Chapter 32
Roman
M ayor Adams was standing in the front of the crowd, beaming a smile that was full of pride.
“I never expected this turnout, but I am so pleased,” he said as yet another person sat down.
I didn’t really consider six of us a huge crowd, but if he was happy, then that was a good thing.
“Thank you everyone for volunteering your time. We’ve talked about a community center for our little town for a long time,” he started, but one of the men spoke up, interrupting him.
“But he’s not from Rockwood Valley,” he gruffed out, pointing a meaty finger at me. My eyes widened. I hadn’t expected to piss someone off by being here.
“He lives in Rockwood Valley, is mated to one of our families that have been here for generations, and is an expert in running community organizations and programs,” Mayor Adams said, his tone still light but his eyes full of fire. I’d never seen someone look happy and menacing at the same time and it was strangely intimidating.
“Sit down and shut up, Frank,” the woman next to him said, giving me a soft smile. “Ignore him, sweetie, we trust you’ll do right by our little town.”
“We do,” Mayor Adams agreed before clearing his throat. “Now, the council has spoken and we have some numbers to discuss.”
The next hour was Mayor Adams breaking down budgets, timelines, and all the minor details that had half of the group’s eyes glazing over.
“Now, it is up to our committee here to decide which programs are important, which to keep, and what to charge for some of the participation,” he concluded.
“How about over coffee?” Frank grunted, standing up and going over to the table where the coffee was and making a cup.
“We need introductions, too,” the woman from earlier said. “You know Frank now, I’m Mary, then we’ve got Tanya, Joel, and Linda.”
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Roman,” I said, giving them each a smile. Tanya and Mary were both friendly, offering smiles. They had to be in their early sixties, gray hair peeking through Mary’s dark hair and Tanya’s red. Joel was a bit older than me, chestnut hair and a full beard. He wasn’t grumpy or angry like Frank, just quiet, offering no more than a nod. Linda looked like a kind old granny. She had knitting she was doing, yarn spilling from her purse, and her gray curly hair was pulled into a long ponytail. Her glasses were perched on her nose and a sly smile on her face as she greeted me.
“Ignore Frank. I do,” she said, earning a huff of annoyance from Mr. Grumpy himself.
“You’re just mad that I won the trophy and not you,” he said, a smug grin on his face.
“You still think about that?” Linda scoffed, waving him off with her knitting needle. “That was twenty years ago. Let it go.”
He sputtered for a second before flopping into his chair. Mayor Adams ignored the banter as he rolled out a huge dry erase board.
“Time to get to work. First, we have two possible locations,” he said. “There’s an open storefront on Grove Street, or, we could open on the fairgrounds. That old barn would be the perfect bones to create our new space. Half the time as well since we’d have a set structure.”
“Oh, that would be perfect,” Mary gushed. “We could have opening weekend the same time as the Artisan Fair.”
“Yes, and if we have rain, some events could be held in there as well,” Tanya tacked on, her voice getting more excited.
They were a blur of planning after that. I chimed in here and there to make sure they knew I was taking it seriously, but it wasn’t until they started talking about the art program that I really dove in.
I hadn’t realized just how much I missed my art until now. The kids and the nursing home programs were something I’d spent years cultivating and I missed them.
But life changed often and this was just a new chapter. And this new art program would hopefully give me the same satisfaction and sense of community I was missing.
By the time we’d honed in the details and they planned the grand opening for the Artisan Fair, I left feeling lighter than I had in a few weeks.
Our pack was amazing, but I was feeling… inadequate.
I’d been a peace maker a few times for the alphas, but now that they came together it felt like Tate, Hudson, and Lane were their own unit, Cameron and her had history, and I was on the outskirts.
With that thought, my mood started to drop.
My stomach churned as I walked down the block to my car. Rockwood Valley was surprisingly busy during the afternoons with everyone coming and going from the various shops.
Cohen’s Creations was right next to where I parked and curiosity got the best of me. I pushed open the door and breathed in the fresh herbs that filled the air.
“Welcome in!” The beta behind the counter greeted me. I recognized him from Avery’s pack. “Oh hey, how are you liking Rockwood?”
“It’s great,” I said, and I really did mean that. “Just left a committee meeting about an upcoming community building.”
He narrowed his eyes at me.
“You alright? I know moving can be a lot,” he said. “That didn’t sound as enthusiastic as you tried for it to be.”
“I’m fine,” I reassured him, not wanting to unload on a stranger, but Cohen wasn’t having it. When I tried to walk away, he followed.
“So, what are you looking for?” I was thankful he wasn’t asking about me anymore, so I just shrugged.
“Nothing in particular, just wanted to check out the shop,” I admitted. “Maybe some tea for the pack.”
“We also have some artisan chocolate over on the other side if your omega has a sweet tooth. Mine demands a box a week at minimum.”
His chuckle was quiet and free. He didn’t seem to struggle having a pack full of alphas.
“Do you ever feel like the odd man out as the beta of the pack?”
The question burst out of me before I could stop it. He didn’t even flinch.
“It might be different because I have an alpha and our omega,” he started. “But sometimes. Then they remind me that I’m important. I’m Avery’s calm place as well as a calming force in the pack. She always tells me I’m what holds them together and keeps their crazy in check. I’m positive you do the same for your pack.”
I sighed. “I thought so, but sometimes I feel a bit overshadowed by the others.”
“Don’t pull away,” he warned me. “That’s the worst thing you can do. She wants you there, you are mates. The transition periods can just be sticky sometimes. Bring home something that brings you all together and you’ll realize how much they want you there.”
“Any suggestions?” I asked, trying to think of anything that would do that.
“Does your omega want a puppy?” he asked, giving a huff of a laugh. “I’m partially joking, but there is a shelter event going on down at the vet clinic.”
“I feel like I need to take her with me for that,” I mused. “But I think she might just love this. How about some gourmet treats for her as well?”
He gave me a grin. “I’ve got you. Just call this a welcome to town, present.”
“No, let me pay you for it,” I argued, but he was already packing it up and ushering me out the door.
“Not a chance. Go get your pack and find your place. You matter,” he said firmly, closing the door after shoving me out of it.
Could anyone kindly kick you out? Because I think that’s exactly what just happened.
Taking the bag, I hurried to the car and called up Oriana.
“Roman!” she answered on the first ring, her voice bright and eager. Warmth spread through me at the sound. “How did it go? Tell me everything.”
“Wait, tell us everything,” Lane argued. “I want to hear as well.”
“Actually, I know we never talked about it, but how do we feel about pet adoption?”
It went dead silent on the other end before a squeal high pitched enough to crackle through the phone echoed out.
“Shut up, are we adopting a puppy?!”
“Cohen told me there’s an event going on. I’m heading home now, but I thought this might just be the perfect addition to the new packhouse. Plus, we can bring it to work with us if we socialize the pup enough.”
“Shut up, I can get him cute little bow ties,” she gushed. “I’ll be ready when you get here, loveyoubye!” She rushed the last part before ending the call.
Between her excitement and Lane asking about the meeting, I was starting to see that my own insecurities were getting in the way.
Laughter burst out of me as I drove up the long driveway. Every one of my pack members was standing on the porch, ready and waiting.
I didn’t even get a chance to fully park before they were piling in. The arguments were already starting over what type of pet to get, though Tate was firmly on team cat.
“Where’s the vet clinic in town?” I asked, realizing I had no idea how to get there.
“Head toward town, I’ll guide you,” Oriana said as she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before buckling me in. “I missed you today. Tell me how it went as we drive.”
“Really great, actually,” I said, giving them a quick rundown.
“That’s amazing, did he discuss your permanent position there?” Cameron asked.
“No, but it was specifically setting up the center,” I admitted. “Even if he doesn’t, I’ll figure something else out.”
“Or you can just volunteer,” Oriana shrugged. “Our bills are paid.”
I frowned, not liking that idea at all. The last thing I wanted to do was not contribute to the pack finances. It was a team effort.
“Don’t overthink it. If Mayor Adams said he was going to bring you on as staff, he meant it,” Cameron reassured me, reaching out and squeezing my shoulder.
I’d tried to make sure he fit in with us after I realized he wasn’t as shitty as I thought, and it felt like our friendship had grown even more. I was thankful for him since the others were already a unit. His reassurance meant a lot.
Ori guided us through town to the vet clinic. It was fairly busy and the yard was full of people milling around.
“I hope there’s still a puppy to adopt,” Ori said as I snagged a parking spot in front.
“If not, we’ll find another shelter. There’s always a puppy needing a home.”
“True,” she agreed, letting out a relieved breath. She was out and rushing toward the door already, making the rest of us scramble to keep up.
“Welcome to our adoption event. We have plenty of sweet and playful dogs available, and just as many cats,” a sweet and bubbly omega said. Her blonde hair fell in waves around her shoulders and she had a bright magenta shirt that read ‘paws for packs.’ “Our adoption specialists can meet with all or one of you while the others browse. We’re here to help in any way we can!”
“I’ll handle the paperwork,” Tate said, giving Ori a quick kiss before letting the omega usher him to a nearby table.
“Cats or dogs?” another worker asked. He had curly, brown hair and a bright smile, his energy as bright as the first woman we’d met.
“Dogs,” Ori said quickly. “Please.”
“Do you have a preference on size, breed, or age?” he asked as he started walking.
“Take me to the pup who has been here the longest,” she said firmly.
“Pup, as in puppy?” he asked, pausing as if to make sure he heard her right.
“They’re all puppies in my eyes,” she laughed. “Longest resident.”
He brightened even further. “That would be Henry. He’s been here four years and is always overlooked at these events. He’s the sweetest old man.”
“How old?” Lane asked but Ori shot him a glare.
“Old pups need a home just as much, it doesn’t matter,” she said fiercely. I had a feeling she was already in love with this dog.
“He’s six. Not our oldest but… well, you’ll see. He’s not super outgoing but he’s sweet when you give him a chance to adjust.” Now the worker was rambling and I was nervous all over again.
Not Oriana. She was determined now.
I shot Lane a look who just gave a shrug.
“No point in arguing, she’s stubborn as hell,” Cam joked. Hudson shook his head but stepped up next to our girl as we followed the worker right past the puppies and families to the back corner. A few dogs were still inside their kennels, every one but the last had an ‘Adopted’ sign pinned to their doors.
When we stopped in front of the final kennel I knew it was over. This pup was leaving with us.
“He can be slow to warm, has terrible gas, and is an older man, but he’s worth it.”
Henry was laying dejectedly on his bed. His ears twitched as we talked but he wouldn’t even look our way. Our guide unlocked the kennel and stepped back.
“I’ll let you get acquainted.”
He walked away as Ori took my hand and led me in with her and Hudson.
“He’s adorable,” Hudson admitted, walking over and sitting right on the concrete pad next to his cot. “Hey, big guy.”
“He’s treat motivated, I snuck you a few,” I heard the worker say before Cam walked in with a small tub in hand.
We sat in a circle around the long haired dachshund who was currently snubbing us.
For a moment, we just sat there, giving him time to grow curious. Well, all of us but Cameron who crossed to the other side of his cot and sat, giving the bin a shake.
Henry raised his head and glanced over before looking around at us with a cautious look in his old eyes. His face was graying around the eyes, giving him the illusion of wearing a mask.
The rest of his fur was a dark brown and could use a good wash and brushing.
“Hey, old man. We’d like to bring you home, how do you feel about that?” Cameron said, voice a low, soothing rumble. Oriana let out a sappy sigh, looking at her alpha like he hung the moon.
“We’ve got plenty of land for you to run and just wait for that forest. It will be full of smells,” Hudson added on in the same sort of tone.
“We can go shopping and get you all the things. Comfy beds for by the fireplace, one in each of our rooms so you have a little place everywhere in our house,” Ori said, continuing on. “Please say you’ll let us keep you. I’m already in love, Mr. Henry.”
Whispers outside had me glancing back to see the bubbly woman and our guide talking and looking hopeful. I had a feeling he’d won them over, too.
When their jaws dropped, I turned back around to see him bypassing both alphas to sniff at Ori. She was so cautious as she spoke to him, voice a sweet whisper as she reached out for him. He sniffed her once before butting his head into her palm.
Ori let out a shaky breath before scratching his ears. When he melted into her lap she put double the effort in, giving this old pup the scratching of his life.
When he rolled to his belly, stunted legs in the air, we all collectively fell for them both all over again.
Cohen was a genius for suggesting this. Not only did I feel better about my place in the pack, this had made our omega incredibly happy.
Though, all of us looked just as content with our new baby.
“He’s coming home with us,” Ori announced, voice firm. “This pup is meant to be ours.”