Page 32 of An Alpha's Commitment

After a while he broke our gaze, lifting his head up. A moment later, Irian joined us on the bed, looking earnestly up at our alpha as if he had as much riding on this as I did.

“So I have some good news and some not so good,” began Talius. “As you know, I went to see Darius' pack mage. Darius had already explained our situation to him and the mage’d done some research. The bad news is that he didn’t find a way to break a mate bond. It isn't possible for him to break Zarbius’ bond with you…”

I whimpered. Talius pulled me closer and reassurance washed over me.

“… but he found another solution – it’s not perfect, it’s not permanent, but it’s possible to create a second bond between us. There is a price though, which, Isca, you’ll have to decide if you’re willing to pay.”

I felt moisture prick at the corners of my eyes. I would pay any price for the privilege of a mating bond with Talius. I gazed up at him, waiting…

“What’s the price?” Irian burst in, unwilling or unable to wait for Talius to tell us in his own time.

Talius hesitated. He looked at Irian. He looked pained. Then he looked at me.

“This isn’t how I would normally do this,” he said, grimacing.

I waited patiently, looking up at him, my alpha. I trusted him. Whatever he asked me to do, I would do it.

“Xeres can... " Talius started to explain, but Irian cut him off.

"Xeres! I know him."

"So he said," a smile danced around Talius lips. Obviously there was something more there, but he didn't elaborate. "He'll weave a spell for us that will mimic the mating bond, but it will require you to submit to me, completely… in all ways…” Talius’ voice trailed off, his brows forming a line across his face that made him appear fiercer than ever. "If I ask you to do something, you'll have to do it to keep the bond intact."

“That’s so unfair!” interjected Irian, angrily, eyes flashing.

“Yes.” I kept my eyes on Talius.

“See! He thinks so too. He's not going to do it!” Irian insisted vehemently. I shook my head. He misunderstood.

“Yes.” I repeated, ignoring Irian and keeping my attention firmly fixed on my alpha. “I trust you. I want to.”

"What?!" squawked Irian. He started muttering, but I barely heard him. The handsome alpha held all my attention.

Talius' dark eyes searched mine for … something. I was dimly aware of him placing a restraining hand on Irian, who finally fell silent. Then Talius’ expression softened, the lines around his eyes easing. He looked younger.

He lifted my hand to his mouth. I felt the warmth of his lips on the back of my fingers. It matched the warmth in my heart. There was nothing I wanted more than to submit to this wonderful man. I wasn’t like Irian, feisty and free. I don’t think I’d ever been that way, but if I had been, it would have been knocked out of me by the life I’d led with Zarbius and before. I wanted to be held close and loved, I wanted to feel safe and protected, and I could have all that by handing control over to Talius. It might not be right for Irian, but it was right for me. I wanted this more than anything.

I got up, moving around until I was between Talius' thighs, and slithered to my knees. The towel fell away as I did so, leaving me kneeling there, naked and trembling, head bowed. I heard Talius’ sharp intake of breath, then a pair of gentle fingers tipped my chin up.

“My Omega,” Talius said softly, eyes luminous.

“My Alpha.”

Talius leant down and kissed me, then indicated I should stand. He turned to Irian who was frowning, clearly not happy. Goddess, my pack mate was feisty! He looked like he was going to go into battle for my rights! The rights I didn't want to claim. Talius was offering me what I wanted.

Talius pulled Irian close, so the three of us were in a huddle.

“Every relationship is different,” he explained to the agitated omega. “I struggled with this myself,” he admitted, “I wanted to model my relationship with Isca on the one we share. But Isca’s a totally different person to you, so it makes sense that my relationship with him will be different. Still equal, just different.”

“But Talius…” Irian whined, clearly wanting to argue. Yes, I knew he was a staunch believer in omega rights, and I was too. But that included allowing omegas to choose what sort of dynamic they participated in. I thought submission suited me perfectly. I craved the direction that a strong loving alpha could give me. I knew my earlier life was not a good model for how omegas should live, and I also had no frame of reference that told me how I should behave. I knew Talius could give me that. I wanted him to guide me and I wanted nothing more than to reside safe in the circle of his protection. Standing at his side, or kneeling at his feet, it didn’t matter to me, though if I was honest, there was something about the more submissive position that appealed to my very nature.

“Irian,” I spoke softly, “I enjoy submitting.”

Irian gaped at me, mouth hanging open, eyes blinking. “O-okay. Are you sure?”

I gave a few rapid nods, raising my eyebrows for emphasis. Irian looked skeptical, but just shrugged at Talius. “As long as I don’t have to,” he mumbled.

Talius chuckled fondly. “I wouldn’t even dream of asking you to, my love,” he said, his fingers running through Irian’s short hair.

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