Another Omega? Matthew said he didn’t get to see others very often. Maybe that was why they were coming.
“They’ll be here after breakfast. I thought you might like to take a shower or a bath.”
Luke chewed on his lip for a moment before asking the obvious question.
“What’s a shower?”
James seemed lost for words for a moment but recovered swiftly. “I’ll show you after you eat.”
It was oatmeal again, with milk and sweet honey. Luke hummed a little with each spoonful until he saw James giving him an odd look.
“It tastes good,” he mumbled, ducking his gaze.
“I’m glad you like it,” James replied. “If you feel able to finish it, do, but if it’s too much then leave what you can’t manage.”
He said that about every meal Luke ate and Luke was glad of the reassurance. When he started to eat, he always felt like he could eat every bite but by the time he was halfway through, he felt like his stomach had shrunk.
After breakfast, James led him to the bathroom. He’d had a bath the previous day but, this time, James led him to the glass-covered cubicle in the corner.
“This is a shower. It sprays water and you stand under it.”
Luke made a face, taking a step backward. “Like a hose?” Tobias hosed them down sometimes. Luke hated it.
James blinked. “No.” He turned towards the shower contraption, pressing a button, and a spray of water shot out.
Luke took another step back as James stuck his hand in the water.
“There, that’s warm enough.”
“Warm?” Luke stopped his slow escape towards the door but his words drew James’ full attention.
The Alpha took in everything in one glance, Luke’s expression, his edging towards the door. While Luke watched, the Alpha stripped and stepped into the shower. It was the last thing Luke expected and he could do nothing but stare at the Alpha’s broad shoulders, his back, the muscles of his arms and thighs.
James let the water run across his body, trailing his hands through his hair. It looked a lot more enjoyable than being hosed down. James wasn’t paying him any attention which gave him the freedom to watch without being watched in turn. Other than his brother, he’d never seen another person naked bar James.
James turned towards him, tipping his head back into the water. Luke’s eyes followed the line of his body, down along his neck and chest, across the plains of his abdomen to what lay between his legs. He knew the technicalities of what happened during mating but Tobias had always spoken more about obeying and submitting and less about what that meant in practice.
James stepped out of the shower, reaching for a towel.
“You want in?” he asked, gesturing to the water.
He stepped forward hesitantly. He got as far as the shower door before James stopped him with a hand to his shoulder.
“Showering doesn’t work as well if you’re fully clothed,” he joked.
“Oh.” Luke looked down at himself then reluctantly slipped off his t-shirt and shorts. He gripped them in his hands until James gently took them from him.
Luke took a breath and stepped inside, feeling the warm steam buffering around him. And then he was under the water, the hot spray playing across his skin. It felt… it felt nice. Nice was… nice was strange. Discomforting and unsettling. Tobias knew what he deserved and it wasn’t this. How long before they figured it out?
“Hey.”
Hands were on his shoulder turning him. He couldn’t meet James’ eyes but the Alpha’s hands cupped his face, tipping his head up.
The Alpha’s concerned eyes stared down at him, a puzzled frown gracing his face.
“Okay. I’ve got this. You just lean on me.”
He tugged Luke forward to rest against him, moving them both so they were directly under the spray. The Alpha’s grip was strong, his skin firm beneath Luke.
Something touched his skin and he jumped.
“Just a washcloth,” James murmured in his ear as the cloth trailed lightly along the skin of his back. It was an odd sensation and Luke pulled himself a little closer to James, his chin tucked into the groove above the Alpha’s collar bone.
The Alpha washed his body in slow lines, his arms supporting Luke. Tensing when the cloth ran over an open welt, he couldn’t stop the whine from his throat.
James rumbled under his breath, his touch lightening. Luke found himself turned, his back to James’ chest so the Alpha could reach the rest of him.
“Lean back,” James murmured and Luke did, feeling the warmth and strength of the Alpha behind him. His hair was washed last, the Alpha urging him to bend down as he rinsed the soap out. The position reminded him of Jeremy’s hands, threw him back to that moment days before, when Jeremy had stripped him, had been so intent on taking him. He whimpered, feeling the ghost of Jeremy’s hands on his hips.
The shower shut off, James’ arms straightening him and urging him out of the shower. He let go and Luke sank to the floor, curling up against the wall.
James made a wordless sound of confusion and knelt in front of him.
“Luke, what is it?”
He didn’t know what to say.
“Is it Tobias?”
Luke shook his head. “Jeremy.”
“Did he… did he hurt you? I don’t mean the beating he gave you, or the brand. Did he hurt you in another way?”
“He… he thought Gray Valley might steal me from him so he said he had to make sure there was no doubt he was mine.”
“Did he mate with you?”
If he had, James would have to return him. The Pack Council would make him.
“He pushed my clothes down and bent me over. His hands were on my hips.”
“What happened then?”
“Someone came and he had to go. He was furious. Does that mean we mated? Do I have to go back to him?”
James’ arms tugged him forward onto his knees so they were face to face.
“No, you and he aren’t mated. You don’t have to go back to him. Even if you were mated, I wouldn’t let him take you back. I’d kill him and free you from him.”
James shifted closer, holding Luke, and pressing his cheek against his hair. Luke was trembling, unable to hold still.
“Let’s get you dry and dressed.”
Luke felt heavy and leaden as James urged him to his feet, drying him off and helping him into clean clothes.
There were voices downstairs and James stopped to listen.
“Our guests are here.”
He looked Luke up and down, catching his chin in one hand and using his thumb to wipe the smattering of tears from his cheeks.
“Let’s go and say hi.”
Luke felt the heavy sense of worry leave him when James assured him he wasn’t mated to Jeremy. It had been a fear in the back of his mind since the last time he’d seen Jeremy. He hadn’t been sure but James seemed to have no doubt.
Then they were going downstairs and once again, he was trying to work out why someone would be coming to visit him. Maybe the Alpha wanted another Omega, maybe his wasn’t giving him what he wanted. But how would Luke give that to him if another Omega couldn’t?
James led him into the living room. He kept his eyes on the floor, watchful and obedient. He had to make a good impression.
“Luke, this is Ben. And, more importantly, this is his Omega, Adam. I think you two already know one another.”
His words set Luke’s heart thumping. It seemed to take a long time to raise his head, his thoughts racing. Were they toying with him? Was this a joke?
And then he was looking up at the dark-haired Alpha and next to him a face so familiar just seeing it made his heart ache. His brother.
“Adam?”
Adam’s face broke out into a smile and he rushed forward.
“Luke!”
He was engulfed in a hug, Adam’s familiar scent surrounding him, his grip gentle.
“I can’t believe it. You’re here,�
�� Adam said, his voice muffled.
“Adam,” Luke cried, hugging him back. “I ran away to try and find you.”
“And now you’ve found me.” Adam pulled back and beamed at him, the smile falling to a frown as he caught sight of Luke’s injuries. His finger trailed the edge of the bruise on Luke’s face.
“Oh, Luke.”
“It’s okay. It wasn’t James. It was Jeremy. And James says we aren’t mated and I don’t have to go back to him.”
Adam tried to smile at him but there was such sadness in his expression.
“Dada?” a small voice called.
They both turned to look down next to them. A very small person stood there, looking up at them with outstretched arms. Adam reached down and picked him up.
“Luke, this is my son, your nephew, Noah.”
“He’s… he’s yours?”
“Ours.” Adam’s Alpha spoke and Luke looked up to see another small person squirming in the Alpha’s arms.
“And so is this little guy. Xander, say hi to Luke.”
“Hi,” the little Alpha said, waving, and smiling over at him.
Noah suddenly launched himself from Adam’s arms towards Luke and Luke found himself with a little person wrapped around him, humming with happiness.
“Luke,” Noah declared, rubbing his face against Luke’s shirt.
“Okay, let’s try and free you from the toddler monster that’s attached itself,” Adam said, gently trying to lift Noah off him. Noah looked up at him, their eyes meeting.
“He’s beautiful,” Luke murmured.
“Yeah,” Adam agreed. “And a handful.”
“Why don’t we take the boys to the kitchen to get something to eat. And give you and Adam a chance to catch up.”
In a whirlwind of movement, Ben and James took the children from the room leaving them alone.
“You look good,” Luke said as he and Adam sat. It was true. He didn’t look so thin or pale or tired as he’d always seemed before.
“I feel good.”
“And Ben is your Alpha?”
“That’s right.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s great. He’s kind and brave. He’s not the most patient person but he always has time for me.”
“And Tobias gave you to him?” Why had Tobias given Adam to Ben but Luke to Jeremy?
“Oh, no. Tobias gave me to another Alpha and we were mated for a while. He wasn’t a good person. He hurt humans, he hurt me. Then he was killed for his crimes by Ben and Ben freed me.”
Adam was lost in thought as he spoke, his face sad but he seemed to shake himself out of it.
“But then we spent time together and Ben took care of me, teaching me and showing me that a lot of what Tobias taught us was wrong. When another Alpha tried to take me, he fought for me and saved me. With James’ help.” He smiled at the memory.
“And then we mated on my next heat. But it was my choice. Our choice. And we’re very much in love and very happy.”
“Happy?” Luke echoed. That was never something Tobias talked about. Happiness. Love. He spoke at length about being content with what an Alpha gave them. About obedience.
"James and Fenrir's Warriors spent a long time trying to find Tobias, trying to find you, after Ben rescued me. I'm sorry it took so long."
"James was looking for me?"
"He feels really strongly about protecting shifters who are vulnerable, Omegas especially. He promised to help reunite us."
"So he knew who I was?"
"He guessed soon after they found you. You're a lot like me when Ben found me at first. I was scared and so many things were new and strange."
That put a different perspective on things. By chance, he'd run into the very people who'd been searching for him, to save him from Tobias and reconnect him with his brother.
“Have you gone into heat yet?” Adam asked.
Luke shook his head.
“I know it’s scary but once you have someone to share it with, it’s actually pretty amazing.”
“Someone like James?”
Adam canted his head to the side. “Do you like James that way?”
“What way?” Everyone spoke about it like there was something obvious he was missing.
“Like he’s different to other people. Do you think about him when he's not there, do you like his scent, like looking at him, touching him?”
Luke felt his face heat at Adam’s words. “I don’t… I don’t know.” Except maybe he did.
“He’s a good man, honorable and kind. You wouldn’t need to be afraid with him. And I’m sure there's lots he could teach you.”
“Like how to be obedient?” Tobias said that was most important.
“No, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want his mate to be obedient. He’s very knowledgeable. Very well read. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you read.”
Luke shook his head. “No. Omega don’t read.”
“I read.”
Luke watched him, alarmed. “Does Ben know?”
“He helped teach me. I’m much better now than I was before.”
This was wrong. Everything turned on its head.
“The world outside is very different from what Tobias taught us. Lots of people, lots of Alphas, don’t think the way Tobias raised us. There’s a whole world out here, Luke, and lots and lots of chances for happiness, to live a good life, to mate to a good Alpha who’ll take care of you and who you can take care of in turn.”
Adam, Ben, and the twins stayed until the early evening. When they left for home, Luke had plenty to think about. Adam seemed happier than he had ever been with Luke under Tobias' watchful gaze. Which made him feel both happy and sad. Ben was a little scary, but Adam adored him. And the twins were beautiful and full of life.
Could Luke have that? A loving Alpha and happy children. Did he deserve it?
Chapter Twenty
For the next two days, Luke watched James and spent a lot of time thinking. James was always doing something; going somewhere, meeting someone, talking to his people. Every time he caught Luke’s eye, he smiled. Whenever they sat down to meals together, which was most days, he made sure Luke had enough to eat and chatted to him.
He was a good man, like Adam had said. He’d make a good Alpha and Luke could learn to be happy in his bed.
He waited until the Alpha was out and went upstairs to search through the rooms. It didn’t take long to find what he was looking for. The oil and the colors Etta had used to make him ready for Jeremy. If he was wearing them, James couldn’t doubt his intentions.
The eye stuff was hard to put on but he kept trying, watching his face in the mirror carefully. And then the oil. It was growing late and when James came home he would go straight to bed. Luke found the tight pants he’d been dressed in and slipped them on, then went to wait in James’ room, sitting on the end of his bed. Should he kneel? He decided to stay sitting.
His heart began to thump in his chest when James’ footsteps finally came up the stairs. The door swung open and Luke stood, turning to greet his Alpha.
There was a long silence.
“Luke.”
“Alpha.”
“What… what are you doing?”
“Waiting for you.”
“What are you wearing?” James stepped closer and Luke risked a glance upwards.
“I dressed up for you. As a gift.”
“Like you were dressed up when they gave you to Jeremy?”
He nodded, relieved James understood.
Two fingers pressed beneath his chin, tipping his head up. James’ tired face peered at him. “Alright,” his rough voice said, “follow me.”
Luke wondered where they were going. He wouldn’t want to mate him in front of everyone, like Jeremy had threatened to, would he?
But no. They stepped into the bathroom, James switching on the light.
“Sit up here,” he said, indicating the counter next to the sink. Luke lifting himself up, the surface put
ting him and James eye to eye. James busied himself soaking a washcloth in water and soap before wringing it out. He placed it on Luke’s chest and began to wipe off the oil.
“Wait, I don’t think you're supposed to…” Luke started to say but James pressed a finger across his lips and he lapsed into silence.
The Alpha rinsed the cloth, again and again, returning to remove every trace of the oil from Luke’s skin. Despite the confusion of his actions, Luke liked his methodical movements, how he took care with each bruise and cut across his skin. Finally, James took a clean towel and dried him, starting at his left shoulder, and working across.
Luke was so distracted by his hand and the towel, that he didn’t notice James leaning toward his left shoulder until the Alpha’s mouth pressed against the clean skin there, kissing it softly. He held his breath, waiting as James shifted a little lower and pressed a second kiss to his collarbone. His breath caught as he looked down at the top of James’ head. James let the towel fall, his hand cupping Luke’s right shoulder, thumb playing across his skin. His mouth moved upwards, into the crease of Luke’s neck and Luke whimpered at the feeling of the Alpha's mouth on his skin. He wasn't used to being touched, not like this.
James sighed, resting his forehead on Luke’s shoulder for a moment before pushing himself up. He pulled a handful of tissues out, dampening them before handing them to Luke.
“You can wipe that black stuff off your eyes.”
Luke took the offered tissue and James lifted him off the counter and turned him around so he was facing the mirror. He started gingerly wiping at the black marks around his eyes.
“You didn’t like it,” he said.
“I love that you did this for me but I don’t need or want a… a doll or a pretty bauble. I want a mate. Someone who’ll stand by my side not kneel by my feet.”
“But Omegas are supposed to show obedience.”
“I’m an Alpha and a Pack leader so I want a certain amount of obedience from each member of my Pack. But what you’re talking about is subservience. Doing someone else’s bidding with no mind of your own. That’s very different to following the instructions of your leader or submitting to your lover in bed.”
The Alpha's Heart: Lost Omegas Book Five: A M/M Shifter Romance Page 11
