"Back to the topic of the town, yes, I'm aware of how much needs to be done. There are a lot of abandoned homes also. From what I've heard, over half the pack have moved on in recent years. Between Horace's bad temper and poor management and how hard it is to live in the desert anyway, a lot of people petitioned for transfers to packs up north or back east."
"Really? I’m not surprised. I wonder if those homes are habitable? Sounds like something I should put on my ever-growing to-do list."
Nodding, I swallowed the bite in my mouth. "It’s why I brought it up. It occurred to me how after you challenge my father, you will be in the same position as he is right now—an alpha with two packs to either merge or manage. A lot of the people in Newberry Springs seemed to be happy enough where they are. But if you give them the option, I know of at least a dozen families who would jump at the opportunity to settle in here at Lucerne Valley. It would be good if we had houses for them."
"Good idea. I hadn't thought about taking on a second pack. I'm sure I would've got there eventually, but I've been a bit preoccupied over the last couple days. If memory serves, the pack members can choose to rent or buy their home from us. When they leave, they have to sell it back to the pack for current market value. Which means we own those houses, don’t we?"
"Yes, you understand exactly how it works. So we need to take responsibility for fixing up the empty houses before they can be rented. If people want to buy them as-is, they can pick them up themselves and still save money on the property. I know it's early days to discuss this, but it's definitely something to keep in mind."
Matt dangled a slice of bacon in front of me, playfully bouncing it up and down until I nipped at it. For half a second, I thought he was going to play keep-away, but he surprised me with a satisfied smile, as if feeding me pleased him. Then he winked and popped the rest into his own mouth. He finished chewing and took a swig of coffee before continuing our conversation.
"Yes and no on the whole early days thing. It's crazy how time will fly before we know it. Best to have a plan in place, especially with so much to be done. I asked Jared to look into the cost differences between wind turbines and going solar. Given our unique location, wind and sunshine are both plentiful. There’s always the option of getting the power fixed, but I like the idea of being off the grid and remaining self-sufficient. Not because I'm afraid to have humans around—quite the opposite. They’re welcome to come, for all I care. But I’d be interested in saving money for the pack, and paying for power we could get for free isn’t going to accomplish my goal."
Being appreciated by an alpha and included in his planning felt so good. I was still surprised by how modern Matt was, but having him treat me like an equal was mind-blowing. I'd never known an alpha could possibly be so open-minded and fair. Rubbing my belly, I couldn't help but thank my lucky stars for Matt.
Any other alpha would've been within their rights to cut my pup right from my belly and force me to shift and heal so they could impregnate me themself. Instead, Matt told me he would love this pup as much as any future children. It could’ve been because we were true mates, but I didn't think so. Matt was simply that decent; I was sure of it.
Thinking of how he'd introduced me to the pack as his equal was as crazy as hearing him say it in the first place. With his fairness in mind, I decided to bring up a crazy idea I'd had for a while now.
"You don't mind having humans around? Good. This is something way long-term down the road on the idea list, but the Calico Ghost Town does excellent business. Not too long after I arrived, Horace was tied up with the Gamma Council, and Jared took me on a tour of our pack lands. There's a strip of old buildings off the highway near Barstow. It would make a cute tourist trap. Having the place rotting away out there in the middle of the desert when we could be earning pack revenue and retaining local history at the same time seems like such a waste."
As if trying to place the area, Matt frowned. It only took a few seconds before a bright smile crossed his face. "Rio de Oro! Or as it later came to be called, Gold River. The original settlers arrived with some Mexican miners who swore a vein of gold flowed through the desert as thick as a river. It’s another victim of the gold rush era, I'm afraid. I like your idea, though. I can see where it could work. Plus, our people will need jobs once things get back to normal. A renovation would be a good project to consider. We’ll bring it up at the next gamma council meeting, see if we can’t find support for your idea.”
“Really? You would?”
“Of course. But I won’t have to because you will. Remember the whole ‘us being equals’ thing? I want you at future council meetings so you’re informed and can have a voice on things we discuss. I plan to go back to the old way of having the pack run more democratically, with a council weighing in and us overseeing it all. Too much power isn’t good for anyone, and I don’t need the enticement.”
He shot me a wry grin, but I wasn’t buying it. No way would Matt be tempted like other alphas. He’d already proven as much by thinking of ways to limit his reach in the first place. Horace wouldn’t even have considered it.
Rubbing my belly again, I smiled back at my handsome mate. Yep… I was one lucky omega, and this was a very fortunate pack to have Matt as our Alpha.
We were finishing breakfast when the house woke up. First Jared, then Paula, joined us in the kitchen. Jared was looking for Matt, and Paula was eager to start planning our day. Matt gave my hand a squeeze, regretful we would have to separate to our different tasks.
He leaned over as if about to kiss me goodbye when I jerked with an unmanly squeak at the rumble of motorcycles. Pausing, Matt tilted his head as if listening to the engines, and a wide smile spread from cheek to cheek.
“Hold that thought, little wolf. You can come back to work in a few. First, I have some friends I’d like you to meet.”
Seven
Matt
I'm not sure who was more startled, Elisha or Jared or maybe even Paula, when I lifted Elisha in my arms and backed through the swinging kitchen door before taking off at a run. While I whooped with laughter, Elisha froze, then burst out in a joyous giggle, making me glad I'd followed my spontaneous urge.
As I stopped to open the front door, Elisha laughed in my ear. "You're crazy. Put me down. I must weigh a ton."
"A ton? I hardly think so, unless you measure your weight by sweetness factor." I stopped to sneak a quick kiss before flinging the door open and walking out onto the porch. "Sweetheart, I've carried wet dogs heavier than you. And if you're picturing a Yorkie, you'd be correct."
Giggling again, he smacked my chest. "I was joking before, but now I'm begging you. Put me down so I can pretend we're civilized when I meet your friends."
"Elisha, these guys are my brothers. They know damn well I'm not civilized. I'm counting on you to make me look good." Chuckling, I set him back on his feet right as four familiar bikes rolled to a stop. Catching Elisha by the hand, I kept him firmly at my side while we walked down the few steps to meet them.
Lucian had removed his helmet, walking our way before anyone else was off their bike. Whistling, he waved a hand in front of his face, waggling his eyebrows as he took in Elisha. "Damn, look at Matty go! No wonder you left us high and dry at that little honkytonk. Tucker didn't tell us the omega you were rushing off to save was such a pretty little thing."