Page 39 of And Omega Makes Four
"Well, we've got a lot of land here. How much would we need to use if we wanted to feed everyone?"
I furrow my brow, not sure I’m following. "Like a garden? We've already got one of those."
"Yeah, but it's small. And I overheard you and the cook talking about how it really doesn't put much of a dent in our needs."
"Yeah, that’s true. So what are you thinking? A bigger garden?"
"Yeah. Bigger, more variety. But also, like, raising animals too. Rabbits, chickens, goats maybe?" He looks at me with a deep furrow in his brow and a twist to his mouth. "I just don't know how any of this works."
"Most of the land owned by the pack is forested." I continue cleaning around the kitchen as I talk it out. "We'd have to clear quite a bit of space to put in a garden the size you're talking about, plus make room for animals."
"How much land?"
"I don't know." I’d need to do some research to make an educated guess. "I'm not really a farmer. I guess I can look into it, and we could put together a plan of some sort. Maybe if I get the cook involved, she can help. She's got a bit of a green thumb." I look down at the rag in my hands as I try to put my thoughts in order.
"I want to have a solid plan before we bring this idea to River," Kyle says. "He's got so much to do without having to figure this stuff out too. But if we bring him a complete plan, with all the details, then all he has to do is agree to it."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
I look up at Kyle and tilt my head slightly when I see his face. He's changed a lot since we came here. He used to be reserved, even terse, most of the time...actually, that hasn't changed. But now, instead of being the defacto leader of our group, he's been relegated to a supporting role. In all the time I've known him, most of my life at this point, I've never seen him look as uncertain as he has these last few weeks.
"Are you okay?" I pull him closer, wrapping my arms around him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just feel like I should be doing more. I mean, I've been helping out with some of the construction projects around the compound, but I don't know if that’s enough."
"I know what you mean," I say after a moment. "I've been feeling the same way."
"You have?" He looks at me with surprise.
"Yeah. I mean, I've been working in the kitchen, but it's not enough either. It's not really what I want to do with my life."
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know. It was different before. You and Devon relied on me to take care of you. To make sure you ate, to care for you, to earn money whenever we stopped long enough that I could pick up work. But now, if I weren't here, the pack would still be fine. Everyone would still get fed, there'd still be someone to earn the money the pack needs to survive. I'm not actually needed."
Kyle is silent for a long moment. "Then I guess we're in the same boat. And you know why I wanna do this." He gestures vaguely around the kitchen. "I want to help. I want to contribute. I want to make sure this pack is safe and secure for the future."
"Yeah, we've got a lot of work ahead of us." I lean in and give him another kiss. "And a ton of research to do. We'll need to figure out how to get started with farming, I guess. There must be books in the library we can check out. And I’m pretty sure there are a few pack members who know stuff about farming. We can ask them for advice."
Kyle seems relieved and his shoulders relax. "I'm glad you're on board. I was worried you'd think it was a stupid idea."
"Not at all. I think it's a great idea. It's exactly what we need to do to make ourselves useful. The pack needs this kind of thing, and we need to be a part of it."
"Good." Kyle grins at me. "Then let's get started."
26
RIVER
Breeding season.
I didn’t expect it to arrive with such a flurry. All over the compound, omegas have been going into heat and alphas have been desperate to breed them. The air is filled with the scent of sex and desire.
Those who are uninterested or unable to take part have all sequestered themselves in a remote part of the property with the pups and wolves who have yet to come of age. The main compound, however, is a madhouse of sexual energy.
I'm not immune to the effects.
My body is flushed with heat, my cock throbbing with need as I try to focus on the task at hand. I've been holed up in my office all day, trying to get some work done. But every time I so much as look out the window, I can see couples fucking in the open. Alphas and omegas rutting like wild animals.
