Collared

by JJ Collins

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 -- JJ Collins

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Adam stood behind the alpha's chair, as was his place. He had come to terms with his place as an omega, and had even come to enjoy it, with Malcolm's guidance. Now he wore his silver-inlaid collar with something akin to pride. He enjoyed the way it winked in the light from beneath the collar of his shirt, brown leather and silver inlays gleaming against bronzed skin.

As this was a formal meeting, he wore a leather leash, the end of which was draped over Malcolm's fingers as the alpha sat with his booted feet crossed at the ankle. Adam held his shoulders straight, accented by the white silk shirt he wore tucked into dressy jeans. His feet were bare, as per custom.

Malcolm didn't need protecting; as an alpha were, he was the strongest of his kind, but Adam couldn't help the curl of his lip over his canines as unfamiliar weres prowled too close to his alpha. Chocolate brown eyes under heavy brows and glossy hair made his lean form all the more desirable, and most of the weres at the meeting could not take their eyes off him. Malcolm's lean figure radiated pride, and by proxy, his omega was proud as well.

He didn't relax until a break was called and the alphas made their way to the evening meal. He was allowed a seat at Malcolm's feet and the alpha spent the meal feeding him choice bits from his plate. Malcolm spent the meal with a possessive hand on Adam's head -- when he wasn't being fed, a long-fingered hand was running itself through his hair in an absent gesture.

Adam ignored the idle chatter of the weres until he heard one, a large, burly man, refer to Malcolm by name. His eyes flicked over the man, seated across from Malcolm. The were was big -- thick in the middle and strong looking, as though he benched cars for fun in his spare time. Intelligent black eyes under bushy brows coupled with a clean-shaven head and jaw made the were intimidating. Adam's nostrils flared, and his sensitive nose told him of musty caves in winter, fresh fish and pine. A were-bear, then.

Adam tuned into what the were was saying.

"I see you caught your rogue omega, Malcolm," the bear said, good humor in his eyes as he looked Adam over. "Have you housebroken him yet?"

Adam's lip curled. Who was he to ask such a question? A gentle tug on the leash attached to his collar reminded him to school his face into something more neutral and far more polite. Adam settled down, trusting his alpha to handle it.

"The omega knows his place," said Malcolm, his hand on Adam's head in a gesture of affection. "You know I always treat my toys well, David."

The bear, David, laughed, taking a sip from the glass of wine in front of him. The were next to him didn't seem convinced. He was different from the other weres Adam had seen. He was swarthy, dark, as though he came from the Mediterranean. His black hair was oiled close to his scalp, and he had almond shaped eyes without humor. A groomed goatee under a hooked nose complimented full lips over strong white teeth. Adam would have thought him handsome had he not been looking at the omega like the were was something he had scraped off the bottom of his shoe.

"Just like you trained the last omega, yes, Malcolm?" Adam's nose picked up the scent of musk and sandalwood. His instincts screamed cat, and the way the man moved seemed to confirm it. Grace and power concealed in bunched muscles evoked the image of a sleek cat.

Malcolm's golden eyes narrowed as the were continued. "We all remember what happened to your last toy."

"We all remember that you were the catalyst to that little fiasco, Malik." Malcolm folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. "You were rough on the girl, and you were warned. How did you expect her to react?"