Page 19 of Unsubmissive Omega
“I wish he’d waited for me to show him around,” I muttered.
Marta arched an eyebrow, her gaze thoughtful. “Something wrong?”
I sighed. “Just… teething problems, I hope.”
She nodded. “It’s a big transition for both of you, especially as you didn’t know each other before. Give it time.”
I hoped she was right, however she didn’t know Xander had not had a choice about things. But right now, I needed to find my mate.
I backtracked up the corridor until I came to the screen door that opened out into the compound. The door snapped closed behind me with its usual squeal of protest punctuated by a thump, which barely registered as I scanned the yard for Xander.
The yard was largely empty, most of the pack already at work for the day, or inside their cottages, but one or two people wandered about, none of whom was Xander.
I drew in a deep breath, scenting the air. And there it was, the faint but already familiar sweet scent of my partner, wafting on the slight air currents. I followed the trail straight to the omegahouse, where the trail led inside. As Pack Alpha, I could go anywhere I wanted on pack lands, and at any time, but it was respectful to knock and wait to be admitted when visiting the omega house. Alphas, in general, were not permitted inside. It gave the omegas a safe place to relax and be themselves without having to be concerned about the more dominant designations. As Pack Alpha, I was permitted access, and as second, Zendius was too.
Knock! Knock!
I waited only a few seconds before the handle began turning and the door eased open. A tall, willowy omega stood there, long hair billowing around her, a frown wrinkling her brow, her lips pursed. My sister. I wondered what had put her in a mood but it didn’t take long to find out.
“Hey, Sis, is Xander in there?” I asked, peering hopefully over her shoulder, hoping to see my mate.
“He is,” she confirmed, then added in a decidedly disapproving tone, “Why is Zendius taking him on a tour of the pack, and not you? That’s your job, he’syourmate!”
“He took off this morning before I had the chance to take him around. I’m glad Zendius found him and was looking after him. But I’m here now.” I didn't want to admit to her that we were having relationship difficulties already.
She looked at me, only slightly appeased. “You’d better come in then,” she said, stepping aside and opening the door more fully.
“Thanks, Sis.”
“Alpha.” My sister always managed a slightly mocking tone when she acknowledged my status in the pack. She was annoying as fuck at times, but as far as sisters went, she wasokay. She’d arrived here a year after I’d joined the pack and had been a great support to me and a real benefit to the pack.
I wanted to ask her how my new mate was going with the omegas, but I was too eager to see him again. Despite our rocky start this morning, I was hopeful we could bring things back on track.
There was aclickbehind me and the narrow hallway darkened as the door closed behind me. I took the few strides to where the living room opened out beyond the first door on my left and paused on the threshold, my eyes scanning the room. I barely saw the omegas, beyond the one that caught and held my interest. Xander was sitting on the couch with an omega on either side of him. He seemed quiet but relaxed and was conversing. The omegas around him had bright eyes and big eager smiles on their faces. They clearly approved of the latest addition to the pack. For a moment, I watched from the doorway, a silly half-smile twisting one side of my face.
Then the hum of conversation faded away, as the omegas noticed me standing there. Xander looked up, a scowl creasing his elfin face as soon as he saw me. His chin came up sharply, the mop of brown hair flipping up and settling on his head defiantly. My heart sank, my shoulders slumping in sympathy with that disappointed organ; this was going to be harder than I’d thought. He really had an aversion to me.
“Hey. I’m glad you found the omega house,” I said, unsure how to proceed.
“Zendius said he’d show me around. I asked to come here,” Xander replied disinterestedly, turning back to the omega at his side. An audible hiss told me the slight had not been missed. The omegas on the couch around him stiffened, sitting rigidly andlooking very uncomfortable. The omegas respected me, I knew that, and I didn’t want them feeling awkward while my new mate and I worked things out.
“Come with me, I’ll show you the rest of the pack.” For a moment I thought he was going to refuse. I hadn’t compelled him, of course I would never do that to my mate, but there had been an implied command. I held my breath. Further disrespect in front of the pack would be damaging. A leader was only a leader while they held respect.
I released the breath with a silent sigh, as Xander unfolded himself from the couch and slowly got to his feet. His reluctance was obvious, to me at least. Even under these circumstances I couldn’t help admiring his body. He was smaller and shorter than me, naturally, but reasonably stocky in the torso and with strong hips, perfectly shaped and built to handle an alpha such as myself. My cock stirred. I inhaled sharply, trying to get a grip of myself; now was not the time for those sorts of thoughts.
One of the bushy eyebrows arched. He knew.
I held out my hand. He glared at it, but a moment before rudeness, his hand slid into mine, the skin soft against my calloused palms. I felt a fluid connection running between us, but I blinked away the foolishness. I knew there was none. As much as he was my ideal mate, he did not consider me his.
We said farewell to the omegas, and as we stepped outside, I frowned, remembering I hadn’t seen my second-in-command.
“Where’s Zendius? Wasn’t he showing you around?”
Xander shrugged. “He went upstairs when we arrived. I don’t know what he was doing.”
“Never mind, I want to show you around. What would you like to see first?” I asked Xander, enjoying the feel of his hand in mine. It might have been smaller, but it felt strong, solid against my palm.
Xander looked around.
