Page 3 of Golden Valley
Chapter 1
“You don't need to leave the pack.” The new Purple Sky Alpha curled his hand around Ricky Marx’s nape. “I admit that I’m attracted to you, Ricky, but I’d never force you to do anything, sexual or otherwise. You know that, right?”
Being appointed the Alpha’s personal assistant had been an unexpected honor. How he had also snagged the man’s romantic attention confounded Ricky. Despite being taller, broader, and more powerful than everyone in their pack, Brian Berger didn’t make demands, he listened to everyone’s opinions, and he treated all pack members with respect. On top of that, he was gorgeous. Basically, Alpha Berger was perfection personified. But perfect or not, he wasn’t Ricky’s destiny.
“I know.” Ricky did his best to meet the Alpha’s gaze, but he couldn’t last more than a few seconds before looking away. “But it’s the best thing for both of us.”
“Hey.” Alpha Berger’s voice was as gentle as the squeeze he gave the back of Ricky’s neck. “What have I told you about looking me in the eyes?”
In addition to being the pack leader, whereas Ricky was just a random Omega, Alpha Berger was also older than Ricky—thirty-two to his eighteen. Yet, from the first time they’d met a month earlier, Alpha Berger had told him not to avert his gaze when they spoke. Out of deference to his Alpha, Ricky tried to look at his face when they talked, but overcoming his own instinct to submit to a more powerful wolf was a sometimes insurmountable challenge. And that wasn’t the only challenge Ricky faced with Alpha Berger.
Against all odds, the handsome, affable, older shifter was attracted to scrawny, boring, inexperienced him. The attention was flattering and the chance of having sex with, well anyone really, but Alpha Berger in particular, was beyond appealing. Flattering, appealing, and a really bad idea because Brian wasn’t Ricky’s mate. If Ricky didn’t move away from Purple Sky, they’d end up doing something they’d both regret.
“Purple Sky is your home,” Alpha Berger said. “You were born in this pack. Your family is here. There’s no reason for you to leave.”
Forcing himself to meet Alpha Berger’s gaze, Ricky said, “Resisting you isn’t easy.” He raised his palm toward the Alpha’s muscular chest but couldn’t bring himself to initiate contact. “If I stay here much longer, we’ll…” Unable to articulate something he had never experienced, his words trailed off. “And that’s not something I want to do with anyone other than my mate.”
“I pressured you.” Alpha Berger cringed. “That was wrong. It won’t happen again.”
Shaking his head, Ricky said, “You didn’t pressure me. Honestly.” Alpha Berger had been respectful and kind and, sure, he had made his interest in Ricky clear and, okay, saying ‘no’ to the pack Alpha wasn’t easy, but Ricky had never doubted that Alpha Berger had beenaskingnotdemandingand that he would accept rejection with grace. Alpha Berger had proven him right on all counts. “I know other shifters would jump at the chance to be with you. I’m just weird I guess.”
“Not weird. Maybe a little old-fashioned, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I guess so.”
“Seriously, Ricky, there’s no reason for you to leave Purple Sky. You’re a valuable member of the pack.” Cupping his hand around Ricky’s, Alpha Berger tugged until Ricky’s palm was flattened against the Alpha’s muscular chest. “Everyone’s being kind to you, right? Respectful?”
Ricky nodded. Alpha Berger had made sure of that from his first day in Purple Sky. The Alpha had assigned Ricky to assist him in learning about his new pack. A personal assistant, he called it. That wasn’t a job Ricky had heard of, but then again, their previous Alpha had led their pack forever, so maybe it was normal for an Alpha to choose an assistant when he came in from the outside. The position gave Ricky a purpose, raised his status in the pack, and allowed him to leave his parents’ house because the Alpha needed him close and the Alpha house had plenty of empty rooms. So even though he was young, an Omega, and, unbeknownst to him until Alpha Berger explained it to him, a Psi, he was welcome on pack runs and nobody teased or diminished him. That wouldn’t have been true a few months earlier, before Alpha Berger came to lead them. He really was a great Alpha.
“Thank you, Alpha.”
The Alpha arched his eyebrows.
“I mean, thank you, Brian.”
“That’s better.” Alpha Berger grinned, patted his hand, and then stepped back. “And you’re welcome. I’m glad we talked through this. You’ll stay in Purple Sky.”
“The thing is…” Ricky bit his lip, trying to figure out how to explain himself without contradicting his Alpha. “Purple Sky is great. My parents are great. You’re great. This job has been great. But I think I’m supposed to be somewhere else.” He let out a frustrated breath and dragged his fingers through his hair. He was an ungrateful jerk. “I’m sorry.”
Eyebrows scrunched together, Alpha Berger studied his face and, after several moments of silence, he said, “Your instincts are telling you that you should leave Purple Sky to find your mate?”
“Yes,” Ricky said, relieved at having his feelings articulated so clearly. But as he thought over the words, he realized they probably sounded ridiculous. “You think that’s dumb?” He bit his lip again.
“Trusting your gut is never dumb.” Alpha Berger put his fingers under Ricky’s chin and raised it. “If you believe your place is in another pack, I’ll do everything I can to help you find the right one. I’ll take care of you, Ricky. Don’t worry.”
That respectfulness combined with immense power was both the reason Brian made an incredible Alpha and the reason he would make a wonderful mate. It was also a confirmation that Ricky had to leave Purple Sky. Even the strongest wolf could only resist the double punch for so long, and Ricky was an eighteen-year-old virgin, which was the farthest thing from strong when it came to turning down sex.
***
Flicking his gaze toward Ricky’s side of the car, Alpha Berger grinned and said, “There’s no reason to be nervous.”
“I’m not, uh…” Ricky sighed and gave up on the lie. Brian exuded so much confidence in every situation that Ricky suspected he had never even met Nervous let alone felt him. “I can’t help it. I’ve never been to another pack, and Golden Valley is so”—he leaned toward the windshield and looked from side to side—“beautiful. Everything here glows. The land and the buildings and all the people we’ve driven by and just…” He sucked in a deep breath. “All of it’s beautiful. This is nothing like Purple Sky.”
“We’re in a build-up phase. Give me some time; I’ll make Purple Sky stronger.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean…” Ricky cringed and lowered his gaze. His Alpha had invited him along on an important visit with a powerful pack, and he was already messing it up by insulting him. “I’m sorry.”
From the corner of his eyes, he could see Alpha Berger’s shoulders shaking. When he looked closer, he realized the man was laughing. “There’s no reason to apologize to me, I just got here, so I didn’t get Purple Sky into this state.”
