* * * *
“I was at that concert.”Chase was stunned that he and Lucky had so much in common.He’d never met anyone else who liked the music from Sikka Province, because it was generally melodic and calming or hardcore rock and guitars.“When did you go?”
“I went to the Friday show with my papa.”Lucky twirled a straw through a milkshake concoction that Chase’s sweet tooth ached to try.“Papa waited for Caroline and her brother Stan to join us on Saturday, then went home for a shift at the library.”
Chase laughed, surprised by the mass of coincidences.“I was there both days.We probably walked right past each other.”
Lucky beamed, like he approved of the twist of fate.
Chase was amazed.Lucky was interesting and different to what he’d expected.He hadn’t shared all ten of his secrets, but the ones he’d heard only confirmed that it was inevitable they’d become friends.He hadn’t expected Lucky to be so funny—it wasn’t always intentional, but the way he spun a story was fascinating.They both loved exploring music from each of the other eleven provinces, had the same values, similar goals in life, and when they disagreed, Lucky was happy to debate.
“We’re agreed on music and you’ve dabbled in writing stories for kids,” Chase said, considering the secrets Lucky had shared.Some had been a surprise, and others a reply to a question that came up while they were talking.“Tell me about your hair and the sigils.”
Lucky rolled his eyes and sipped from his drink before sliding it away.He rolled up the long sleeves of his top to reveal the faint blue lines beneath the skin.“Do you understand what Omha Sigils are?”
Chase’s instinct said yes, but he had a feeling Lucky was about to prove him wrong.“Assume that’s a no.”
He laughed, bobbed his head and held his hands across the table, recently cleared of their plates.“Sigils are designs that replicate the pictorial art in Omha’s teachings.They’re a visual symbol of my loyalty to, and faith in, Omha.I trust that She’ll guide me in life and I hand over all decisions that are not within my power into Her hands.”
“What if She decides to throw you under a bus?”Chase was intrigued that someone their age believed in the old Gods.They were just words to most people—aflaming Omhacurse or afucking Azrah.
“She must have a reason.Maybe my true mate is the gorgeous doctor who’ll treat me in the emergency room,” Lucky retaliated with a playful smile.
“Fine.You win,” he conceded, interested in learning more.“What do they mean?”
Lucky twined his fingers.“The point of the sigils is to set your intention beneath the skin.For example, my hands.‘Creativity’ is for making art, ‘protection’ for the strength to defend myself, and ‘understanding’ is here rather than near my head, because I believe that it’s your actions that will help others understand who you are rather than what you say.”
Chase rested his chin on his hand, fascinated with the way Lucky’s mind worked.He believed that the sigils would empower him and, though Chase didn’t personally believe, he envied Lucky that faith.He was resolute in his belief and Chase had never felt that strongly about anything.
“On my neck, I have a circle all the way around, for awareness, compassion, and keeping an open mind.Those are directed towards others but also myself, to ask Omha to give me compassion for myself, to help me be aware of who I am, and to keep an open mind so that I don’t misjudge others the way they might misjudge me.”As Lucky talked, his fingers darted to his neck to trace the marks that Chase could see, then he extended a leg into the aisle to lift his trousers until Chase could see faint blue marks.“My legs are obvious—stamina, endurance, and strength.I also have marks down my spine.They ask Omha to grant me forbearance, strength of mind, and a strong body, that my future children be healthy.”
“Future children?”
Lucky looked surprised then disappointed, which he didn’t understand.“Despite what people think, I am a complete romantic,” he confessed, not looking annoyed when Chase lifted his coffee for a drink.“I want a really big family!Like, maybe five kids.”
Chapter Two
Chase
He choked on a sip, raising a hand to his mouth to make sure he didn’t spit it out.When Lucky pushed his milkshake glass across the table with a knowing smile, Chase took a sip to soothe the burn of his throat.“Five?”
Honestly, he’d presumed that Lucky wouldn’t want to find his true mate, because that would mean submitting to an alpha.From the way he talked in class, Chase had pitied whatever alpha sensed the bond with Lucky, because he’d been sure Lucky would reject them.
True mates were chosen by the Gods.Maybe that was why Lucky believed in a bond that would otherwise feel like a shackle.It was said that true mates would find each other, over and over, until their hearts were ready to accept the bond.They were never strangers—most people needed to have developed a crush or a friendship before they opened their hearts and minds to a true mate.It hit like lightning straight to the heart, an instant connection that transcended boundaries.It didn’t matter how well they knew each other—once the bond took hold, they couldn’t imagine a life without their bonded mate.
Chase was a hopeless romantic, having always hoped to find his true mate in someone he could imagine spending his life withbeforethe bond struck.His father called him reckless and selfish, but Chase wanted to adore and care about his matewithoutthe bond.
“They don’t all have to be biological.”Lucky raised his hands, looking shocked.“I’d like to work with the ORT someday.They have so many kids rescued from the Market, or families torn apart by the Market.I’d like to foster, maybe adopt.I’m an only child in a world where omegas are expected to have multiple kids.I don’t want any other kid going through that loneliness, the snide comments about their parents, the judgements.”
He had a point.The Omega Market was an illegal organisation that profited from the kidnap, torture and trafficking of omegas, which included children.They forced omegas into pregnancies, then used the kids as re-sellable goods.It was a disgusting practice, but so extensive he couldn’t imagine the government stamping it out for good.Lucky was right that those kids didn’t deserve to be in that situation, and a good foster home or adoption could change their life.
Spurred on by that confession, Chase made one of his own.“I’ve already submitted my interest for a position at the ORT.”
“Seriously?”
“It’s a management position, mostly paperwork.After all the years I’ve spent being forced to learn the family business, it’s where I can do the most good,” he explained, though he hoped to train in the field, eventually.
Lucky’s eyes softened with understanding.“Father worked hard to get his promotions and reach the rank of detective, but when they decided to have a family my papa gave up everything to raise me.He rejected an offer to work in a publishing firm because I was a sick baby and he put my care before his dreams.I want to repay him and earn enough money to help him open his own bookstore.He volunteers at the library and he’s got a book club, but it’s not what he loves.”
