Chapter 1

Chapter One

One Year Before the Start of Dragon’s Mate…

Delton hadn’t expected to meet his fated mate mere minutes after the concept had been explained to him, but how else could he interpret the bolt of lightning that stabbed his heart in the best way when he spotted the massive hunky alpha? His mouth ran dry, and he had to swallow the tightness in his throat. With clammy hands and a racing heart, he couldn’t take his eyes off the alpha as he stalked toward him, his long legs eating the ground at an aggressive pace.

“Hey, Adar,” Sivney, the omega Delton had been talking to, said.

Adar. His name was Adar. What a strong, fitting name for this beautiful man. With short-cropped dark hair, brown eyes, and chiseled features, he was the epitome of masculinity in Delton’s book. And his body…

Delton could only hope he wasn’t actually drooling because mentally, he was. Six foot two-ish and built like a tank, with muscles that rivaled those of body builders, Adar looked like he could crush his enemies with one hand. Delton wanted to lick him and claim him, then beg the man to fuck him senseless. All in due time, of course.

“I’d like you to meet Delton, a trauma psychologist who is considering joining the pack.” Sivney gestured to him, and Delton forced himself to focus. “Delton, this is Adar, part of our security team, the men responsible for keeping us all safe.”

Adar held out his hand, and Delton took it, his brain frantically searching for the appropriate words. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Okay, that was perhaps a tad more formal than he had wanted, but at least he’d managed to speak. Considering the state of his body, mind, and soul, that counted as a win.

Adar’s handshake was firm, which didn’t come as a surprise with his size. Then again, Delton was on the small and slender side for a beta, which only emphasized the differences between them.

“Likewise,” Adar said. He turned his attention to Sivney. “I’ve finished interviewing all the refugees. Would you like me to report the results to you or Rhene?”

“To me. As soon as I’m done showing Delton around, I’d love to sit and get all the details, but can you give me the short version now? Anything concerning I should prepare myself for?”

Adar shook his head. “Nothing. Their stories all check out so far. No inconsistencies.”

“Glad to hear it.” Sivney cocked his head, a slight grin spreading across his face. “Anyone catch your eye? I saw some cute omegas among them.”

Delton hadn’t thought it possible for a man as intimidating as Adar to blush, but despite his tanned skin, the red spots on his cheeks were profound. “No. I mean, maybe? I haven’t paid attention to that.”

Sivney snorted. “Somehow, I doubt that, but we’ll let that go for now. I was just explaining the concept of fated mates to Delton.”

Fated mates. Pack. A pack alpha. Wolf shifters. All new concepts Delton had learned about in the last few minutes, yet they were somehow familiar, as if his soul recognized them on some level. He’d never considered himself of the floaty, new age variety that would take anything that couldn’t be proved by science seriously—he was a psychologist specializing in trauma, one who heavily focused on evidence-based approaches—yet he couldn’t deny the pull his whole being had to this place. How could he feel like he was coming home when he’d never been here?

He cleared his throat. “I’m not considering it. I’ve already made my decision. If you’ll have me, I’d be happy to join the pack.”

Sivney’s eyes widened, then narrowed as he studied Delton as if searching for a deeper meaning behind Delton’s words. Delton could hardly tell him Adar was the reason he wanted to stay. Not the first impression he wanted to make.

“Okay. We’ve already done a quick background check, and if nothing else pops up, we’d be honored to have you join us.”

“Is there a ceremony of some kind?” Delton asked.

“Interesting question. Why would you ask that?”

“I got the impression you guys do everything differently here. Somehow, it seems like joining your pack is more than a casual decision. It feels like a formal commitment, something that has gravitas. Call me crazy, but that has to come with some kind of ceremony.”

“It does, and I’m pleasantly surprised you sensed that. That’s proof you’re the kind of guy we’re looking for. It’s a ceremony in which you swear loyalty to the pack and the pack alpha, promising to defend the pack with your life.”

With his life. Delton would think that a bit dramatic if not for the stories he’d heard about how armed men had attacked the Hayes pack at the cost of several lives.

“Was there anything else you needed me for?” Adar asked Sivney.

There had to be. Delton wanted more time with this man, who had barely spoken more than a few words, but he intrigued him to the point that he couldn’t take his eyes off him. Surely, Sivney could find a reason to keep talking to him a little longer.

“Nope, that was all for now. I’ll let you know when I’m done here so we can go over the details of the refugees.”

“How many are there?” Delton asked quickly, addressing Adar.

Adar blinked and looked at Sivney, who gave him permission with a nod. How interesting that an alpha would defer to an omega. Sure, Sivney had introduced himself to Delton as second-in-command of the pack, but Delton had interpreted that as more of an honorary title than anything else. Omegas weren’t put in charge of anything, were they? Not that Delton necessarily agreed with society’s low opinion of omegas, but he hadn’t encountered many alphas who felt differently. Yet Adar was not only respectful toward Sivney but also took his cues from him. Fascinating.

“Fifteen for now, but that can change. Word is getting around that we offer a safe space for everyone but especially omegas, so we may get many more in the days to come.”

“I would think so, what with the chaos in the city,” Delton said. “Food and clean drinking water are still in short supply, and it’s not safe for omegas and, to a lesser degree, betas.”

“Have you run into any trouble?” Sivney asked.

“No, but I haven’t ventured anywhere by myself. My best friend, an alpha, escorted me whenever I had to leave the house, and he drove me here as well.”

“Gotcha. And he’s not interested in joining the pack?”

“No. He got married a few weeks ago, and his wife wants to stay close to her family. They have moved in with her parents, just outside of the city, so a pretty safe area.”

“That makes sense. Not that we’re necessarily looking for more alphas. We’re focusing on finding omegas and betas, to be honest.”

Delton was taken aback. “You’re specifically looking for omegas and betas? Why?”

“Because we want our pack to be an accurate reflection of society, which means we’re looking for as equal a division of alphas, betas, and omegas as possible. Plus,” Sivney said with a quick look at Adar, “many of our single alphas are eager to find a mate of their own. Or mates, I should say, as all relationships in the packs are triads.”

Sivney had mentioned triads before, but it hadn’t registered with Delton until now. “Wait. You’re saying that everyone who is in a relationship is part of a throuple?”

“Correct. With the one exception of Lidon Hayes, the pack alpha of the Hayes pack. He has three mates, not two.”

“Wow. That’s quite exceptional, isn’t it? I assume that has something to do with you being a pack? Is it a wolf-shifter thing?”

Sivney nodded. “When Lidon started the Hayes pack, he vowed to go back to the old ways, and it turned out that one of the crucial elements in the old packs was that most relationships were between three people, not two. And it wasn’t uncommon for the pack alpha to have three mates. Somehow, these polyamorous relationships strengthen the pack, though we’re not sure why.”

“And they’re all triads between an alpha, a beta, and an omega?”

“For the most part, but with some exceptions. One of my mates, Naran, is an alpha, but my other mate is… Lev is a biological alpha, but he doesn’t identify as one. With him, it’s more fluid. He displays characteristics of all three identities.”

“And that’s allowed in the pack?”

Sivney’s expression darkened. “If you have a problem with that, now’s the time to come clean. I will warn you that it does mean you won’t be a good fit.”

Delton held up his hands. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. Zero issues here, I promise. I was surprised because I don’t think I’ve ever heard of people being this accepting of nontraditional status identities. I’ve come across them in my work, but it’s been a hard uphill battle for most of my patients to find acceptance and understanding.”

Sivney relaxed again. “Not here. One of Lidon’s mates is a biological alpha who identifies as a beta. No one has an issue with that, and everyone treats Enar like a beta.”

If Delton hadn’t already been convinced this was his home, that would’ve sealed the deal. How could he say no to a group of people who were so open and understanding, different, and willing to go against the grain of what was considered normal? Triads, alternative status identities, putting omegas in charge… He’d never heard of it.

“It sounds like an amazing system you have here. I’m looking forward to joining.”

Sivney slapped him on the shoulder. “We’re excited to have you.”

Adar’s com crackled. “I gotta get back to work.” He dipped his head in Delton’s direction. “Welcome to the pack.”

Delton stared after the alpha as he walked away, the black cargo pants he wore stretched tightly around his ass.

“He’s easy on the eyes, isn’t he?”

Delton spun around, his cheeks heating when Sivney grinned at him. Busted. “He is.”

He saw no reason to deny it, not under the circumstances.

“You interested in a relationship?”

He shrugged. “I’ve been a little preoccupied, what with the civil war and all, but now that things have settled down, I wouldn’t mind finding someone to spend my life with.”

“How old are you again?”

“Thirty-two.”

“Adar is thirty-four, I think.”

The omega wasn’t subtle, was he? “Good to know.”

“As far as I know, he’s not interested in anyone in the pack yet.”

Delton sighed. “Also good to know.”

“Okay, I’ll stop now.”

Thank you, baby Jesus.

“Do you have any more questions for me?” Sivney asked.

“How are things organized financially? I assume there’s a payment of some kind, like room and board?”

“Nope, not when you work here. We all contribute what we can, and we make it work. A few people have outside sources of income, but for the most part, we’re self-sufficient.”

For real? “That sounds a little like a commune or even a cult, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

“I don’t mind at all. A commune isn’t even that far off, I think. Not a cult, though. We value critical thinking here, just like we encourage people to speak up, regardless of their status.”

“Adar deferred to you.”

“As he should. My words carry the weight of Rhene Hightower, our pack alpha, so we expect people to treat me as an extension of him.”

“Yet you want people to speak up. That seems contradictory.”

“Power isn’t absolute here.” Sivney pursed his lips for a moment. “Have you met Lidon?”

“I have, actually. I saw his address in the city after he defeated General Armitage.”

Lidon Hayes had been the one to conquer the rogue general who’d attempted a coup after the prime minister died, wanting all power for himself. Lidon and his men had stopped him, though the exact details had never been released. But the wildest stories had made the rounds, most of them involving Lidon shifting into a massive wolf.

“You were there? Wow, that must’ve been a powerful moment.”

Powerful didn’t even come close to describing it. Never before or since had Delton sensed such raw power radiating from any one man. And it hadn’t been an aggressive power but a kind one, a gentle one. Even if it had been so dominant that Delton had felt like he had no other choice but to kneel for the man.

At the same time, he’d wanted to pay him his respects. It hadn’t felt forced, but like his soul had recognized something that went much deeper than his mind could grasp. Like Lidon was his alpha, which made no sense at all.

“It was the single most intimidating, terrifying, yet healing moment of my life.”

“I bet. Well, if you’ve met Lidon, you know that when we talk about power, we don’t mean physical strength or something based on position. It’s a natural force, one that Lidon radiates without him even realizing it.”

“Is Rhene like that?”

“No, but he does have the innate authority of a pack alpha. And I can promise you he’s a good man. A little young for his position, perhaps, and he has a lot to learn, but he’s eager, hardworking, and his heart is in the right place. The rest is just the usual alpha assholery that can be fixed over time.”

Delton chuckled. “You’d better not let him hear you describe him like that.”

Sivney quirked an eyebrow. “What makes you think I wouldn’t say it to his face? I have. Repeatedly.”

And he’d lived to tell the tale. What place was this? “The more you tell me, the more intrigued I am. I’m one hundred percent in now.”

“Good. I promise you’ll find much more than a job and friends here. These people will become your family, your kin. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find two mates of your own.”

One mate. If the expectation was to find two, Delton only needed one more. Because Adar was his. No doubt about it.

All he had to do was be patient and wait for Adar to come to the same conclusion.