Page 36 of Where the Current Takes Him
Beau let out a shaky breath. “Loriun didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not in danger. I just… Everything is happening so quickly. The longest relationship I’ve ever been in was like three months, and now I’m supposed to live with Loriun forever.”
Jaime nodded, squeezing Beau’s hand. “It’s a lot to process. But you have to remember—if things don’t work out between you two, you have every right to leave. Sometimes, an Omega and an Alpha just don’t click. You can request a new match, or you can just go back to the mainland. You’re not trapped, Beau.”
Beau bit his lip. “Actually… I am trapped.”
Jaime furrowed his brow. “What are you talking about?”
Slowly, Beau reached up and peeled the bandage from his shoulder. Jaime inhaled sharply. “He mated you?”
“It’s not his fault. I did it too.”
“You… You marked him too.” Jaime ran a hand through his graying hair. “Oh, Beau.”
“There was something wrong with my medication. Last night, I went into heat and… Well, you can guess what happened.” He avoided the older man’s eyes.
“Heat or not,” Jaime said, “ Loriun is the Alpha here. It’s his job to control himself. Even if he gave in and had sex with you, he has no excuse for marking you.”
“But I—”
“You,” Jaime interrupted, “are a young Omega in a new place, swimming in pheromone levels you’ve never experienced before.”
Beau hung his head. “He feels awful about it.”
“He should.” There was a bite to Jaime’s tone. “Where is he?”
“I said I needed time. He went back to his place.”
Jaime hummed. “Hopefully it’s not too far. The side effects of separating from a new mate are unpleasant, to say the least.”
Beau winced. “What happens?”
“Headache, dry mouth, hard to breathe, skin crawling, things like that.”
“Oh, god.” Beau put his mug on the coffee table and let his head fall into his hands.
“Hey now, calm down. It’ll be okay. You said he’s been good to you, right?”
“Yeah.” Beau’s voice was muffled through his fingers.
“He’s being considerate?”
“Very.”
“Showing any signs of anger issues?”
The memory of Loriun’s fury over his medical file rose to the forefront of Beau’s mind. “Not directed at me.”
“Directed at what?” Jaime’s hand now rubbed soothing circles on Beau’s back.
“Someone who hurt me, back in Gainesville.”
“Ah, being protective. That comes with the whole Alpha thing. Well… I can understand why you’re freaking out.” Jaime took Beau’s wrists and gently drew him upright. His warm,brown eyes creased in a smile. “But it sounds like he’s a good one. A good Alpha will do everything in his power to make you happy. Whatever you’re worried about, you just have to tell him. He will find a way to fix it, I guarantee it.”
Beau lowered his gaze. “What if he doesn’t? What if he only wants me around so he can get kids out of me?”
Jaime shook his head. “Loriun is wealthy and handsome. If that was all he cared about, he could have had a willing Omega over here a decade ago. A Mer doesn’t reach his age without a mate unless they’re holding out for the right person. Try putting a little faith in him.”
Beau found himself nodding.
