“It seems that you were part of the group that recently manhandled him.” Lidell gave Ned a sharp look. “But it also seems you took it a step farther than the others.Youapologized to his omega parent in a fit of shame.”
Ned swallowed hard, heat slamming through him, so that his cheeks, chest, and even his thighs burned in humiliation. “I…I didn’t—”
“Stop. I don’t want apologies or excuses. At this point, your behavior, ill-mannered, ill-considered, and stupid as it might have been, may just end up being our salvation.” He raised a brow toward Hunter, as if considering whether to say the rest in front of him. “It seems you confessed to Amos Elson a strong—how shall I put this?Attachmentto this boy Ezer.”
So not only had Amos betrayed him, but his father had known from the start of this conversation that Ned knew exactly who Ezer Fersee was, and even that he had feelings for him.
Lidell smirked. “Imagine my surprise, spending the day with George Fersee, discussing your amorous intentions. He filled me in on your confession to his cast-off omega. And then told me of his son’s ‘oddities’—really, Ned? The boy hardy weighs more than a drowned rat, and can’t read? Must you like them small and dumb?”
“Father, I—”
“Truly, I don’t care. It hardly matters, given the sums involved.” Lidell took a sip of his wine and then went on, as if this was a normal discussion to be having. “In the course of the conversation, it became apparent that George was a bit worried about whether an alpha as young as you would be able to handle his son. But I mentioned to him your newfound desire to mate and breed for life. I know you think you got the idea from Heath, but it was it was inherited, of course, from your omega parent. Oh, sweet Sandrino. He was a romantic sort as well. Dreamy, always talking of making a large family.” He drifted off on memories the way he always did when he brought up Ned’s omega parent, forever an angel in Lidell’s eyes.
Hunter coughed into his napkin and broke the spell.
Lidell shot him a dirty look. “Fersee liked that about you. Plus he likes that you seem to care for his son despite having attempted to assault him.” Lidell tutted under his breath, scolding Ned. “That seemed unlike you, I admit, but apparently, it’s the truth. So, I have to agree with George. It’ll be best to get you in this boy’s life in a way that isn’t illegal.”
“I didn’t assault—”
Lidell talked over Ned. “I get the impression that George cares for his son’s happiness at least a little. He wants a dedicated alpha who will keep Ezer in hand. I assured him that would be you. If you’re so obsessed with the boy now that you’d attempt assault, then—”
“I said I didn’t!”
“—you’re already infatuated, and that’s halfway to a heat crush, and that, my boy, is halfway to love. Regardless, George said he’d be glad to have Ezer off his hands before Spring Break is over. He doesn’t want him going back to school, and he’s eager to pay us to do it now, while you’re both still legally bound to us, rather than risk waiting any longer.”
Ned was in far too much shock to parse the offer—or was it an agreement?—that had been made between his father and Ezer’s. Instead, he asked another question, “What’s Ezer doing that embarrasses his father?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
“What if he embarrasses us?”
Lidell scoffed “How could he embarrass us more than my own brother has? Taking up with a scandalous lover? Having a first child at his age? No, believe me. This will be easy compared to dealing with Heath. Omegas like to be taken in hand, and once he’s pregnant he’ll be submissive as a kicked pup.”
Hunter sniffed in disapproval but didn’t say a word. Lidell shot him another ugly look. “Hunter might not like my words, but he won’t dispute them either. A pregnant omega is a willing omega.”
“Until the post-partum drop,” Hunter said. “Then we get a bit jumpy. Unpredictable.”
“Know that from experience, do you?”
“I bred my first heat.”
“And walked away from the baby?” Lidell shook his head. “Unsurprising.”
“I had my reasons.”
“We all have our reasons,” Lidell shot back, waving him off, like a gnat. “Post-partum drops are often difficult, yes, but we’ll handle him.”
Ned swallowed hard. He didn’t want his father handling anything about Ezer, not ever. “I don’t know about all of this, Father. Couldn’t we just sign an agreement for when we’re older? After university?”
Many omegas in his age group had already signed agreements assigning their first heat, usually for a large price, to one of their father’s friends, business associates, or the sons thereof. It would be unusual for two age mates to sign a contract of intent for the future, but it wasn’t impossible. It had been done before, often when love was involved. But Ned knew Ezer didn’t love him.
“No. His father isn’t sending him to university. The boy’s an idiot, son. I don’t know what you see in him. He was only able to transfer from St. Hausers due to some strings his omega parent pulled before he was sent away. George assures me that college would be a waste of money for this Ezer, and I heartily agree. This will be much better for both of you. Ezer will sign the heat and breeding contract, and so will you. He’ll be happy and pregnant, and you’ll be settled with a boy who will take all your devotion and love. Don’t you want him? Was his omega parent mistaken?”
“I do want him,” Ned admitted. It sickened him to imagine Ezer with any other alpha, and yet this was all so fast, and they were so young. It was wrong. “He’s been my first pick for months now, but…”
“But what?”
Grasping for straws, anything to delay this until he was older and more capable, he said, “Braden and Finch hate him.”
