He allowed himself to be guided into the kitchen. As it was Saturday, it was Bessie’s designated day off, so she wasn’t there, and neither was anyone else—luckily.
Popi fussed around the kitchen as Kari took a seat, pouring coffee and offering it to Kari before making a cup for himself. Popi placed a plate on the counter, piled high with enough sweet treats to make Kari’s teeth ache and his tummy grumble in anticipation.
Kari sipped his coffee, waiting for Popi to take the seat he favored. He wore lounging clothes—loose jersey pants and a matching top—suggesting he wasn’t going anywhere today. He might be in his sixties, yet he looked young and vibrant. It never failed to surprise Kari when he took the time to watch him.
Popi got comfortable, picking up his own cup, cradling it between both hands, looking over the rim at Kari with a light of interest. “What’s on your mind?”
Kari placed the ‘I love you’ into a box and tucked it away inside his heart. He wanted to cherish that a little longer since Bowie hadn’t said it again, but the way he looked at Kari said it wordlessly. It didn’t feel the right time to talk about it when he had more pressing things to discuss. How to deal with an omega heat, which Bowie hadhidden from, was what was important today.He had assisted omegas through a heat in past relationships, and they were extreme in some cases. Navigating them was always directed by the omega.
Just the thought of what Bowie had endured through those times alone made Kari want to weep. “I need some advice.”
Everything Kari had done with Bowie in the shower to get him used to Kari’s touch had been with the heat in mind. He kept it at the forefront of his thoughts and those of his wolf, who wanted to mate. It was succeeding, thus far. Bowie had shown interest in doing more after the first intimate shower they’d shared, but after they’d dried, he’d barely been able to keep hiseyes open. They’d had another session in the shower where Kari had slipped a finger into Bowie, making him come, once more triggering Kari’s own release with no other stimulation. Just watching Bowie come apart wasvery stimulating.He was so innocent and true in his responses that it drove Kari’s desire to new heights.
“Advice?” Popi placed his coffee down and picked up a donut, nibbling on it.
He nodded, sipping the strong brew to give himself a moment to figure out where to start. “Popi, I need your agreement that you won’t go pester Bowie over what I’m about to talk about.”
“Pester? I don’t pester anyone,” said Popi, clearly offended.
Kari let out a deep sigh and reached out to touch Popi’s hand. “Wrong word, sorry. It’s just all so sensitive, the subject, and I’m unsure how to deal.”
“If it’s that sensitive, and connected to Bowie, then I can assure you I will treat this with the utmost discretion.
“Okay.” Kari refused to look away when his face flooded with embarrassment at how much interest Popi was giving him. “Bowie has no experience with a heat.”
Popi’s forehead furrowed. “I… I don’t understand. He’s twenty-seven.”
Kari got that, it had taken him a little while to figure it out himself. “No one ever explained to Bowie what happens during a heat.” They’d had an in-depth conversation about how old he had been when he’d found himself living alone. Sixteen was way too fucking young for someone like Bowie, who had such a sensitive nature.
“What he’s done is basically lock himself in his bathroom and hide, suffering whatever happens to his body alone.”
Popi’s eyes immediately welled with tears, and Kari groaned in distress watching him place down the donut and dust off thesugar to rub at his eyes. “How dreadful. That poor boy. Did he have someone at least assist with buying toys to help him?”
The heat in Kari’s face increased to furnace level. He’d had the sex talk with his parents just once, and that had been more than enough. This was somehow so much worse, but Bowie’s need overrode how uncomfortable this was making him.
“He doesn’t have anything, has never used anything to help alleviate the cravings,” Kari explained, witnessing the color drain from Popi’s checks.
He visibly shuddered and clasped his hands together, his fingers twisting. “I can’t imagine his terror at not understanding the biological need and having nothing to help the raging hormones flooding his system.” His voice was barely audible and full of emotion.
“His heat is tomorrow, and he’s agreed to let me stay and help him.” Kari wasn’t going to explain everything they’d been doing to prepare for this. That was a step too far. What Kari needed to know was the best way to not frighten Bowie. Kari could admit he feared getting carried away, it was why he was going slow with the introduction of touching despite what was looming over them both.
“Does he like when you touch him?” The nod was stilted. “That’s good. If he’s never had an alpha present during his heat, he’s going to be wild for it.”
Kari jerked back as if slapped, glad he’d drank most of his coffee as it sloshed in the cup. “Are you sure?” He couldn’t imagine Bowie would change so dramatically after their recent naked encounters. He certainly loved Kari’s touch, but go wild for it?
Popi’s expression was utterly serious. “Yes. As omegas mature, the need during a heat increases. If he’s held back for all these years, when it unleashes it will be scarily powerful.” He sniffed,rubbing the end of his nose. “Bowie must have suffered untold agony not giving into his natural urges.”
Kari sagged, deflating at the fact that he wasn’t going to be able to keep control of his own desire if Popi was correct. “Popi, how the fu—heck am I gonna be able to hold back?”
“You don’t. The last thing he’ll want is for you to be restrained with him. He won’t understand if you do. It could be more harmful to him if you refuse him. His hormones will make it impossible for him to be rational once he has your scent. For someone like Bowie, who is super sensitive, it could be catastrophic. Especially if this is his first time with an alpha.”
The lump in Kari’s throat made it hard to swallow at what it all meant—because it was his first time. His wolf half was eager for this.
You can hold the fuck on. There’ll be no claiming under these circumstances. He won’t know what he’s doing.
“It is his first time, right?” Popi persisted. “The idea that awful alpha Rex might have—”
“No, Bowie and Rex had not gotten to that stage.”Thank fuck!Kari kept that comment to himself.
