Page 63 of Feral Alphas

“What do you drink?” Colt asks.

“Herbal tea, if you have any. With honey.”

Colt looks my way and I nod, picking my favorite ginger blend. Silently I carry a weak coffee to Colt, and then set the tea in front of Kye before returning to stand at my dom’s side.

“Bring yours over and sit down,” Colt orders, pushing the chair out at his right. Kye watches us with a curious gaze. Colt clears his throat as I retrieve my mug. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stare at him.”

Kye stiffens. “I wasn’t trying to be rude. The director told me he’s housebound, so I was imagining a physical disability.”

I carry my steaming mug to the table and sit, keeping my eyes down.

“Let’s start with us then,” Colt says, covering my free hand with his. “Luka is my submissive. He won’t address you or take orders from you until I’ve given him permission. He doesn’t have a disability, but he does have a panic disorder, and this is how we manage it. I ask for your respect in the matter.”

He hums with interest. “Alright, I’ll do my best. I’d be pleased if you could introduce me to him when you’re both ready.”

It’s Colt’s turn to be surprised and I glance up to see Kye smile wryly. “I have some friends who’ve played around with kinks, although nothing as committed as you both appear. I can’t even smell your sub.”

Colt nods. “That’s good then, if you’ve seen it before. I wouldn’t call this a kink, more like anxiety management, but whatever works. As for me, I’m a special agent at the OCB and I’m gone for long days.”

“So I better get rid of the hash in my car?”

Colt snorts. “Smoke it somewhere I can’t see or smell it. Luka manages the house and the budget, and he has an appointment one morning a week. If it’s alright with you, I’d like for Luka to maintain management of the house. He’s very good at it, and we both work well with routine.”

Kye sips his tea. “From what I can see, your sub keeps a clean house. I realize I’m the outsider here, so let’s give it a try and see how things go. I for one have no complaints about not cleaning or cooking.”

Colt squeezes my hand slightly. I’m impressed Kye knows to keep addressing Colt, even with his compliment. Maybe this won’t be so hard, after all.

“Thanks.”Colt grins, like he’s relieved too. “To be real with you, we’re both old bachelors and a bit set in our ways, plus we’re damn near broke. It’s been just me and Luka for about fourteen years, so getting an omega is blowing our world apart. How about you?”

Kye sets down his mug and nods enthusiastically several times. “Me too. Can I ask how old you are?”

“I’m forty-two, and Luka is thirty-eight.”

“Okay. Well, I’m Kye, I’m twenty-six, and I used to live in Kazi City, but I guess I’m here now. I’m a cellist, and I have my masters in music performance from Dreamwillow Academy and I perform for a living.”

I glance up at Colt as a flush of excitement runs through me. His thumb caresses my skin as he leans close so I can whisper in his ear. The suits and the expensive car make sense now.

“Kye Romdine? Luka says he’s heard of you.”

He shrugs his shoulders like being the son of one the country’s biggest tycoons let alone a famous musician in his own right is no big deal. Maybe he really will whisk us all off to a castle.

“Thanks. I guess I am well known.” A wry smile tugs his lips, like he’s thinking of a joke. “My schedule tends to be sporadic. I’ll be home for weeks, but fly out for a weekend concert, or disappear for a few months on tour. I’m used to being a bachelor too.”

He uses the same word, but I get the feeling he means it in a much more free-spirited, party-boy kind of way.

Colt nods. “Have you had any thoughts about the money side of things? Luka handles all my finances and pays the bills.”

Kye hesitates, something like fear rolling across his face as he presses his lips together. “I’m new to this too, but since I’m living in your house, how about one-third of the utilities, and if your subwill cook my meals, how about I pay board? I don’t know what the going rate is, but how does a hundred a week sound?”

Disappointment drags on me. Sounds like he’s settling in here, rather than getting us out.

Colt nods. “Alright.”

Kye murmurs as he has a thought. “What about the omega’s living costs?”

“She’ll get a settlement stipend that should cover her food and basics.”

Kye nods as I suppress a wince. From what Colt’s told me, it won’t cover much, especially not with her extra alphas in the picture.

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