AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sivney’s eyes widened, then narrowed as he studied Delton as if searching for a deeper meaning behind Delton’s words. Delton could hardly tell him Adar was the reason he wanted to stay. Not the first impression he wanted to make.
“Okay. We’ve already done a quick background check, and if nothing else pops up, we’d be honored to have you join us.”
“Is there a ceremony of some kind?” Delton asked.
“Interesting question. Why would you ask that?”
“I got the impression you guys do everything differently here. Somehow, it seems like joining your pack is more than a casual decision. It feels like a formal commitment, something that has gravitas. Call me crazy, but that has to come with some kind of ceremony.”
“It does, and I’m pleasantly surprised you sensed that. That’s proof you’re the kind of guy we’re looking for. It’s a ceremony in which you swear loyalty to the pack and the pack alpha, promising to defend the pack with your life.”
With his life. Delton would think that a bit dramatic if not for the stories he’d heard about how armed men had attacked the Hayes pack at the cost of several lives.
“Was there anything else you needed me for?” Adar asked Sivney.
There had to be. Delton wanted more time with this man, who had barely spoken more than a few words, but he intrigued him to the point that he couldn’t take his eyes off him. Surely, Sivney could find a reason to keep talking to him a little longer.
“Nope, that was all for now. I’ll let you know when I’m done here so we can go over the details of the refugees.”
“How many are there?” Delton asked quickly, addressing Adar.
Adar blinked and looked at Sivney, who gave him permission with a nod. How interesting that an alpha would defer to an omega. Sure, Sivney had introduced himself to Delton as second-in-command of the pack, but Delton had interpreted that as more of an honorary title than anything else. Omegas weren’t put in charge of anything, were they? Not that Delton necessarily agreed with society’s low opinion of omegas, but he hadn’t encountered many alphas who felt differently. Yet Adar was not only respectful toward Sivney but also took his cues from him. Fascinating.
“Fifteen for now, but that can change. Word is getting around that we offer a safe space for everyone but especially omegas, so we may get many more in the days to come.”
“I would think so, what with the chaos in the city,” Delton said. “Food and clean drinking water are still in short supply, and it’s not safe for omegas and, to a lesser degree, betas.”
“Have you run into any trouble?” Sivney asked.
“No, but I haven’t ventured anywhere by myself. My best friend, an alpha, escorted me whenever I had to leave the house, and he drove me here as well.”
“Gotcha. And he’s not interested in joining the pack?”
“No. He got married a few weeks ago, and his wife wants to stay close to her family. They have moved in with her parents, just outside of the city, so a pretty safe area.”
“That makes sense. Not that we’re necessarily looking for more alphas. We’re focusing on finding omegas and betas, to be honest.”
Delton was taken aback. “You’re specifically looking for omegas and betas? Why?”
“Because we want our pack to be an accurate reflection of society, which means we’re looking for as equal a division of alphas, betas, and omegas as possible. Plus,” Sivney said with a quick look at Adar, “many of our single alphas are eager to find a mate of their own. Or mates, I should say, as all relationships in the packs are triads.”
Sivney had mentioned triads before, but it hadn’t registered with Delton until now. “Wait. You’re saying that everyone who is in a relationship is part of a throuple?”
“Correct. With the one exception of Lidon Hayes, the pack alpha of the Hayes pack. He has three mates, not two.”
“Wow. That’s quite exceptional, isn’t it? I assume that has something to do with you being a pack? Is it a wolf-shifter thing?”
Sivney nodded. “When Lidon started the Hayes pack, he vowed to go back to the old ways, and it turned out that one of the crucial elements in the old packs was that most relationships were between three people, not two. And it wasn’t uncommon for the pack alpha to have three mates. Somehow, these polyamorous relationships strengthen the pack, though we’re not sure why.”
“And they’re all triads between an alpha, a beta, and an omega?”
“For the most part, but with some exceptions. One of my mates, Naran, is an alpha, but my other mate is… Lev is a biological alpha, but he doesn’t identify as one. With him, it’s more fluid. He displays characteristics of all three identities.”
“And that’s allowed in the pack?”
Sivney’s expression darkened. “If you have a problem with that, now’s the time to come clean. I will warn you that it does mean you won’t be a good fit.”
Delton held up his hands. “That’s not what I’m saying at all. Zero issues here, I promise. I was surprised because I don’t think I’ve ever heard of people being this accepting of nontraditional status identities. I’ve come across them in my work, but it’s been a hard uphill battle for most of my patients to find acceptance and understanding.”
