by Grace, Aria
“Were you sick?”
“No. I, uh, was attacked outside the place where I used to work. Marius saved my life. He took me to the hospital, made sure I got treated, and then gave me a place to recover since I can’t have the medications I need at Omega House.” Rubin summarizes everything fluidly without missing a beat.
“Omega House sometimes has to help residents who are recovering drug addicts,” I quickly explain to Leopold before he can ask his next question. “They’d rather avoid presenting their residents with unnecessary temptation.”
“That’s completely understandable.” Leopold nods and shifts his gaze back to Rubin like a hawk zeroing in on its prey. “So, Rubin, would you say that Mayor Lang has taken good care of you? Has he provided for your needs adequately?”
Rubin frowns, obviously sensing the same thing I do. This is some sort of trap, but what sort I can’t really say.
He does his best to answer honestly. “I have a room to myself, I can eat whenever I want, I get the medication I need...so, yes.”
“And what about freedom? Are you allowed to leave wherever you’d like?” Leopold raises an eyebrow.
“I can do whatever I want,” Rubin replies. “I’m not being held prisoner or anything.”
“Then why haven’t you left the house once since arriving here?”
“Have you been spying on us for the last two weeks?” I demand, clenching my hands into fists as I try to keep my voice at a conversational level.
“I was bird watching in the woods nearby,” Leopold says with a shrug. “There are so many different species in the area this time of year. But I notice things. Things like, Rubin being confined to the house, kept out of sight whenever you have visitors. And he’s generally been treated like something you’d rather no one else knows about. He might be well cared for, but he’s trapped in this gilded cage you’ve created for him.”
“I went outside today,” Rubin says, sitting up straight. “You must’ve missed that. I’ve been confined to my bedroom mostly because I had fractured ribs from being attacked. Any kind of movement was painful, and only recently have I gotten to the point where I can easily move around. Even then, I’ve got to have my painkillers. It’s not like the goddamn mayor is going to entertain his guests in my bedroom. He hasn’t mentioned me to other people because there’s really no reason for them to know. He didn’t help me in order to use me as a prop to make himself look good.”
I beam with pride at Rubin’s response. His ferocity always takes me by surprise, but I love it all the same. I look at Leopold, certain his entire argument has been dismantled.
Instead, he’s grinning from ear to ear.
“It sounds like you’re quite protective of the mayor,” Leopold says as he finishes making some notes. “In fact, even if I hadn’t walked in on the two of you kissing, I would’ve immediately made the connection. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
Rubin looks away and doesn’t reply. He knows there’s no point in denying the accusation when we were caught red handed.
“So, maybe, like so many omegas before you, you’re making excuses for his behavior?” Leopold nudges the conversation forward.
“You must not know him very well,” Rubin says at last. “But I’m not surprised really. How many people actually get to know someone like him as well as I do?” A slight smile twitches across his lips. “If you knew him at all, you’d know that Marius is awful at manipulating people. He just doesn’t seem to understand how to make it work. To be quite frank, I’m surprised he managed to get into politics to begin with.”
“That’s actually something you can confirm with anyone on the city council,” Jackie adds helpfully. “They have a running joke about how transparent Marius is in his actions. He’s awful at keeping secrets or subterfuge. It makes things like opposition research especially difficult to conduct.”
“They do?” I frown, surprised to hear the office gossip about me.
“He’s also completely oblivious to a lot of stuff...” Rubin adds.
“I’m not,” I protest, searching for an example but coming up short.
“So then, why is someone so inept our mayor?” Leopold asks, trying to prompt a new line of questioning.
“Is it inept to see the best in everyone?” Rubin rests his elbows on his knees, going into defensive mode. “And is the inability to deceive people such a bad thing? I mean, I don’t know about you, but I personally enjoy the idea of an honest, well-meaning mayor who wants to believe the best of the people he meets. Even if he is a little naive sometimes.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just that...there are some things that he’s not aware of. Like...he’s done a lot to address issues of omega equality within the city, and things are definitely a lot better now than they’ve ever been before.” Rubin pauses and glances at me as he speaks. He looks extremely calm and professional as he lays out the facts as he sees them. “But there are still plenty of ways omegas are suffering that Marius wasn’t aware of before.”
“So, would you say his lack of awareness has contributed to the continued oppression of omegas?”
Now Leopold is pissing me off.
“I would say Marius has done more to combat omega oppression than any previous mayor.” Rubin doesn’t miss a beat. “Thanks to our friendship, he’s been made aware of these problems and has promised to do his best to address them for as long as he remains in office.”
I’m a little surprised by Rubin’s assertion. I never actually made a promise like that to him, but it’s definitely something I plan on addressing. We’ve just never actually had a conversation about it.
“So am I right in assuming you intend to run for another term as mayor?” Leopold looks at me with renewed interest.
“That’s something we’ve been discussing.” I glance toward Jackie. “We were going to wait to make the announcement at the annual Winter Gala, but I don’t feel like it’s that big of a secret. Most people were already expecting me to run for another term. I’ve already had several successful terms, and I intend to continue building upon that.”
The rest of the interview devolved mostly into Leopold digging for more dirt. The questions were broad and open ended, and I quickly got the impression he hadn’t found anything as incriminating as he’d been expecting. Just as I’m beginning to wonder how much longer to let this continue, Jackie announces we’ve reached the end of the time allotted for this interview and any further questions could be asked via email where they would be answered in due time.
Leopold reluctantly makes his farewell and leaves without protest.
“Well...I think you managed to salvage that, somehow...” Jackie shakes her head as she tucks her phone away. She’s standing near the door to the lounge and looks back at Rubin and I with a critical eye. “You could have given me some sort of warning though.”
“I didn’t have any warning myself.” I rise from the sofa and stretch. I’m even more nervous now that the interview is over, and I have to face Rubin and address what happened between us.
“It may all work out in the end...” she says as she stifles a yawn. “He’ll draw conclusions based on your answers of course, but I think the article will be more focused along the lines of your sordid love life than any political scandal involving omega inequality.”
“I guess that’s something to be grateful for. Why don’t you head on home, Jackie? Thank you for your work today. Get some sleep. I’ll see you first thing tomorrow.” I offer her a warm smile.
She nods in acknowledgment. “Good night, sir.”
I exhale forcefully and put my hands on my hips. Now it’s time to face Rubin. I’m not prepared for this in the slightest and have no idea what to say to him or how to say it. There are so many different emotions at war inside me, and I’m not sure which one is going to be the victor.
“I’m sorry if I said anything out of line,” Rubin says after a moment. “I know there were a few moments where I stretched the trut
h a little.”
“It’s fine, actually. I think you may have saved us there.” I slowly turn to face him. “You’ve definitely given Leopold some other things to think about, and I think you dismantled his theory that I’m anti omega equality.”
“I did my best.” Rubin is reclining against the arm of the sofa, but the look on his face is solemn. “I guess tomorrow everyone will be speculating about our relationship. I’m sorry if I made things difficult there.”
“It’s not like that’s entirely your fault.” I fold my arms and shake my head at how crazy this day has been. “Besides, people are always speculating about things. It doesn’t make them true.”
Rubin’s eyes flick up to mine, and I instantly regret my choice of words. “Why did you kiss me?”
“I don’t know. I just...did.” The answer feels inadequate, and I owe him a better explanation than that. I just wish I had one.
“What kind of game are you playing?” Rubin demands as he springs up from the sofa. The motion clearly pains him because he winces and presses a hand to his still sore ribs, but it doesn’t slow him down.
“What are you talking about?” I hold my hands up innocently. “I’m being honest with you.”
Rubin throws up his hands in frustration. “Bullshit.” He shoots an accusatory glare at me. “You’ve been playing with my emotions since day one. I don’t know if you’re actively being malicious or just oblivious, but I’m tired of it. I don’t know what you’re thinking, and I’m tired of guessing.” He gently touches his lips as if remembering the kiss.
“I’m not playing with your emotions, I swear.” I’m baffled by the accusations flying my way. “I’ve never tried to hurt you in any way, Rubin. I’m just...I don’t know...”
“That’s not good enough,” Rubin says, shaking his head angrily. “I’m gonna have Molly call me a cab. I won’t impose on you anymore.” He looks like he’s on the verge of tears as he storms across the room toward the door.
I catch his arm as he tries to move past me, pulling him forcefully into my arms.
“Let me go!” he shouts as my arms encircle him. “You can’t fucking keep me here if I don’t want to be here.”
“Please...” I beg, my voice nearly breaking as the word leaves my mouth. “I don’t think I can go on if you’re not here anymore.”
Rubin freezes in place.
“I don’t know how to say this...” I take a deep breath, trying my best to hold back the tsunami of emotion suddenly flowing through me. “I’ve been struggling with it, denying it, trying to to ignore it, I guess. But I can’t do any of those things anymore. I’ve been forced to acknowledge it, and I don’t know how...”
“Just tell me,” Rubin says, looking up at me with desperation in his eyes. “All you’ve got to do is say it.”
I loosen my grip on him and look away. My chest is tight, and I feel like my consciousness has been torn in half. One side is urging me forward, and the other is telling me to abort at all costs.
I am not that kind of alpha. I’m not…
“Rubin, I think...” I swallow hard and force myself to meet his gaze. “I think I have feelings for you, and I don’t know what to do about them.”
Rubin’s expression contorts in confusion. “What do you mean? It’s not like you’ve never dated before.”
“But those were all women.” I release him and step back, curling my arms around myself as I turn my eyes to the floor. “I’ve never felt like this about a man before. My entire life has been spent as an alpha who pursues women. I don’t know how to do this.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Rubin says with a light laugh.
I feel like I’ve been gutted. I lift my eyes to him as my vision blurs slightly. How can he so easily dismiss what I’m feeling?
“You can’t think of it like that,” he continues, stepping toward me and touching my chin with the tip of his finger. “Relationships work the same no matter who you’re attracted to.”
“But I’m...this...” I sigh and let my hands fall to my sides. “You don’t understand. I’ve spent my whole life thinking one way. I feel like I don’t even know who I am sometimes.”
“Because you’re attracted to an omega?”
“Because I’ve never been attracted one before. Because I look at other omegas now don’t feel anything. But when I look at you, I feel as if my heart’s going to burst. I dread the thought of leaving you every morning, and I’m desperate to get home to you every night.” I can barely believe I’m getting these words out without breaking down completely.
A soft smile touches Rubin’s lips. “You said you don’t know who are, but the answer is simple, you big dummy.”
11
Rubin
“What?” Marius cocks his head at me in confusion. Clearly, he has his doubts about my ability to provide him with the clarity he so desperately needs. To be perfectly honest, I’m a little worried about it too.
I’m making a bit of a leap here, but no one ever found true love by playing it safe.
“You’re my alpha,” I say as I step toward him. “That’s who you are.”
I barely finish speaking before he pulls me into his arms once more. Our lips meet in a kiss that’s even more intense than the one before. Chills run down my spine as understanding bubbles through me.
He didn’t reject me.
He accepted my statement as fact. He’s accepted that role for himself in my life.
He’s my alpha.
I loop my arms around his neck as Marius lifts me off the ground. I feel almost weightless as he continues to ply me with kisses.
“Are you sure about this?” He breathes against me as our lips separate for a moment. “I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve never been an alpha to an omega before. I’m not sure I’ll live up to your expectations.”
“Marius…” I shake my head slowly before touching my forehead to his. “You’ve already far exceeded them.”
“I just need to be certain...because I feel like I need to do something more. Something to make you mine, I mean.” His cheeks flush scarlet. “It feels like instinct is pushing me to...do stuff.”
I laugh out loud at his cuteness. The way he’s acting is absolutely adorable, and he sounds almost virginal. Leaning forward in his arms until my lips are mere inches from his ear, I let out a low breath. “You mean you want to knot me?”
Marius gasps, nearly dropping me.
My heart feels light as I chuckle at his reaction.
His eyes shift away from me and there’s a sheepish smile on his lips.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“I’m not trying to take advantage of the situation or anything, I swear.” Marius suddenly becomes serious. “I just...when you said I was your alpha, I knew I needed to claim you completely.”
“Then do it already and stop explaining it.” I squeeze his shoulder with another little laugh.
“Here?” Marius looks shocked at the idea.
“Well, maybe close the door first...” I suggest as he lowers me to the ground. “I’m sure you’ve gotten intimate in some ‘risky’ locations before. This is pretty tame to be perfectly honest. At least we’re indoors and at home.”
Marius shoots me an appalled expression as he crosses the room and shuts the door to the lounge. “I’ve done stuff around the house before. I’m just concerned about the servants. At least with the bedroom, there’s an expectation of privacy. The way you’re talking now though makes it sound like you’ve got some experience in these matters.”
“Well, I mean, I’ve had boyfriends before. And sometimes you’re horny and far from home. So, sometimes you find a secluded place to park, or go for a walk down an empty alley, or...you know...” I blush as he stares at me.
I started this line of conversation to embarrass him, but somehow it backfired on me.
Marius’s blush has spread across his entire face. He hesitantly begins to walk back across the room, but I can see the uncertainty in his eyes. “I�
��m sorry,” he says when he reaches me once more. “I’m not used to talking with another guy like this. I don’t...I don’t know where to start. Or where the line is. I want this, I want you, but I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Hey, don’t worry.” I reach out and gently take his hands in mine, peering up into his face with a warm smile. “I’m pretty sure that, for the most part, things are almost exactly the same. The only difference is that I’m an omega and you’re my alpha.”
He shudders as I say those words, and a soft grin covers his face. “I love the way that sounds when you say it.”
“Well you’re going to hear it a lot more often.” I lean up to kiss him.
He meets my lips and gently embraces me. It’s all very sweet and feels perfectly natural, but it’s not enough to satisfy my desires any longer.
I want more. I need it.
My cock strains to be free as my balls tighten. My ass is dripping with slick, and I feel it coating the insides of my thighs. It’s been so long since I’ve been with anyone that I’ve forgotten just how messy this sort of thing can be.
Especially when I’m off my suppressants.
It wasn’t really intentional, just the result of being injured and forgetting about life necessities for a little while. Now that I’m standing here, entangled in Marius’s arms, I smell the scent of it wafting through the air.
“What is that?” Marius asks as he inhales deeply. He pulls back from me slightly and lets his eyes fall closed as he breathes in the scent of my arousal. When he opens his eyes again, the lust is obvious in his eyes.
“I-it’s my heat...” I say, looking away for a moment. I’m not sure he’s going to want to keep this up now that he knows.
“Fuck, that smell... I love it.” Marius pants as he leans down and kisses me again. “I want you so badly, and that scent only makes it worse.” I can hear the yearning, the desire in his voice. Is it possible he doesn’t know how a heat works? I thought it was something everyone learned in sex-ed, but Marius isn’t slowing down at all.