Bound by the Claw: Black River Pack, #2

1

Cory

Cory was painfully jealous of his cousin, Rian. He’d managed to snag an incredibly hot member of the Alpha Guard. From what Cory had heard, Taryn was great in bed and so good with the kids—they had two, since the baby had been born a while back, and now both kids were toddlers.

Cory wanted an Alpha of his own, now. He couldn’t wait to get started with all the stuff he saw in the leatherworkers’ store, which he stopped by practically every week after his job in social services. He could only just imagine the feeling of the Omega collar around his neck, making him feel secure and letting him know he was being protected and cared for by an Alpha.

Only the problem was there were no Alphas to marry. There was a current shortage, according to the Council, which meant that Cory was going to have to wait if he wanted to get his desires fulfilled.

And oh man, did he have some desires that needed fulfilling.

Everyone knew that Alphas liked tying Omegas up, spanking them, putting all those leather restraints and harnesses on them, making them beg, and all kinds of delicious things. And Cory wanted all of it. In fact, he worried that he wasn’t going to find an Alpha kinky enough for him, or worse, he’d be matched with someone with whom he didn’t quite get along sexually.

But that didn’t make any sense, right? It was the Alphas who were the instigators of all this kinky stuff, so they all had to be into it. Cory didn’t need to worry. It was just his lust getting

to

him

.

He took a deep breath and walked into his office. It was a sunny space with wide windows, which kept everyone’s wolf sides happy. Cory worked at the main social services office, intaking new members of the pack. It was considered a proper job for an Omega, and Cory loved it—he enjoyed being hospitable and caring toward new members, helping them get acclimated.

But on this day, he was going particularly crazy. He suspected it was because he was going into heat, even though the doctors claimed that was just an old Omega legend. Omegas didn’t go into heat unless they spent most of their time in wolf form, and no one did that. It was wonderful being a wolf, and Cory could see how it would become escapism for some people, but most people preferred having opposable thumbs.

He signed in and sat at his desk, feeling antsy. He couldn’t stop his brain from veering off into ridiculously steamy territory, and it made him feel awkward, since he was supposed to be

at

work

.

Why hadn’t the Omega teachers taught him any of this? It had to be a huge problem for everyone… Or maybe Cory was hornier than the rest? Doubtful. Everyone knew Omegas and Alphas were typically more lustful than Betas, who comprised the majority of

the

pack

.

One of Cory’s coworkers, another Omega named Mark, walked in and said hello. Between Mark and Cory and their apprentice Leon, all the new intakes were well taken care of. In the pack, you could choose to go into any job that you had aptitude for. It wasn’t like the human world, where you could only make a good living at some jobs. Cory had immediately chosen to work with new pack members in a caring role, like a lot of other Omegas, unsurprisingly.

I’m going crazy, Mark, said Cory, knowing that Mark was always a good listener. He was an older Omega and was already married, something Cory was jealous about. Cory tried to keep his feelings under wraps, though, or else he’d end up rambling and rambling to Mark about just how jealous

he

was

.

Sometimes he couldn’t keep his big

mouth

shut

.

What happened? asked Mark, an expression of concern crossing

his

face

.

"I’m… I’m going crazy because they still don’t have an Alpha

for

me

!"

All the Alphas are taken? asked Mark, puzzled. They always have an Alpha for every Omega.

I know! They told me this is a very unusual circumstance. I’m just going to have to wait until the next one becomes of age, or I don’t know, some miracle. Cory shook his head. It was deeply disappointing that he couldn’t get his own Alpha. He wanted the safety, security, and sexiness more than anything.

Not gonna lie, they’re pretty great, said Mark, but you’ll get one soon, don’t worry.

Will I? Concern crossed Cory’s face. Somehow, it seemed doubtful that it’d happen soon. The next eligible Alpha wouldn’t become age twenty-four for another two years.

You will, said Mark. The soul bond has a way of making sure these things work out, remember?

Oh yeah, said Cory, new hope taking flight in his chest. He couldn’t believe that it would happen, but it had been drilled in them since birth to trust in the nature of the soul bond, which made sure that everyone eventually found their mate. It was sort of like the fated mates myth of other packs—basically the same, really—but it wasn’t a myth. For example, sex with your soul bonded partner was supposed to be crazy good, and it was supposed to get even better as your emotional connection grew. All the married Alphas and Omegas

confirmed

this

.

Damn it—he wasn’t supposed to be thinking about sex at work, but his brain had led him straight there anyway.

Good luck, said Mark, patting him on the shoulder. "It looks like we have one new intake today, and we have to check on last month’s batch. Maybe you can do that while I give the new guy

a

tour

?"

Sounds good, said Cory, sighing and turning his computer on so he could see what he had to do today. The list was long, like it usually was. There was so much he had to do to make sure the new pack members learned about the customs and how everything worked.

The new Omegas and Alphas usually found that they liked all the kinky stuff. Cory had been taught that an interest in it was intrinsically tied to the soul bond and the nature of Omegas and Alphas, so it made sense that when they were introduced to the concept even in a new pack, they took to it like ducks to water.

Out of curiosity, Cory checked the intake that was scheduled for today, sighing when he saw it was another Omega. Sometimes, a lone Alpha would join the pack, but the last time that had happened was before Cory has started his job ages ago. Usually, Omegas would flee their home packs due to abusive Alphas or similar situations—not every pack treated Omegas as well as this one. Betas were the most common type of shifter in general, so most refugees turned out to be

that

type

.

It was not stacked in Cory’s favor.

He made some phone calls to check on his charges—it looked like all of them were settling in smoothly, though they all had a long list of questions which Cory patiently answered, remembering how clueless he’d felt even as a teenager. There was a lot to learn when entering Black River, which was a particularly populous pack compared to the others. Because it was such a big pack, it tended to be more bureaucratic, so there was a lot to get

used

to

.

Cory sighed, thinking of the problems Black River was currently facing. They were being besieged by packs from all sides. Even though Black River was the largest, they couldn’t hold out with all those packs ganging up on them. The Alpha Guard fought every day to defend their borders, and they tried to recruit as many Alphas as possible, but they too faced the same problem as the Omegas of Black River—there weren’t enough Alphas to go around.

Cory was due for a visit to one of his charges to help them get settled in their new home. The pack maintained housing for all wolves. Even the most basic homes, for newly minted Alphas and Omegas, were well-furnished and spacious. Cory had heard rumors that Black River provided the best housing, but he had no idea if it

was

true

.

Though, if they got so many refugees, perhaps

it

was

.

He finished up on his computer and checked the time—he could catch lunch after his visit. After checking in with Mark, he

headed

out

.

As he passed by Market Square, he realized he was running a little early. There was nothing wrong with indulging himself by checking out the leatherworkers’ store, was there?

The leatherworkers’ guild was comprised of all the artisans