Page 91 of Shifting Years

"Just find something original," I said with love. "I want something pure Mike."

"Fine." He stroked his chin. "It's a mixed blessing. Tina and Dawn wouldn't give us the books without knowing we'd be around to fill them out. They know what's coming, like they knew about Wyatt and his Omegas."

Mike froze, and without saying a word, went to our refrigerator. He pulled out a single ice-cold beer and a bottle of hand soap, then soaked a washcloth. Outside the cabin, a quick foot slid across gravel and approached.

The door creaked open, and I instinctively took a step back. A short, wiry Omega stood on the porch, reeking of oil and gasoline. Grease streaked his blue overalls, and beneath shaggy blond hair, red-rimmed eyes hinted at a cry not long ago. He spat a heavy tobacco glob away from the cabin.

"'Scuze me." He wiped his feet on the doormat, leaving slight grease streaks from his worn-out shoes. "Hey, uh, Mary suggested, well, shetoldme y'all were the folks to talk to." His voice rose. "Of course, I'm not the one with the problem. My Alpha's one of those uppity ones with money, and us other folkgottawork for a living. He don't get that. Know what I'm saying?" He extended a greasy hand to Mike.

My Omega offered him a beer instead and pressed the wet towel against him. Then he did it again. After a few seconds, our visitor wiped his hands and arms.

Mike motioned to the lounge chair, probably already calculating how he'd clean it later.

The Omega leaned into the soft chair and whistled low. "This here's real fancy." He raised an eyebrow. "That don't mean you're going to take Pete's side, does it?"

Mike shook his head no. "We're neutral."

"Good, because I'm not the one with the problem here. Pete's the one who's all messed up, not me. I'm fine! Been fine all along." His voice wavered slightly.

I stared back at my mate, thinking, "Here we go again."

He pulled out a tin of chewing tobacco and stuffed a dark wad into his right cheek. "So, what's this story I'm supposed to hear?"

"Well," Mike began, "it started decades ago, in the sixties. A time of hope, death, and dashed dreams. I was just leaving California, sure of my plans and not knowing what was coming."

He continued, and years from now the final book would be filled with photos and mementos from more wolves. Long ago, we agreed onTheWish. We'd go out together and never be separated again. Ever. And this time, we made damn sure to phrase it right.

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