Page 15 of Shifting Years (Whispering Hills #5)

He was fast, hard, and growled how I'd learn to love it. The Omega slick came, and it made it easier. That's it. Easier.

Electric energy tingling through my veins caught my attention as the wind blew into the open bedroom window. Auras I always wished I could see now appeared as swirling yellow lights. Blood red and mostly black lines orbited Henry.

My intelligence didn't leave me, but it was like my mind, well, shifted. My human hair is dark but my paw was now blond. Henry was bigger, with a pitch-black pelt shining in the dark as if mixed with motor oil.

With no thought or primal instinct, I leapt through the open window and landed perfectly on four feet. Was it for him to chase me or something else?

It was night, but my new power showed not quite daylight but less dark and more details. Muscles and energy I never had before coursed through my blond canine body. It was like taking acid, but my body wasn't in two places. I was a wolf, man, and both.

I ran deep into the woods, knowing somehow of a tradition. My mate would catch me, proving his Alphaness. It was play hunting and harmless.

My heart pounded as I plowed through the brush and around trees, darting in random directions. Heavy muscles punched my side.

A racial memory came of other wolves playing after a mock chasing game. Alphas and Omegas would roll around on the ground, sometimes rough, but never serious.

Yellow flashed over Henry's slitted eyes, and he growled, revealing long white teeth. With inhuman speed, he bit down, as if he were a vampire. This was to mark me with a bite so deep nobody would question who was his Omega.

He howled on his own, but the wolf-music wasn't beautiful like the sheriff, and I understood his words now. One sentence pounded into my brain with every long howl.

Mine, not yours.

***

Summer came with sweltering heat and fewer books. The screen door opened and squeaked more after Henry slammed it shut a few weeks back. Thin metal didn't stand a chance against shifter strength.

His eyes ignored mine as he looked inside the stove, then cabinets, and under my book. He read the book's title slowly. "How to Open Your Own Restaurant." He nodded once. "Does it talk about cooking?"

I took a second, debating the best response. "Yes."

"Good. Does it say where my dinner is at?"

"I got distracted with this chapter. I'm sorry."

Instinct sent a wave of calming 'mental ice' over him. If it worked, it wasn't obvious or another way he could overpower me.

"I expect food on the table like every other Omega knows to do." He chuckled. "You think you can open a restaurant if you can't cook for one person? What happens if there's two or hell, three people, Mike?"

For all our fights, he never hit me. Wolves were better in some areas than humans. They didn't care about race or sexuality. No wolf ever physically abused a mate. Still, whatever this energy was between us, I didn't like it.

I had dreams of finding a guy, but also more. Todd wasn't around, but planning my life made sense. I had a dream of opening a restaurant, like that empty white cobblestone in town. Loving couples could have a quiet meal and go on dates. They existed in the open here, but I wanted them to live .

"Omegas serve their Alphas. Every other one here, man or woman, gets it. If you weren't reading all the time, you'd know."

It wasn't about food exactly. He wanted to dominate and be the top guy. He wasn't helpless and could cook something. Hell, I did it for my mother when I was a teenager.

He mumbled, "Guess I'll get a burnt burger in town. Again."

My nose wrinkled at the garbage scent. He wouldn't get dinner, but whiskey.

***

"This town's a blessing and curse," said Mary.

She leaned back into a metal seat and blew a long cigarette puff away from my face.

"This magic draws people together, but not at the same time.

Other people… people, they have to get to know each other, but a wolf knows.

" She stared off into the distance. "At least that's what we tell ourselves. "

She studied my face. "Wolves mate for life, but there's no spell keeping you here."

True, and this wasn't marriage, but it felt like it.

Even thinking about leaving made me sick.

I could go and find another gay man, but I couldn't tell them about my wolf side.

Hints from Mary suggested stories of killed humans once they knew about the paranormal.

I'd still have to keep a secret from someone, and I wasn't in the mood for that anymore.

Mary finished her cigarette and lit another one.

"I heard those things are bad. That's why Nixon's banning their ads on television and radio." Todd would have laughed at me giving a compliment to his hero.

"Don't matter. My power takes care of it. Immunity to poison I suppose, if you need a name for it." She shrugged. "I can drink bleach and it doesn't do anything."

I grimaced. "What does it taste like?"

"Bleach."

Ask a stupid question, I suppose, but what about my other one?

I had opportunities to leave but stayed. Is it because I loved this town or was I afraid? Henry never hit me or threw things in my direction. There were broken dishes and torn books. What if I embarrassed him by leaving? Would he do something away from the sheriff or pack leader?

I got up. "I appreciate the talk, and tell Penny thank you. I know she's jealous, but she's nice about it."

"It's an Omega thing," she said. "The thought of them with someone else, even if it doesn't make sense, upsets them."

I imagined Henry with another mate, and no rage or sorrow came, but it should have.

***

I tried to be the good Omega and husband he expected. I didn't read business books in front of him, and his dinner was ready when he came in or reheated when he stumbled in late. The radio stayed on his country music stations and never played The Doors or Bowie.

Gradually I saw Mary and Penny less, although the sheriff found excuses to check in.

And I remained, doing everything expected, like sex. It was fine, and amazing sometimes, but always rough. He said I would get used to it, and eventually, I did.

Yet, I never got pregnant. Most Omegas did right away, so why didn't I?

***

"You didn't have his pup, did you?" asked Kim. "Please tell me you didn't. You and Todd got together sure, but that would mean you stayed with Henry for years."

"I birthed something horrible," I said.

"There's no proof you'd know what would happen," said Todd.

Kim's eyes narrowed in confusion.

"Nightback Ridge murders," I said. "They made the Manson Family slaughter look like a simple killing, but back to my, uh, relationship.

" I reached out holding Todd's warm hand tight.

"I don't know what problems you have with your Alpha, but if you stay, do it because it's what you want.

Not because you want to be a proper wolf.

I stayed when it was obvious it wouldn't have worked out. "

Again, Kim stared up from the table in wonder.

"My power is knowing what people need. Subconsciously, I knew Todd was coming and he'd need me as much as I needed him."

"So, what happened?"

Todd licked his lips and smiled. "I fought for my Omega."

"In a town of shifters, when he had no powers," I finished.

***