The discomfort in his eyes suggested admitting that had taken considerable effort.
“He was a young omega. He wasn’t ready for a child, never mind raising one alone,” Alaric went on. Each word was slow and deliberate. His usually sharp tongue was blunted by pain.
A long pause followed. I suspected he wanted me to ask about the unspoken information.
“Your alpha father?” I probed.
Fury flared around Alaric like a wildfire. “Never in the picture. My dad was too stupid to use protection, thinking they were in love, that they’d be together forever. So the alpha used my dad and ran.”
The revelation shocked and disturbed me.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
The hairs visibly rose on the back of Alaric’s neck, stabbing upwards like knives. He took a few breaths to calm himself down. His hackles fell.
“It’s fine,” he said, as if trying to reassure himself. “I’m more angry with my dad than the sperm donor.” He spat the phrase like a dark joke. “Anyways, Dad was poor. His parents—my grandparents—were ashamed of what he’d done. They wanted nothing to do with either of us. So, he had no help raising me.”
Anger rose in my chest. I couldn’t believe the atrocious behavior of everyone involved, except poor Alaric, and to an extent, his omega father.
“We never had enough money,” Alaric continued, sounding more tired than infuriated now. “We struggled. Constantly. At night, I’d lie on the shitty mattress on the floor and fantasize about being rich. That way, I’d never go to bed hungry, or worry if we’d be kicked out of our home when Dad couldn’t pay the rent on time.”
My heart ached for him. That was why he appreciated luxury so much. His childhood poverty made him appreciate the value of nice things.
Alaric’s lip curled. “But my fantasies meant nothing. Dad barely tried to fix the mess we were in.”
“He tried to make the best of a bad situation,” I pointed out gently.
“By bringing home random alphas every other week?” Alaric shot back.
I winced. I hadn’t realized it could get worse.
Alaric scoffed, shaking his head. “The first couple times, I was so hopeful he’d find his true mate. But he never did. And they kept coming. Some of them were awful, treating me like I shouldn’t be there, so I flung their bad attitude right back at them. I had to act cold to protect myself.” He frowned, lowering his head. “Some of them were nice enough. They helped us afford necessities for a month or two... but in the end, they always left.”
Alaric’s story formed a cold pit in my stomach. How long had he suffered? I hated myself for not knowing sooner. I could’ve shifted into my dragon form and flown off the island to save him.
Alaric stared at the water sloshing back and forth on the shore. Each time it crept forward, the tide pulled it right back.
“I promised I’d be different than my dad,” Alaric said under his breath. “I wouldn’t throw myself at the first alpha I met. I’d be smarter with money. Everything he did wrong, I’d do right. So, I waited. I never let an alpha use me. I saved my pitiful paychecks from crappy jobs. All the while, I pretended to be above it all.” His head drooped. “But... I felt empty. No matter how hard I tried, I never accomplished my childhood dreams. I had no loving mate, and I could barely afford rent.” His mouth curved into a grim smile, and his voice was agonized. “Then the Dragonfate Games started. I really thought I had the perfect chance. But then I failed, over and over again.”
That was enough. I grasped Alaric’s other hand and faced him.
“You did not fail,” I growled. “You just hadn’t met the right alpha until now.”
His eyes flashed. “What did you say?”
He looked afraid to believe me. Then I’d just have to prove it.
“You’re my fated mate, Alaric,” I said, feeling a surge of instinct from deep within me. “I’ve known it for a while, and I won’t hide it anymore.”
He sucked in a soft breath. His fingers grasped me tighter, and I felt his rapid pulse through his delicate skin.
“Don’t you dare say that if it’s not true,” he stammered. Tears rimmed his eyes.
“I love you,” I told him. “That’s the absolute truth.”
I kissed him to chase away any doubts. He whimpered and gripped my chest like I’d disappear if he didn’t hold on.
I embraced him, letting him tremble and weep quietly until he composed himself with a shaky inhale.
