Chapter 1

Felix let his eyes travel across all the pack members gathered for the monthly run. Their pack leader, Alpha Verner, was busy walking around and talking to everybody. Everyone acknowledged their leader and bowed their heads to show their allegiance to him. Felix noticed that most of them did what he did, following their leader’s every move as he worked his way through the crowd.

Everything was calm for now, but Felix knew it would end as soon as they were allowed to start running. The excitement bubbled among them, and everybody anticipated what would happen after they had shared a meal. It was the same every month. The tension would build until their Alpha gave the signal, and all of them could shift into their wolf form and run together with the rest of their pack.

When Felix was younger, it had been his favourite day of the month. But as he got older, he dreaded running with his pack members. It all started when he’d turned into an omega. Everybody around him had expected him to become a beta because of his mild temper. But when his body stopped growing and turned curvier, he knew in his heart his fate was sealed.

As an omega, he would always be at the bottom of the pack hierarchy, always expected to eat the scraps when the pack had a feast. But the worst of all was the expectation that Felix would one day become pregnant and bear pups. It was something he didn’t want to accept. Nor did Felix like the way the alphas treated him. They always thought he would welcome their attention and bend over, eager to receive their semen inside his ass.

Felix refused to follow the rules. A few unpleasant encounters had made him swear off alphas for a while. One day, he hoped to meet the alpha who was his mate. Then, it would feel right to bear his pups, but until then, he preferred to be alone.

“Pack members,” Alpha Verner greeted them as his gaze travelled across the crowd.

Felix hid along the wall, hoping the ground would swallow him as the Alpha’s eyes settled on Felix for a moment longer than they should have.

‘What now?’ Felix thought. What more bad news would come this month? He’d heard that the hunters had difficulty finding enough game, making it more difficult to feed their entire pack. They had to travel further before they found anything. Could that be what their Alpha wanted to tell them?

“We have dealt with the rogue wolves. You can all move around safely from now on,” the Alpha said.

Relieved sighs came from all across the room. Everybody had become extra cautious after a few rogues had settled in their area. It would certainly explain why the game had suddenly been scared away.

“We have restored our territory thanks to Nero and his enforcers.”

All eyes turned to the tall alpha standing at the back of the room. Nero always kept close to the nearest exit as if he didn’t want to be inside the room longer than he had to. He was just like Felix in that respect. Felix felt even more drawn to the man as he discovered more similarities.

As everyone’s attention turned to the large enforcer, Nero grunted and lowered his head toward his leader, leaving no doubt that he still accepted Alpha Verner’s leadership. Nero always stood his ground and didn’t do his tasks just to receive applause. He just did what had to be done, no matter what sort of task it was. His dark hair matched his name to perfection. But his large, muscular body revealed an alpha in his prime, making everybody step aside whenever he walked by. Nero was almost as big as the Alpha himself. He could have started his own pack if he wanted to, but Nero had been a shell of his former self after losing his mate.

Felix had been too young to pay much attention at the time. All he knew about Nero’s former mate was based on the gossip he’d picked up. Felix had barely seen the large alpha in the last few weeks. He kept to himself and spent most of his time patrolling their borders and keeping the pack safe from harm. But whenever he was around, Felix’s eyes would automatically seek his. It was like the older alpha always made such a lasting impression on everybody around him it was impossible to ignore him.

The pack leader had kept on talking while Felix’s thoughts had wandered. But now the Alpha turned his attention to the corner where Felix and the other omegas stood.

“Omegas of our pack,” the Alpha said. “We need your help. Our numbers are diminishing, and every pack member counts. For the next few months, you only have one task. To get pregnant.”

A shocked sound went among the omegas. Even the ones that had recently mated looked at the Alpha with fear. But Alpha Verner kept talking, ignoring their sounds of shock.

“You must choose one or several of our single alphas and get yourself with pups as soon as possible. And to those already mated, invite your mate to your bed as often as possible.”

Some alphas sniggered at the Alpha’s words, and several hugged their omega mates closer in anticipation, eager to fulfil the Alpha’s orders and their mates’ bodies.

The pack leader’s words had the opposite effect on the single omegas. Felix placed his hand on one of the younger females as she wept silently beside him. Felix felt angry and surprised.

How could their Alpha be so thoughtless to demand that they all bend over to any alpha around? It wasn’t like their pack had a ton of good alphas to choose from. All the good ones were mated, and the rest were bachelors for a good reason, except for one particular alpha.

Felix’s eyes turned to the grumpy alpha by the door. Nero didn’t seem to like the Alpha’s order more than Felix. At least not when judging by how hard he clenched his jaw. Then, Nero’s sixth sense must have kicked in, and his eyes met Felix’s. Felix returned the look for a while before he lowered his gaze. The disinterest in Nero’s eyes was the same as always. He never noticed any of the omegas despite their interest in him. It was too bad. Nero was the only candidate Felix would accept as the father of his child. It was just his bad luck that the alpha he wanted didn’t return his interest. Nero made no secret that he wanted nothing to do with any omega.

* * * * *

“It’s time to make a move, Felix,” the pack’s Alpha said in his most booming voice, making Felix wince at the sound of his Alpha’s displeasure. His pack leader was twice his size, and he never hesitated to use brute force when necessary. Felix had always considered him a fair leader, but his latest requests made him want to flee instead of give in.

Felix had been called to the Alpha’s office the same morning. He knew precisely what the Alpha wanted. He had announced it publicly at the last pack meeting, and every omega had felt the pressure ever since. Felix knew there was no point in arguing with his Alpha, but he had to try.

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you expect of me, Alpha?”

His Alpha laughed. “I think you know exactly what I mean, Omega. It’s about time you got laid. Our pack needs more pups, and you haven’t even started searching for an alpha to knock you up. I want all our omegas to get pregnant as soon as possible. But you seem more interested in having your nose in a book instead of placating to any of our alphas’ needs.”

Felix hated the idea of letting the unmated alphas treat him like a cum receptacle, only to throw him away afterwards. It had happened too many times, and he’d learned his lessons. Initially, they always used sweet words to lure him in, only to become another obnoxious alpha after getting laid. Felix was done with it.

“I don’t have a mate among our pack,” Felix said, trying to give a valid reason for his reluctance.

“Nonsense. Fated mates are just a figment of your imagination, Felix. You have read too many books lately. Whether you mate or not, you can still get pregnant with any of our single alphas.”

“I prefer a mate I can tolerate for a bit longer than a quickie, Alpha,” Felix said, hoping his Alpha would see sense.

“Then you better get a move on. You have two more days to pick an alpha, or I will pick one for you.”

“Two days?” Felix paled but bowed his head when his Alpha’s eyes fired at his obstinacy.

“Two days. And I can guarantee you won’t like my choice,” the Alpha said.

“Which one will you choose?” Felix asked in curiosity.

His Alpha grinned as if he’d anticipated Felix’s question. “Who says I only have to pick one alpha? I have several alphas who need to cool down a bit, and sharing an omega would be the perfect solution to keep their minds where they should be.”

Felix stiffened. He suspected he knew which alphas his pack leader referred to. All the omegas avoided the most brutal alphas for fear of getting harmed. The alphas only got laid when one of the sturdier betas took pity on them. If the Alpha gave Felix to the most brutal alphas, he wouldn’t get an easy life, no matter how fast his body could heal.

It would have been better if Felix found someone else. Someone who would be a decent mate and treat him right. There was only one alpha who made Felix feel tempted to try a hookup. Still, the alpha had always made him behave more awkwardly than usual, making him forget all his planned words. There wasn’t much of a chance that the alpha would accept him. He had always turned down the other omegas that set their eyes on him.

“I know which one I want,” Felix said bravely, hoping his words would deter the Alpha from teaming him up with any of the young brutes.

His Alpha nodded. “Good. Then what are you waiting for? Find him and make sure he knocks you up.”

Felix felt his heart sink. The Alpha made it sound so easy, but Felix knew getting the attention of this particular alpha would never be easy. “Yes, Alpha. I’ll do my best.” Felix bowed and turned to the door.

“What makes you think you will succeed when he’s turned down everyone else?” his Alpha suddenly asked.

Felix stopped and turned around slowly. “You know which one is my choice?”

The Alpha laughed. “Everybody knows, Omega. And everybody knows Nero isn’t interested in any omegas.”

Felix knew the odds were low. Why would Nero settle for Felix when he’d turned down even the most beautiful omega among their pack? But he refused to just give up without trying. Felix straightened and felt his resolve fill him.

“I’m more stubborn than the others,” Felix said.

His Alpha chuckled. “Yes, I can agree with that. But that doesn’t mean you have what it takes.“

Felix considered his words. He knew that Nero and his pack leader were childhood friends. Maybe Alpha Verner could tell him something that would give him an edge with the reclusive alpha. It might improve his odds if he knew more about him, and who better to ask than the man who knew him the best?

Felix took the chance to ask. “My Alpha. Can you tell me what it would take to win him over?”

The Alpha looked thoughtful, as if he debated how much to reveal about his best friend.

“Prove your worth, Omega, and use that stubbornness for something besides reading. That might give you a chance. An alpha doesn’t want their omegas to sit on their ass all day long. We want our omegas to pamper us with attention,” the Alpha said.

Felix felt embarrassed. The Alpha was right. The man he wanted would never want someone like him. Someone who preferred reading to cooking dinner or trying to find his fated mate instead of choosing the strongest alpha.

“Thanks, Alpha. I will follow your instructions and do my best,” Felix said, already feeling the pain from the refusal he would receive.

“You do that, or a few other alphas would be happy to knock you up in no time.”

Felix had no doubt they would. As if that was all he was capable of. Producing pups for his pack without being able to contribute in any other way.

“I have a long list of alternatives when Nero throws you out. I don’t care who you choose as long you get swollen with a child within the end of the year.”

Felix knew his Alpha meant every word. If it suited his purpose, he would tie him to a pole and let every alpha in the pack have a go at him. His wolf would probably applaud the idea, but Felix knew it would forever stamp him as the pack’s fucktoy if that happened. And that would also doom his pups if he ever had any. No, it was better to settle down with one alpha instead of laying his fate in the hands of his pack leader.

“Two days, Felix,” the Alpha reminded him.

“I’m on it, my Alpha,” Felix said, trying to convince them he knew what to do.

His Alpha’s laughter told him he hadn’t convinced the older shifter that he had this in hand. There were only ten years between them, but in experience, it felt more like they were decades apart. Was this the reason why Nero avoided him? Did he consider him too young to be of any interest? Besides, what was the best way to approach Nero? If he asked him, Felix had no doubt he would refuse him immediately. He needed another strategy and an element of surprise. Something that no one had tried before. But he had no idea what that would be. Maybe it was better to attack the problem head-on and be upfront about what he wanted.