Page 2 of Safe in His Arms
Yet, they’d stayed small enough to keep the federal government out their hair, though that didn’t mean they didn’t have an awesome bakery, cafe, restaurant, bowling hall. They even had a small theater-come-movies and a lot of other businesses.
It was a wonderful place for families that wanted a nice, somewhat quiet place to live away from the noise of the big smoke, but close enough to drive to quite a few cities for work to settle down in.
The sheriff’s department was run by his cousins, and they were careful about who they approved to live in their town—who they sold or rented to. The real estate agency was run by another cousin of his, Greta, and her omega mate, Barry, and every new family that bought or rented a house was approved by the pack alpha. Because of that, they had some of the lowest crime rates in the country.
This was a nice place to live, both for wolves and humans alike.
That was why it was easy to tell that today there were more outsiders at the bar. It wasn’t an issue, but it had his wolf paying attention to the newcomers, especially as they seemed to be a loud bunch. It was easy to tell them apart by their overuse of perfumes, and in some cases, the body odor that wasn’t pleasant for Ro’s, or he would bet any other wolf present’s, sensitive nose. But, since they were only loud and not making trouble, Ro walked to the back of the bar and took a seat where he could watch everyone, yet still maintain his privacy.
He hadn’t missed some of the admiring glances from both newcomers and other folks in town, but none of them piqued his interest. And anyway, mostly Ro didn’t like to shit where he ate, which meant he didn’t fuck around with packmates, and rarely with the humans living in town.
He wasn’t a vain man, but Ro was aware that, like his other siblings, he was built on the tall side, and working outdoors with his hands meant he was tanned and muscular, so Ro knew both females and males found him attractive. Not that he had any interest in the former.
No one had caught his attention, so he simply tuned out the noise. Ro breathed in for a moment, checking in with his wolf who still seemed to be alert, but less restless. There was also a layer of anticipation he couldn’t figure out, but Ro had learned to trust his beast. Sometimes its instincts were better than Ro’s in human form.
Ro finally let the noise of the bar back in. He figured if he’d wanted quiet he could have stayed home. He eavesdropped with his wolf ears to each conversation taking place, simply checking out random conversations, but soon popping out again.
Ro sighed. Okay, he wasn’t sure what he was doing here and considered leaving, but his beast stopped him, so he stayed put. He wasn’t really feeling like a drink, but he figured if he was going to be here for a while, courtesy of his stubborn wolf, then why not get some food and something to drink.
Roman looked around for a waiter, then towards the bar for Rex. He signaled the man when he looked in Roman’s direction again, and Rex nodded.
Rex hurried over instead of sending one of his waiters, smiling widely at Ro.
“What will you be having, alpha?” Rex asked in a low voice, probably to stop the humans from wondering about the title.
“Please, Rex, I am not your alpha, and you know we don’t stand on ceremony here. Call me Roman, or preferably Ro.”
The beta nodded, but didn’t say his name. Ro smiled. Rex and Parker had moved out here a few years ago when they’d found each other. They were mates, but hadn’t found their alpha, but that wasn’t what brought them here. No, it was because Rex was a bear, and neither his den nor Parker’s pack had welcomed them. Some shifter groups shunned interspecies matings even though everyone knew mates were chosen by the fates.
Assholes.
Some pack also weren’t about the male/male pairing, but that was less common and those packs were very much shunned. Before he could put his order in, Ro heard the door open and close. He looked in that direction and saw a group of bikers who weren’t from around their town.
Rex groaned, and when Ro met his eye, the beta bear looked annoyed and a little worried.
“Everything alright?” Ro asked.
“Yes, alpha. They just get a little rowdy and sometimes there’s fighting, but they usually leave when told.”
Ro didn’t bother correcting the beta again, but his wolf sat up and took notice.
“Well, let me know if they cause any problems,” Ro said.
“Thank you, alpha,” Rex smiled, looking a little relieved. “Sorry, what did you want, please?”
“I have whatever’s on tap, and some of your lovely mate's honey and mustard wings, and loaded tacos, please.”
“Coming right up,” Rex smiled again, then walked away.
Ro took another look around the bar, but even though it was loud everyone seemed to be behaving, so he pulled his phone out and sent a text to his twin.
Chapter Two
Devon
Devon was hot and sweaty. He hadn’t had a chance to get to the river today for a wash, but that was okay, he had gone for a run last night after work and ended up at the river.
He wasn’t complaining, but even though he was mostly camping at the moment, he knew by the end of this week he would have enough to either get a bus to his next stop, or pay for the room in the shabby yet clean motel at the edge of town.