by Eileen Glass
Rourke laughs with her, breathless. The more he wears the ring, the more he likes it. Though he wouldn’t say it feels natural. He can’t stop fiddling with it, and he wants to hold his hand up to admire it on his finger, just like a girl. He keeps twisting it secretly underneath with his thumb, and he likes how warm it feels.
“Put your thumb here,” she says, positioning the tablet to face him. “Now, technically, I’m still your guardian. I’m overseeing the relationship, basically. I’m going to check on you sometimes and make sure you’re comfortable with him. Any issues at all, and you call me right away. I’m your nine-one-one. You can also ask anyone in this building for help. Whether you know them or not, you’re part of a family.”
“I think I’ll be fine.”
She smiles. “I think so too. That’s why we’re going to power through this whole loop de loop of contracts and dating phases. Which you couldn’t do without me, by the way, so if you feel like testing the limits with your Omega ID come Christmas time… I’ll text you my birthday too.”
She winks and tabs over to another document for him to sign. Then another. She has to fast scroll through 600 pages on the third one.
“Christ, what does this one say?”
Rourke puts his thumb on the sensor anyway, before she answers. Him and Zachri are a done deal. He wants to speed this up. Zachri is quiet over there by himself, waiting for Stephanie to leave. What will he do when they’re alone? Rourke wants to find out.
“This is a summary of alpha courting rituals. Remember what I said about cavemen? Just… roll with that.” She makes a dismissive gesture. “Zachri knows you’re not getting the tutorial. He’s promised to explain things on the way.” She looks back at the alpha. “I think we can trust him. You picked a good one, Rourke.”
“He won,” Rourke answers. “Maybe their system works.” With his fingerprint accepted, she takes the tablet back. “Is that it? Are we official?”
“During your courting period, I can revoke privileges at any time. Some couples need to be separated for a while. The submission process for the human partner is quite stressful at first. We skipped the important document, but maybe I should tell you a few things.”
She glances over her shoulder, then talks quickly. “He’ll calm down. Long-term couples are relaxed and peaceful. But at the start, he’ll want to be in the room with you, always. Even in the bathroom, or the shower. This can get annoying pretty fast for some—”
Zachri strides toward them, his eyes bright.
“Do not tamper him. Alphas and omegas are individuals. I am not animal, and I have shown great self-restraint.”
“Not initially,” Stephanie says, putting up her nose. “He’s going into this blind. We don’t typically allow that at the Omega Society. I shouldn’t let this proceed.”
“You said you trusted me.”
She meets his eyes in a challenge. “My priority is Rourke. It’s not just my job on the line if he’s crying in counseling next week. He could lose you too, you know. He wants this to work. He’s dead set on you. So if you go beast-mode on him, you’re going to ruin Rourke’s goals as well.”
Zachri steps so close; the top of the tablet touches his suit. She’s clutching it hard in front of her breast like a very small shield. Rourke is reminded of a warrior confronting a dragon, but he’s never seen a painting capture the look of determination overcoming fear so well.
The alpha exhales. Then steps back and turns away. He makes fists at his sides.
“Continue.”
Stephanie’s posture sags while Zachri isn’t looking. But she has enough humor to roll her eyes. See what I mean, she mouths.
Rourke tries to help.
“I don’t need things explained to me. I think I’ll be okay.” Anything to get her out of here so Zachri can relax. Or… whatever he does next. Rourke assumes they’ll be banging as quickly as they can make it the bedroom.
God, I’m going to see him naked.
“Yeah, I’ll be alright,” he hears himself saying.
“Text me often,” Stephanie says, dipping her nose for her serious stare over her glasses. “Once a day, minimum, saying, ‘All’s great. I’m a happy little omega.’ Something like that.”
“Heh. Yeah.”
She moves to take up his entire view. “I’m not kidding, Rourke. Once a day. That’s your homework. We’re going to do a follow up interview and a possibly a counselor’s session. Psychological abuse essentially is the alpha courting ritual—”
“Only if he isn’t consenting!” Zachri snarls, turning around, his hand raised. Stephanie’s clothes ruffle, but it’s only a brief disturbance. He curls his fist back and holds it closed against his chest.
“They’re pushy,” Stephanie says to Rourke, though she doesn’t look away from Zachri. “There’s your orientation. If it gets to be too much for you, call me. I’ll make sure you get a break. And just so you know, alphas are never able to restrict the movement or communication of their omega. That’s the law.”
“Laws are words that you humans use to try to dominate us,” Zachri scoffs.
“Grateful, isn’t he? Don’t worry, Rourke. He’ll be a lot sweeter once I’m out of here. Do you have any questions for me?”
“No, Stephanie. Thank you so much.”
She tucks an invisible strand of hair behind her ear, like she has a habit of doing when it isn’t up. “My birthday is coming up soon. Then Christmas. Don’t forget.”
Zachri’s shoulders move with the deep breath he takes once the elevator doors have closed and Stephanie is gone. She lingered an extra moment, as if hesitant to go, but Rourke gave her a grateful smile and promised she’d hear from him soon. With her gone, the alpha doesn’t turn around. His fisted hands unclench, but he just stays there facing the kitchen.
Rourke waits. He expected to be swept away by now, but Zachri keeps his back to him.
He feels like he’s waiting to be called on, like he’s auditioning or something. His tongue feels thick as he talks.
“Do you want anything?” He means like a drink or a snack from the fridge. Maybe to sit down and talk about what life as an omega and alpha couple is like.
But Zachri answers, “I am waiting for you to approach me.”
“Oh! Okay. Well, I’m right here.” They aren’t that far apart to begin with, Rourke taking only a step to be in arm’s reach.
Zachri turns his head toward Rourke, the side of his face visible over his shoulder. His features are blank and his eyes lidded.
“You are anxious though, and it is because of me.”
“Well, yeah, I don’t know you yet.” Rourke shrugs.
“You accepted my proposal. Surely, you would not do so if you felt unsafe…” His brow lowers. “I think. I do not know. Humans are confusing. But when you are ready, you may approach me.”
He’s nervous too. Uncertain at least.
Rourke presses his lips together. While the alpha’s back is turned, he holds up his ring finger, twisting it.
Zachri is really sweet. And this is permanent.
He fidgets and slants his eyes toward the view. But no amount of thinking could make him backtrack and decide this isn’t a good idea.
“Everything about you guys is efficient, huh?” he muses. “Alphas do everything fast. Including taking over Earth.”
It’s slightly a joke. Or a casual reference. But Zachri crosses his arms. His tone is quiet and serious.
“It was necessary. You had no alphas. Your society ran amok, and your planet was dying as a result.”
“Mm. The oceans are cleaner,” Rourke admits. He has no beef with the whole invasion thing now, but hearing an alpha talk about it is fascinating. Alphas don’t have PR managers. They don’t give interviews or explain their choices.
“But you could’ve asked, ‘Hey, can we clean up your oceans?’”
He laughs a little to let know Zachri he’s not seriously holding a grudge about the invasion. Much. Maybe he is deep down, like every oth
er human, but it’s a done deal nowadays. The last three generations have never known any different.
“Why would we ask? You needed our help. We are alphas.”
“Well… Your method killed a lot of people…” Rourke feels sheepish for pointing it out.
“Only the necessary ones. They were leeches. Disruptors. They were cancerous to a productive society.”
Rourke doesn’t like that word, ‘cancer’. He decides that he’s done. He doesn’t care about the invasion anyway. Goose bumps are on the back of his neck and across his arms. That’s just from the memory of what Zachri can do to him.
“You don’t trust me,” Zachri says. “Even though you accepted my proposal. You should call your case handler then. And warn her I may not go cooperatively.”
“No, I was just talking. I promise. Humans like to talk, remember?”
But when I touch him, I won’t care anymore.
I can show him I want this.
Rourke bites his lip. He’s not an outgoing type and he’s never dated. Having a sick mom at home didn’t open him up for romance.
Maybe the alpha way works for me.
There’s a lot less to worry about anyway. Rourke takes off his shirt and starts on his pants.
Zachri hears his zipper coming down, cocking his head to have his ear turned back. Then as Rourke is taking off his socks, he turns to face Rourke, his arms dropping from their crossed position.
“What are you doing?”
“Um. I hope this isn’t weird.” Rourke finishes pulling off his sock and straightens up. “I, uh, want to show you that I trust you. And alphas move pretty fast.” With a gusty chuckle, he points out, “You were ready to go at the docking station. I was kind of hoping you’d do the same in your office…”
He hooks his thumbs in his waistband.
“But I don’t think I was sending you the right signals.”
His jeans and underwear come off together and he steps out. Zachri has a stunned expression, his mouth slightly open and his eyes wide. He looks silly for an intimidating alpha, but Rourke is sure this isn’t wrong.
“Everything has been happening around me this whole time. Once my application got approved, I pretty much let Stephanie tell me what to do. Then I was cooped up. I didn’t understand why Thomas created that scandal by taking me out to see you, but now I think I do.”
Two small steps toward the alpha feels like so much distance. Rourke knows he’ll lean close, smell the alpha’s neck, maybe kiss him. And then he’ll be drunk. Or brainwashed, or mind controlled, or whatever it is Zachri can do. He has one more thing to say.
“He kept saying if I wanted you I had to go get you. Am I right?”
Rourke doesn’t have the opportunity to lean in. Zachri’s eyes glow, his nostrils flare, and all at once he’s everywhere, clutching Rourke to him in a hug so tight he seems panicked. Rourke’s next breath absorbs that sweet minty scent.
Rourke would have said he wasn’t nervous exposing himself to Zachri. The alpha has more than proved that he’s onboard with an early mating. But that scent makes him even better. Timidness he was unaware of, for the alpha being nearly stranger, for them both being new to each other—all the little nervous excitement—untangles from his mind like muscles relaxing from a good massage.
He isn’t just sure. He’s confident. And his skin shudders from the alpha’s limited touch. He’s held so tight, he has to squirm against his suit to get an arm free.
Zachri whispers, his eyes closed, “I never imagined I’d find you.”
Rourke is sure he’s happy, but his expression certainly doesn’t look like it. He seems distressed.
“I’m glad you did. I’ll make you happy.” This feels like a thought he’d usually keep to himself, but he’s as comfortable with the alpha as he would be on his own.
“You already do.”
Zachri hasn’t opened his eyes though, and he’s frowning.
Rourke grabs his shirt, frustrated with all the buttons and having only one arm. Zachri has the other locked tight. He gets the first button free, then another, and grips the fine material harshly as he leans in.
He takes a long inhale inside his collar. Sweet, refreshing mint like candy melting in his mouth. He really does care about Zachri’s mental state, but he licks the alpha’s skin before he can think not to. Just to see if he tastes like candy too.
He doesn’t, but Rourke’s groin stirs. The flavor of salt with the sweet is good too.
He forgets that they were talking. Until he’s about to press his mouth for a kiss and sees that Zachri’s eyes are scrunched tight. His lips are frowning hard, and he seems to be in pain.
“Hey.” Rourke touches his cheek, his thumb finding the lines in his frown. He feels nothing about touching Zachri anywhere, everywhere, at his will. Nor does he think he’ll be rebuked for doing whatever he wants. “What’s wrong with you? Open your eyes. Look at me.”
“I do not want to go beast-mode.”
The ridiculous phrase makes Rourke crack up. Zachri looks almost ready to cry or get mad, but he can’t help it.
“Okay. Uh…” He tries to stop smiling. “Explain why. What is ‘beast-mode’ to you?”
He obeys Rourke. It’s such a small act, but a thrilling shiver goes down his spine.
“I do not want you once. I want you many times.”
“Sounds fine.” Rourke brings their faces close just to smell his breath. The alpha speaks anyway, undistracted by his investigation.
“I will never stop wanting you. I’m afraid… if the girl is right… and you are not pleased with me…”
He turns his face as Rourke tries to kiss him. That irritates him. Just a little bit, in the back of his mind, there’s this ping of aggression and Rourke wants to grab his chin. He has no concept of the alpha being bigger, stronger than him.
But civilized thought is close at hand, seeing how upset Zachri is.
“I will not give you up quietly, Rourke,” the alpha continues. “Not even if it’s what you want. In my culture, that makes me a good alpha. I will keep you, possess you, and never let go of you. But in your culture… that makes me a rapist.”
Rourke gives this a moment of thought, just to consider the matter, but he already knows exactly what he wants to say.
“It makes you my alpha. I don’t want someone who’ll let me go. Treat me like your omega, and we’ll be fine.”
Zachri carries him to the bedroom. Rourke isn’t fat, but he isn’t exactly lean either. He might as well weigh nothing to the alpha though, who bundles him up like an actual bride and hauls him to the bed. Rourke assumes his telekinesis might be helping out, since his eyes are bright like a cat as they enter the dim bedroom.
Rourke’s suitcase is still on the bed. Zachri deposits him alongside it, and Rourke shoves it to the floor without a care. Zachri removes his jacket and starts on his shirt, socks, and pants all at once in a hurried rush. Rourke sits up on his ankles to watch, his knees far apart.
With this distance, Rourke gets a breath of fresh air, and a subtle hint of his social awkwardness comes back. The alpha’s scent isn’t mind control, but it makes him feel bigger than Zachri in the metaphorical sense of the word.
Now he acknowledges that he has this powerful, handsome creature undressing for him. The fact that Zachri wants him so badly is heady on its own.
Not under the influence of chemical induced confidence, Rourke slowly closes his hand over his erection, squeezing.
Zachri’s eyes go to the movement immediately. His fly is down over large, noticeable bulge. His shirt is half undone, he pauses in his actions. Rourke’s tongue happens to dab his lower lip as Zachri meets his gaze. He wants that sweet scent back.
The alpha comes to him covers his mouth, giving him that taste, putting his tongue between his lips. Rourke sucks a little bit. Zachri moans into him.
He seems to be as affected by me as I am to him.
Zachri moves off him, and Rourke breathes. The other man goes to his kn
ees his mouth open and very obviously intended for Rourke’s tip. A bead of precum has accumulated there.
Rourke keep his hand still as the alien—an overlord, a tyrant, an emperor—bows his head to lick and suck below him. He lets him have his taste, but his fist prevents Zachri’s mouth from taking him in all the way. The alpha’s tongue swirls underneath the head, dabbles into the slit, and then he fastens his lips around to suckle.
Rourke’s groin tenses and his thighs flex. But he puts his other hand to Zachri’s forehead and pushes him back. The alpha makes a greedy whimper as he lifts his head up.
“What?!” He keeps head down, baring his teeth to the carpet, trying not to growl at Rourke directly.
Rourke swallows. He should be afraid. He has enough untainted air to know that. But he also wonders what he can get away with.
“Can you do that later? Not this time. I want it to be you.” He said a lot more in his mind, with images of him bent over and his muscles clenching behind.
“Hmm.” The sound continues, low and grumbly. He comes close, breathing over Rourke’s lip, giving him that scent again. Rourke feels like he could climb onto the alpha now and take control.
Then Zachri’s hand seizes his neck. The hold is firm but not tight, making Rourke lift his chin. He swallows under the pressure, feeling his Adam’s apple bob against the man’s palm. But the mint is heavy in his nose, and he relaxes. Utterly.
“Next time I will have my fill,” Zachri says lowly and claims Rourke lips. Rourke accepts the tongue pushing to the back of his throat. His eyes drift shut lazily. And when the alpha moves away to finish undressing, he keeps a small smile to himself on the inside.
He got his way, after all.
He curls his hand to his throat where Zachri touched him, watching the alpha undress, revealing power in the form of a muscled abdomen, broad shoulders, and thick, sturdy thighs. The suits don’t do his ass justice, round and firm. But also, his large cock seems to be after him, pointed high, impossibly thick at the base.
Rourke tries not to stare. He saw the diagrams of knots on the Omega Society website and read a very distilled explanation of it. He fast scrolled through the whole thing and the diagrams of babies. Knots are weird, but they didn’t seem like the end of the world. Now he sees the extra thickness of Zachri’s base and thinks it’s important to tell him…
