more. Among the prisoners, they find an abused young man who calls to them both in a way that neither of them understands.

While they scramble to adjust to fate's curveball, more information comes to light showing just how far Alpha Steele is willing to go in his quest to rule the Packs. Will their new happiness withstand the madman's plans or be destroyed by the malevolence of his ambition?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jun 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781784300517

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A Totally Bound Publication

Our Omega

ISBN # 978-1-78430-051-7

©Copyright JJ Black 2014

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright May 2014

Edited by Jennifer 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. Unauthorised 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 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

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.

Great Lakes Wolves

OUR OMEGA

JJ Black

Book two in the Great Lakes Wolves series

Sometimes two just isn’t enough.

Noah Steele is a broken man. Though born a strong, confident Alpha, the torture and betrayal he experienced by order of his own father have left him a shell of the man he once was. Still gripped by the fear left in the wake of his trauma, he no longer trusts his instincts or his ability to lead. Shamed, he hides himself away, even from the mate he longs to claim as his own.

Dax Marshall needs some downtime. Between protecting the Pack in his role as Beta and leading teams to search for more of Alpha Steele’s facilities, his responsibilities are starting to overwhelm him. If only he could find the one person destined to soothe both himself and his wolf.

Between dominant wolves, power struggles are always an issue. Time and patience will be needed to make their mating work. Unfortunately, time is in short supply. New information has Dax, Noah and a team following a lead to a breeding facility—and much more. Among the prisoners, they find an abused young man who calls to them both in a way that neither of them understands.

While they scramble to adjust to fate’s curveball, more information comes to light showing just how far Alpha Steele is willing to go in his quest to rule the Packs. Will their new happiness withstand the madman’s plans or be destroyed by the malevolence of his ambition?

Dedication

For Ry, Hay and Ash. You are my anchor, my wings and my heart. My world begins and ends with you.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

A-Team: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Harley: Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Inc

Chapter One

Darkness. Footsteps. The scent of blood in the air. Crack. Pain. Snap. Agony. Slice. Scream.

Noah jerked awake in a panic. Skin slick with sweat and panting for breath, he struggled to calm his racing heart as he scrambled to remember where he was. Blinking against the brightness of the room, it took him a moment to make out the rich earth tones of the room around him. Relief rushed through him. It was his bedroom at the Grand Rapids Pack House. Thank God.

For months, it had been the same thing. Night after night, he was dragged away from much needed sleep and forced to relive the most traumatic experience of his life. It had gotten so bad, he was no longer able to sleep in a bed. It left him feeling too vulnerable, too exposed. Now he spent every night sleeping in a chair by the window. It was the one place he felt secure enough to risk a loss of consciousness. At least this time he’d made it through the night. A soft, golden light glowed through the trees and in through his window. He drew in a deep breath and turned his attention outward in a desperate attempt to calm his frazzled nerves.

A pair of mourning doves cooed to each other softly from the eaves of the house. Looking outside, he took in the clear blue sky of a beautiful, cloudless day. There was a gentle breeze moving through the trees caused their branches to bob lazily. With his eyes closed and his face tilted up to the sun, Noah could almost pretend he felt the light kiss of air teasing against his skin in a gentle caress. The phantom draft would tickle up the length of his arm and…

The sound of a door slamming down the hall snapped him out of his musings. He didn’t bother to choke back his sigh of frustration as he glared at the door. He wanted to ignore it, hoping that whoever was outside would eventually assume he was out and go away. Company made it hard to wallow in misery. Unfortunately, solitude was not something easy to come by in his new, temporary digs.

With Eli being mated to the Alpha of the Grand Rapids Pack, and Noah now being homeless, he was squatting with the local wolves until they were able to figure out his father’s master plan and stop him. While he was grateful for their hospitality, it was difficult for him to be surrounded by so many people. Shifters were a very tight knit, affectionate group of people. As a man who could no longer stand to be touched, Noah lived in a constant state of caution. It was exhausting. When the knock sounded again, he knew the gig was up.

For God’s sake, quit knocking and come in already!

It’s about fucking time. I thought I was going to have to break down the door. His brother Eli loped into the room and dropped down on the bed like he owned the place. Since he was mated to the Pack Alpha, he kind of did.

Noah scowled at the thought. I’m busy, E. What do you want?

Eli scoffed. I can see that. Ending global warming and creating world peace, are we? I came to see if you wanted to go for a run. You haven’t shifted in months, and I’m itching to get out and stretch my legs. What do you say?

Noah shook his head. I’m good. Maybe another time.

Come on, Noah. It’s a beautiful day and it would be good for you to go outside and get some fresh air.

Leave it alone, E, he answered firmly. My answer is no.

Jumping to his feet, Eli stormed over to where Noah sat, glowering darkly. This is bullshit, Noah! We’ve let you stay locked up in this godforsaken room for the last few months, only coming out for meals or after everyone else has gone to bed, hoping that you would eventually snap out of this funk on your own. It’s clear to me now that’s not going to happen. You’re my brother, and I miss the hell out of you. The time for coddling you is done. If you won’t do it on your own, I will drag you out of this room kicking and screaming.

Is that so? Noah snarled, his body taut and ready for a fight. You think you’re strong enough to force me to do anything I don’t want to do?

Eli’s complete disregard for Noah’s Alpha status had his wolf bristling inside him. Brother or no, his wolf didn’t like the challenge he saw in the younger man’s eyes.

Try me. With his arms hanging loose and ready at his sides and a defiant gleam in his eyes, it was clear that Eli meant business.

I think being mated to the Pack leader may have gone to your head, Noah sneered. You don’t rule over me, Alpha mate.

I’m not trying to rule over you, asshole. I’m trying to look out for you. Can’t you understand that? You are my brother and I’m worried about you. Please, let me help you.

Noah sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. E, I get what you’re trying to do here. Really, I do. I appreciate the thought, but I just can’t.

Why, Noah? I want to understand.

Noah looked away and found himself faced with the same four walls that had been both his salvation and his prison for the last three months. Ever since the day the Grand Rapids Pack had rescued him from his father’s deranged Beta, Carl Yager.

Just the thought of his time spent with Carl had Noah breaking out in a cold sweat and shaking like a junkie looking for his next fix. You wouldn’t understand.

Give me a chance, Noah. I might understand more than you think.

He made me weak, E! Noah snapped, his chest heaving. That bastard nearly killed me, and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

Eli’s expression softened. Noah, you had no idea that Alpha Steele was insane enough to send Carl after his own son. He should never have been a threat to you. Carl had no honor. He never would have bested you in a fair fight so he used your trust against you. He was a coward.

None of that matters, Eli. I’m an Alpha. I’m meant to protect and lead the Pack. Shifters respect strength and control. Carl was able to strip me of both. How can I face the Pack, shamed as I am? I know I deserve it, but after everything else, I can’t stand to see their looks of pity and disgust. I would rather spend the rest of my life in this room than face their scorn.

That’s crap, Noah, Eli spat. What you say might be true of the Mason Pack, but the Grand Rapids Pack is nothing like that. If you ever left this room and got to know people, you’d see that you’ve already been accepted as a member of the Pack. Everyone has been worried about you. Every day I have to fend off questions from Pack members about how you’re doing and when you might feel up to having visitors. I think you may have a secret admirer or two, based on the amount of food and gifts that have been left outside your front door over the past few weeks. What you did for me and for this Pack is something we’ll never be able to repay.

Noah scoffed. I didn’t do anything except allow myself to be captured and tortured by a psychopath. Big help.

Are you kidding? If it hadn’t been for you, we wouldn’t have had any clue what Alpha Steele was up to. Who knows how long it would have taken us to figure out what was going on? Eli reached out and placed a hand on his arm. Carl was coming for me, Noah. Without your warning, Kellan might not have ever found me. He wouldn’t have even known where to look. Whether you believe it or not, you saved me. You need to move past this and start living again. You have people here that care about you…more than you probably realize. We want you back.

You’re wasting your time, E. There’s not much left here to save.

Eli flashed him a lopsided grin. But there is something. You know me. I’ll take what I can get.

Noah shook his head, unable to smother the small smile that curled his lips. You’re practically scraping the bottom of the barrel this time around, little brother.

Noah enjoyed the moment of camaraderie. If he closed his eyes, he could almost pretend that they were still carefree boys, facing the world fearlessly. Making plans and waiting for the day when they would help guide and protect their Pack. Instead of the joy that the idea usually brought, Noah found himself fighting off a cold wash of panic. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his throat felt tight and swollen as he struggled to breathe through the suffocating wave of terror. Just the thought of leading a Pack had him damn near frozen in fear.

Perceptive as always, Eli seemed to sense Noah’s turmoil. He took a step forward and pulled him into a firm yet affectionate hug. Noah tensed at the unexpected contact. It had been so long since anyone had touched him with any kindness. He’d been unable to accept the comfort offered after he’d been freed from Carl’s clutches. Couldn’t take having anyone’s hands on him. He still didn’t know if he could handle it, but something about knowing it was his brother’s arms wrapped around him, his familiar scent teasing Noah’s senses, allowed him to accept the touch for what it was—a lifeline. Tension slowly started to ease from his body, leaving him shaken and weary, like he’d just gone twelve rounds with a prize fighter.

Whatever he did to you, whatever he threatened, know that we will do everything in our power to help you feel safe again. Me and Kellan, the Pack, we’re all here to help you in any way we can.

And just that quickly, the moment ended. Noah shoved Eli away and glared at his brother with an anger that should have sent him running for the hills.

Hurt flickered in Eli’s eyes. What the hell, Noah?

Snarling, Noah fisted his hands at his sides and tried to drag in a calming breath. A dozen breaths later and he was still feeling far from calm. I’m not a child in need of coddling. I don’t need you, Kellan or the Grand Rapids Pack to take care of me. I’m an Alpha. I can protect myself. Go care for your mate. I’m sure he’ll have use of your talents.

Eli’s eyes widened, his face awash with shock. He lifted his hands in front of him, clearly trying to ease Noah’s anger, to no avail. Hands fisted and jaw clenched, Noah was unappeased by the weaker wolf’s attempt to gentle him. It was clear both man and wolf didn’t know their place in the Pack hierarchy. Familial bonds aside, if he didn’t learn soon, Noah was going to be forced to show him.

Noah, I know you don’t need help, but sometimes it’s just nice to allow someone else to take over and handle things for you. Everyone needs a break where they can relax and let down their guard—even Alpha wolves who are too stubborn for their own good.

The impish smile Eli flashed his way succeeded in diminishing some of Noah’s ire, but he was still left feeling short-tempered and irritable. Letting out a weary sigh, he ran his fingers through his hair before giving it a rough tug.

I had plans, you know? Noah growled and began pacing the room. I was going to take over as Alpha when Dad was ready to step down. I was going to find my mate, have a couple of kids and lead the Pack to the best of my ability. I know it wasn’t a real lofty dream, but it was mine, and I was happy with it.

Noah stopped and looked up at his brother’s confused face. He wished that he could find a way to explain. I don’t know where I go from here, E. After everything that’s happened—after what Carl did to me—I’m not the same man I was. I can’t…feel like I did before.

Eli’s brow furrowed. I don’t understand.

Noah blew out a breath as he struggled to find the right words. I can’t remember everything from the attack, but I do have memories from before it. Only now, they all feel hollow, like they belong to someone else. I can remember things, like the excitement of a new challenge and love for my family. Unfortunately, there’s also fear, helplessness, shame and pain. Those are the memories that have stuck with me over the last few months—the reason I stay locked up in this apartment.

But, Noah, everything is different now. Carl is dead and you have the whole Grand Rapids Pack backing you up. You won.

Did I? Noah laughed, the bitter sound lacking all humor. You know, it’s not the pain that breaks you, although it came damn close. It’s the helplessness. The complete and total loss of self. Carl wanted to destroy me and he succeeded. That man was a soulless monster, and I hope he’s spending eternity roasting on a spit in hell.

He didn’t destroy you.

Eli reached out a comforting hand that Noah quickly evaded, unable to bear the thought of being touched while his nightmares were so close to the surface.

So, yeah, you’ve got some stuff to work through, Eli admitted. Maybe you should talk to somebody—

Oh, hell fucking no! No way in hell am I going to talk to some stranger about my feelings and rehash the worst experience of my life. I will never open that door again, E. Those wounds are barely healed. I refuse to let some crackpot shrink open them up and poke at them to see if they still bleed. Some things are better left in the past. If you can’t understand that, then I don’t think we have anything else to talk about.

His tone was clipped and colder than he’d intended, but he couldn’t find it in him to care. While he knew Eli’s concern came from a place of love and caring, Noah didn’t like the concern in Eli’s voice. It made him feel weak and that was something he’d promised himself he’d never be again.

Hurt flickered in Eli’s eyes but was gone just as quickly as it had appeared. He looked like he wanted to argue but after a moment’s pause, he seemed to change his mind. All right, he murmured in resignation. I’ll let it go for now, but if the nightmares don’t start to go away on their own, we’re going to revisit the topic. The pointed look he directed at Noah made it clear that he meant business.

Noah rolled his eyes and flipped him the bird, effectively dismissing his concern. Whatever you say, Mom.

Chuckling, Eli shook his head. You are such an ass.

That does seem to be the general consensus. It was impossible to miss the wariness in his brother’s eyes. Noah’s smile melted away and a sense of foreboding took its place. Now, why don’t you tell me the real reason you came to see me? I doubt it was because of my winning personality.

Eli hesitated, clearly startled by Noah’s bluntness. Malachi and Ryker just got back from their scouting trip up north. They think they’ve got a lead to follow and a possible location of one of the breeding facilities. Eli met his eyes, giving Noah a beseeching look. Kellan wants you to be at the meeting. You two were always so much alike when we were younger. No one was closer to Alpha Steele than you. With the amount of time you spent with the man throughout the years, Kellan figures you would have the best insight on what Daddy Dearest is up to.

Excuse me? Noah wasn’t sure he’d heard his brother right.

Don’t get all offended, Eli groaned. You know what I mean.

No, Noah answered coldly, I don’t think I do, Eli. I thought the man loved us and he turned around and sent someone to torture and kill me. I think it’s pretty obvious that I don’t know the first thing about him so I’d appreciate it if you and Kellan would stop drawing parallels between us, right fucking now! It makes me sick. After everything he’s done to me and others? Fuck you, Eli!

We didn’t mean it the way you think, Eli stammered. It’s just—

Noah cut him off with a pointed glare. Don’t waste your breath. I imagine I can clear some time in my schedule to make Kellan’s little pow-wow, he retorted, his tone deep under the weight of his anger. When and where?

Eli sighed. "Kellan has everyone meeting in the main dining room in an hour. For now, it’s just going to be the