Chapter One

"I can't even make a peach cobbler like this in my kitchen, with an oven and everything," Mark, one of the campers praised, patting his belly.

I huffed out a breath, appreciating his words. "Thanks, Mark." After adding a few logs to the fire, I asked, "Does anyone need anything? I'm watching you, Amy. You haven't been drinking enough water."

A laugh from the group prompted Amy to chug her water.

"How was today for everyone?" I asked. "Any complaints? And before you start, I can't control the dry air or the heat of the desert and I live here."

The campers asked questions, mostly revolving around how I stood living here year-round. I loved the campers. As opposed to the adventure excursions and the survival classes I taught, these people were here for fun, not prepping for the apocalypse or the collapse of society or trying to prove to their omegas that they could, in fact, start a fire like a real alpha.

People were interesting to observe.

"I love it. That's all I have to say. I love it, and this desert saved my life."

"A desert saved your life?" another camper scoffed. I often got that when I told my story, but I had a feeling this particular group wasn't ready to hear it. I kept it close to my chest. Just because someone needles you doesn't mean they are worth bleeding for.

"It's getting late and very cold. We have an early morning."

They all grumbled and took the sign to go to bed. Mine was here, on a sleeping mat near the fire, my only blanket the stars above me. My bedtime story the whispering of the whipping wind in my ears.

As I lay down, satisfied with the fire, I crossed my arms behind my head and allowed my thoughts to drift to my omega.

My long-gone omega.

He had read to me at night, his voice comforting and lulling, and I told him over and over that he should narrate all the classics. Colt argued with me that his voice was meant for his alpha. To calm me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to picture him without the help of the pictures on my phone or the one by my bed, the hallway, nearly every surface in my home. It had been nearly six years since Colt passed, but my chest constricted as though I'd only minutes ago heard the news.

What kind of alpha summons an image of his omega's face, no matter how long the stretch of time between the last time and now?

I cursed myself and turned to face the flames in front of me and the ones in my heart. Nights like this, the loneliness pulsed inside me, so loud and strong that I was sure everyone in their tents could hear it. My bear needed an omega. He craved someone to care for and love. To build a life with.

At first, my need for another mate burned me with guilt but the truth was, I wasn't the same person as I was with Colt. I had worked in the corporate world then. Making money and climbing invisible ladders, always living and breathing for the next best thing, the next bigger thing, the higher pay.

The hospital called me on my way home from a conference. I'd stopped my car on the side of the road only about twenty miles from where I lay that night. I'd gone to the hospital. Had the funeral. Didn't remember anything in between.

Then, one night, I came back to the spot where I found out my love was dead. Hit by a drunk driver. Minding his own business. Coming home with flowers and dinner. For me. For us.

That night, revisiting the place that had shared my pain, I decided to abandon my life, since it wasn't one without Colt.

I walked out into the wilderness, intending never to return.

I'd wasted so much time on one more day, one more promotion, one more vacation until I'd allowed life to slip through my fingers.

And in trying to lose myself, the desert saved me.

I hadn't worn a tie since that night. Had traded my car for an old work truck. Exchanged my dress shoes in town at the thrift store for a pair of boots as beat up and worn as I felt.

In this desert, I had found a part of me I didn't know existed.

A man who was free. I hadn't even known I was trapped before.

An alpha only found his true mate once in a lifetime, right? That's what everyone said. Colt had been my fated mate, but perhaps Fate would shine on me since I didn't even know the shadow of a man I used to be anymore.

And anyway, how was a man like me going to find an omega? One would land in my lap? Unlikely.