The Rogue's Desire (The Rogue MC series)

Chapter 3

Michael

I’d been back in my pack for a week and I was already bored out of my mind. My father gave me a couple of weeks to readjust to the small town pack life after my two-year long internship at Baal City.

It was actually harder than I thought it was going to be, I needed to work to keep my mind preoccupied, part of me wanting to avoid telling dad my secret. Baal City had been the perfect distraction and journey to self-discovery. 

Cliché I know, but I became more confident and accepted who I am.

Whilst out in one of the clubs in the city about 3 years ago I met Tom Bentley, the younger brother of the notorious Alpha Ryan of the feared Jade Moon Pack. I knew as soon as he said his name, I should have walked away.

Their pack was known to be ruthless and the Alpha siblings were killing machines, merciless. Tom’s aura was menacing enough even for me and I'm a born Alpha. It was so powerful I had to control my wolf and stop him submitting.

Yet, his smile reeled me in and, for some reason, we just hit it off. We were the same age and shared the same interests. We both loved food. Making different things. Serving it. Even watching people eat it, seeing they joy as their taste buds light up.

We got talking about restaurants. I told him about my plans to open a cafeestaurant. Downstairs would be the cafe where we'd have open mic events and upstairs would be a trendy restaurant. All affordable for the average person.

In our town we had two restaurants and loads of take away places. The restaurants were hugely overpriced. I wanted to open up the market a bit. I wanted to go to a restaurant with my friends, maybe a date without worrying about the costs. Not that I worried.

I was the soon to be Alpha of the Red Moon Pack and our family business was thriving. My friends, on the other hand, didn’t have the same wealth to enjoy extravagant meals weekly. Even though they benefited from a thriving pack. Most refused to take handouts or declined my offer to pay.

I also loved the idea of a cafe where people could express themselves. That's why it would have a stage for open mic days/nights so everyone, no matter the age, could show off their talents in a safe environment. Of course, dad wanted me to focus on my Alpha studies. Take on the family business of haulage, or something or other. Whatever it was, it sounded boring.

Tom told me all about his dream to open up a big hotel with a restaurant spanning the first floor. All open plan so you could even see the chefs at work. Each side of the building would have glass windows from ceiling to floor giving great views over the city. It sounded pretty spectacular.

He managed to get on a business course with this top CEO from another city who set up a small business school just outside his territory. It sounded right up my street.

Me and Tom kept in touch while I worked on persuading my dad to let me go. This was a once in lifetime opportunity. I knew it would take some hard bargaining, especially when Tom invited me to stay at his place for the two years.

Dad almost blew the top of his head off at the thought of me staying on the Jade Moon territory. His initial response being ‘over his dead body’. We had nothing to do with the powerful pack and my father wanted to keep it that way.

I eventually wore him down. Showed him that they weren't a threat to the pack. That they were quite generous, as a lone Alpha in no man’s land would be a target. Tom was my friend, a couple inches taller than me with messy blond hair and moss green eyes that had a golden rim. He had a kind smile that I knew could turn sinister in a second.

Eventually, Tom actually sought permission to visit the pack. My dad couldn’t refuse the brother of Alpha Ryan, even if he didn’t want him on our territory. Tom won my dad over with his charm, even though his aura made certain wolves in our pack shift involuntary to their wolf form on his arrival. Even my dad felt uncomfortable and he wasn’t a weak Alpha.

Finally, my dad gave in. Tom helped me move straight into his stylish apartment on the edge of his territory. I thought our pack was wealthy, but it was nothing compared to the Jade Moon Pack Alphas.

Tom's older brother, Owen, even owned a hospital. He was super cool, apparently he used to be a bit wild, but now he was one of the best physicians in the pack, heck, even the world. He looked like Tom, right down to his moss green eyes, but Owen had red hair with a thick red beard.

Owen would come over and hang out at Tom's apartment, but never went to the nightclubs with us. He would always make the excuse that he had to work, or there was an important patient he had to get back too. He sometimes used to pass out on the couch from exhaustion.

You'd think the guy running the hospital would delegate the work, but he didn’t. He was hands on and cared too much. Tom once reprimanded him for working 38 hours in a row. I didn't even think that was possible.

Owen looked like he worked to take his mind off something, but no one dared ask what. Sweet guy really yet the brothers’ reputation painted them differently.

Anyway, the two years flew and I knew the ins and out of how to run a business. The CEO guy was a magician. He opened our eyes and told us how to exploit every venture, good or bad.

Alpha Ryan let me work at one of his restaurants for experience. Now there was a scary dude. It took all my will power to look him in the eye when he talked to me.

His aura was murderous and overpowering. Some wolves actually cried when he approached. Tom had joked about it and I didn’t believe that actually happened until I witnessed it with my own eyes.

Ryan was like darkness descending. The actual devil, all your fears came neatly packed in the form of a man with dark hair and soul destroying moss green eyes. Even though they were the exact same as his brothers’, Ryan's eyes were too scary to appreciate.

One time I heard his wolf howl and I'm pretty sure the whole city tremored. My wolf broke free in a protective Alpha sort of way, right as I was standing in the middle of a shopping mall. That was embarrassing.

Even though he was highly intimidating, Ryan was nothing, but polite to me. Welcomed me into his pack, I still stuck to Tom like glue whenever we would visit him or if he came to the apartment which was rare. I helped Tom open up his first hotel 3 months ago.

Okay, it wasn’t his dream hotel. Before his brother agreed to fund the expensive build, he wanted Tom to prove himself. He was pretty good, well so far. He worked hard not wanting to disappoint his brother. He'd never admit it, but Ryan was Tom's idol. Like my dad was mine.

Now, I was back in my little town, I missed the noise of the city. I missed Tom and some of the other pack wolves I had made friends with, but most of all I missed Cal. My ex-boyfriend.

I always knew that I was gay. Even in school when the girls practically threw themselves at me, I just pretended to be interested. I didn’t blame them.

I was 6ft tall, fit with defined muscles with my mom’s blonde hair and my dad’s dark brown eyes, so dark that they were almost black. They startled people at first, but then they couldn't stop staring in appreciation of my almost black eyes. I used to hate it, now I'm just used to it.

Before going to the city, I begged the moon goddess for a female mate so I could stop lusting over guys. I was ashamed of who I was; afraid everyone would reject me. I didn’t know any male couples in my pack, now they had a gay Alpha.

After Baal City, I thought differently. The city opened my eyes. First, only Cal knew I was gay. He asked me out on the first month of my arrival. I said yes kind of hid the fact we were dating.

The secret threatened to break us after two months of sneaking around. Cal was out and proud. He wanted me to be the same. We argued one night and ended up having a heated make out session in the living room of the apartment I shared with Tom; and yes, he walked in on us.

I confessed everything to Tom as if to explain myself. He was so accepting that I cried, which wasn’t cool. The pent up frustration over the years just overwhelmed me.

Tom was super cool, except for when he demanded to know why I hadn’t made a move on him. He doesn’t even like guys, it was all ego. I had to reassure the guy that he was good looking, just to terrifying for me.

I told Tom my shame and fears of what my pack may think of me being gay. He introduced me to an Alpha male couple that ran a pack in the centre of Baal City. They looked so happy and gave me some advice which I really appreciated, mainly that we can’t fight who we are unless we want to be miserable.

Seven months before I returned home Cal found his fated mate. A gift from the moon goddess. A guy called Juan, who was visiting from another country with his Alpha and Beta father. He was gorgeous and, even though it broke my heart, I was happy for them both.

Nothing should come between a fated mate and I would never do that to Cal. We stayed friends, we try to stay in touch, but he moved to be with his mate. I accepted myself, now I needed to be myself. I was just a bit afraid. I wanted to find my mate.

Goddess I hope it's a male or at least let my chosen mate be someone I actually like, not pretend to like.

*Ping. I felt my phone vibrate in my jeans pockets.

 -

Tom: You out of the closet yet.

Me: Prick

Tom: No need for that. Apartment is weird without you.

I smiled, I knew he missed me, even though he would never say those exact words.

Me: Miss you too, babe ;)

Tom: Geek. Let me know how it goes. Also big new nightclub opening next month. In the French quarter. Stay at mine. Loser.

Me: Cool. Text me the deets. Also my birthday next weekend. I know you haven’t forgotten. We're off to Rogue X nightclub. Come!!

Tom: Of course. I'll get Ryan to phone your dad to get permission for me to enter your lands. Or are you the Alpha already.

Me: My dad is not that old. I'll tell him that you think he needs to retire.

I smirked at my phone.

Tom: d**k. No present for you.

 -

I laughed and put my phone away, heading towards my dad’s office. It's now or never.

“Dad?” I knocked him office door.

 “Come in.”

 “Mikey. There you are. Ready to help me sort out some paper work.” I sighed.

 “Sure, dad.” I picked up a couple of files and started my work.

Watching the clock, I counted as 20 minutes went by and I couldn't sit still, prepping myself for the big reveal. My hands were so sweaty; the pen flew out of my right hand when writing landing under my dad’s desk. My face flushed and stomach was churned.

“Michael. For the love of goddess. What is wrong with you? Those files should be finished by now. Is everything alright?” The Alpha went from angry to concerned in two sentences.

“Dad. Look I have something to tell you. s**t. Um. How do I say this? Well. Um. You see. Okay. So you know...no. um...” I scratched the back if my head. How was I going to say the actual words?

“Spite it out Michael I'll die of old age by the time you're finished.” He leaned back on his big desk chair and intertwined his fingers together resting them on his lap. His eyes fixed on me.

Dragging my hands down my face I decided it was now or never.

“Dad I'm gay. Like really gay. Had a boyfriend in Baal City.” I continued to ramble not making any eye contact with my father.

Telling him about all the different people I've met and finally finishing with if he didn’t want me to be Alpha I'd be heart broken, but would understand as long as I could stay in the pack. I was breathing heavy and trying to hold back the tears when I finally looked up at my idol, my best friend, my dad.

“Well....” I squirmed waiting for his reaction.

“Well, it's about time son. May be that awful trip to Baal actually did you some good.” He smiled at me.

What?! I was confused. What did he just say.

Reading my confused expression, “I said it's about time. Look at me, Mikey.” I didn’t realise I was looking at the floor.

“I am your father. I love you no matter who you love. I've had my suspicion since you were in high school that you may be...gay. Doesn’t change how much I love you. You are still my son and future Alpha. If anyone in this pack has any issue with it, they can challenge me or leave.” His aura swept over me, his wolf reassuring me that he'd protect his pup even though I was 23 and a fully grown Alpha male.

“Once you come out maybe Jessica will be a bit more comfortable and stop pretending to like your brother.” I looked at him in shock.

He laughed at my face. Jessica was Ben's youngest daughter who was turning out to be great warrior herself. She had also been on a couple of dates with Phillip, aka Lip, my baby brother who turns 18 this year.

“You mean she’s...?”

“A lesbian.... yes.” My dad went back to work and carried on as if he didn’t drop that bomb or I didn’t drop mine.

“Oh.”

“Yes. Oh. Poor girl. Ben is on the verge of shaking her, he’s not as patient as me.” He looked up at me. “Son. I'm an Alpha. I have eyes and ears. I'm also pretty good at reading people. Jessica is completely in love with Holly. I hope to the goddess when they turn 18 they are bloody mates. Stupid fated mates. We haven’t had a new fated mate couple here for 4 years. I really hope you find yours son. I hope that for all my kids, but if it's not written in the stars then I hope you find someone you love and loves you back, just like me and your mother.” He smiled, day dreaming.

I always knew that mom and dad were bond mates, chosen by each other. Over the years then never found their mates and dad needed a strong Luna for his packs sack. At 22 years old he met Lenny, my mom, a little blonde beauty who was strong and compassionate. He fell absolutely in love with her. I hope I eventually find what they have, it looked like I was unlikely to find my fated mate, seeing as I've already waited 5 years.

After a couple of hours’ work, we managed to clear the backlog and even sort out the family business accounts. Dad listened to some of my ideas from my course and actually considered some of them, even contacting his manager to implement my ideas as a trial run. Damn, I was so happy.

It was the first time since being home I felt really connected to the pack. Actually felt like the first time ever. Mom walked in with sandwiches and cold bottles of beer. My Dad stared at me. I was the one that needed to tell my mom. After a swig of my beer for Dutch courage, I cleared my throat and looked to my mom.

“Mom, I'm gay.” She paused what she was doing and looked at me.

“I know, sweetie. Finally, now we can go window shopping for men together.”

My dad growled and I laughed.

Mom blushed. “I meant for him love. You know I only have eyes for my big sexy Alpha.”

“You both knew all along? I thought I hid it well.” I was confused, why didn’t they tell me they knew.

“Ha! Not very well enough. You used to go all giddy when Lawrence used to visit. He’s a good looking Alpha, I bet you will end up with someone like that.” My mother cooed and another growl made us flinch. “We wanted to give you time to tell us yourself, obviously I’d stage an intervention if you brought home a girl.”

I sat there in shock at my mom’s words. Lawrence is a good looking Alpha, heck he’s the sexiest man I've ever seen. He runs the Golden Halo pack; I had a mini crush on him since before I can remember. He was tall, toned with blond hair and deep blue eyes. I always found an excuse to talk to him. My aunt, Winter, found her mate in their pack, the Beta, Kyle. She lives with them now.

Lawrence now has a chosen mate, Heidi. She’s so beautiful that I couldn't blame the wolf for mating her and she was so kind I couldn’t even hate her. I just admired him from afar. They have twin pups on the way. I bet they were look like angels.

“You're pushing it wifey.” My mom eyes narrowed as she smirked at the angry Alpha.

 “Are you going to punish me Alpha?” Her voice laced with s****l provocation.

 “Really. Gross. I'm in the room guys.” I quickly stood and walked to the door just as my mom sat on my dad’s lap, showering kisses over his face. Making sick gagging noises I left them in the office.

Entering the kitchen, I caught Lip trying to reach the cookies our cook, Mags, had hidden in the top shelf.

“WHAT YOU DOING!” My loud voice making him jump and turn to face me whilst almost pissing his pants.

 “Oh goddess. I thought you was Mags. s**t. Don’t do that.” He continued to reach up. “I know she hid them damn cookies. I need one.”

 “You know she will kill you right.” Mags was a short sweet she-wolf around 50 years old with a temper. No one and I mean no one messed with her kitchen.

 “Well if you don’t tell her she won’t know it was me.” He rolled his eyes at me. My baby brother was the exact replica of my dad apart from his eyes. He had my mother’s chestnut eyes.

 “I won’t tell if you pass me one as well.”

Mags cookies were the absolute best. I asked her to show me how she made them, but she refused to share he secrets. Everyone in the pack was obsessed with her cookies. She now gives them as birthday presents they were so sought after. If she bakes a batch, nearly every wolf in the pack tries to steal them from the kitchen.

She had to ration two cookies to each member at dinner otherwise fights broke out. Sometimes, like today, when she makes a batch she hides a few to give to the pups if they behaved or done their chores which is totally unfair. I done my Alpha chores, I want a cookie.

So here we are two fully grown Alphas trying to sneak cookies like we were 7 year olds. I wasn’t even ashamed when Lip handed me one. Putting the rest of the cookies back we made a run for it out the back kitchen door.

We sat on the grass verge where we could just see the outline of the tall buildings of Baal City. Lip is one of my four siblings, being the baby of the litter. Granny gave him the nickname ‘lip’ due to his excessive talking and cheekiness.

She was always shouting at him not to give her lip or she'll box his ears. The little Alpha was a free spirit who never really wanted any responsibility. Even when his wolf woke at 16 years old, he never used his Alpha authority.

“Oi. Why haven’t you invited me to your birthday night out? I'm dying to go to Rogue X. Apparently there’s this super sexy barmaid working there who makes the best cocktails. Frankie said he almost jizzed in his pants when he saw her. Frankie said Greg stuttered when she talked to him. Can you believe that? Ha! Greg the man w***e, stuttering because of a girl. I need to see this woman for myself.” Lip laughed while shoving my shoulder.

 “First of all, I'm offended that you only want to come birthday night out to see a pretty girl. Second of all, all three of you are underage. So you shouldn't even be there... what are your friends thinking? Dad will rip them a new one of he finds out.”  I punched him playfully

 “Ah, chill man. Heard dad talking to the owners yesterday asking to keep an eye on us at the club. He already knows we sneak out.” As he rubbed him upper arm where I hit him.

 I rolled my eyes. i***t.

 “Bro. You should have seen the rogues pack Beta. He was one huge scary dude.” Lip tried to puff out his chest and broaden his shoulder to make himself look bigger.

 “The Beta was here?” I frowned.

When the Alpha leaves his pack he appoints someone to look after it until his return. Normally it's the Beta, the next dominant wolf.

“Yeah. They have two new members and dad invited them both over as a sign of peace between the packs or something, don’t know some Alpha crap. Anyway. Ben accidentally knocked his motorcycle over and the Beta laid him out flat. You should have seen it. That rogue can do some damage, no wonder he never came here and dad went to them. He’s a monster.” Lip sat there laughing at the whole memory.

*Boys come to my office. Now.*

I could tell my dad was pissed by the tone of the mind link to me and Lip. We both looked at each other one wiped away every possible crumb or evidence that we stole the cookies. Ready to deny everything.