Chapter 5

Toklo

I reached a good stopping point a bit before the noon meal, and, with my muscles tight from the repetition of winging the axe, I decided to go for a run in the forest and stretch out. Undressing, I left my clothes over a rail on the woodlot fence and shifted. The trees were thicker here than in my home area, and I drew in a deep breath of warm, humid air. Scents of pine and the leaf mulch underfoot delighted my nose, although my layers of fur were not especially suited for this climate. I wondered if I’d end up with green fur as I’d heard some of my brother had who’d left the cold lands, but was more interested in seeing it than worried about it. It caused no harm, I was told. The hollow strands of our coat were susceptible to algae inside and out. A polar bear thing like being lefthanded.

There were fields and orchards maintained by this pack, but the lands abutted this ancient forest, with trees taller in height, their girth larger than I’d be able to span with my arms, even in this form. The wood I split came from a different type of tree, for which I was grateful. So few of the old giants had not been destroyed by the humans over the last century and a half in this part of the US, and I paused after a while to scratch my back against the rough bark and cool off a little. In the shade, it wasn’t really too hot, and I hoped my bear could adjust to the weather here.

Not as much as I hoped the alpha’s watching me meant more than the orders he barked at me. As the only person actually accomplishing anything within his sight at that time, his choice to insist I worked harder either meant new arrivals were expected to carry the burden of the pack, or that, for some reason, he was angry with me. It was understood he had not himself sent for me or filled out the forms. But I hadn’t known that.

Surely, I was as entitled to anger as he. More. I’d come here with the understanding I’d made a commitment, at least a preliminary one. I’d left my home—albeit, I’d probably have had to do that anyway. He’d gotten nothing except apparently a male to do most of the work. This was much more human thinking than I usually experienced as a bear.

And my bear’s irritation at the clinging-to-human consciousness rang clear.

We don’t have any more time, anyway, I informed him. We had to get back for lunch, and I’d worked hard enough all day to want the food. Off in the distance, I spied a stream. It might hold fish, which my bear particularly enjoyed. Next trip, I promised before we turned and headed back for the alpha’s house and something to eat.

But as I passed the tree line, right after shifting, I found Ralph standing by the woodlot, holding my clothes. “Omega, did you go off into the woods by yourself?”

“I—is that a problem?” From the drawing together of his brows, I sensed it might be.

“Did you forget the rules already?”

“I—” I hadn’t listened at all, but I wasn’t ready to admit that. Especially after our earlier conversation about the pack regulations. He’d think I was a total idiot. “I’m sorry.” Often an apology would smooth over issues, and I totally did not want to have issues this soon.

At least not more of them.

He shoved my clothes at me, his gaze raking my naked body. “There’s a reason single omegas don’t go running off by themselves. It’s pretty wild out here, especially once you pass the property line.”

“The woods aren’t on the property?” I’d thought they were. Packs were known for maintaining wild areas.

“It’s part of the national park. We use it, but it’s not ours. And lots of others can access that as well. You don’t know who you might run into out there.”

“I didn’t think.”

“No, you didn’t. And the alpha would like to see you in his office, immediately.” He turned to go then turned back and gave me a reassuring smile. “I know you’re new here, but if you want to fit in, you need to pay attention. You could be an important part of this pack.” And he marched away, leaving me gaping. He sounded like an ally, and this far from home, without a single friend, I needed people who wanted me around.

But since he was done with me, I headed for the house and climbed the stairs to the alpha’s office. I had to steady my nerves because he’d barely been willing to let me stay at our first meeting, and been downright grouchy the second. Now, he’d be likely to send me packing.

I had my hand lifted to knock when he barked out, “Come in,” then jerked the door open and stood there looking so hot, I almost lost my mind and flung myself into his arms. Which is not me. So not me. My people are reserved and certainly not gushy. But his scent filled my head and made me dizzy, yearning, craving, and in a state of brain fog that only lifted when he growled out, “What the hell were you thinking, omega?”

He’d called me omega, and I had to force myself to remember that he meant it only in terms of my status in general and not because I was his omega. And this was a formal meeting, so he might not appreciate my flinging myself at his feet and begging him to take me to his bed.

Cheeks flaming, I cleared my throat. “Where I come from, it’s not unusual for an omega, mated or otherwise, to run on his own. I made a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

“Didn’t Ralph tell you the rules?”

My head bobbed. “He did. But I’m afraid I didn’t take them all in. I promise to be sure I read them over before I sleep tonight.”

“See that you do. Even if it wasn’t against the rules for single omegas, how many polar bears do you think are running around the forest here?”

“I’m guessing none?” Was he going to rebuke me constantly?

“Well, one today. If any humans were passing through, there would have been quite an uproar.” Pointing at the chairs in front of his desk, he said, “Sit down. I’m going over the rules with you myself. Are you hungry?”

The change of topic caught me off-guard enough to say, “Yes, starving.” “I’ll have some sandwiches sent up, and we can eat lunch and review the regulations. That way you can be back at work on time.”

We were going to have lunch together! I tried not to make too much of it, but my bear was dancing around inside me, and he would not be denied.