Page 143 of His Stolen Omega

“Just sex?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I assure you, I do not.”

Elm rolled his eyes. “Don’t be difficult, alpha. I’m saying the type of intimacy is different. Physical intimacy is easier. When I tell you the L-word for the first time, that won’t be about satisfying natural urges. That’ll be about us. I definitely don’t want to say it while we’re both keyed up, worrying about my brother—”

“All right, omega.” Levi kissed him, tenderly, purring for him while he did until he felt Elm go boneless in his seat. “I won’t coerce you on this. Have it your way. I can wait.”

“Thanks.” His stomach chose that moment to rumble, and he covered it and grinned up at his alpha.

Levi chuckled. “I’ll start lunch.”

“Pasta,” Elm called after him as the alpha made his way to the kitchen. “And no green peppers this time! They taste like dirt!”

“They’re good for you.”

Elm didn’t bother responding, knowing Levi would leave them out despite his comment.

The Leviathan no longer did things Elm didn’t like.

* * *

The meeting was set for the next day, Kian obviously eager to see Elm after he’d been missing all this time.

It was strange, stepping out of the lodge—fully clothed no less. Not to mention the clothing itself was intricate and expensive, a far cry from the usual streetwear Elm was known for back home. There was so much fabric in the jacket alone, that he struggled to climb comfortably into the back of the hovercar.

“Do I have to wear this?” he asked the second Levi slipped in next to him on the other side.

His secretary, Wook, was driving them, and there were sleek black vehicles acting as security, two in the front, and two behind.

“And is it always this…much?” Elm glanced out the tinted back window at the cars following them as they started down the long path leading out of the forest. His gaze lingered on the lodge as they drove away, a strange tightness entering his chest that he opted to ignore.

If he gave into the fear and unsettled feeling, he’d succumb to trauma. The last thing he wanted was to allow himself to be trapped. By Levi or his own mind.

“It’s freezing today,” Levi began, helping him with his seatbelt. “You’ll stay warm in that.”

“This sweater cost more than my entire university tuition.”

“So?” The alpha buckled himself in next. “You’re worth it.”

Elm leaned away, taking in the man’s matching clothes. They were both in cashmere turtlenecks, fit jeans, and long coats with fur lining and trim. The only difference was the color scheme.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, why am I always dressed in white?”

“It’s my color,” Levi replied absently.

He frowned. “But you always wear black.”

The alpha ran a hand through his hair.

Elm’s eyes narrowed and he reached up and touched his own. “Be so fucking for real.”

In the driver’s seat, Wook sputtered. When he inadvertently met Elm’s gaze in the rearview mirror, he quickly looked away, eyes wide.

“You look good in white.” Levi ignored the weird interaction, adjusting Elm’s collar attentively. “I look good in black. What’s the problem?”

“What if I want to wear black?”