Page 80 of His Rejected Alpha Mate
“Tempting.” Kade’s voice turned sultry and I swear that we all cringed. Thankfully, Dakota’s phone rang and interrupted the moment.
“Alpha, we have a party at the gates asking for asylum. Two betas and an omega.” Something must have occurred to him because he asked for their names before putting the call on hold again. “Blake, it’s Hiroshi, Tate, and Asher from the pride. I can vouch for them.”
“Hiroshi? He was the one you—?” Kade bit his tongue and gave me an apologetic look.
“Oh, I know about Hiroshi.” I said, waving his concern off. “Dakota explained to him just after he met me he couldn’t do his heats any more.”
I could see Dakota doing some mental calculations. “Shit! He’s probably in heat now.” He hastily spoke into the phone. “Keep any alpha away. He needs to go to the heat house now!”
“How did you know?” Chase was on the gate, his gift useful for knowing visitors’ intentions. There was no mistaking his distinctive voice over the phone.
Dakota cringed. “I used to be his heat partner.”
I patted his butt, the closest part of him to me, and Kade rolled his eyes.It’s fine. I rubbed my stomach.I know where your loyalty lies.Dakota dropped a kiss on my head.
“Put it on speaker.” Blake waited until we could all hear the sounds of the call. “Chase, does he need medical help?” Blake asked.
There was murmuring. I assumed Chase had covered the phone. Then he came back on the line. “Gimme a sec. I’m going to send Sam along with them to the omega area.” A long pause followed. I heard Chase blow out a long breath. “Blake, they tricked him. The betas were beaten and left in an alley. Didn’t get home in time for him going into heat. It was the ones who took him through his heat last time, when the betas were down with the sickness.” They would have been a couple of the few of the betas that had taken sick in their pack. The pride and aviary hadn’t suffered the same that we had. “One told him that the alpha leader’s son that slept with him used a fertility booster, not a contraceptive. He wanted to knock Hiroshi up.”
Oh fuck!I felt the shock ricochet around the room. Roan looked ill. He’d been tricked into taking a fertility booster and had never fully forgiven himself. He’d gotten away. No damage had been done, but it had clearly left a mark.
“Is he okay?” Dakota asked. Shock, anger, and worry flowed down the bond. I loved how big my mate’s heart was. There wasn’t a trace of jealousy since I’d seen messages between Hiroshi and Dakota. Hiroshi asked about me a lot, was interested in the pregnancy and genuinely seemed happy for his friend.
“He laughed my worry off. Said he’d taken a contraceptive before anything happened when their backs were turned. They showed up at his door saying that his betas were delayed.” Chase sounded sick. “Convinced him to use them instead in order to stay in the pride. He’s betrothed, unwillingly, to the alpha leader’s son. The betas are okay, healing up fine.”
Shit. This just got complicated.
“Maybe you should call your dad, Dakota, just in case. Or Poppy.” We heard the sounds of a vehicle approaching. “Huh, that’s Ívarr and Hakeem here. Will I send them up?”
“Please. We’ll get them all settled in, and I’ll call the pride and let them know we’ve offered asylum to three of their members.” Blake massaged his temples.
“There goes our nap, huh?” Kade said, eliciting a small chuckle from his mate.
Blake pulled him close and kissed him sweetly. “Sorry, my mate. Duty calls.”
Dakota ended the call and began a new one with his dad, though his papa answered. He quickly outlined the situation and informed them of the elf’s return.
Blake’s call was intense. Hiroshi coming to Sweetwater meant the council had to be informed. Using a potion like that was controlled, and this was a straightforward case of omega abuse. So was using Hiroshi’s heat against him and extorting sex for a place in the pack. Another crime against the alpha’s son.
Then there were the betas to consider. It was unusual to have an omega so bonded to a beta that they would flee a pack together, but two were unheard of. The sickness had put a lot into doubt and so much was changing, so who were we to deny them happiness?
“Logan, I want our packs to be on good terms. I really do. You are a good leader that I have respect for.” He paused. “I can’t overlook this. I’m sorry. Your son knowingly took a controlled potion, intending to impregnate an omega against their will.” Blake was silent for a minute as Logan spoke. “He told him his position in the pack was at risk if he didn’t allow Jared to take him through the heat.” There was some nodding. “I understand, and I’m sorry. The council will be informed shortly. I have to report it. Kade heard the conversation with the guard at the gate. He has a duty to all omegas.” Blake paced as Logan spoke to him. “Thank you for releasing them into my care. I will note your cooperation with the council. Again, I’m sorry. I want us to continue to be friends. Thank you, I appreciate that.”
Blake slumped into his chair. “Oh, thank fuck!”
“What is it?” Kade went to his mate’s side.
“Seems Jared, Logan’s second alpha son, has been making a nuisance of himself. Logan wasn’t going to push on the betrothal because he knew Hiroshi was holding out for his fated. He was aware of the unconventional relationship Hiro has with the betas. Logan trusted it would end when Hiroshi did mate because fated bond mates cannot cheat. Otherwise, he wasn’t going to interfere. He’s turned Hiroshi, Tate, and Asher over to us and will accept any punishment for Jared.”
“And he’s not angry?” Kade asked.
“No, like I said, Jared has caused issues recently. Logan has an heir. Neither was born from a fated match, but the elder alpha son is a lot like his father. I’ve met him a handful of times. The pride will be in safe hands with him after Logan retires. As Logan sees it, this is justified. He’s saddened at the loss of an omega, less so the betas, since one came to them from the aviary.”
“Fantastic! So more tension from the aviary then?” Kade’s voice was bitter with sarcasm.
“Doubtful, he’s a raven. They don’t really give a shit about them. It was just an excuse because the aviary hates mixed matings. They don’t want birds with other animals.”
“Ugh, I hate them so much.” I nodded at Kade’s statement. The more I heard about the aviary, the less I wanted anything to do with them.
