“Yeah, I did.” A long pause.
I wished more than anything that I could see what Charles was thinking. His eyes were still downcast, his body tight.
“Adrian is happy and safe now. He gets choices that he wasn’t allowed to have before. And I don’t hurt him, just like Vincent won’t harm you.”
Then, turning back to the Omega, he went on. “Vincent is particular on his needs and wants, but he is kind and just. And understanding. You are in safe hands here with him.”
Charles breathed, his back and chest stretching with each breath into his lungs.
When no other type of response came, Moore stood and went back to the couch. There, Adrian curled into his side, as though they’ve done it a billion times before after setting my now filled up cup on the table beside me.
Would Charles want that? Would he be willing to cuddle and relax in my hold? Or would this week be full of stressful moments where the Omega wouldn’t allow himself to settle into a life that he could possibly have one day?
“Thank you, both, again for the clothes.”
“I have too many, and Moore’s been after me to donate some,” Adrian answered.
“Just because you get rid of a couple of sets doesn’t mean I’m buying you anything new yet.”
Adrian was spoiled in ways that all Omega’s should be. My eyes softened, knowing I wanted to spoil my own Omega just like that one day. He’d get whatever his little heart desired in the end.
“I had meant for you to pick up a few things from the store on the way out here.” I took a sip around the edge of the cup, feeling the cold liquid fill my mouth. “But your clothes will work fine too.”
“Or yours.” Adrian, again. He gave me a huge smile, like he knew exactly what he was hinting at. I wasn’t going to fall for that trick.
“Have you decided if you’ll attend the gathering at the hospital yet?” Moore thankfully changed the subject.
“You know that’s not my type of thing,” I hedged. Mostly because I’d have to go alone. There was no way I’d take a rented Omega to something like that. Not because I didn’t trust their attention to such details and follow orders, but because it didn’t feel right.
Sometimes, I hated how the world ran. Omegas sent to boarding houses to bekeptand used by creeps who only wanted a reason to control someone.
More often than not, most families kept their Omega children these days. They were sent to school and raised like the rest of us, but there were still enough old-fashioned families that didn’t believe in a life like that.
They still thought Omegas were to be hidden away, kept secret and silent.
My own parents were like that. They swore that each Omega born in a male body was a blimp against the family name. The females were only good for one thing, and one thing only. To carry the next great Alpha that would help rule the world.
I wondered, and not for the first time, where my siblings had been shipped off to. I wasn’t the only child,but I was raised to be one, as Mother never had another Alpha child. I was the first born, and her precious child until I learned the truth of what happened to the babies that disappeared hours after they were born.
Of course, since I didn’t have a name and no way to track them down, I’d never know where they’d end up. I could only hope and pray that they found good homes, places that they were loved and cared for. Because if it wasn’t that, I’m not sure I’d actually be able to live with the results.
As Moore settled into the couch more with his Omega in his hold, he talked more about the hospital fundraiser. About small details that I had no interest in. I never was.
I’d donate my normal amount of money and call it good. My presence wasn’t needed there.
As the seconds dragged on, Charles adjusted his posture in subtle, restless increments—each shift betraying the quiet ache settling into his knees.
I was all about pushing limits, but not that kind, and not today for sure. The boy had already been through too much.
“Up on my lap, Charles.”
He rose with that quiet elegance Omegas always seemed to carry. It was fluid, obedient, yet guarded. He followed my command without hesitation, positioning himself sideways across my lap, both legs draped over mine, his chest angled toward me but his posture locked in a practiced imitation of ease.
I slipped an arm around his back, anchoring him there. My fingers traced the length of his arm in slow,deliberate strokes, just enough to remind him I was here and that I was in charge.
Last week, I would never have thought much about the fact that an Omega could be in this house, in this place that I avoided because of the emptiness. Yesterday, I hadn’t even considered the idea of sharing a space with another.
I was content with what I had.I was.
