Page 6

Clint’s acting like he’s never been around an omega before, and I’m not sure why. We’ve tried every way imaginable to meet one. We had HeatWave set us up with potential matches and dating sites. Hell, we even did a speed dating event. None of them led us to an omega who could handle rodeo life, or better yet, our scent match.

My phone beeps and I pick it up, seeing it’s a text from Hunter. I open it and quickly read his message, sending back a simple thumbs-up emoji.

“That was them. They just landed, and should be here in an hour. We better get the chores done so that we’re free to show our guests around and get to know one another better.”

“I’ll head out and take care of the horses and T-Rexes.” Clint claps his hands and leaves the living room.

I follow him as he puts his Carhartt on and zips it, before tying that damn apron I got him for eggs around his waist. “Briggs, I’m gonna check on the goats to see if we have any kids on the ground. If you want to handle the pigs, you’d be my favorite cousin ever,” I tease as I throw my own jacket on.

“Yeah, yeah. I already am your favorite, but I know you and Tarzan don’t get along, so I’ll feed the pigs. Which reminds me, it’s time to put Tarzan in with the sows; I’ll do that, too. That will have us farrowing in late fall.” Briggs moves past me and out the door. A shiver runs through me at the fact he didn’t put a coat on. He never does, just wears his fleece flannel everywhere. I swear the man doesn't feel the cold. It might be April, but this far north, it’s still got a bite to it.

I head outside, hurry to the barn that houses the goats, and step inside. Instantly, I’m greeted with a barrage of baaahs and our small herd of Boer goats up on the fence, waiting for me to feed them. When it’s summer and the pastures are grown, we let them graze, but now that it’s spring, they only get grain and hay, which in their minds ain’t enough. Petting them as I walk past toward the feed bin, I fill a bucket with feed, and then fill their bunk. Their water tank is still full, and the heater is working, so I don’t have to break any ice. I do a once-over, making sure we haven’t had any newcomers to the family overnight.

Usually we try to have summer babies, but Romeo pulled a Houdini on us and got in with the does. Now, here we are in mid-April and on kid watch.

Luckily, the storm rolled through last night, and the worst of it shifted north overnight. We got hit with enough rain to flood part of the lower pasture and toss lawn furniture halfway across the yard, but the next county over got hammered with washed-out roads and downed lines.

Could’ve been a hell of a lot worse.

I flip the light off and step back into the cold, pulling the door shut behind me and head back toward the house to wash up, and wait for Clint and Briggs to be done so we can all be ready to meet our guests.

We made some breakfast after the chores were finished, and are just getting ready to sit down and eat when the driveway alarm goes off. I head to the window and look out. Sure enough, there’s a blue Jeep Wrangler coming up the drive.

“They’re here!” I shout.

“Jesus, Tripp, we’re right here with you. No need to yell,” Briggs growls, and I wince at my momentary forgetfulness.

“Sorry, I got excited. Should we go out and meet them, or wait for them to come to the door? Shit, why am I nervous all of a sudden?” I run a hand through my dark oak-colored hair, feeling the anxiousness suddenly rolling through my body. I don’t even get like this before a ride. Don’t matter how mean the horse is, I’m steady. But this? This has my stomach twisting worse than waiting on a chute gate to crack open.

“What do you think this is? A prom date? They can come to the door. If we run out there to greet them, we could make Autumn uneasy. Also, she might want privacy to say goodbye to her brother,” Briggs sighs as he shakes his head at me.

“Look who all of a sudden cares how the strange omega feels. Thought you wouldn't give two shits about her feelings and making things easy for her? Tune’s changed now that she’s here, huh? All bark and no bite?” Clint smirks, and Briggs slugs his arm hard. I bite my lip, holding in the laugh that is trying to fight its way out. I’m not going to get on Briggs’ bad side; he's already been an ass about this whole thing. If he wants to be cool now, so be it.

The three of us stand in the kitchen like a trio of freaks, waiting for the doorbell to chime, or for a knock on the door. Finally, after almost fifteen minutes, three firm raps shake the back door. I move toward the door and open it slowly, so as not to seem too eager. Hunter is standing there with a duffel bag in his hand. He looks the same as he did years ago, except thicker, and not with fluff; he’s put on a good amount of muscle.

“Tripp. Long time no see,” he greets me and reaches a hand out to shake mine. “Thanks again for doin’ this, man. It means a lot, ‘specially since we haven’t spoken in forever.”

“No big deal. We’re alphas. It’s our job to make sure omegas are safe. Even if they are your high school buddy’s little sister you’ve never met before,” I jest. “Speaking of Autumn, where is she? I see you have her bags, but no omega.”

“The thorn in my side is still in the cage. She needed a moment to prepare for hell on earth.” Hunter rolls his eyes.

“Cage?” I raise a brow at him. He better not have his little sister in a cage in the vehicle, or he won’t be leaving here at all. I’ll kill him here and now.

A deep belly laugh comes from him before he slaps his knee. “You should see your face right now. Cage is what we call our vehicles. After bein’ on a bike, you feel locked up and caged in a car or truck. Did you really think I’d lock my baby sister in a cage like a puppy? She’s a pain in my ass, but I love her more than anything else in this world.”

“Guess that makes sense. Never heard it called that before. Well, let’s get inside, the wind's picking up.” I push the door open wider and hold it so he can pass me and head inside.

“Autumn! Let’s go! Move your sassy ass!” he hollers toward the Jeep as he waves his hand in a come here motion.

The Jeep passenger door opens, and a green Converse hits the ground, followed by another. Autumn must be short, since I can’t even see the top of her head. The door slams shut, and standing there is the sexiest, but most off-limits omega I’ve ever seen. Autumn is small but curvy in all the right places, with long blonde hair piled on her head, and piercing, light gray eyes.

Far too young for you, Tripp. Get a fucking grip.

Autumn comes toward us, stopping when she gets about a foot away, and glares at the both of us.

“Autumn, don’t be a brat. This is Tripp. He's one of my oldest friends,” Hunter tells her.

“Hi, Autumn. It’s nice to meet you. I know this is weird for you. It is for us, too, believe me. But your brother was one of my best buds back in the day, and well, the three of us agreed to always protect omegas if we can. So while it’s weird moving a stranger into our house, I’m hoping we can make it work and get along.” I smile at her and internally beg my cock to stay down. I cannot get a hard-on for Hunter’s little sister, especially not with him standing right here.