20

Aspen

Curse that stupid Alpha for getting under my skin. I was more levelheaded than this. And I wasn’t some charity case, no matter what they all thought.

But here I was, about to go ask for help from the one person I’d rather never be in debt to.

Could I get any lower?

The clothes I had on made me feel foolish. If Jesse wasn’t so adamant on me wearing them, I’d ask to return them. This wasn’t me. I took care of myself and my papa. I was a strong, independent female wolf shifter.

Maybe that’s what was missing and why I was so riled up. It’d been a few days since I’d run as my wolf.

I know exactly where I’d run to. An image of Ranger’s dark and brooding eyes filled my mind.

My wolf was losing her grip on reality.

Never happening. I growled, hurrying to unlock the door to the hotel room when I scented Stef and Trenton inside. I needed the stability of pack right now even though mine really sucked.

“Hey Trenton.” I took a deep breath, ready to humble myself as he made his way to the door I’d just closed. “Can I bother you for a second? I kind of need your help.”

“I’m sorry. What was that? I couldn’t hear you through your mumbling.” Trenton smirked. Cocky jerk. I wonder if he’d still be so smug if he knew his dad was forcing me to stay here to protect him. “I’ve got to go, so if you don’t need anything…”

I inhaled again, trying to channel some inner peace. “I really need your help.”

“You need me.” His smile broadened. I wanted to smack it off his face.

“Tomorrow for the humanitarian thing, the other candidates are giving a money donation to the hospital. Can you see if Alpha Derek has anything to contribute?”

Trenton frowned and I turned away, already knowing the answer. And that, ladies and gentleman, is why we never ask for help.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “You should have asked sooner. I just got him to extend a line of credit to Stef to make up for the clothes she didn’t get.”

“What?” I leaned back, looking into Stef’s room as she lifted a garment bag over her shoulder.

“Maybe you should sell one of your new dresses,” she offered, unhelpfully. “I’m sure your stylist friend will get you more.”

*

I spent all night calculating how much sick kids were worth to me and, yes, I felt like a jerk for it.

I snuck downstairs after the resort was quiet and found the ATM, sacrificing more precious sleep before running back to bed.

Dressed in donated clothes that made me look way richer than I was, I skipped breakfast, munching on jerky instead, as I made my way downstairs. The cameras were set up, filming the roped off sections with the signs that directed us to our destinations.

Puppies. I stared at the animal shelter sign wistfully as I walked to the van waiting to take us to the hospital.

Opal was already sitting in the third-row seat with her raven black hair covering half her face and holding a package on her lap.

“Good morning,” I greeted her. “Did you figure out your donation?”

“Yep.” She fiddled with the package. This close, her sweet scent was overpowering and my stomach growled in response. It made me crave funnel cakes covered in powdered sugar.

“Please tell me we’re stopping for coffee,” Fallon said as she climbed in next to me and pushed her sunglasses up through her hair.

A human woman who I thought was Molly’s assistant took the front passenger seat. “No stops. They’ll have some coffee at the hospital. We’re on a tight schedule today.”

Cindy crawled in after Fallon, wearing a crisp white two-piece jacket suit with her fiery red hair tied back in a braid. She sniffed in Opal’s direction and her wolf flashed in her eyes before she climbed onto the middle seat. “What’s the holdup then?”

We all looked over to where Edith was walking through the lobby doors, holding her cousin’s arm. Chad smiled. His bright eyes seemed to gleam in the morning light. Ranger was nowhere to be seen.

Thank the Goddess.

Says you. I’d be more thankful with some eye candy.

Will you please tone it down?

After the cameraman and Edith took their seats, the driver steered the van toward the long driveway of the resort. Blue skies and thick evergreens greeted us on the drive down the mountainside.

“We have an hour for photos and two hours scheduled for visitation,” the human woman was explaining. “Remember the non-disclosure agreement. No talking about the show or any of the contestants, but you’re okay to talk about yourself.”

I leaned back against the seat after she finished the rundown and turned to look at Fallon who was staring out the window.

Without meaning to, the question I’d been mulling over all night came rushing out, “Did you ask your brother to cover my donation?”

I wouldn’t have been mad if she did, but it made me sick to think she pitied me that much.

“Ranger offered to pay your donation?” Edith perked up. Cindy leaned closer. Even Opal glanced my way. The cameraman turned on his device.

In hindsight, I should have waited for a little more privacy to ask.

Anxiety tightened my chest as I nodded.

Fallon shook her head with an amused smile on her face. “Ranger does what Ranger wants.”

I was dying to ask her more about that ominous statement, but I’d already embarrassed myself enough for one lifetime, thank you very much. The cameraman directed his lens our way, playing with the focus.

“Good to know.” I stared straight at the road ahead as my stomach twisted itself in knots, thinking over what Fallon said. I believed her. Ranger seemed like the kind of guy to take what he wanted. The real question was, what did he want?

*

The vehicle in front of us let out some security guards before we were allowed to open the doors to the van. By their scents, it was a healthy mix of horse and bear shifters who held back the crowd outside the hospital. This time, I tried to focus less on how nervous I was and more on smiling for the cameras.

Someone called my name and I waved.

Another woman held out a notebook and pen. I scribbled my autograph, asking where she was from. The man beside her tried to take a selfie with me. I smiled awkwardly, getting pulled in multiple directions as I moved closer to the ropes.

A security guard groaned as the cameras flashed and he herded me inside. Which wasn’t fair.

Edith and Cindy were allowed to take their time chatting with the reporters that stood a respectful distance away.

I didn’t have time to complain though as we were whisked into the elevators and taken to a conference room. Microphones were adjusted and we were placed standing near the windows. The humans in our party were given masks to wear. Shifters couldn’t carry human diseases and it was only a few nurses who smiled at us without needing protection covering their faces.

The hospital CEO walked in just as the camera crew finished placing us in the right lighting to orchestrate the perfect shot.

“Mr. Stockett.” Edith greeted him first. “On behalf of Tulia Pack, please accept this donation.”

She handed him a check and the old man’s eyes glazed over as he took in the amount. He professed his gratitude and shook her hand again. I clutched the sweaty wad of bills in my pocket.

“On behalf of McCaw Pack, please accept this donation.” Fallon gave him another check, not bothering to raise her sunglasses as Mr. Stockett thanked her. I made the mistake of glancing at the amount and got a little nauseous.

“And this donation is the start of a monthly allotment.” Cindy smiled at the cameras as she shook the CEO’s hand. “Frazier Pack will be in touch to set up funding to extend for the rest of the year.”

Vomit rose up the back of my throat and I swallowed it down as the old man turned his grateful, tear-filled eyes to me.

“Thank you for coming today.” He held out his hand to shake.

“Thank you for having us.” I wiped my palm on the slacks I was wearing and gripped his hand firmly, pulling him close and wishing the cameras weren’t here. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize we were bringing checks.”

I tried to be discreet about handing him the crumpled cash from my pocket. The embarrassingly small amount was an entire month’s paycheck for me. “From Nuva Pack.”

It wasn’t. But we were going to be embarrassed together since Alpha Derek had sent me here.

The CEO surprised me by pulling me in for a hug. “That’s quite alright. Thank you for your support.”

I choked on my emotional reply as he pulled away, turning to Opal who was last in line.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I brought the kids lollipops.” She held up her bag and smiled. “They’re sugar free.”

Mr. Stockett laughed with his whole belly and shook her hand. “I think I know who is going to be the favorite today.”

*

I knew I should have made some giftbags. But I didn’t let it wear on me as I walked beside Opal, helping her hand out lollipops.

Edith and Cindy were naturals at this, posing for photos and answering questions from the line of girls gathered at the nurses’ station. Fallon dropped her normally aloof sneer when a girl in a wheelchair asked to braid her hair, sitting on the floor as her violet and black locks were yanked on by little hands. They were no puppies, but I liked seeing the tentative smiles and even signed a few autographs when requested by name.

It felt like I was actually doing something worthwhile and I only wished I could do more.

If I was really a Luna, would I be doing stuff like this often?

I shook away the thought as we made our way back to the nurses’ station. “Hardly any of the boys care that we’re here.”

Opal’s lips were cherry red. She unwrapped another lollipop and stuck it in her mouth. “Neither do the little ones.”

“At least you brought candy.” I motioned to her almost depleted stash. “That brightened their day.”

I was still kicking myself for not making the felt tic-tac-toe boards. They would have loved them. Except there were so many patients here that I realized I’d never have made enough.

I leaned against the nurses’ desk, looking down the hall to our left with the double doors still closed. “Are there more rooms down there?”

“That’s intensive care,” a wolf shifter nurse in scrubs with rainbow hearts explained. “We can poke our heads in if we want, but some of the kids are bedridden and most of them don’t watch the show.”

I didn’t watch the show either, but you know what always made me smile?

An idea blossomed as I stared at the nurse. “Is there somewhere I could go to change?”

She eyed me skeptically until understanding widened her eyes. “They would love that.”

*

Technically, this wasn’t against any contract I signed because we weren’t on resort property. And I was too filled with excitement to care. I slipped off my clothes in the bathroom, explaining to my wolf what we needed to do.

Got it.

She sneezed a few times at the overpowering scent of disinfectants as her paws hit the vinyl floors, but then she was trotting with her chest puffed out and tail wagging as we hurried back to the nurses’ station.

The group of girls squealed and my wolf cocked her head to the side with her tongue hanging out until their giggles echoed down the corridors. They fell on her in a tangle of gangly limbs and grabbing hands, petting her fur. My wolf let them get their fill and soaked up their praise until they started to get tired.

She turned to Opal and Fallon and the other contestants, pawing at the ground to draw them out to play.

“Are we allowed to do this?” Edith asked.

Fallon laughed, tossing her paper coffee cup into the trash. “Screw it.”

Edith and Fallon ran to the bathroom to change. Cindy stood there looking uncomfortable in her crisp white suit.

My wolf nudged Opal’s leg, whining.

She bit down on her bottom lip and looked into the bag. “I’ll stay human to hand the rest of these out.”

Come play with us. My wolf whined again.

More kids were poking their heads out of the rooms. Their eagerness had my wolf’s tail swishing from side to side.

Why doesn’t she shift?

“I’ll stick to human form too,” Cindy said, looking at Opal. “Not for your reason, of course. It’s just my wolf is too dominant for this place.”

Opal flushed pretty pink on her pale cheeks.

My wolf didn’t like that at all.

Want me to bite her? A low growl built in her chest.

Opal’s soft fingers scratched my wolf’s fur and a sense of peace washed over us like what happened in the cafeteria the other day.

“Come on,” she said. “We can work as a team.”

*

“I love it,” the human woman gushed as the cameraman leaned into the front of the van, showing her the feed on his screen. “This is gold. Look at those babies smile.”

I grinned to myself, knowing exactly what she was talking about and still riding the high of the afternoon. There were so many giggles, so many little hands clinging to my wolf’s fur, and tons of sweet kisses given.

“It was fun,” Fallon admitted.

Yeah it was. My wolf settled down with a tired sigh.

“I’m excited to see the footage.” Edith was smiling.

“Molly might freak out, but this is a cinematic masterpiece,” the assistant kept talking. “I wish all of you would have shifted. Could you imagine the shot with five wolves stalking down the hall?”

“I know why Opal didn’t shift, but why didn’t you?” Fallon asked Cindy.

I glanced at Opal, wondering what else I was missing here.

Cindy’s bright smile contrasted with the scowl still in her eyes. “I didn’t want our dear little Omega to feel alone.”

Omega?

I choked on my own spit.

Those didn’t actually exist… Did they?

“Shut up.” Fallon growled. “She’s obviously trying to keep it off camera.”

“They’re not filming now,” Cindy pointed out.

I was still trying to wrap my head around a real-life Omega as Opal sank further into the seat. They were unheard of, almost mythical in our culture.

A lot of what humans thought they knew about shifters–especially wolf shifters–came from outdated information in the mid to late 1900’s that was based on actual wolf packs mixed in with some folklore. Shifters had been around since the dawn of time, just look at the ancient hieroglyphs, but when magic started to get you burned at the stake, most shifters went into hiding.

Now it was a constant struggle to rewrite the history of our species since shifters started to integrate into modern society over the past few decades.

True, we had Alphas and Lunas leading packs, but that was due to larger pack size and smaller locations we’d been forced into as the population expanded and we struggled to stay in hiding.

Back in the day, when we were closer to our roots, mating season was a time of dispersing where young wolf shifters headed out to find mates and establish their own packs.

But the more we grew over the past two hundred years or so, the harder it became to find territory for new packs. We’d fallen into a hierarchy of government much like the human government systems with the most dominant males and their offspring taking up Alpha positions.

There were other higher ranking wolves, but technically you could change your status. It wasn’t set in the stars. If you had money and strength…

My inner history buff was showing and I drew myself back from the internal lecture.

But one of the things historians got way wrong was calling all lower ranking wolves Omegas. It might have been because of their smaller size and soft demeaners, but Omegas were anything but weak.

They were peacekeepers, blessed with an almost magical ability to soothe the tension in any situation. And it was magic.

My eyes widened, recalling the way Opal’s touch brought a sense of calm to my whole being.

This was the stuff of legends. Omegas were treated like royalty. Revered for their passion and calm. There were rumors of their sexual appetites too which helped to bring fighting packs together, but those could have just been rumors.

“Can you stop staring at me like that?” Opal whispered.

“I’m sorry.” I scooted closer to her. “I didn’t know.”

The driver pulled off the mountain road and turned toward the resort.

Opal twisted a strand of her hair around her finger. “I’d hoped to keep it a secret a while longer. At least until after the Luna Trials.”

“Is that why you don’t sit in the cafeteria during meals? Are the male pheromones too overwhelming for you?” I had so many questions. If I was affected that strongly, I could only imagine how much worse it was for her.

“Pheromones?” She wrinkled her nose. “A few of them are hot I guess, but it’s not like any of them are my fated. And I’ve never had a problem being around dominant males. It’s the females I’m worried about.”

“You know we can hear you,” Cindy said.

Opal’s skin pricked with silky black fur as she lowered her head. “Sorry. I swear that I’ll stay out of everyone’s way.”

“That would be the smart thing to do.”

This was bullshit.

My fangs extended and I turned to growl at Cindy as the van parked on the gravel driveway out front of the resort.

She met my challenge with an icy glare, placing a hand on her chest. “Bless your heart. I’m only looking out for you, honey. She may seem sweet now, but wait until she steals your man.”

The door to the van opened and Opal jumped out, racing to the lobby in a blur with her black hair flying behind her.

“A word of advice.” Cindy stepped outside, smoothing down the wrinkles on her white dress suit. “I wouldn’t put a target on my back trying to fight the battles for some backwoods little she-wolf if I were you. We wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

Is she threatening us?

I’ll show her backwoods.

I lunged.

Fallon caught my shoulder, stopping me from tackling the southern belle and showing her exactly what I thought of her threat.

“Whoa there, killer. Save it for another time.” Fallon looked pointedly at the cameras zooming in on us. “Why don’t you come and take a walk with me?”