Chapter 6

Sheppard

I’d wanted to have a whole lot more with the man than lunch, but I settled for that as we went over the rules.

Rules he promised he would obey, and I believed him. There was no hint of a lie in his voice.

He was worn down. I knew that from his scent. Waves of exhaustion poured off him and made me regret putting him on the laborious duties for a second.

The bear inside me was beyond livid at my behavior, and I had to mentally push him down time after time as he decided his input on the situation was necessary the entire time the omega was in my office.

Feed him. Care for him. Touch him. Mate him.

It never ended.

He did win over on the feeding issue, and the alpha part of my human side was in agreement. The man was starving, and I couldn’t override the need to satisfy that one hunger over the rest of them.

I’d ordered a plate of brownies for him, as well, because I wanted to. And the moan he released while savoring the chocolate and sweet flavors absolutely did me in. It was a full ten minutes after he left before I was able to get up from the desk without a raging hard-on.

I was in trouble with the omega who came here under false pretenses.

“So, who wants to tell me the whole goddamned story? Let’s just lay it all out on the table. I don’t want to hear half-truths and then have to hear details later. Whose idea was it, and who was the executor?”

That was how I started the meeting I called with my betas after slapping my palms on the eight-foot-long cedar table in our meeting room.

The betas were up shit creek without a paddle, and I was about to blow a hole in their boat.

They hung their heads in turn and blew out weighted breaths. At least they had the good sense to show some remorse.

“I’m not a patient man,” I growled—as if they didn’t know already—and glared at them from my seat at the head of the table.

Ren shared some kind of look with Holt. Holt shook his head, but Ren’s resolve was already there. I could just tell. “You know what? That’s why we did it.”

Holt must’ve known what was coming because he got up and closed the door to the hallway, giving us a semblance of privacy.

Ren went on, “Alpha, this is what we are talking about. Your attitude and your ways are out of control. We realize you are big and bad and absolute, but goddammit, do you have to be such a jerk while you do it? Over the last ten years, you have become irritatingly foul. You can banish me or whatever, but you are a grade-A dickhead, and the entire pack thinks so.”

I vibrated with rage but allowed him to finish.

“That’s why we did it. I know that I was getting more and more high- strung, the longer I was without a mate. Holt was, too. You remember that, I know. We all were. It’s the nature of our animals. We have needs for comfort and affection and touch and…well, to be frank, to get a little ass now and then from someone we love. So, we scheduled behind your back to try to get you an omega. And yes, it was my idea and Holt did the talking to the omega. There. And while I’m sorry about the way we did it, I’m not sorry we did. That omega is one fine man, and you deserve an honorable omega.”

He nodded, signaling he was done with his tirade, and all of us leaned back in our chairs.

There were a couple of ways I could handle, this and I remained quiet, contemplating each in turn.

One: I could banish both of them for their indiscretion and boldness.

Two: I could admit they were right. Because they were. The knots in my body and my mind had tightened over the years, making me tyrannical at best. I used to be fun and forgiving and empathetic.

Now, I was just mean and…pathetic.

The entire situation was insane, but I couldn’t deny the pull I had toward the omega. My body swayed in his direction every time he was near. The rich timbre of his voice sent shivers down my spindle and made warmth bloom through my lower belly and beyond.

His ocean-blue eyes hypnotized me, making me wonder if they sparkled while he came.

Still, who would want a grumpy dickhead like me?

“I’m too far gone, I think, boys. Maybe the time for an omega has passed me by.” I made the confession under my breath, more to myself than them.

Ren inhaled deeply then leaned forward. “Alpha…Sheppard, come on. That’s not true. But it’s time to put down that fence of yours and go after him. Say what you will about our methods, the Male-Order app doesn't lie. It matched you two almost 100 percent. And we didn’t lie about anything on your application. Explore it at the very least and admit you need someone in your life.”

It wasn’t in my nature to admit my faults and failures, but I was cornered, and they were right.

“Okay. I’m agreeing with you, okay? Shit. I don’t even know how to do this. I haven’t dated since high school.”

I’d become alpha right after graduation and trapped behind that godforsaken desk ever since.

“Well, I mean, clearly, the omega is willing. He came here to be your husband for crying out loud. Just be nice. I mean, I know that’s a new concept for you, but try.”

I flipped him off. This meeting had gone from staunch betas and alphas to a friend intervention in ten minutes flat.

“You’re not off the hook for the app thing, though. We need to tighten up around here. The pack is defiant and lazy. I went out this morning, and the only person giving a shit about his work was Toklo who’s been here less than twenty- four hours.”

They all nodded. Ren said, “We agree and have tried some things, but we’re not sure what else to do.”

“Well, come up with some strategies and let’s meet again tomorrow. I want some solid ideas.”

Holt decided it was time to chime in, probably since my anger had subsided. “Shep, we did it for your own good. That’s what friends do.”

I nodded and stood. “I understand. Thank you for the effort. Put the same effort into getting this pack in order, please.”

I returned to my office.

Looked like I had an omega to woo.

I didn’t even know what that entailed anymore. Or if he might have changed his mind.

Who could blame him?