by Lisa Oliver
“I see.” Pushing himself back from the table, Devyn mimicked his mate’s pose. Okay, his biceps didn’t thicken or look half as enticing as Rex’s, but Devyn had been raised by a bear. “And what is your lowly mate’s role in this relationship exactly?”
Rex twisted his lips, tilted his head to one side, and then the other. Eyes up at the ceiling, then down at the floor. Devyn pressed his lips together to stop his smirk from showing. He doesn’t know what to say.
“You’re my mate,” Rex said at last. “You… Er… you… you have your work and then after that, well… you look after me and trust me to look out for your best interests.”
“I look after you. I see.” Devyn nodded. “I’m guessing you mean cleaning, cooking, warming your bed at night?” Devyn used his middle finger to push his glasses back up his nose. Yep, the middle finger was deliberate.
Rex couldn’t meet his eyes. “That’s how most of the matings I’ve seen seem to work.”
“In your home pack?”
Rex’s nod was brief.
“I should be glad I can’t get pregnant then, or you’d have me bare-foot and pregnant, slaving in your kitchen. But oh, wait. You can’t because I don’t have feet.”
“This has nothing to do with you being in a wheelchair.” Rex glared.
“No, you know, I think you’re right. I don’t think your attitude has anything to do with my lack of feet. I think your upbringing is showing through. I’m the little omega, so I need looking after. I don’t have to strain my poor feeble brain trying to make decisions all by my little self, not when I have a strong hunky alpha to do all my thinking for me. Am I right?”
Opening his mouth, Rex snarled and snapped it shut again. There was something going on in that brain of his – Devyn could sense it. Devyn was happy to sit and wait for him to work it out.
“Look,” Rex said at last. “This isn’t about alpha and omega roles; this is about you saying you didn’t know if you wanted to come to my place of business with me. If I want you there, then you should come with me. If I say you’ll be safe with me then you should trust that.”
Devyn worked to keep the smile off his face and his voice even. “So, my feelings about that trip don’t count, is that what you’re telling me? I trust you enough to share the fact I’ve never been to a drinking establishment before, so I may have concerns about how I might fit in. I express a legitimate concern I have about your reputation that might be negatively affected if you’re seen with me, and you blow that off?”
Devyn’s voice rose. “Hells teeth, I don’t even know if you’re an out gay man around town. Instead of addressing my concerns and appreciating my honesty, you decide in your alphaness, to get angry at me. To the point, I might add, of even suggesting to your newly claimed mate that you’d get tired of me. I’m not one of your hook ups, or a one-night stand. I’m your mate. Newly claimed. And yes, that does need to be stressed twice, because I don’t think you understand how much shit you’ve just stepped into.”
“Well, Er….” Twin spots of red showed on Rex’s cheeks.
“Furthermore, I should probably tell you, that if your shitty attitude is going to be your standard response to any concerns I might share in the future, then your anger is going to get tiring pretty quick for me, too.”
Rex’s eyes widened. “But, but….” Then he seemed to collapse in on himself. “I’m sorry, and yes, I’m sure me saying that will get tiring too.” Relaxing his arms, Rex moved closer and lowered his voice. “I got scared. I thought you didn’t want to be seen with me, or that maybe you didn’t trust me to protect you like Gregor has done. I overreacted.”
Devyn held out his arms and Rex scooped him out of his chair, burying his nose in Devyn’s neck. “You big tough alpha, you,” Devyn teased softly, rubbing his hand over the bristle short hair cut his mate wore. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Lifting his head, Rex mock growled. “If you tell anyone else, I admitted being scared, I’ll deny it.”
“I’ll protect your alpha reputation, babe.” Devyn liked the way the endearment sounded on his tongue and Rex didn’t seem to mind it either. “But you might want to revise those ideas you have of alpha and omega roles or I can see you spending a lot of nights on the couch.”
“I didn’t grow up knowing any omegas,” Rex said, taking Devyn out of the kitchen, setting them both on the couch he could be banished to. Devyn hadn’t dreamed about sitting on his mate’s lap before, but it was as though that spot had been made with him in mind. “It’s not as though we had any in the pack that I was aware of. My dad talked about omegas sometimes – female ones. He used to tell me they made the best mates because they were compliant, always did as they were told, and were good breeders.”
“According to the history books I’ve read, most omegas didn’t have a choice in any of those things.” Devyn shivered slightly as he thought about what he’d learned. “Back even fifty years ago, they were treated as slaves, made to service any pack member higher in rank than them, and that was everybody. A lot of them died really young, never having the chance to find their fated mate. No one seemed to care. Did you know, some alphas didn’t believe an omega could even be blessed with a fated mate?”
“So where did the idea come from that when an alpha and omega paired up, an alpha became stronger because of their bond?” Rex seemed genuinely curious.
“Anecdotes from different packs over time.” Devyn looked up. “It all came about because of same-sex pairings, strangely enough. From what I read, it seemed many alphas rejected their same sex fated mates in the past, marrying a woman instead so they could have a heap of pups and keep their standing in the pack. But it didn’t work out.”
“Because the non-fated mates of an alpha didn’t seem to be able to have many pups.” Devyn felt a sad ache inside of him, and knew Rex was thinking about his mother. Stroking down the side of Rex’s neck, Devyn forged on.
“That’s right, but remember views were slowly changing in the human world towards same sex couples. Finally, in the sixties I think it was, a pack alpha had the balls to claim his same sex, omega mate, and met all challengers to his position and won. His pack grew stronger because of it. Other pairings in the pack had more pups, the omega had the gift of calming his mate during volatile situations, and the pack flourished. That same alpha petitioned the council to recognize same sex matings as having the same status and importance as any other true matings claiming that the Fates were never wrong. After a lot of arguments, the law was changed to recognize the rights of all true mated couples, regardless of gender.”
Rex frowned. “That didn’t change the status of the rights for omegas, though, did it?”
“No, unfortunately.” Devyn shook his head. “Even now, fifty years later male omegas are often banished from their pack, or enslaved by them, and the same applies to female omegas to a lesser degree. It’s because they’re perceived as being weaker, and therefore useless when it comes to pack security.”
Rex smirked. “I don’t think anyone meeting you would consider you a weak omega. But I still don’t get it. Why are alpha and omega pairings so revered? Any other pack alphas I’ve met in the past have all been mated to beta females. In a lot of cases, they aren’t fated mates.”
“I’ve read stories.” Devyn’s cheeks heated. “Usually, it’s a lone alpha who meets his omega mate away from a pack situation. Apparently, the bond can be so strong, that the alpha only has to sniff his omega and he can’t get an erection for anyone else. The urge to be with each other becomes so strong, not even the alpha can resist.”
“That’s probably because he wanted the sex,” Rex said bluntly.
“Yeah, because all alpha wolves are ruled by their dicks.” Devyn wasn’t going to have his stories disrespected. “The fact is, any lone alpha who meets his fated omega mate is always stronger than an unmated one. Male or female mate, it doesn’t matter. There was one shifter philosopher who said the reason the pairings were so strong is because an
alpha shifter is hardwired to care for and protect his mate. The omega is equally wired to be loyal, devoted, and caring to his alpha – providing comfort in times of stress, and reminding their alpha that the strength they’d been blessed with was given for a reason. To be protectors. An omega is the alpha’s heart.”
“There’s shifter philosophers?”
Devyn sighed, the urge to bang his head against Rex’s solid chest muscles strong. “That’s all you got out of what I was saying? Shifters are people too. They don’t all live in huts in the woods, wear flannel, and beat their chests while they howl at the full moon.”
“My dad does,” Rex said.
“Oh, my gods, please tell me you’re kidding me. Did you have hot running water? Inside plumbing?”
Rex shook his head, the corner of his lips twitching. “My dad’s women still cook on a woodfire stove. I believe, according to my dad, that the issue about indoor plumbing was raised about ten years ago at a pack meeting. He was right pissed off. He reckoned why spend money on something so unnecessary when it took ten minutes to dig a long-drop.”
“Thank the Fates I met you after you left the pack.” Devyn leaned his head on Rex’s shoulder. “If a toilet don’t flush, I won’t sit on it.”
“Spoiled brat,” but Devyn could tell Rex was teasing him. He was happy to sit, listening to Rex’s steady heartbeat. But apparently Rex had something else to say. “You know, what you said about an omega giving an alpha heart, or being the alpha’s heart?”
Devyn nodded, not wanting to look up. He was too relaxed.
“I think you could be onto something there.”
Devyn grinned.
Chapter Fourteen
Rex mentally cursed as he pushed open the door to his bar, so that Devyn could roll himself through. Who should be the first person he saw sitting at the bar, but bloody Sloane. And of course, the man saw him. He’d probably been stalking the bar in the two days since Rex packed him off in a taxi. Tony and Gregor were behind the counter; Tony mouthing “sorry” as Rex tried to curtail his frustration.
“I see Sloane hasn’t given up.” Devyn whispered as they slowly made their way to the counter. “Now you’ve been in my bed, I can understand why, but does he have to be here?”
“Nope, and he won’t be shortly.” Ignoring Sloane completely, Rex guided Devyn to a table at the other side of the bar, pushing a few chairs out of the way to make room for Devyn’s wheelchair. “Do you drink alcohol at all? Or, we have soda, coffee, juice or water, if you’d rather.”
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Devyn was tense, which was not what Rex wanted to have happen since he’d been planning their trip into town. He’d spent the day at Devyn’s shop, tending the counter while Devyn spent a lot of time on the phone arranging orders and deliveries. Gregor hadn’t been in, but then Rex didn’t expect him to be. Now, instead of the quiet dinner he’d been planning for the two of them, he had to contend with Sloane.
“Wait here a minute. I’ll go get the drinks.” Brushing a kiss against Devyn’s hair, Rex strode over to the bar. “Tony, Gregor,” he nodded at his brother and the hovering bear. “How’s things?”
“Probably better for me than they are for you.” Tony flicked his head slightly in Sloane’s direction. “Mind you, takings are up for our top shelf lines.”
Rex could well imagine. Sloane would never lower himself to drink tap beer. “Give me two drafts of the house special, thanks. Put them on my tab.” Grabbing the two glasses Tony poured and pushed over to him, he winked at Tony and went back to his seat.
“So, what do you think of the place?” He asked, leaning over slightly so his arm was resting across the back of Devyn’s chair. “I’ll take you back into the kitchen later, but from what you can see, what do you think?”
“It only has one flaw that I can see, and that’s sitting on a bar stool.” Devyn reached for his glass, wrinkling his nose a little at the smell, and taking a tentative sip. “But then, if everything was perfect life would be boring, wouldn’t it?”
“I think you’re perfect,” Rex whispered in his mate’s ear, “And there’s nothing boring about you.”
“Flatterer.” But at least Rex’s comments made Devyn smile. “Is he just going to sit there all night watching us?”
“Nope.” Rex eased back into his chair and stretched out his legs. “That isn’t Sloane’s way. I’d give him another minute, maybe two….” It wasn’t even that. Rex watched as Sloane got off his stool, his slight wobble showing he’d been there much of the afternoon.
“Rex, babe,” Sloane sleazed as he got closer. “I’ve been waiting for you. Can we talk somewhere privately?” His look of disgust that he flicked at Devyn made Rex’s hackles rise.
“I don’t have anything to discuss with you, Sloane. I believe we said everything we needed to say the last time we spoke.” Rex moved his hand, so it was resting on Devyn’s shoulder.
Sloane’s eyes narrowed. “I want to talk to you. You missed a very important appointment you had with me at lunchtime today.”
“I made it clear the last time, Sloane. We don’t have any appointments, future, important, or otherwise.” Rex met Sloane’s eyes squarely. He was aware Devyn was staring into his glass, but he wasn’t going to break his stare with Sloane.
“Does your crippled toy boy know you were due to be married to me today?”
Rex’s wolf rose at the insult – he could feel the hackles rising on the back of his neck, and the ends of his fingertips prickled. But then a strange thing happened. Devyn put his hand on Rex’s arm and the wolf inside of him stilled – alert, waiting.
“Actually, I believe Rex told you at my store the other day he had no intentions of marrying you. I heard him; my friend Gregor heard him. Maybe you should visit a doctor because it sounds like you need your ears cleaned out.” Devyn tilted his head, a shy smile gracing his lips. “Now will you excuse us, please? Rex and I are on a date.”
“You’re dating this… this…”
Rex heard Gregor’s growl from the bar and got to his feet. Devyn’s hand was still on his arm. “You’re embarrassing yourself, Sloane,” he said quietly. “I don’t want you. I definitely wouldn’t marry you….”
“You wanted me plenty.” Sloane’s face twisted in rage. “The way you called me babe, when you fisted my hair as I swallowed your cock couldn’t be faked.” Sloane wobbled and Rex’s heart sank as he realized just how drunk the man was.
“Maybe he called you babe because he couldn’t remember your name?” Devyn said brightly. “I know that happens to me all the time. It’s so much easier using a generic term, than having to remember names at the height of passion, don’t you think?”
“Why are you even talking to me?” Sloane roared. “I’m trying to talk to my fiancé here.”
“No, you’re not,” Devyn said firmly. “You’re angry and embarrassed and I bet you didn’t get your secretary to cancel the wedding arrangements, and maybe the airline tried to give you a hard time when you wanted to cancel Rex’s ticket because he’s not coming with you to the conference tomorrow, but none of that is important.”
Rex couldn’t believe Sloane was actually listening to his mate.
“You know you’re a good looking guy,” Devyn went on, hopefully unaware everyone in the bar was listening to him because then he was bound to clam up. “You said you had money, and you clearly travel for your business, so I know most men would consider you a great catch. But admit it. You only wanted Rex because you thought he was easy to control, and I’m telling you now, he’s not. He’s a slob, he leaves his clothes lying everywhere. He doesn’t wipe the kitchen counter when he’s finished cooking a meal, and don’t get me started on what he can do with a toothpaste tube.”
“I have household staff to take care of those things.” At least Sloane didn’t seem angry anymore. If anything, he seemed to be seriously considering what Devyn was saying.
“That’s awesome for you, but think about them getting grotty ab
out having to do extra work, or better yet, think about Rex’s pride. You know deep down inside he’s never going to change.” Devyn seemed so sincere. “You said yourself to me, that your fiancé was, and I quote, ‘as dumb as a box of rocks, but he looks good on my arm.’”
It was Rex’s turn to growl, but Devyn simply tightened the grip on his arm and continued with that winsome smile on his face.
“Don’t you think you’d be better with someone who was more of your social equal – someone you could talk to about money, and investments and things? Or, if you really just want a husband in name only for tax purposes then hire one. Draw up a contract and make sure you have a solid pre-nup. But don’t do this to yourself. Look around you. Rex is happy here. This is his place of business and he’s real proud of it so he’s never going to give it up. Can you honestly see yourself fitting in with this crowd?”
Rex couldn’t believe his eyes. Sloane actually looked around, taking in the avid audience, the worn but solid fixtures and fittings. Then he looked over at Tony, and Gregor who was hovering over him protectively.
“You’ve got a right little clique going on, haven’t you?” Rex stopped his grin from showing. Sloane pointed a finger at Devyn. “Be warned little guy. Your chair might win you some sympathy fucks but the man you’re with has got no heart. He’ll chew you up and spit you out faster than you can say pre-nup.”
Rex felt Devyn’s flinch through the hand on his arm, but Devyn’s smile never changed. “I have enough heart for both of us. Goodbye Sloane. Take care of yourself.”
Rex watched as Sloane looked around once more, then with his back ramrod straight he turned, stumbled, righted himself and stalked out of the bar. A round of applause went up from the customers, as Rex sat down.
