Page 31 of Taming The Omega

Lorcan glanced at him. “Your home. Yours and Seth’s.” The man chuckled. “Surely you don’t expect to stay in that little shed forever? It’s hardly a place to raise a family.”

“Oh, of course. I just didn’t think it would happen so fast. The sigmas must have better things to do than build a new cabin.”

The alpha flashed him a dubious look. “Well, I do set the priorities around here, and I want you settled into a proper home.”

“I appreciate that, sir, although we’re doing fine for now.” He chuckled self-consciously. “I mean Seth hasn’t even gone into heat yet.” He dared to look over his shoulder where Seth lagged behind them. The omega was biting his lower lip, but with his gaze focused on the ground, Caleb couldn’t catch his eye.

The alpha kept up his long strides, heading to the far back of the cleared compound until reaching a spot near Finn and Will’s new cabin. “Here,” he said, making a vague gesture with his hand. We can at least put up one room with an attached bath before winter hits.”

Caleb halted and surveyed the location. It was close to the tree line. “That would be perfect, sir. Thank you. We appreciate it. Don’t we, Seth?” He turned to his mate, only to realize the boy had stopped behind them. Reaching back, he circled the omega’s shoulders and tucked him to his side.

“This is a great place for our home, isn’t it, sweetheart?” He squeezed lightly with his fingers in an effort to get a response.

“Whatever you say, Gamma.”

Damn, Seth’s reticence was worrisome. Before he could probe more, however, their attention was taken by a high-pitched yip. A pup in wolf form steaked toward them. Before either he or Lorcan could make a grab for Annie, Seth broke free of Caleb’s hold and beat them to it.

“Oh!” The omega’s face lit up as he skidded to his knees and snatched Annie into his arms. He nuzzled his face in her fur as she squirmed. “You’re so soft.” He laughed and turned his brightly-lit face at Will, who came bounding up.

“I couldn’t believe it when you told me she could shift, but now I see for myself you weren’t joking.”

Puffing already and with his hand on his belly, Will shook his head. “Believe me, I’d never joke about this.”

Seth held Annie up and stared at her. She gave him a big, wolfie yawn. “It’s amazing.”

Will huffed. “Yeah, it is. Thanks for running interference.” When he made to take her, Seth pulled back and stood with the pup cradled in his arms.

“It’s okay, I’ve got her.”

“Thanks. I never say no to help. I’m heading to the weaving shed to get some work done. Mabel and Kyle should be there with their pups. We have a play area for them. You want to bring her along?”

Seth’s smile broadened. “Sure. I’m, uh, actually a pretty good hand at weaving.”

“Oh, that’s awesome. Mabel’s teaching me, but another set of hands would be great. Come on.”

Will turned to leave, and Seth took one step after him before stopping. He looked at Caleb over his shoulder, his smile gone. “That is, if it’s all right with you, Gamma?”

The question and the deferential tone it was asked in pissed Caleb off. He wasn’t sure why, except it made him feel like he was some kind of domineering asshole. Like his mate couldn’t simply go wherever he wanted and perform a chore or even socialize without his explicit permission. They’d have to have a talk later that night. Seth had obviously been shaped by his old life of strict and brutal hierarchy.

He tried to paste a reassuring look on his face. “Of course. Have a good morning. I’ll see you at lunch.”

With a brief nod, the omega took off after Will. Caleb watched him go all the way to the weaving shed before remembering that his alpha stood patiently waiting for his attention.

“Sorry, sir.”

Lorcan frowned. “Is everything okay with Seth? He seems withdrawn.” He gave Caleb the fish eye.

Clearing his throat, he tried to meet that glare with a steady gaze of his own. The alpha could scare the shit out of even the fiercest gamma. He was also fair, and Caleb hadn’t done anything wrong.

He grimaced. “Yeah, I know. Not sure why.”

“How did last night go? I can tell you completed the mating given that the boy is drenched in your scent.”

Caleb felt his cheeks heat up, as always. Stupid to be embarrassed by something so natural. “It went well. I mean, I made sure it was good for him. You know,” he added with more burning of his face.

Lorcan grinned. “I think I do, yes. And, that’s all to the good. You want your mate to crave your touch. It makes them feel more secure when they’re in the throes of their heat and mindlessly needy.”

“I guess. I really don’t know much about this, to be honest. I’m a little scared I’m going to fuck up this mating thing.”

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