Chapter One

Riley chuckled, closing his car door, and then walked up to the rented RV that had been his home for the past five years since he moved to Crosstown City, talking on his cell phone to Creed. 

“You have that meeting with Phoenix Harcourt in the morning,” Creed stated. 

Riley rolled his eyes at his best friend and business partner’s yammering.

“I wanted to join you, but I’ll be in a meeting of my own with Superintendent Matt Stephen. He’s coming in to renew his landscaping contract for the school district.”

“That's a big contract; we can’t lose it,” Riley said. So make sure you guys stick to business and nothing else.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Let’s just say when you and Matt get together for business, you two forget the purpose and try to one-up each other on whose kid is more mature. It’s as if you guys forget the kids are only two and three years old.”

“My kids are better, obviously,” Creed said instantly. Riley couldn’t help laughing at his best friend and business partner’s antics.

Moments like this solidified Riley’s decision to follow Creed to Crosstown City. It had been their dream to start a business together. Before joining the military, Riley had gotten his bachelor's in accounting, but soon after realized it wasn’t for him. However, having a degree helped him gain admission to the Naval Academy, where he met Creed.  Under the strong encouragement of his parents, he earned a law degree and was able to practice in three states, and Creed worked independently in Horticulture. Riley had even scheduled leave and taken the bar exam for Crosstown since it was already decided that he and Creed were moving there once they retired from the military. The deal was that Creed would be the face of their company while he stayed in the background, working on the books and ensuring they stayed within the law.

But who would have guessed that tragedy would strike and Creed’s brother, Richard, along with his pregnant wife Caroline, would get into a car accident?  Richard died instantly, and Caroline died minutes later after giving birth to their son, Connor, at the hospital. Before he died, Richard owned an architecture firm, which he willed to Creed along with the care of his son. Creed and Riley had been out to sea on a mission overseas when the word came in about his brother, and were there for him when he broke down crying. 

Creed, who was a couple of months from retiring when his brother’s accident happened, wasted no time and got his terminal leave approved, got off the ship and rushed back to the States to find his nephew, who had been staying with Caroline’s friend Winter Di Matteo who later turned out to be Creed’s mate and someone Riley considered a true friend. He couldn’t leave with Creed and had to wait a few more months before his time in the military was up, but he knew their business plans were still in place. 

Creed took over Makami Architecture and made space for Riley, making him an equal partner. Feeling the need to be on the same footing as his title, Riley put his military experience and previous degree to better use and enrolled in an architecture university. Creed thought he was crazy, but his friend knew he had no qualms about learning and experiencing new things. Riley’s goal was to learn and understand the business better, but who knew he would enjoy learning everything about architecture, from the history of buildings and their structure to designing and blueprinting? He developed a knack for it. Every day, he thanked his cousin Alexandra when they were kids for dragging him to her art classes when he was bored, and she needed company. He didn’t think his basic knowledge or art would help him in the long run.

He even interned under the architects within the firm, who were not afraid to boss him around. He even helped design a few blueprints and local remodels. Earlier that year, Riley graduated with his Bachelor of Architecture and was considering going for his master's, but he was not in a rush. For now, his focus was continuing the success of Makami Architecture and maybe following through with something he’d been debating for quite some time. 

He could admit that other than six months ago, he hadn’t really been living. His life consisted of school, studying, gym, and work. But truthfully, it helped keep his mind busy from thinking about a certain asshole. Shaking his head, Riley took in his surroundings and felt something was off, but couldn’t place what it was. It wasn’t the first time he'd felt that way in the past few days. It was as if someone was watching him.  He’d been meaning to get better security measures in place since he lived in an RV on a vast, undeveloped land filled with one dirty road surrounded by tall, lush green trees. 

Riley couldn’t say exactly what he was thinking when he’d purchased the eighty-thousand-acre land. He’d gone to the realtor’s in the need to buy a house, but nothing he saw was to his liking. Tom's realtor suggested that he purchase land and build his own home to his specifications. Riley thought it was a logical thing to do, but it was illogical to acquire so much land and still haven’t done anything with the damn thing. 

He couldn’t say it was an impulse buy; he was boring in the respect that he planned all the essential things in his life, like buying a home. But the truth was, after seeing the vast land, he felt a strange calling to it and knew he must have it. Creed, Winter, and his family kept asking him what the hell was taking him so long to break ground; it wasn’t as if he didn’t have the money or the manpower to get things rolling. But his answer remained the same: he was waiting for the right time, or maybe it was someone. 

My alpha mate.

Five years ago, Riley caught a whiff of his alpha mate and thought that it was his turn since Creed had found his mate; however, everything turned out wrong. Like any omega who’d dreamed or built up a fairy tale of the fateful day they would meet. They would see or scent each other’s pheromones, stare longingly into each other’s eyes, fall instantly in love, and live happily ever after. But his dreams were dashed, causing Riley to have misgivings about fated mates and love. It was all thanks to Terrance “Terry” Rojas, who Riley promised, if they ever met in this life, he would kick his ass so bad he wouldn’t be able to ignore or forget.

Riley tried not to think of Terry. It always hurt too much. That was how it was until six months ago, when he met someone, a dominant alpha; he’d consider a suitable bed partner who helped him chase away the lonely days. He wasn’t sure how to define things with Terry since he and the alpha never spoke to him; no matter how much he tried to get the man’s attention, he was ignored as if he were air or a nuisance to his eyes, and his rejection dug deeper into Riley’s heart. It didn’t help that Terry was a handsome bastard and Riley knew that the man had no problem finding a bed partner.

Terry’s actions really cut him badly. Being Winter’s best friend, Terry had stuck around long enough to help the man plan his wedding. Every day for a month, he had to deal with being around Terry, surrounded by his pheromones, and never once being acknowledged. Riley had thought that since he was Creed’s best man it would give them an opportunity to talk, but it never happened. Riley knew that Creed wanted to kick Terry’s ass, but he wouldn’t let him do it. He was very aware that Winter had given Terry a piece of his mind, but nothing his friend said changed Terry’s behavior towards him. 

Riley had wished Terry were a dominant alpha with enough power to make him forget they were mates or able to mask his scent. Maybe Riley would have gotten over him sooner, not four and a half years. What added more insult to injury was that, soon after he was done with his best man speech, Terry ran off to gods knew fucking where, where not even his brother Thomas knew of his location. Thanks to a few slip-ups from Winter, Riley learned that Terry did not like how society was categorized into alpha, beta, and omega, and the reality of dominant alphas. Most of all, Terry does not believe in true love. 

Riley could understand Terry’s resistance to societal norms. The world was made up of more than just male and female. There were alphas, omegas, betas, and in some rare cases, dominant alphas who were placed at the very top of the hierarchy. According to fate, a dominant alpha can be mated to anyone, even a beta, even though they couldn’t get pregnant. But there were other means the couple could still build and have a family. There was surrogacy and in vitro fertilization. It’s even been said that some dominant alphas might end up having more than one mate.

An alpha and omega were a perfect match, as omegas were often carriers and seen as nurturers and caregivers. However, until about twenty years ago, they were seen as a hindrance to society. Some were even kicked out of their homes for being omegas. It took loud voices, protests, and many screaming for omega rights that brought out the need for bills protecting omegas.

 Just as some alphas were born special, like a dominant, there were also omegas who were born with a gland in the back of their necks that must remain hidden until they’ve met their fated mate. Scientists dubbed them enigmas because they couldn't explain why they were born with a gland, despite conducting numerous tests. There’s not much known about enigma omegas, as they were called. Still, scientists and researchers have surmised that those specific omegas would be able to carry multiple births without any problems. Also, they would have a different build from a regular omega.

Enigmas go into heat every two months and require a higher dose of suppressants. It’s believed the gland is a second pleasure spot for the omega. When touched or bitten, it brings on omega heat that could last days or until the omega was satisfied. Due to the rarity of gland omegas, they are not often discussed in society, which seems to put a negative stigma on the omega.

Riley had found out he had a gland when he came of age, and he couldn’t help but wonder if Terry had realized he was an enigma, and that was why he rejected him instead of spouting bullshit about not believing in love or fated mates. Whatever the answer was, Riley was pissed that Terry judged him before he took the time to get to know him.

If asked, Riley wouldn’t deny that he was an absolute romantic. And although Riley was an enigma, he had never cared who he fucked. He was in the military for fucks, and during certain times when the need arose, no one cared who was an alpha or an omega. Sure, he and Creed, who was an alpha, fucked a few times back in the day, but he never felt the urge to have the man knot him or bite his gland to mate him. 

“Are you listening to me?” Creed asked.

“Yeah, yeah, meeting tomorrow, ten o’clock at the office. Bring the blueprints,” he said in a surly mood when a few minutes ago he was laughing his ass off. “Did I miss anything?”

“Don’t be a smart ass,” Creed grumbled. “Harcourt is the biggest client we’ve ever gotten, so we can’t screw this up.”

“My guy, have I ever let you down yet? I’ll get the account and give him an outstanding design that he won’t be able to say no.” Riley huffed. Phoenix Harcourt made his billions in cosmetics but later branched out in many areas, even becoming a spokesperson for mental health and omega rights.

“No, but you have been a bit spaced out lately. Maybe you should think about getting laid.”

Riley chuckled. “I get laid plenty.” And that was the truth. He might be mateless, but finding a bed partner didn’t bother him. Riley wouldn’t by saying he got hit on a couple of times a day. 

“Are you seeing someone?” Creed asked, far too excited for Riley’s opinion.

“Nothing or no one worth talking about,” he said, finally walking up the RV steps. He was about to put his key in the lock when he noticed the door was cracked open. 

“Who is it? Do I know them?” Creed barraged him with questions about his love life, but his mind was focused on other things. 

Did I leave the door unlocked in my rush this morning? Riley shook away the thought; he was quite anal about his safety as a former Navy SEAL.

Riley scanned his surroundings. His RV was on a large plot of land, and his closest neighbor was miles away. Other than his selected friends, no one else visited him. Even his family refused to visit because they liked to complain he didn’t have room to accommodate them. Riley honestly didn’t see the problem; he had gotten a luxury mobile home with all the fancy trimmings, a wide-screen television, a king-size bed to fit in the bedroom, and enough space for a closet, kitchen, sitting room, and bathroom big enough for two. But that still didn’t answer the question as to why his door was unlocked.

“Hey, Creed, let me talk to you tomorrow at the office,” he said and hung up before Creed could respond.

Stuffing his keys into his pocket, Riley slowly opened the door, peeked around the corner, and let out a breath when he didn’t see anyone. But it still didn’t put his mind at ease. Tucking his bag next to the door, Riley crept into his RV and noted that nothing was out of place. He quietly searched the entire RV. As he entered the bedroom, he froze in shock at the sight of a man with tattoos all over his chest and arms sleeping on his bed. He was about to start kicking ass when the scent hit him. 

Fresh morning dew and a hint of spicy masculine musk. My alpha mate.

He should be happy to see the man, yet all he felt was instant anger. Riley sucked in a deep breath and walked closer to the bed, peering down at the sleeping man. It was the second time he had seen the man up close and in person. All the other times, the man avoided him as if he had the plague. His appearance had also undergone significant changes. He had lost some weight and cut his locks, but long enough to grab in a passionate embrace. 

What the fuck is he doing here? Riley frowned, looking at the sleeping man. He’s got some fucking damn nerve breaking into my damn place and sleeping in my bed. Renewed anger burned inside of Riley. This bastard ignores me for five fucking years and shows up out of the damn blue. I should kill him while he sleeps and be done with him for good.

 Slowly, he reached into the nightstand and reached for his Glock, not cocking it but pointing between Terry’s brows. He was so dan tempted to shoot the alpha for all the torture he’d experienced for the past five years. Riley had never considered himself petty, but at the moment, all he could think was hurting Terry the way he had been hurt. Although they never mated intimately, just scenting him and being close to Terry started the process, and until six months ago, Riley couldn’t even be around another alpha. 

For all those years, he lived a lonely existence. He wished he had never laid eyes on Terry.  Cocking his gun, he was really debating on pulling the trigger, yet the rational part of his brain took over. He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life in jail when he was starting to live again. Even with his family’s wealth and being an omega, he would not be protected from killing an alpha, especially an unharmed and unaware one. Tsking, he pulled the gun away, put the safety back on, and put it safely back into the drawer, slamming it closed, not caring if it woke the man, who didn’t even stir one bit. 

He stepped away from the sleeping form and took off his jacket, throwing it in the hamper. Riley roughly pulled at his tie, not hiding his frustration. He felt like a caged animal wanting to take, but he was not sure if he should. He froze mid-step when the sleeping form stirred on the bed, and the sheet that was covering his lower half shifted, revealing his naked hip bone. 

Is he naked? Riley’s expression darkened with a deeper scowl. How dare he fucking lie in my bed naked?

Frustrated, he threw his tie in the hamper and angrily took off his shirt, letting it fall on top of his tie and jacket. He was about to unbuckle his belt, but stopped when Terry spoke.

“Oh,” he groaned. “You’re home.”

That did it. Riley turned to face the man. “Is that all you have to fucking say?” he snapped. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Riley, I—”

“I don’t want you here,” he growled. “I could give a good fuck why or how you found me. I don’t care how you get into my place; I want you gone when I get out of the shower.” He grabbed his towels and glared at Terry. “You made it oh so fucking clear five years ago you wanted nothing to do with me, so let’s keep it that way.” Riley stormed out of the bedroom, not glancing at the other man.