Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 294(@200wpm)___ 235(@250wpm)___ 196(@300wpm)
“It’s an alpha, but he really isn’t interested in me like that,” Eric said, wishing he could tell his brother the truth about Hugh’s bonded status, but it wasn’t his secret to tell. Besides, it didn’t matter. Hugh really didn’t see him that way. “He sees me as a kid. He’s quite a bit older.”
“How much older?”
“Fifteen years,” Eric said.
Jules chuckled. “That’s all? From the way you said that, I expected him to be in his forties at the very least. That kind of age difference isn’t unusual. Heck, Devlin is eleven years older than me, and we’re fine.” He gave a besotted sort of smile, practically glowing with happiness. “More than fine. I can’t imagine mating some knothead our age. You know what they say: alphas age like wine, only better with years.” He pulled a face. “It’s pretty unfair that omegas don’t have the same virility and fertility as alphas. Mating an older alpha actually makes sense biologically, because you’ll actually have the chance to keep up with his sex drive.”
“I know,” Eric said. “But Kadarians seem to have different views. People here side-eye couples with an age difference, criticizing the power imbalance and lack of equality for the omega.” He frowned, deciding to share with Jules something that bothered him about Kadarian society. “Kadarian omegas are very… proud of being self-sufficient, and they kind of look down on omegas who want to be treated traditionally. The other day I got criticized by some omega for holding an alpha’s arm.” He scoffed. “Apparently I was single-handedly putting the omega rights revolution back a hundred years by behaving like ‘the cliche omega.’ Stuff like that makes me feel guilty and angry at the same time, you know? I respect their omegas for getting more equal rights, but they make me feel so guilty for not being like them. For being me.”
A wrinkle formed between Jules’s brows. “I’m all for not being treated like a gentle flower just because I’m an omega, but I don’t force my opinion down other people’s throats. Making you feel shitty about something so harmless isn’t cool. Ignore them, Eri. You don’t have to change yourself in order to fit in.” His serious expression changed back to a mischievous one. “So was the alpha whose arm you held the One?”
Eric rolled his eyes. He was already regretting bringing this up with Jules. His brother meant well, but Jules could never resist some good-natured ribbing if the opportunity presented itself.
“He isn’t,” he said.
Only when Jules blinked and gave him a startled look did Eric realize how harsh his voice must have sounded.
“He isn’t,” Eric repeated, more softly. “He’s… I can’t tell you the details, but trust me, I’m not exaggerating when I say he isn’t interested in mating me. Like, at all. It isn’t a possibility for him.”
Jules hummed, stroking his lip with his knuckles. “But you’re compatible?”
“We are, but it doesn’t matter. He’s… he’s had a bad experience in the past, and now considers biological compatibility a hindrance rather than something desirable.”
“I wasn’t asking what he wanted. Do you want him?”
Eric swallowed. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to me. And I bet it matters to you, too, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Eric. Answer the damn question.”
Eric looked down at his hands.
“I want him,” he whispered, his heart clenching as he finally allowed himself to stop denying all the carefully suppressed thoughts and wants.
He wanted Hugh, in every possible way. He wanted to be held by him, to hear his low voice in his ear, calling him baby and sweetheart, to feel his strength against his body, to soak up his protectiveness and affection. That in itself wouldn’t have been a problem if the familial, protective affection had been enough for him.
But it wasn’t. He also wanted to drop to his knees, yank Hugh’s zipper down, and worship his cock with his mouth. He wanted to be held down by Hugh and stuffed full of his knot. He wanted to feel the weight of Hugh’s body on top of him as Hugh used him. He wanted… He wanted to feel Hugh’s teeth on his mating gland, sinking in.
The latter would never happen. Hugh was bonded to another omega. The mere thought made him physically ill, causing a dull ache somewhere in his chest.
“All right,” Jules said. “Are you going to tell me who it is? So we can start planning.”
“Planning what?”
Jules grinned. “How to make him yours, of course!”
“Jules, I told you—”
“And I still think it doesn’t matter. Look, alphas are simple.” Jules winked with a smile. “They can claim that they’re in control of their instincts all they want, but the truth is, they’re led by their knots when it comes to omegas they’re attracted to. And before you say he isn’t attracted to you: that will be our first test.”