Page 41 of The Feisty Omega

“I went to see him to tell him I would be making a claim for you once you turned 19. I’m sorry, I know I should have spoken to you first, but I wanted to make sure they couldn’t force you into something you didn’t want… I hope that’s…” I didn’t finish before the dishmop splashed into the sink, water and suds flying into the air.

Irian stood stock still, a speckle of soapy bubble on his nose, hands gripping the edge of the sink, eyes locked on mine. He opened his mouth, closed it again. When he opened it again, a strangled sound come out. He swallowed hard, my eyes fixating on the bobbing of his Adam’s apple as I wondered if I’d overstepped.

“Really?” he squeaked, when he finally found his voice. “Are you seriously claiming me?”

“Y-yes. If you want it. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is!” My arms were suddenly full of excited wriggling omega as he threw himself at me, thrusting his face up against my chest and wrapping his arms around me. In his excitement, he was squeezing the air out of me, and I had to gently loosen his grip. He was surprisingly strong. I tentatively dropped a soft kiss on the top of his silky head, not sure if that was okay or not.

“Alpha!” he wailed, bursting into loud hiccup-y sobs.

I tightened my arms around him, confused by his outburst. I thought he was happy, but he was crying. I tried to push reassurance his way. I’d never sought to actively use my pheromones before, but I knew we reacted strongly to each other, so I concentrated on sending him reassurance, mentally straining to push it out through my very pores.

He shuddered in my arms, drawing in a ragged breath. One of his small hands came up and rested on my chest, over my heart, as he sucked in a deep breath and then another… and went quiet against me. It was our first real moment as omega and protective alpha, and it demonstrated the way in which our relationship was changing. I was surprised by the tender feelings I had for this feisty but gentle omega.

Now that he was calm, I continued.

“I know you’re still too young, but I got worried,” I said, “because if they lodged a claim with no others in sight, they could force it through, make it official. I had to tell your dad I was making a claim. They can’t finalize anything if there are more than one claiming you. Even if you don’t choose me, it gives you options. It means you don’t have to decide now, you can wait until you’re ready to mate.”

“Thank you, Talius,” the words were a warm whisper across my tear-damp T-shirt. “How did he take it?”

I huffed. “Not well. He told me to come back when I had something to offer. I think he’s hoping I don’t tell you I’ve made a claim, then he can push through with whatever plans he and Alpha have made together. He told me not to say anything to you.”

Irian sniffed. “Thank you, for doing this. And for telling me.”

I bit my lip again. He hadn’t said he’d accept my claim but I thought he would. He was mine, always had been since I found him under the tree that Christmas Eve. Of course, maybe I was just another arrogant alpha. I sighed.

“Of course I’d tell you. I’m not going to take your agency away from you. I’m not that sort of alpha. At least, I’m trying not to be.”

My chest vibrated, setting up a strange sensation through my body, then I realized he was humming. I thought it meant he was happy.

Chapter 17

IRIAN

I was so fucking excited to know that Talius had spoken to my father. I hadn’t been mistaken after all. Everything had pointed to Talius and I being destined to be together when we were older, though it had never been certain in what capacity. But he’d just confirmed that he intended to take me as his mate.

“Mate,” I said the word to myself when I was alone later. It sounded right to me. We weren’t going to break any rules and get off to the wrong start together, but he’d made his intention clear. There was even that moment when he’d looked unsure… as if anyone would be reluctant to partner with such a fine handsome alpha, and one with modern views as well. I chuckled. The thought was absurd.

But apart from all his attributes, there’d been something calling from his wolf to mine for a very long time. We’d just been friends, but wolves knew these things. Their instincts were keen.

There was no doubt at all that this was what I wanted too. I wondered how I was going to broach the subject with my parents - thatIwanted to choose my mate, not have them do it for me. Talius was right, once I’d turned 19 they could well register a claim if they really were planning an arranged union. I was going to tell them I knew about Talius’ intention to claim me and that I was accepting him. My birthday was coming up in a couple of weeks. I would need to talk to my parents very soon.

But maybe we were worrying unnecessarily. For a change, Marius hadn’t been bothering me at all these holidays, and strangely my mother hadn’t made any comment on how little time I spent around Alpha Moray and his family. Maybe she’d given up her plans after all, especially since Talius had notified my dad of his intentions. Regardless, I wasn’t going to take any chances. My birthday was coming up in a couple of weeks. I was going to talk to my parents very soon.

In July, the holidays were shorter than at Christmas, and before long I was back to my normal school routine, and with each passing day as my 19thbirthday approached, I grew more and more excited. I knew Talius would make a formal claim as soon as he was able. I was both excited and proud to be claimed by such an amazing alpha. There would still be years before we could formalize a union, but I had no doubt we’d still want to do it when the time came.

The day of my birthday fell on a Friday, and as I was exiting the campus with a group of classmates after finishing classes for the week, my mother’s imperious voice rang out.

“Irian!” she called; her strident tones easily heard over the conversation around me.

“Oh, there’s my mum,” I said, when I saw her white sportscar pulled up curbside. “Guess I’d better go. See you guys next week.”

The guys hurried to say farewell and gave the car a wide berth as they crossed the road and continued down towards the bus-stop. It was true my mum gave off a weird aggressive vibe. I bit my lip. I kinda wanted to go with my friends, but my motherneverturned up at the school, so I knew I’d have to go with her. Maybe she was planning something for my birthday?

The driver's window slid down as I approached. “Hey! What’s going on?”

“Get in.”

---