“The one? But he’s a human omega, right? That’s all you need.”
My mouth tightened. “That may be what mother wants, but it’s not good enough for me.”
“What?” Theo cried. “But Pierce, weneedan heir. Why not this human?”
I thought of Benji, alone in the dining hall, probably suspicious of my sudden disappearance.
“He did smellamazingwhen I first found him,” I admitted. “But I need more than that, Theo. I refuse to simply impregnate an omega because he’s the only one in front of me. As juvenile as it sounds, I want him to at least like me. I’m not going to bring an omega kicking and screaming into my life.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Theo murmured, then smiled. “You’re a good guy, Pierce. And I’m glad you said that, ‘cause that’s what I want, too. An actual relationship.”
I nodded. “Exactly.”
He let out a relieved sigh. “I was really scared when mom said that stuff about using the human omegas as tools. I know we drink human blood, but this is just… different.”
“Agreed.” I put my hand on Theo’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Who is impregnating omegas?”
Theo nearly leapt out of his pale skin at the sound of Adriel’s voice.
“Eavesdropping on your own brothers?” I asked dryly. “That’s not very nice.”
Adriel narrowed his eyes. “Nobody is eavesdropping. You two just happen to be speaking loud enough for passersby to hear. Now what’s this about a human omega? I’m assuming it’s one of yours.”
“Yes,heis with me,” I said.
“Fabulous,” Adriel replied in a tone that made it clear he did not think it was fabulous. “And what are you going to do with him? I don’t think your intent is to have him for dinner, which one leaves one other option.” He crossed his arms. “I’m impressed, Pierce. I didn’t expect you to move so quickly.”
“I am not discussing this with you,” I muttered. “I already explained to Theo that I’m not rushing into anything, and no one is going to pressure me into it.”
Adriel loosened his arms. “I certainly won’t pressure you. But you might have trouble with somebody else who will.”
Theo slunk into his shoulders. “Mom?”
Adriel’s frown confirmed his question.
“Does she know there’s a human here?” I asked Adriel.
“I doubt it’s a secret.” He wrinkled his nose. “I can smell him from all the way from here. If she doesn’t know already, she will quite soon, I imagine.”
“Let her know, then,” I said. “I’m not trying to hide him. Besides, I thought we could all discuss the situation over dinner. Including Benji.”
“I’ll formally let mother know, then,” Adriel said, “before she gets upset that no one informed her.”
Adriel slipped away into the shadows, leaving Theo and I alone.
“I should return to Benji before he thinks something is wrong,” I murmured. “Theo, you help the servants.”
In the kitchen behind us, they were already working away.Theybeing our bat familiars, of course. We didn’t have human servants to serve us, but bat familiars worked just as well, considering they were more intelligent and physically stronger than regular bats. I decided to keep them a secret for now anyway. I didn’t need another reason for Benji to be fearful.
I strode out through the kitchen doors and back into the dining hall. Benji was carefully sipping his wine.
“It’s not poisoned, you know,” I told him with a smile.
He blushed in embarrassment again. “I know. Sorry. I’m just a little nervous, I guess.”
I tried not to stare at the beautiful pink tint in his cheeks. “I understand. In any case, the chefs are working on dinner, and my brothers and mother will be joining us. If that’s alright with you, of course.”
