Fated Omega

By Kaleidoscope Press

One fateful night with Major Hardin Cross will change my life forever.

I’d never been successful in relationships, but all it takes is one strong man to show me why. I’d never been with a man before, and yet all the cards fall into place that first night.

My intense attraction to Hardin isn’t the only twist of fate to change my path. Hardin is alpha of the Noble Pack, and in desperate need of an heir. Never before has his mating resulted in the child I find miraculously growing within me, and the baby gives rise to a paternal protectiveness beyond his control.

But me and my Chosen child are not safe, not when Hardin’s rival hears of the powerful shifter who will be born to their better enemy...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steamy eReads
• Release date: Mar 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005651626

Book preview

Fated Omega

Kaleidoscope Press

Published by Steamy eReads, 2019.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

FATED OMEGA

First edition. January 30, 2019.

Copyright © 2019 Kaleidoscope Press.

ISBN: 978-1540136879

Written by Kaleidoscope Press.

Kaleidoscope Presents

Fated Omega

Mpreg Shifter Romance

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Copyright 2018 Steamy eReads

Table of Contents

Part One

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

Part Two

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

Part Three

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

EPILOGUE

Part One

CHAPTER ONE

Clay! the voice on the other end said. I was on the way out, hoping to grab a quick bite at Subway or something — I wasn't picky. But as soon as I heard Jenny's voice, I stopped, tilting the phone against my ear, idly playing with my apartment keys in my spare hand.

Hey, Jenny. What's up? She was a pretty close friend of mine, but given our clashing schedules, we rarely hung out or even texted each other. As a result, I knew that when she or I called each other, it was because one of us wanted to make immediate dinner plans.

I was just thinking about that conversation we had the last time we had dinner at Salvatore's, Jenny said. Just after you got the job at the museum, remember? Anyway, I was having dinner with another friend and thought you might want to meet him. He's exactly the kind of guy you want to interview.

At first, I laughed. Of course! Jenny had a date to go to, got nervous at the last minute, and decided to have me chaperone her. This was so typical of her. I didn't mind. She did know lots of interesting people — and I was genuinely curious that she knew someone that was relevant to my new part-time job at the Museum of Military History. That wasn't usually her thing.

Friend, huh? I asked sarcastically.

"Swear to God. It's the truth! His name's Hardin Cross. Major Hardin Cross. And not just any sort of army guy. You're going to be interested in him as soon as I read out his unit."

I was all business now — Jenny talking military units? She surely had a surprise for me here. Go ahead, I said tentatively.

It's the 672nd, uh the 672nd Battlefield... she recited, but I immediately interrupted her:

Holy shit, Jenny. The 672nd Field Shifter Regiment?

I can just about hear your jaw falling open, Clay, Jenny said, the smirk in his voice broadcasting loud and clear. So, you're interested?

Chaperone or wingman? I asked, pacing to the bathroom so I could check myself out in the mirror. Was I dressed well enough? A Field Shifter major! I was so excited, I thought I was probably going to race to her date before Jenny even got there.

A little bit of both, I think. Anyway, Salvatore's — obviously. I'm on my way there already. Need a ride? Jenny said.

Nope, my place isn't on your way. I'll just get a cab, I said. Thanks for the offer, though.

See you soon, then! Don't text me; I'm driving.

I quickly contemplated taking a recorder and a notebook with me. All my life, I had been a history buff, but nothing quite matched my interest the way the history of shifters serving in the armed forces quite did. I was only a kid when the larger shifter community in the United States first revealed themselves to the human world, and ever since I got my first Alpha Warrior action figure, I had been fascinated by them.

The only ones I'd met were in college, and those didn't quite meet the impression I had of true shifter alphas — college shifters were mostly pack runts who couldn't hack it in the ultra-macho, traditional shifter packs.

And now, this guy was military, and not just any unit! I had been tracking the progress of the 672nd in Eastern Turkey and Syria. I knew the unit was small, highly trained, and absolutely deadly. They were the best of the best. Even the most elite human forces confessed they could not compare to a Field Shifter in the 672nd. The composition of the regiment, like all shifter troops, was top-secret, but the reputed nickname of the unit, 'The Werewolves', kind of gave it away.

The cab dropped me off at Salvatore's in under twenty minutes. I checked my phone for the time and noticed that Jenny had already messaged me — Here now. Ask the maitre'd for Hardin Cross.

I did just that, and I was ushered over to the corner booth. Jenny was dressed as glam as she could muster — looking legit like a fashion model — whereas the built, chiseled man sitting across from her wore strictly plain, well-tailored clothes. He skipped a suit to wear a Mandarin-collared white Oxford button-down, pairing it with khakis and a belt that matched his shiny brown brogue shoes.

This is my friend, Clay Ashton, Jenny said. Clay, this is Hardin.

Hardin gave me a wide smile — very unlike the usual reluctant ones I got from guys who knew they had to deal with me as an active roadblock to Jenny. Clay. An absolute pleasure to have you joining us. I hear you work at the museum.

That's right. Six months now. Part-time, though, while I'm also finishing my degree, I quickly said. Third time's the charm.

I've never had the privilege to go, Hardin said airily. I think my father wanted me to go.

Really? I asked.

Is that so unusual? Hardin laughed gently. A father wants the best for his children. Not to mention, his heir as the alpha of the pack. He tried to get me into Yale. I think he picked that one randomly off a Wikipedia page about Ivy League schools.

Jenny raised an eyebrow. For a pre-Revelation shifter — if you don't mind me saying — your father sounds pretty tech-savvy. Usually, even people your age still struggle with it. At least, the ones I normally meet.

My father's a bit of a strange one. He doesn't really get it too much, though, Wikipedia aside. I bought him an iPad, and all he does with it is watch YouTube videos. And his phone? He's only ever sent one text, and that was one for my mother, accidentally sent to me.

I laughed, watching Hardin. He sat in a stiff manner that suggested he was regal and disciplined more than awkward. I could imagine him in uniform, looking like the very image of a patriot. Ah, Hardin, so... how long have you been back Stateside? I asked.

Hardin gave me a strange look, then the wide grin revealed itself again. How'd you even know I was away?

Your unit, I quickly said. I just... Whoops.

I flew out from Cyprus just the other week. Syria's massive fun. Well, if you're a deadly combat predator. He winked at me. Honestly, though, all the medals aside, I prefer my prey not shooting back at me.

I'd love to hear those stories sometime, I blurted out.

Not over dinner, Hardin said, quickly getting serious.

Jenny stepped on my foot under the table, giving me a total glare of a look. Let's all have drinks! I could go with a Cosmopolitan, she said, tilting her head forward towards Hardin. I suppose she was expecting he'd do the gallant thing and offer to get drinks for us at the bar, but instead he merely nodded once.

A single malt for me, straight. Clay, yourself?

I politely declined as I watched with second-hand embarrassment as Jenny walked to the bar, frustrated at having to suddenly play waitress. 

Glad to be able to spend some time alone with you now, Hardin said in a jokey tone. Are you and Jenny close?

Close? Oh, gosh, no, not like that at all. We're friends, nothing more.

Nobody special in your life, though? A partner? Hardin asked. We shifters call ours by a far more, ahem, old-fashioned term: mates.

No mates, I laughed. Not me, not yet.

Why's that? You're a very good-looking guy, you must have your pick of everyone you're interested in, Hardin said.

Just haven't met the right girl, I shrugged. I've never really given it much thought. For whatever reason, I've never managed to make a relationship stick.

Sounds like you need to try something new, Hardin said. I was confused for a second — I had the distinct impression he was flirting with me! I raised my eyebrows, hoping for further elaboration, but he looked away quickly.

I'm always up for trying everything at least once, I said eventually. But don't worry, I'm not going to be a barrier between you and Jenny.

I'm very glad to hear it, Hardin replied. Of course, alphas don't often spend much time fretting over barriers, in any case.

I glanced over at Jenny. It looked like she was having a spirited conversation with the bartender. You know, you're the first shifter I've had a proper chance to speak to.

Is that so? Hardin said. There are a fair few of us out there now. And plenty more who haven't revealed themselves.

In college, in freshman year there was a batch of shifters, but they all stuck together, I explained. And they had a strange, almost feral attitude. Nobody really dared to spend much time around them, even though that was around the same time shifters started being cool. Dana Routledge's first New York Fashion Week runway show in full wolf form.

Aha, Hardin said, nodding understandingly. The next year, Dana did Victoria's Secret. She's very sweet, and although she's left my pack, she's welcome to rejoin it anytime.

Dana Routledge, the Victoria's Secret model, was your pack mate? I asked incredulously.

Should that be all that much of a surprise? There aren't that many wolves on this side of the East Coast. You'd be surprised if I revealed a few other members of my pack — it's a big one, one of the first ones formed since the Revelation. Hardin said. How about you? Who's in your pack?

Ha, ha, I laughed. I'm a human. No packs for me. Plus, I don't have too many friends I'd die for. Maybe Jenny, but only if she brought me a drink... and here she is.

Sure enough, she had three drinks, even though I hadn't asked for anything. She smiled as she placed the tray down. Hardin immediately took his glass and sniffed it. Did you know lower-income wolves have the highest rate of alcohol addiction compared to other shifters? It's a cause I hope to highlight in my visit to Washington next week.

I wasn't aware shifter issues got much traction in Congress, I quickly said, thanking Jenny as I picked up the drink that wasn't the whiskey or the Cosmopolitan — she had gotten me a tall glass of Long Island iced tea. I took a sip and instantly felt the alcohol flood me.

You're right, Hardin said. Even though it's been, what, three decades since we outed ourselves, shifters still don't get their due democratic representation. It's actually a big thing among many alpha activists. I could name at least ten shifters exploring bids to run for office, but nobody's actually dared to make it happen.

You'd make a great politician, Jenny piped in. War heroes have it easier when it comes to winning elections.

Only a matter of time before we vote you in as the first shifter president, I joked.

Oh, I don't know about that. I'm sure my opponents would find lots of things to attack me on, Hardin said. But then again, that's what I have these claws for.

He flicked both his hands up, baring long, dangerous-looking claws instead of fingernails. The transformation had taken place right in front of me, seamless and smooth. One second, he had normal — perfectly manicured, even — fingernails, the next he had long, sharp claws coming out of all five of his fingers.

Jenny and I both had our mouths open. You know, your opponents better think twice before pissing you off, then, Jenny said, backing into her chair.

I noticed how his hands also seemed to be much larger, growing a size or two. They also appeared to be harder, more brutal looking... and they were hairier. Not furry, but definitely more hirsute.

That must be a fun parlor trick when you're on fancy dinners, I laughed.

My favorite. Sadly, this place is a bit too busy — nobody in the other tables seemed to have noticed, Hardin added. Okay, who'd like to see me turn into a full wolf right here?

Oh, God, no, Jenny said, shaking her head. That'd be too much excitement for Salvatore's. Her phone immediately started ringing. She looked down to see who it was then quickly looked back at me and Hardin. I have to take this one. You guys keep talking, I'll be back.

I watched her quickly shuffle to the bathroom. When I returned my gaze to the table, I could tell Hardin was staring at me — examining me, even. Are you deciding whether you regret having dinner, and you'd much rather eat me? I joked.

You have no idea how large a wolf's appetite can be, if you honestly think that, Hardin joked back. No, I've already decided you're good enough to eat. Now, you just need to watch out when you're alone with me.

I bit my lip slightly. He made that threat sound so casual, so... careless, as if he might accidentally just rip my head off. There was a certain thrill that came to talking to someone who clearly was a dominant force in everything he did.

Tell me something, Hardin said, I feel like you're adrift. Now, don't judge me for saying that. Call it an alpha's intuition. You just seem like you're at a loss, deep down inside, and there's something missing from your life.

Wow, talk about a casual topic of conversation, I said sarcastically. Um, I really don't know.

"Are you lonely? Earlier, you mentioned that you don't get much of a chance to hold onto your