by Kelex
He turned away from the window, looking to see if there was anything that would allow him to write a message. After seeing nothing, he went to the guarded door and knocked. A beta guard peeked inside.
“Might there be something I can use to write a message to my alpha?”
“Just use your phone.”
Tulla sighed. “I don’t have one.”
The beta reached into his pocket and handed one over. “Don’t drain all my battery, eh?”
“Thank you,” Tulla said, grateful. He turned back inside and headed for the window, showing off his borrowed gadget. “What’s your number?”
Beckett typed something onto his screen before turning it to the window.
Tulla typed it in quickly and lifted the cell to his ear.
“Hi,” Beckett said huskily, holding Tulla’s stare.
“Hi.”
“Where’d you get the phone?”
“The guard.”
Beckett frowned. “Guard? I don’t have a guard.”
“You’re also not an omega. One that’s been in and out of heat all day.”
“I’m sorry,” Beckett murmured. “For the fact you’re stuck in there… and what you’re going through all alone.”
“You’re in the same boat, I suspect. As far as the rutting.”
Beckett smiled wanly. “It’s made today impossible. I told my parents to get this over quickly.”
“You said something about it not happening today… when you said you’d get me a phone. Do you think it’ll drag on?”
“I doubt it. They wouldn’t have called us in if they weren’t close.” He gave a quick grin. “But there’s no guarantee. Either way… I’ll still get you a phone. We should be able to talk whenever we want.”
Tulla’s smile faded again. He hated the thought of Beckett carrying the financial load of everything. He wanted to contribute and be more of an equal partner in their relationship… so he didn’t feel like he was being kept.
“Where’s that smile going?”
Tulla considered his words carefully. He stared at Beckett a moment, his flannel shirt and dusty jeans on top of worn, dirty work boots clearly showing the rich boy had a work ethic. Beckett believed in getting his hands dirty. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if his omega wanted to, too. “I want to work. I want to contribute and not feel like I’m being a gold-digger.”
Beckett frowned. “Wait… I never said you were. I don’t think that of you. I want to provide for you, Tulla. I want to give you everything you need.”
“I want to feel useful and needed, too. My desire for a job isn’t caused by anything you said. I want to have a purpose. Something to feel passionate about, as you seem to about your work. I want to achieve something, if that makes any sense.”
“It does.” Beckett smiled. “What do you want to do?”
No one had ever asked him that. Tulla wasn’t even sure what he wanted to do. “I don’t know. I mean, it’s not like I’m college educated like you probably were.”
Beckett dusted off one thigh, a smile on his face. “A college education and I spent today with a hammer in my hand. We never know where life will take us.”
“But you’re willing to let me try?”
“Of course,” Beckett said. “I think it’s amazing you want to work. But it might be difficult to find employers who are open minded enough to give you a chance.”
“True,” Tulla murmured, worry filling his gut.
“I’ve always got more work than I can handle at the office. Maybe you could help me there? I mean, we’re a non-profit, so the pay is lousy, but if you play your cards right, the boss would likely bend over backwards to keep you happy.”
“I love the idea,” Tulla answered, a smile spreading across his face. “And the fact you offered… it means everything.”
“I believe I told you I’m not like other alphas.”
Thank the gods. “I’m glad for that.”
Beckett’s head whipped toward the door. Tulla looked over the alpha’s shoulder and saw a man peeking in.
“They’re ready for us,” Beckett said, turning to gaze at him. “You ready, my love?”
Tulla stood up a little straighter. “I am.”
* * * *
Moments later, Tulla entered the judge’s offices and saw his parents there. He lifted his stare and saw Beckett. They were kept on opposite sides of the room, far from one another, but still, Tulla could feel the beginning gnaw of need low in his belly. A growl came from Beckett as the mating agreement was read. Tulla could barely listen to anything the judge said. All he could do was watch Beckett and simmer in his own want.
Slick eased from him, wetting his ass. It quickly began to flow freely, and he scented it on the air. Mortification hit hard, as he knew both his father and Beckett’s could likely smell his need. Beckett surely did.
He rose from his chair and made a lunge toward Tulla.
Tulla gasped, the powerful need gripping him. Again, he felt the same need he’d felt at the dance. To strip naked then and there, going down on all fours, and offering himself to his alpha. They were both held back by members of the guard.
After the papers had been signed and the bonding ceremony performed by one of the judges, they were quickly whisked to a room off the conference space.
Inside was simply a bed.
Before the door was closed, Beckett was on him. Clothes were torn, the rending sound of fabric filling the air. Once he was near naked, Tulla went to his hands and knees, his slick easing freely from his ass. Beckett knelt behind him… yet paused.
Tulla looked over one shoulder to see the alpha’s shaking hands trying to open a condom wrapper. He writhed against the head of Beckett’s cock, the contact heat much too strong for him to worry about protection. “Please,” he moaned.
Beckett laid a palm on Tulla’s back. “I’m trying to protect you,” he growled.
“Fill me… Tulla whispered. “I don’t care.”
But Beckett didn’t listen. Once he was finally sheathed, he quickly moved into position and filled him in one, thick stroke. A moan of completion rose from their lips. They paused together for a moment, which allowed Tulla a few seconds to grow accustomed to the thickness inside him. And then Beckett’s hand wound within his long hair and the man began to move—slowly at first, but soon the strokes were fierce and heavy with lust.
He loved every minute of it, his alpha’s cock better than any toy he’d used to sate his need. He moaned with every powerful thrust and gasped when Beckett lifted them both off the floor and placed Tulla onto the bed.
The alpha continued his sensual assault on Tulla’s greedy body. They moved about the bed, changing positions every few minutes, until finally, Tulla straddled the alpha.
“I like this,” he whispered before riding Beckett’s hard staff.
“I thought you would,” Beckett growled out before taking Tulla’s cock in hand.
They writhed together, holding one another’s gazes, until they soon came. He felt the swelling of Beckett’s knot, binding them as one, and it only made the orgasm hit even harder. They were then fully bound, linked physically and by law.
Beckett came with a roar, filling him. Once he crested, Tulla collapsed against his mate, spent and boneless. By the time the alpha had nearly caught his breath, his knot was still swollen. He pulled slightly, but there was no give. They were locked.
“Are you okay?” Beckett asked, cupping Tulla’s cheek. “I wasn’t too hard on you, was I?”
It had been a rough taking, but he’d already been warned time and time again to expect the first ones to be more animalistic, as neither of them would be able to control the lusts driving them. He’d actually liked it, but then, that might’ve been the instinct, too.
Omegas were biologically submissive, in most cases. Even as he’d argued days before that he didn’t want to yield, he’d been a slave to the feeling. He gazed into Beckett’s eyes, sensing he’d be okay with the alpha he’d been linked to. “No. I
t was wonderful.” He caressed the back of Beckett’s hand. “Thank you for thinking of the condom.”
His alpha smiled. “We haven’t even had time to discuss children.”
Discuss children? Tulla frowned, confused. Wasn’t children the whole reason they were mated?
Beckett glanced around the room. “What a romantic place we have for our first time.” It was the barest of spaces. A bed. A tiny table with fabric folded on it. And a small door led into a bathroom—for them to clean up afterwards. There were no windows, no artwork, nothing. They hadn’t designed this space for romance.
“We can find somewhere better for the next one.”
The alpha caressed his cheek. “I just need you… but you deserve better than this.”
“Just having you works for me, too.”
The alpha smiled. “You know, we never got to finish that dance,” Beckett whispered, as the knot began to fade.
Tulla glanced around the room, already knowing he’d find nothing. “There’s no music in here.”
“We don’t need music,” Beckett said before slightly easing from Tulla’s ass. “Hold on a moment.”
Beckett frowned, staring at where they were joined.
“What is it?”
Beckett’s stare lifted to his. “The condom. I don’t see it.” He withdrew more. “It must’ve slid off.”
After the alpha was able to remove it, Beckett went into the small bathroom to wash. He came out with a wet cloth. He slowly and gently cleaned Tulla off, the earnest look on his face as he tended to his omega enough to make a heart skip a beat or two.
Beckett’s gaze drifted to his. “I tried to protect you… and failed.”
“It’s okay.” While he could get pregnant during a contact heat, the chances were infinitely lower. They likely hadn’t even needed the condom. “The fact you tried so hard means the world.”
Once clean, the alpha clutched Tulla’s hand and led him to his feet—and then into a warm embrace. “How about that dance?”
Tulla nodded, staring up at his handsome alpha. They spun around the foot of the bed. All Tulla could do was stare up into that amazing silver gaze as the alpha hummed a slow tune and led him about the room. He was already feeling dizzy from the suddenness of everything that had happened. The spinning only added to his sense of bewilderment.
And to his sense of joy.
A smile spread across his face as he moved in Beckett’s arms, suddenly feeling like he was flying. He was free. No longer was he a prisoner of the Omega Quadrant, not after they’d bonded as one physically. He’d been unshackled.
He opened the eyes he hadn’t realized he’d closed and gazed up at the amazing man who was his now.
Beckett slowed them until they came to a stop. “Is something wrong?”
“Not hardly. I just realized I’m now free and you just made me feel like I was airborne. Twice.”
Beckett captured his chin and forced his stare. “I never want you to feel imprisoned. Never again. I’ll do everything in my power to give you everything you wish in this world.”
“That’s just the instinct talking,” Tulla whispered.
“So what if it is? Why not embrace this… this…”
“Chemical reaction?” Tulla offered.
His alpha smiled. “Yes, this chemical reaction… this thing between us is simply a spark. Maybe it’s the basest of our instincts, but if we feed that spark, we could have something wonderful, my sweet omega.”
“I think perhaps we already have a little something wonderful here,” Tulla admitted, his chest aching from the pounding of his heart.
Beckett only grinned down at him. “Before this, I’d imagined us going out to a fine dinner to celebrate. Maybe get that dance, with actual music.” He looked down at himself and then Tulla. “But we’ve got ripped clothing, need a shower, and only the gods knows what I did to your hair.”
Tulla reached up and realized his long locks were a bunch of knots. He’d have to spend an hour brushing it all out.
“Why don’t we just pick up something to eat and you show me where we’ll be living? After we eat, maybe we can take a bath together.” A wicked smile crossed his lips. “And then get dirty all over again.”
“My place, hmm?” Beckett paused, shaking his head. “Our place. I hope it’s not too small for the three of us.”
“Three of us?”
Beckett smirked. “My cat. I sure hope he likes you. If not, we’re sunk.”
“And what happens if he doesn’t?” Tulla asked, lifting a brow.
“We have to get rid of you, of course!”
Tulla gasped and slapped Beckett on the shoulder. The alpha growled and tugged him closer. “I’m sure he’ll love you. Eventually. I’ve marked you with enough of my scent, I’d imagine… that should be in your favor.”
“Oh, well that helps me feel a little safer in my role as your omega. Maybe. Unless your furbaby hates me.”
Beckett’s smile widened. He sat on the edge of the bed and tugged Tulla closer before pressing a kiss to Tulla’s stomach. “Speaking of babies… we might’ve made one tonight. I mean, I know this was just a contact heat… but that still means you were fertile, right? At least, I think that’s what I read.”
Tulla was impressed. From his limited knowledge of alphas, none of them seemed to know much about omegas and their fertility. “Technically… there’s a small chance of getting pregnant from a contact heat, but it’s rare.”
“Ahh,” Beckett answered, almost appearing a bit disappointed. “Well, that would be too quick. We need time to get to know one another a lot better before we start talking babies.”
“Yeah,” Tulla murmured. He looked down at his flat stomach and for the first time, he could imagine seeing it swollen with child. With Beckett’s child. He ran a hand through the alpha’s thick hair.
“Do you want children?”
Tulla frowned looking up at Beckett.
Beckett glanced down at him. “Do you?”
It had been beaten into Tulla’s head that he would one day be bred. Alphas had it beaten into their heads that they needed to have as many children as their omegas could handle. “I never expected my alpha to ever ask me that. It’s always been assumed I would one day pop out babies like a good little omega.”
Beckett eyed him a moment. “Your body is your own, Tulla. You have the right to say you don’t want children. I mean, I hope you do. Want them, that is. Someday… once we’re ready.” He brushed a few strands of Tulla’s hair away. “I’ve got the instinct to breed, just like any alpha… and there’s not much I can do to stop it. But we can make choices… and do our best to follow those decisions.”
Tulla sat upright and stared at Beckett, stunned. “A choice? You’re giving me a choice?”
“Giving? No. I’m of the belief that you have this right. No one can bestow it upon you.”
Tulla’s mouth dropped open as he stared at Beckett.
“I’ve told you I’m not like other alphas. I’ve read many a history… and I believe we mistreat omegas. Insufferably so. I likely sound crazy to others… but I believe omegas should have more independence. In other provinces, they do… omegas can make choices of when and how they mate. If they have children. There’s other birth controls, other than condoms—pills omegas can take to prevent children and still enjoy their heats with their mates.”
“I’ve never heard of any of this…”
“Of course you haven’t. It’s all illegal here,” Beckett said. “It shouldn’t be, but it is.”
Tulla stared, overwhelmed with what he’d just been told. “So we’re being kept as breeders… because the alphas want us that way.”
Beckett nodded. “Birthrates have been down for decades. The council’s afraid that giving omegas rights will only make things worse.”
Tulla frowned.
“That’s not going to be the way of things between us… okay?”
Tulla met Beckett’s solemn stare and felt his heart beating
faster. He nodded.
“I want you to have a say. We’re in this together.” Beckett frowned. “Though… we might not either have a choice after today. I’m so sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be sorry… you tried to protect us both… I didn’t even want you to… I was so wound up and it was taking too long.”
“How would that make you feel? If we end up finding out you are…?”
Tulla was thoughtful a moment and decided he’d be completely honest. “Terrified.” He glanced at Beckett. “But after hearing all you’ve had to say… not quite as terrified as I might be.” If his alpha saw the world so differently than other alphas… maybe they’d be okay. “I never expected this… to be treated as an equal. To be given a choice.” He paused. “It’s what I’ve always wanted, yet now… I feel almost overwhelmed to get it.”
Tears burned the backs of his eyes. He stared at Beckett, realizing just how lucky he was to have found this man.
His alpha leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. “I think it’s smart to wait. I want to know you inside out before we make that decision. And I want you to know me, as well.”
Tulla glanced at his stomach again before smiling up at Beckett. He nodded. “Yeah. It’s a smart decision to wait. I’m free… thanks to you. I want to enjoy a little bit of that before we start having children.”
“Sounds like a wonderful plan. Plus I get a new office assistant, from the sound of things.”
Tulla curled up into Beckett’s open arms and snuggled close.
“Just so you know, I’ll be joyful either way. If we had a happy accident or not. I don’t want you to think otherwise. I will be a father and support you in every way I possibly can.”
Tulla smiled to himself. “I never assumed any less. But as I said… the chances of me getting pregnant during a contact heat are slim to none. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”
“Fate got us this far. It brought you to me. I’m hopeful it’ll take us where we need to go from here on out.”
Tulla smiled at his alpha, loving the genuineness of his mate. He spread a hand over his stomach…
Not yet knowing…
That life had won those slim to odd chances…
