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untouched as any Pedigree omega fresh from a cloister. He’d suffered through dozens of

heats, but this was the very first he wouldn’t spend alone, barricaded in his room and nearly

out of his mind despite his heat dampeners.

Hugh would be his first alpha, and this his first real chance at conception.

Not that he would conceive, because he was a Disgrace, and not a dragon, but the thought

tantalized him all the same. What if he was the one who was wrong? What if Hugh actually did

put a clutch in him? The thought made Finch’s toes curl. “Sir—”

Hugh kissed him hard, cutting Finch off before he could say anything more. “Hugh,” he

whispered against Finch’s lips. “My name is Hugh, Finch. Now that you’re mine, you can use

it whenever you want.”

Finch blinked at Hugh, his heart pounding so hard, he thought it might break. This wasn’t the

Hugh he knew. Well, not exactly. This Hugh wasn’t dithering or being absentminded. He was

confident and firm.

Hugh’s erection pushed against Finch’s thigh.

Extremelyfirm, as it turned out.

“Hugh,” Finch repeated, but it felt strange. He stole another few quick kisses from the man,

then quietly admitted, “I’ll try to use it, but old habits are hard to break.”

“All I can ask is for you to do your best,” Hugh replied. He kissed Finch firmly then, his mouth

far more sweet and skillful than Finch would have ever expected. It was the kind of kiss a man

could get lost in, but before that could happen, Finch needed to be transparent with his

employer in a way he’d never been before.

“I need you to know,” he said, “that this is my first heat without dampeners, and also my first

with an alpha.”

Finch expected Hugh to blush and stammer. He did neither. Instead, a light flashed in his plum-

colored eyes. Hugh’s expression softened after that, and he looked down at Finch with

tremendous affection and tenderness. “Is that so?”

Finch nodded, unable to speak and mesmerized by the adoration in Hugh’s eyes.

“I’m glad you told me. This changes everything. I promise, I’ll be gentle.” Hugh kissed him more

softly now, like Finch really was a treasure to be protected at all costs. While he did, he ran his

fingers over Finch’s clothed erection. Finch held back a moan as his cock twitched in need. He

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