Slow Heat

by Leta Blake

  And because wolf-god didn’t seem to be smiling down on them for this negotiation, Father was strangely irritable and unsettled as well. Worse, Pater didn’t quite seem himself. Everyone was on edge, and Jason didn’t understand why. After what he and Vale had done together the day before and the confidences they’d shared, he’d allowed himself to hope negotiations would be a breeze.

  Maybe Vale had changed his mind about Jason and Xan’s indiscretion? Jason sought out Vale’s eyes again but didn’t see anger or resentment toward him when Vale glanced back. He didn’t hold his gaze, though.

  Jason wished he could call the meeting to a halt and get some time alone with Vale to find out what the problem was, but that still wouldn’t explain Father’s irritation or Pater’s. His stomach knotted and worry climbed ever higher.

  As soon as Bisme was finished reading through the legalese, Father said, “Does that all seem satisfactory or do we need to belabor these issues?”

  Vale’s eyes glinted dangerously. “I get the feeling that negotiating with me is distasteful to you.”

  “It’s not that it’s distasteful.” Father sighed and shook his head. “Your parents should be here to speak for you.”

  Vale’s lips curled up in a nasty smile. “My parents have been dead for many years. I’m not a green omega with no experience outside Mont Juror. I’m an educated adult with a career and holdings. I deserve to be treated with the respect you’d show to a man you consider your equal.” He tilted his head. “And if you won’t, I wonder how Miner feels about that?”

  “My apologies if I came across impatiently,” Father said, glancing Pater’s way. “Please understand it’s not a reflection on you or my opinion of you.”

  Vale’s brows lifted, but he remained silent. Jason’s scalp grew damp with nervous sweat. What was going on? Nothing felt right at all. Why was Vale being so aggressive toward Father?

  Yosef broke the silence by saying, “Most aspects of the contract are acceptable. However, my client requires a change to the clause regarding a live birth.”

  Bisme picked up a pen to take notes. “Go ahead.”

  “Mr. Aman will not contract for any births at all. None. The number must be reduced to zero and all other clauses pertaining to a live birth removed.”

  Father growled quietly, and Bisme sat his pen down without making a mark. Pater patted his shirt pocket for his silver cigarette case and matches. Jason licked his lips, opened his mouth, and was interrupted before he could speak a word.

  “He is our only son, and the contract will stipulate one live birth.” Father poked the table with his forefinger, his blue eyes glinting.

  Jason started to speak again but was immediately forestalled by his father’s hand raised in his direction. Yosef didn’t get a word in, either. Before anyone could say anything else, Vale hissed, “Yes, he’s your only son. Let’s discuss why that is, shall we?”

  Pater looked away, his eyes shuttering as he released a long stream of smoke from his lips. Quickly, he took another drag from his cigarette.

  Father took hold of Pater’s free hand, squeezing once to comfort him. He then shot such a malicious glare at Vale that Jason’s hackles rose. He didn’t want to fight his father over this, but if he so much as spoke out of turn to Vale, he’d show him how much he’d grown.

  “There were health concerns,” Father whispered. “And Miner did bear one child as his contract required.”

  “We all know the reasons for Jason being the only one left in the Sabel line,” Vale said, sympathy swirling in his voice alongside the tight control he was wielding. “We’ve all seen the medical write up and know the history. But you’ve also seen my medical charts. You know this is a matter of life or death for me. Yet you’d have me risk the same—either my own death, or the death of a child, or both?” He sneered. “I wish I could say I’m surprised by that, but given everything I know about you, I’m not.”

  Jason blinked, wondering where Vale’s animosity toward his father was coming from. Surely he wouldn’t have been shocked by the live birth clause in the contract, and Jason understood why he’d refuse it, but why was he so angry in doing it? Sneering at Father wouldn’t get them anywhere good.

  “You think you can speak to me like that?” Father said, his voice low and ominous.

  Jason’s fists curled up, his body tensing, and he shoved his chair back from the table slightly.

  “You have no right to address me in that manner,” Father went on. “This contract isn’t necessary, you realize. We can pay you an allowance for your entire life and not feel it touch us. We’re doing you a favor by acting like this is a match that could work. But one more disrespectful comment from you and—”

  “Stop, Yule.” Pater spoke quietly, smoke ringing his head and drifting up to the ceiling. “Don’t say another word.”

  Father turned to him, eyes wide in surprise. Pater met his gaze firmly.

  Father’s neck flushed, and he cleared his throat as he looked away.

  Pater turned to Vale then and spoke calmly, his voice steady with his promise. “We understand your reluctance to contract for a birth. Believe me, I sympathize. I nearly died with Jason, and I’ve lost too many now to count. If it wasn’t for Jason needing me, and knowing how adrift Yule would be, I might have given up and gone to the other side years ago.”

  “Miner,” Father said Pater’s name with fear tingeing his voice, but Pater just placed his hand over his and went on.

  “So I understand. Birth is no laughing matter. It’s serious. It has the potential to be deadly for us, especially as we get older, especially if we aren’t formed right or have scar tissue as you do. A first live birth at your age would be exceedingly difficult, and, with the scar tissue, potentially deadly. We won’t risk your life for a chance at a grandchild—not when there are other options.”

  Father paled and gritted his teeth together.

  The word ‘surrogate’ hung in the air so clearly Jason could almost see it. He snarled at the idea he’d ever take any omega other than Vale. He’d never impregnate some other man simply to carry on the family line. He’d rather die than breed with someone he didn’t feel this pull for.

  Pater went on, “However, should you come to care for our son as a life partner, truly bonded as his omega, and if, at that time, you discover you’re medically capable and want to try for yourself, then we would be honored to have a grandchild from your womb.”

  Father deflated, seeing that Pater had made up his mind. He covered his face with his hand. Pater sucked his cigarette and blew out the smoke before offering Vale a smile. “We’ll strike the requirement from the contract.”

  “I don’t want a child anyway,” Jason said, lifting his chin.

  That wasn’t entirely true, but if Vale didn’t want to bear one, or couldn’t, then Jason was all right with that. Betas lived childless forever and had happy, even enviously wonderful lives. Still, the idea of Vale never growing large with his child made his throat ache with all the tears he’d refused to shed since presenting as an alpha. But that didn’t matter. Keeping Vale safe was more important.

  He forced a smile. “So this is good. Vale and I are on the same page.”

  “Quiet, Jason,” Father said gently. “We’ll handle this.”

  “Actually, I’d like to know his thoughts,” Vale countered.

  The desire for Vale’s approval pulsed through him hungrily, almost angrily. “It’s only that…it’s more important that you’re safe and healthy. I don’t need a child.”

  “You don’t? Who will inherit when you’re gone?” Vale asked, a needle in his tone. “Are you content to see all that your family worked for and accomplished go to charity on our deaths?”

  Jason shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose so.”

  “You suppose so?”

  “You’ve been so unhappy since we sat down,” Jason pleaded. “If this is why you’re upset then let’s set it aside. I don’t like seeing you this way.”

  Vale gazed
at him hard. “You’re nineteen. Of course you’ve never considered the implications of being childless. Before we make any decisions, you need to consider the reality of it, Jason. What it would mean for your family.”

  “You make it sound like you think I should take a surrogate!”

  “It’s not a terrible idea.”

  Jason gritted his teeth. “I don’t want that.”

  “We all know what you want,” Vale murmured, pressing his fingertips to his eyes with shaky fingers.

  What he wanted was to sign the paperwork today. He wanted Vale on his knees, where he belonged, rubbing his face against Jason’s leg in gratitude for the comfortable, happy life Jason would give him. He wanted Vale to be joyful.

  “I won’t let you sign a contract that risks your life.”

  Vale snorted.

  Father snapped, “He’s your alpha. Show him respect.”

  Vale shot Father a harsh look but then whispered, “Jason, respectfully, you deserve a family.”

  “You deserve an alpha.”

  Vale’s pale cheeks went even whiter and he ducked his head. Yosef touched his back, but Vale went stiffer and Yosef pulled away. “I don’t know about that.” Vale’s gaze met his, eyes sad. “I’ve lived a long time without one.”

  “Imprinting is special,” Bisme interrupted. “It’s not the kind of thing to shrug off. The bond you could share, will share if you spend much time in each other’s presence, contract or not, will be beyond your imagination now.” He smiled gently. “It’s not something to walk away from because you’re not sure you want it. It’s wolf-god’s greatest gift. You can’t shun it.”

  “I do want it,” Jason said. “I want the bond, the contract, and you.” There was more he wanted to tell Vale but couldn’t with his parents listening. He couldn’t say that he wanted to see Vale come again. He couldn’t say it was more important to have Vale’s submission than it was to have children. That what he most needed was to be sure that Vale wanted to be at Jason’s feet, that he longed for Jason the same way Jason longed for him. That he lived for the chance to come on his knot, the same way Jason now lived for the chance to give it to him.

  “Do you truly know what you want, Jason?” Vale asked. “You say you do, but do you understand the cost?”

  He swallowed hard, gathering his courage, and kept his focus on Vale and Vale only. “I want you. Just the way you are. That’s all that matters to me. I don’t want your lands or your house or to force you to give me children. I want you on your knees begging for me to take you. The rest of this contract can go to hell.”

  His parents opened their mouths at the same time to speak, but Vale lifted his hand, an amused smile on his face as he studied Jason.

  His eyes crinkled sweetly as his smile spread, and Jason’s breath caught. So beautiful.

  “And that sort of reckless, youthful, eagerness is why your parents are here. To see you aren’t led by your…” The slight pause let Jason fill in the word ‘dick’ before Vale carried on with, “Purity of heart into a contract that isn’t satisfactory.”

  “I’ll decide what’s satisfactory,” Jason growled. “Not you. Not them.”

  Vale shifted in his seat and Jason’s nostrils twitched.

  Did he smell…? Was that…? Was Vale getting wet for him? Here? In the middle of their meeting? It was the best scent in the world, sweet and musky, declaring that he’d made Vale want him with just his words alone.

  Inspired by Vale’s reaction, he added a rough grit to his voice like he’d used when playing alpha with Xan. “You’re wrong that I don’t know what I need. I want you. On your hands and knees, presenting for me. That’s everything I want.”

  He was embarrassed to say these things in front of his parents, Yosef, and Bisme, but when Vale’s eyes flared hot, and the scent of slick drifted even more strongly across the table to him, Jason didn’t care who overheard. He meant every syllable down to his core.

  “It’s good your parents are here for you,” Vale said again nervously, standing up from the table. “Imprinting, omega persuasion, and pheromone delirium being what they are, no one can really expect you to say anything else.”

  Jason knew he should be annoyed at being dismissed but he couldn’t feel anything other than pride that he’d made Vale’s voice shake.

  “Excuse me. I need to…” Vale motioned toward the door. “I’ll be back directly.”

  Vale was wet enough he had to go clean up. Wolf-god, yes. They just had to get these legal proceedings out of the way first. Then he’d claim him. Fuck him. And then fuck him again until they both passed out, sticky and sore.

  Yes.

  He admired Vale as he walked across the room, elegant and outwardly composed, even though his fingers shook and the scent of slick wafted in the air. His pert ass moved beneath his pants, muscled and juicy, and Jason licked his lips. He’d taste it eventually. He’d suck a kiss into every inch of those beautiful mounds of flesh, and then he’d lick Vale’s hole until he begged to be bred.

  Gritting his teeth, Jason wondered if he could leave the table to deal with his arousal, too. Vale wasn’t the only one left needing. Wolf-god, why couldn’t they deal with it together? He sipped the cold water in front of him and tried to get a grip.

  If he left the table now, it would probably disappoint Vale. He still needed to be careful not to come across as too immature, too out of control. He knew he was on the verge of doing just that. Possibly already had.

  Jason met his pater’s eyes and found them sympathetic and a little amused. His father, though, glared after Vale, as though the predicament of his slick was a stalling technique to prevent having to sign the contract or agree to a live birth.

  “If you give him a chance, you’ll see that he’s not being unreasonable,” Yosef said once the door had clicked behind Vale’s retreating form. “He wants to contract with your son, but he’s fair. He knows what his physical limits are, and he’s offering you a chance to make the smart choice.” Yosef frowned. “Frankly, I tried to talk him out of giving you this option, but he likes Jason far too much to hem him in.”

  Jason frowned. “You mean he really wants me to take a surrogate?”

  Yosef glanced toward Bisme and shrugged. “There are many ways to want, Jason. There’s want and then there’s want. And sometimes they contradict each other. Do you understand?”

  He did, actually. He wanted a child, but he wanted Vale.

  Both religious and state laws around reproduction were strict. Biologically, an alpha could breed with any omega in heat. The Holy Book of Wolf made it clear, however, that in the eyes of wolf-god it was imperative to cleave to one mate, through contract or imprint. According to the faith, it was to prevent the mistreatment of wolf-god’s greatest gift to the world—omegas.

  But historically, the guidelines in The Holy Book of Wolf hadn’t always been followed.

  In the past, alphas, greedy for power and to replenish the population of the world, had forced omegas outside the claims of Érosgápe into a kind of breeding slavery. Some wealthy alphas bought multiple omegas to breed with, despite having an Érosgápe bond of their own.

  They forced the dangerous breeding onto the purchased omegas, spreading their genes and priding themselves on the number of children they produced. Then they favored their Érosgápe’s children in terms of inheritance, leaving those from the slave omegas at a cultural and social disadvantage despite their paters’ sacrifices.

  Omegas rebelled against the unfair treatment and, eventually, there’d been an uprising from the Wolf Above Party, resulting in years upon years of religious law. This had the negative effect of squashing technological and scientific advancements, but it put an end to the use of omegas as breeding slaves. The Érosgápe relationship became exalted above all others, and the laws of the state were forced to echo these values.

  Omegas remained the alpha’s purview, whether the relationship was contracted or Érosgápe, but the alphas were leashed as well by requirements that
they choose only one mate. Any child born outside of a contract would be a bastard denied any access to lines of inheritance. Any alpha dying childless was required to leave his belongings (after the death of his omega) to charities run by the state to prevent any attempt to subvert the laws.

  These rules were sound on the surface, Jason knew, or at least better than what had gone before in that they prevented sick misuse of omegas, but they were rigid and lacked the nuance that negotiating life outside of theory seemed to require.

  In his case, it meant he had to choose between having a child and experiencing the full bond of Érosgápe with Vale.

  “Could we have a few minutes alone with our son?” Father asked, nodding toward the door to the kitchen. “I’ve left refreshments on the table. Please help yourself while you wait.”

  Yosef and Bisme complied.

  “Jason,” Father said as soon as the door was shut. “You must carry on the family line. This isn’t negotiable. Either he contracts for one live birth or you must consider alternatives.”

  “Listen to yourself, Yule,” Pater insisted, striking a match to his second cigarette. “Do you hear what you’re suggesting? You’re telling Jason he has to put his omega’s life in danger or give him up altogether.”

  “Sacrifices sometimes need to be made, Miner. For the greater good.” He stared meaningfully at Pater, like there was something else behind his words. “You know that more than anyone.”

  Pater stabbed the air with his cigarette. “And who decides the greater good? You?” He snarled, “Don’t you remember what it was like when we met? How you felt, how I felt, what it meant to us—”

  “Yes, of course. It was bliss.”