Caleb shrugged, moving out of Xan’s arms and across the room to the vanity, where he sat down and began to brush out his blond hair. “You know how I feel about them. Leaving them behind is a bonus.”
Xan nodded, remembering the long, thin people who’d birthed Caleb and then treated him as nothing more than a pawn to marry off to the highest bidder.
The fact that Xan had chosen him and Caleb had at last consented to be contracted had been met with great rejoicing in the Riggs-Holo household. But that had died out when Caleb insisted their contract contain language forbidding his parents from access to the Heelieses’ funds outside of an annual gift consisting of a sum that was nothing to sneeze at. But that annual gift wasn’t even a drop in the massive bucket of money the Heelies, and now Caleb, had access to.
“And what about my own family?” Xan asked quietly.
Caleb’s gaze caught his in the mirror. “Darling, you’re more likely to be allowed access to your pater again if you do as your father asks. Unfair as that sounds and no matter how it hurts. Surely Virona is far enough away to put a damper on your urges, but not so far that your pater couldn’t come visit if your father lifts this ridiculous ban?”
“Pater must agree with it,” Xan said, voicing the fear he hadn’t ever allowed past his lips. “We all know how it is with omegas, withErosgapé, especially. If he didn’t agree with Father, he could make him concede. All he’d have to do is express his disappointment in Father and he’d go on his knees to make it right again.”
Caleb put the brush aside, turning around to seek out Xan’s eyes. “Your pater loves your father and takes his side in all things. From what I’ve witnessed in my short time with the family, he always has, and I suspect he always will. No matter his own thoughts and feelings on certain subjects, namely you, he will side with your father. It’s the way of their relationship. Thank wolf-god it’s not the way of ours.”
A knock came at the door then, and Caleb moved to answer it, finding their head housekeeper, Ren, at the door. “Yes?”
“Dr. Chase is here to see Mr. Heelies, sir,” Ren murmured, glancing over Caleb’s shoulder toward Xan. His steel-blue eyes glinted in the low light in the hallway and his salt-and-pepper hair was combed back neatly. “Heinsistson seeing him. He’s made himself at home in your library this time, Mr. Heelies.”
“I see,” Caleb turned to lift a brow at Xan. “What’s this about?”
Xan’s tongue wet his suddenly dry lips. His library was a mockery of Urho’s beautiful space, with few books and hastily chosen furniture. He’d planned to expand it over the next year, but now he’d have to focus on the library in Virona instead. “I’m not sure. I’d better go see.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“Don’t,” Xan said breathlessly, putting out his hand to stop Caleb from following.
Caleb’s eyes took on a suspicious gleam, but he shrugged and fell back. “Whatever you say, darling.”
Xan could smell Urho’s skin from the upstairs landing. He’d never been so aware of another human being before in his life. He briefly wondered if this was what it was like forErosgapéand then quickly dismissed the question. He’d known many alphas claimed to be able to smell their omegas from rooms away, but he’d never believed it.
He enjoyed Caleb’s clean scent as a comfort, but he’d never hunted for it the way his nose seemed to automatically seek out Urho now. He scented sweat and skin with a waft of excitement and arousal underneath it. Xan’s knees weakened as he started down the stairs, and he had to grip the banister tightly to prevent a tumble.
Urho stood by the fire, which roared under the new beta boy’s ministrations. Spotting Xan out of the corner of his eye, the boy rose and nodded, scurrying from the room like he knew something was amiss. Xan’s heart beat against his breastbone and his throat tightened anxiously. He stepped into the room, holding his head high and rubbing his sweaty palms on his clean trousers.
Urho turned to him, setting his strong shoulders back and proud. His eyes were penetrating and almost angry as he peered at Xan from across the room.
“Why are you here?” Xan asked, with a foolishly trembling voice. It wasn’t polite, and Caleb would bemoan his lack of manners, but nothing else really mattered.
“You forgot this,” Urho said, pulling a hand from his jacket pocket and producing a pillbox. “For the upcoming heat.”
Xan swallowed hard. “Yes. Thank you.” He stepped forward to take the small, brown box, but Urho grabbed his forearm and pulled him in close.
“And you forgot to tell me goodbye. Omegas always say goodbye to their alphas.”
Xan’s asshole spasmed, his cock fattening up against his thigh. His throat clicked as he swallowed again, soundless, wordless, astonishment gripping him.
“That’s what you are, isn’t it?” Urho whispered. “An omega.”
Xan whimpered, his body trembling. Urho yanked him closer, supporting Xan’s weight with his strength. “It’s what I wish I could be,” Xan murmured, his heart in his throat and a sting in his eyes.
Urho nodded. “I’ve read case studies in medical school,” he started but then he clomped his mouth shut, as though regretting the words. “You’re beautiful,” he said instead, and Xan closed his eyes, ducked his head, and tried not to fall to his knees in abject submission as Urho said, “I want you.”
Xan groaned. “This is…” He fought for the words, his knees already bending and his weight shifting down. Urho held his arm tightly. “This is highly irregular, you know.” What a prissy way to put it! He wanted to snatch the words back.
“It’s a sin,” Urho said roughly. “Against the law. Against wolf-god. I’ve heard it all. I’ve thought it all too. Once upon a time.”
“When was that? A few days ago?” Xan bit out, but it lost its anger in the breathiness of his voice.
“Perhaps. But today when I had you, I knew it for the lie it’s always been.”
