Page 32 of Red River

Carefully, I approached the door, opened it, and peered out into the hallway, making sure none of my sons were around. I hoped they were already asleep. Although there was a faint light under Igor’s door, he was probably still awake, after such an emotional day.

I tiptoed as quietly as I could to Archer's door and knocked very lightly so as not to wake anyone or alert Igor.

There was a moment of silence. Then the door slowly opened. Archer stood there in just a T-shirt and boxer shorts, looking like he was about to go to bed.

Our eyes met.

The silence stretched on.

Archer took a step back to make room for me, and I walked past him into his bedroom. He closed the door behind us.

The door was very solid, and I had the impression it was reinforced to be soundproof, with a thin layer of spongy material, present on the walls as well. Had he prepared for what could happen, knowing we lived on the same floor as the kids? Or had these features been there since his uncle’s time?

I approached the bed and stood next to it, turning slowly to face Archer.

He was leaning slightly against the wall, watching me. He didn’t say anything—his blue eyes seemed to be studying my face.

"So here I am," I said quietly.

Archer just kept looking at me, making me feel a bit uneasy.

"As we discussed over the phone, I’m making myself available to you."

Still silence. It was killing me. What more could I say?

"I’m living under your roof—you took my family into your home. It’s the least I can offer in thanks for what you’ve done." I gestured toward my lower abdomen as I spoke.

Something flickered across Archer’s face, a shadow passing over his forehead.

"So, this is like an exchange of services?" he asked slowly, his voice calm but measured.

I realized how that might have sounded, but I had no idea how to respond. My thoughts spun, and my nails dug into my skin.

"I expect submission from my omega, River. Not prostitution. This is not what I want," he said sternly.

A wave of shock rolled over me, and I swayed slightly, my throat constricting.

"But… I—I am submitting to you," I whispered, feeling utterly lost.

"It’s not the kind of submission I want. And I see it differently from other alphas who think it means mindlessly following orders. I'm not a tyrant, River, and certainly not a rapist."

I stayed silent, still not understanding what he wanted from me.

Archer took two steps forward, closing the distance to less than five feet.

"You see, my colleagues thought I was primitive and conservative just because I tested omegas on our first date by opening the door for them and watching their reaction. If they were offended, the date was over for me."

I stared at him, trying to grasp his point.

"One piece of a belief system points to another. I’ve dated omegas who pretended to be submissive because it turned them on. But they weren’t. They were just waiting for the moment they could drop the act and show their true attitude when they got bored pretending."

Archer walked over to a chair by the desk, turned it to face me, and sat down, crossing his arms over his chest. He gestured toward the bed, so I perched on its edge, still watching him.

"For me, this is not a sexual game, River. It’s the only lifestyle I want to pursue. I appreciate you coming to my room tonight, ready for whatever I might have planned for you, but I know deep down you don’t truly want to submit—you’re just grateful."

I felt the need to protest, to correct his misunderstanding. "Archer, I am submissive. Maybe I’m just too stressed right now to act like it—"

Archer raised his hand.

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