"So," Pops said. "Judging by the way you're not looking at me, I guess you know I'm about to chew you out?"
"Yeah."
"And you know that was a shitty thing to say to Dad?"
I nodded.
"I know you have a temper, Zak, which you definitely got from your other father." Pops smiled for a second. "But you have to filter yourself. You're a grown man now, not an edgy teenager."
I grimaced inwardly, feeling even worse now.
Pops went on. "And on top of that, but as an alpha, you have a responsibility to be aware of yourself at all times. You know that, right?"
"I know."
But Pops didn't seem convinced by my response. "That's the thing. I don't think youdoknow."
I frowned at him in confusion. "Well, yeah. I'm an alpha. I can't know how an omega feels."
Honestly, it was kind of embarrassing how few omegas I actuallyknew.Aside from my dad and half my uncles, there was my cousin Ashe who lived with me in the cabin, and my biological cousins Cloud and River, who I didn't see as often. That was only three omegas close to my age.
Part of me felt exasperated with my living situation again. Maybe if we lived closer to human society, or some big shifter society, I would have more opportunities to know people. Instead I was stuck in isolation.
"You're right." Pops nodded. "That's why I actually disagree with your Dad about these little expeditions you go on."
I blinked. "You do?"
"I know he thinks you're being impatient seeking your mate, but I think it's good for you to engage with different people. Different omegas."
I nodded. He sounded like he was going somewhere with this but I didn't know where exactly that was yet.
"So you're saying Ishouldkeep doing what I'm doing?" I asked.
"If it makes you happy," Pops said. "All I'm trying to say is, don't rush into anything. If youdofind your fated mate, it'll happen when it's time."
I forced myself not to grimace. I'd heard that a million times now.
Pops raised a brow at me. Obviously he knew I was trying my best not to look sour. "I know it's annoying to hear that. But you know what else is annoying? Watching my son throw himself at a wall over and over again."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I grumbled.
"Zak, how many omegas have you dated since you were a teenager?"
"Uh... What do you consider adate?"
Pops snorted. "Let's keep this conversation PG-13. Any omega you've actually pursued romantically, even if it was just one date."
I tried counting on my fingers but promptly ran out. "Er, a lot."
Pops nodded in agreement. "Too many to count. And how many of them worked out?"
"None of them, obviously."
"That's what I'm trying to tell you. It's like you're obsessed with theideaof finding your fated mate, but do you even give people a chance?"
The conversation was starting to make my skin prickle impatiently. I got up with a grunt. "If we were fated, I'd know."
Pops tilted his head from side-to-side. "Well,yes, it does feel a particular way to be fated but..."
