Bound by the Fang: Black River Pack, #1

1

Rian

Um… What’s this one for, said Rian, too hesitant to even touch the leather strap, which was beautifully tooled with floral designs.

That’s an Omega collar, duh, said Aaron, confidently picking it up to examine it. The dark brown leather collar was beautiful, but Rian saw it as a museum piece—something whose craftsmanship was to admired, not something someone would

actually

wear

.

The thought of someone wearing that made him… feel funny. He’d never articulated his feelings

beyond

that

.

Um, and what’s that for? asked Rian, feeling stupid but asking anyway. They’d all had lessons on the different types of gear one could find in the leathworkers’ shop, but Rian had probably repressed all the knowledge. He didn’t have much of a memory for it, in

any

case

.

That’s what an Alpha presents to an Omega when they get married, said Aaron, patiently explaining. See, it comes with a matching cuff, here. That’s for the Omega to wear while in wolf form. Only for ceremonial purposes, though. Swapping the collar for the cuff would be too obnoxious normally.

It was nice of Aaron to be so patient in explaining everything—that was why he was one of Rian’s close friends. He was kind of like Rian’s big brother. Rian was an only child, so that was how he thought of Aaron, anyway.

Aaron picked up another, larger cuff. "This is the Alpha cuff. See how the design matches the Omega collar? It’s all a set. Come on, you

know

this

."

Rian had to admit it was all pretty common sense, and if he paid attention to all the Alphas and Omegas who were married, he would remember. But he didn’t. He had actively tried to block out any knowledge of what Alphas and Omegas did when they turned eighteen

long

ago

.

Thankfully, wolves didn’t get married at eighteen anymore; it was considered too young. Now, the ripe age for marriage for an Omega was early twenties, and for Alphas late twenties.

Rian was twenty-three.

I guess it’s about time for me to figure this all out, said Rian, sighing.

Why don’t you want to get married, anyway? said Aaron curiously.

Rian had never admitted the answer to anyone, though he had confided that he was worried to Aaron. It wasn’t good to tell too many people. A reluctant Omega wasn’t a

desirable

mate

.

I just… I’m scared of all this, said Rian, waving his hand to indicate the whole shop. It seems scary!

But it’s like a good kind of scary, like going on a rollercoaster, said Aaron.

I’ve never been on a rollercoaster either.

Aaron scoffed. "Well, you have to grow up some time or other. Look at this. I know I’d be proud if my future Alpha gave me something

like

this

."

Aaron picked up what appeared to be a harness, holding it up so he could examine the details. There was no doubt that the leatherworkers were incredibly talented. Rian looked at the harness too, admiring the careful stitching and tooled patterns. These had all been made painstakingly by hand. Rian couldn’t even imagine how long it must have taken.

He felt stupid, but he had to ask. "And what is

this

for

?"

Aaron turned to him and raised an eyebrow. Uh… It’s for things Alphas and Omegas do together.

Rian rolled his eyes. "You can say the word sex, you know, I’m not a pup. And I’m not scared of having sex. I’m sure that’s fun. It’s just all this extra stuff that

bothers

me

."

Aaron laughed. One day you’ll find an Alpha who makes you appreciate all this, he said. "That’s what the soul bond is for,

after

all

."

"

I

know

."

Rian did know about the soul bond—it was one of the deepest mysteries and most sacred myths shared by shifters everywhere. Alphas and Omegas were destined to find the mate they were most suited for. Rian had no idea how it worked, but everyone else believed in it. Maybe he would find himself an Alpha who was also freaked out by all this stuff.

Fat chance. Alphas went apeshit for Omegas clad in leather. Everyone knew that. In fact, Alphas were the ones who’d instigated the whole ritual process. They were the ones who liked to control and dominate and

cause

pain

…

Rian shivered unpleasantly.

I’m sure you’ll find the right Alpha for you, said Aaron, echoing Rian’s thoughts, though with a different meaning.

An Alpha who isn’t into all this stuff,

said

Rian

.

No, an Alpha who helps you understand why it’s sacred to our pack, said Aaron, going into his explaining tone of voice again. Alphas have certain… desires, and our job as Omegas is to keep them happy and serve them. Alphas whose desires go unchecked are dangerous. And useless in battle, which is a problem, obviously.

I know you’re right, Rian admitted, watching the harness fall into place on the table as Aaron put it back. The metal accouterments made a jingling noise.

The pack had been at war for a while now with the surrounding packs. It was all about land. Black River was one of the largest packs in the area, but recently, it seemed like the other packs had decided to gang up on them to get them to give up their land, chipping away at it like a mouse gnawing

on

bone

.

It was up to the brave Alphas of the Alpha Guard, as well as the Betas who provided support, to help protect everyone. And when the Alphas put their life on the line, it was hard to say no to them. Not when they wanted something so innocuous

as

this

.

That was what Rian’s teachers had said, but he didn’t think all this leather stuff was innocuous at all. It was clearly terrifying.

Look at this, said Aaron, picking up what appeared to be

a

belt

.

Rian didn’t even want to ask what it was for. But Aaron went on

without

him

.

Imagine an Alpha spanking you with this, said Aaron, with an almost manic grin. Imagine the shocking pain that eventually leads to bliss…

Aaron was clearly having his own fantasy that Rian was not a part of. He had no idea how anyone could enjoy being spanked, especially not with something as painful as a belt. Even if it was a belt specifically made for spanking; it was far too short to actually

be

worn

.

Don’t tell me you haven’t fooled around any, said Aaron, turning to Rian again. If you had experience, you wouldn’t be so scared.

Rian knew very well the kinds of things Alphas and Omegas got up to as teenagers. They weren’t allowed to mess with any of the expensive leather goods here, but they’d play around with dynamics of dominance and submission, which were the cornerstones of the Alpha and Omega sexual bond. You didn’t need tools

for

that

.

Rian had been so worried about it that he’d failed to hook up with anyone. He hadn’t wanted to explore that side of his sexuality.

Why couldn’t he have been born

a

Beta

?

I haven’t,

said

Rian

.

Have you even kissed anyone?

No, said Rian quietly. He was deeply unhappy about this fact, but there was no getting around it. You couldn’t get kissed without also getting spanked. Or tied up. Or any of the other bizarre things Alphas did to Omegas.

"But your parents are looking,

aren’t

they

?"

They are, said Rian. The search for an Alpha for Rian had started just a month ago. If they found an Alpha tomorrow, he could be married in as little as a week. His life would suddenly change forever. And he’d have to wear one of those horribly uncomfortable-looking Omega collars all the time, like it was a

wedding

ring

.

You’re lucky. My parents think I need more work experience before I get paired, said Aaron. "As if an Omega needs work experience. The only experience we need is how to take care of kids. I hear being a parent is a full-

time

job

."

That’s what I hear too. Rian had partially tuned out of the conversation. It was making him anxious about his near future.

Basically, our only job is gonna be to keep the Alphas and the kids happy. Satisfy the Alphas in bed, make sure they’re well-fed, and make sure the kids are all taken care of. It sounds easy, but I’m sure it’s not, said Aaron, thinking

out

loud

.

Rian had nothing to say in response. He really just wanted to get the hell out of there. He had no idea why Aaron had even wanted to stop in; every time they came to Market Square, Aaron wanted to see if the leatherworkers had put out new products.

And he wasn’t the only one. There were lots of unmarried Omegas and Alphas who popped in, snickering, titillated by all the products. People got really excited about all this stuff. When they turned eighteen, Omegas and Alphas would go with their older friends for the first time. And of course, those older friends would freak them the hell out with the knowledge of what was

to

come

.

It had happened to Rian. Aaron, who was older by two months, had dragged him into this place on Rian’s eighteenth birthday. Rian, not really knowing what it was about, had agreed. At first, he’d simply been puzzled and curious about all the beautifully-made, strappy leather things. But then Aaron and the other Omegas had told him what exactly what they

were

for

.

Rian had had to resist his instinct to run screaming out

the

door

.

It was weird, because a lot of Omegas apparently had certain urges that developed even before they turned eighteen. When they came into their first heat, which marked puberty, at around age twelve or thirteen, their process of sexual maturation began. Along with the heats came fantasies about being dominated by big, muscular Alphas.

Rian had listened quietly as the other Omegas at school had shared these fantasies. But he’d never admitted to anyone that he’d never fantasized about it himself.

Sure, he fantasized about sex in general. He definitely wanted to have sex, like the Betas, who comprised the majority of the