by D. J. Heart
Evan nods, but he isn’t impressed. Anyone who knows Peter and Chad would know that Peter was the one who cared about dressing nice.
“I like the pants. Very tight…” Aiden says, locking the door behind them and walking to the elevator. Evan feels self conscious. Are his clothes inappropriate? He can’t imagine Peter would buy him anything he shouldn’t wear in public... At least not without telling him.
But the pants are tight. Evan blushes as he remembers Peter’s heated look when he’d seen Evan try them on, the way he’d grabbed his ass and smirked.
Evan likes that the pants make him look good. That they make his alphas want him. It’s a good thing, isn’t it, to be attractive to your mates?
Evan decides not to let Aiden get to him.
“Yes,” he agrees. “Peter likes them that way.”
Aiden turns his head to look down on him, but his eyes are hidden behind his mirrored shades so Evan can’t tell what he’s thinking. He doesn’t seem to have expected the answer, though. Aiden doesn’t seem like he has any idea how to interact with Evan. One minute he’s ignored, then the alpha will try to needle him into a reaction. Something tells him that Aiden hasn’t had much to do with omegas in his past. If he’s like Peter, then Evan guesses it makes sense.
They take the elevator down to the underground parking garage, and Aiden leads him to a shiny sports car. He opens the door with a cocky lift of the corner of his lips. Evan looks at him, wondering what has him so proud.
The lack of a reaction seems to take the wind out of Aiden’s sails a little, because he sighs and mutters, “Omegas, wouldn’t know a Volvo from a Lamborghini...”
Evan has no idea what he’s talking about. The car is very nice, though. He gets in the passenger side seat, the leather cushion almost enveloping him as he sinks into the buttery soft leather. Stroking his hands over the luxurious black material, he looks up at Aiden.
“I like your car,” he says. That seems to brighten the alpha up. He smiles, nodding happily before making his way around to the drivers side of the vehicle.
Aiden takes a few minutes to get ready, smoothing his gloves down over his fingers and turning the key in the ignition, giving Evan a look he doesn’t know how to decipher.
“Hold on,” Aiden says, a wicked grin stretching his lips as he grabs the wheel with both hands. Evan is about to ask hold on to what? when Aiden hits the gas. Hard. Evan holds his breath, the car peeling out of the garage so fast he thinks he’s going to throw up. Aiden turns to him, smirking as he pushes down on the gas even harder, making the car go faster when they reach the city street.
Evan is no expert on cars or traffic, but he’s sure that you’re not allowed to drive like this. Especially not in the city.
“You look a little green,” Aiden laughs, ruffling Evan’s hair as he swerves through traffic, laughing like a maniac. Evan turns to him, not saying anything. He doesn’t want to make a sound, terrified that any distraction will have the alpha crashing the car and sending them both to their fiery deaths.
He hopes Peter and Chad don’t drive like this...
Aiden takes a sharp corner, the engine roaring, and suddenly they’re driving down the highway. It’s much smoother, though Aiden is still driving twice as fast as any of the cars they’re passing.
Aiden looks over at him again, his face happy and relaxed, saying, “Don’t worry, we’ll be at the Obrey in no time. Just enjoy the ride.”
***
Evan can’t get out of the car fast enough, spilling out of his seat and onto the asphalt with abject relief. Aiden might be a good driver, but he’s a crazy one. Legs feeling like jelly, Evan looks around as Aiden gets out of the car and comes to stand next to him.
The Obrey Art Institute is nothing like Evan had imagined. Sure, he’s seen pictures - hundreds of them on the computer - but in real life it’s just so much bigger than he’d imagined it in his head.
“So this is nice, at least Peter is getting his moneys worth,” Aiden says, looking around and landing a hand on Evan’s back, leading him away from the parking lot and towards the campus. The Obrey Art Institute is part of a larger college, and it shares a campus with both The Obrey College of Natural Science and The Obrey Literary Institute.
Evan can’t help but take it all in with wide eyes. The alphas and betas lounging around on the lawn, bundled up in thick coats and knitted scarves with their books spread out on the grass, look like something out of a movie.
He can’t see any other omegas, but that’s pretty much what he’d expected.
Aiden seems to know where he’s going, garnering both interested and nervous glances from the people they pass. No one so much as looks at Evan, which he guesses makes sense if they think he belongs to Aiden. He can’t imagine very many people would dare disrespect the scary looking alpha by doing anything that might be deemed unseemly with his omega - even if it’s just to look at him or acknowledge his presence.
“So this is what you want to do?” Aiden asks as they stop in front of an imposing building, Greek columns lining the front side of the facade. Evan isn’t quite sure what he means, but he nods carefully anyway.
“Of course it is,” Aiden mutters, gesturing for Evan to start walking up the stairs. Evan can’t help but notice how differently Aiden acts now that they’re out in public. He never lets Evan out of his sight, always keeping a careful eye on him. He’d be lying if he said the close attention didn’t make him feel a little more safe, but he’d still prefer to be guarded by someone who wasn’t so conspicuous.
Inside the building is toasty and warm, and Aiden pulls of his gloves and sunglasses. Evan takes his hands out of his pockets, blowing on them to heat them up. Next time they go out he’ll make sure to bring mittens or something...
“Mr Tank?” a woman walks towards them, smiling nervously. She’s a beta, probably in her late thirties, and though her clothes are conservative Evan thinks she looks very put together.
“No, I’m Aiden Halsted. I am here with his omega, though,” Aiden says, giving her an unnecessarily stern look. She swallows loudly, brushing her hands down the front of her skirt, still smiling. “We have an appointment at one?”
“Oh… Yes of course. We were just expecting a Peter-”
“Yes, he couldn’t make it,” Aiden interrupts her, “ I’m Evan’s bodyguard. I’ll be the one taking him to his classes and making sure he doesn’t come to any harm while attending your college.”
“Oh…” the beta stares at Aiden, getting more and more nervous, and Aiden seems to be enjoying it. Evan smiles at the flustered woman, but she looks away from him so quickly he's scared she might have hurt her neck.
“I’m sure that won’t be a problem,” she takes a deep breath and smiles again, “My name is Emily Davies, I’m an advisor here at The Obrey Art Institute. Like I discussed with Mr. Tank on the phone, I will be talking with Evan about his options when it comes to classes for the next semester, and then I’ll be taking you on a tour of the campus. Do you mind if…?” Emily nods towards Evan, not looking at him, but Aiden doesn’t seem to understand what she’s getting at. Evan wants to sigh dramatically, but he doesn’t.
“She wants to know if she’s allowed to talk to me,” Evan tells Aiden, who looks surprised by the information.
“Lady, his alphas are letting him go to art school. What do you think?”
Emily doesn’t seem to know how to react to that, so she just smiles and says, “I’ll take that as a yes?”
“Please do,” Aiden replies, tone condescending. Evan is annoyed. There is no reason for Aiden to be a dick to the people at his new school. None at all. He’s standing behind the obnoxious alpha, and before he knows that he’s going to do it, he gives the back of Aiden’s leg a vicious little kick and steps in front of him.
“What the-!” Aiden exclaims, looking behind his back, then glaring at Evan incredulously. “You little fuck-”
“Sorry about him,” he says, interrupting whatever Aiden was about to say, s
miling and stepping forward. “He’s not very good with people. Just ignore him.”
Aiden sputters, looking outraged, while poor Emily looks like she’s contemplating running away. Evan can feel Aiden’s angry glare at his back, but he reminds himself that Aiden isn’t his alpha. No matter how angry he gets, he has no right to punish Evan… right?
Now that the deed is done, Evan feels much less sure of himself. But all he can do is move forward.
“We’ll talk about this later,” Aiden growls at him, taking him by the neck. Now that he’s bonded with Peter and Chad, they’re the only ones who can make him go limp and submissive with the grip, but it still makes him feel very much controlled. “Let’s get this meeting over with. Emily, if you would lead the way?”
And so, looking like she doesn’t have a clue what to do with the weird alpha and omega she’s been put in charge of meeting with, Emily leads them deeper into the building and into a cozy office with a nice view of big lawn and a few dotted trees.
“Why don’t you have a seat,” she says, talking to Evan. “Perhaps you’d like to wait outside Mr. Halsted?” She sounds hopeful, sitting down across from Evan. The chairs are plush and very comfy.
Aiden smirks and leans against the door, oozing alpha domination, looming over both of them. “I think it’s best that I stay. I’m not supposed to leave him on his own. You know how it is.”
Emily doesn’t seem to know what to do with that, so she turns her attention back to Evan. It was a valiant effort, at least. Evan gives her an encouraging smile, which she returns as she grabs a pair of mugs and sets them on the table in front of her.
“I took a look at your portfolio, and I have to say I’m very impressed,” she says, turning on an electric kettle, “Tea?”
Evan nods, while Aiden shakes his head no. Emily waits until the water is boiling before pouring both herself and Evan a cup, handing him a selection of tea bags.
“Are you only interested in practical lessons, or would you like to take some art history classes as well?” she asks, sliding a tray of sugar and milk over to him. He takes neither, letting his tea steep before he drinks it.
“I’d like to do both, I think. I’m not sure how many I have time for though…” Evan feels at ease with Emily, despite Aiden’s oppressive presence in the room. She’s taking him seriously, and talking to him like he actually has a brain. He hopes it isn’t too good to be true.
“Well, you’ve been accepted to our two year degree program…”
Evan listens to Emily talk, feeling more and more excited. Aiden looks bored, but he doesn’t interrupt other than to roll his eyes. By the time Emily has finished listing all the courses he can take in his first semester, Evan is practically bursting with excitement. Emily looks amused at his reaction, but very pleased.
“Does that help?” she asks when she’s done talking and Evan has asked all his questions. Aiden pushes off the wall, ready to leave.
“Yes, thank you,” Evan says, smiling. His tea has gone cold, and he hardly drank any of it. He can’t wait to get started. He hadn’t even considered that when he finished school he’d have a degree. Omegas just don’t have those. It’s all just too weird and wonderful.
“Good. How about I show you around, and maybe we can catch some of the professors while we’re at it… They all want to meet you.”
“They do?” Evan asks, startled. Why would anyone want to meet him?
“Oh, yes. We’ve never had an omega before, let alone one with as much natural talent as you. We’re very pleased you chose us,” Emily says, practically beaming.
“And I’m sure the money Peter paid to get him in was a nice bonus,” Aiden snarks, to which Emily frowns. She looks deeply offended.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Mr. Halsted. All our students pay tuition, the fact that Evan is an omega hasn’t impacted that.”
Aiden snorts, shaking his head. “Right. So whatever donation Peter made to the school has nothing to do with Evan getting in?”
Emily opens her mouth to talk, but she just stares at Aiden with an open mouth. “I’m sorry, I think you’ve been misinformed. Evan hasn’t been granted any special privileges because of his alpha. In fact, we were so eager to have him we let him join us in the spring semester,” Emily turns to Evan, “I can assure you that the work you submitted was more than good enough to earn you a place with us. We’re very pleased to have you.” The last is said with a defiant look in Aiden’s direction, but he doesn’t seem to believe her. He rolls his eyes and opens the door to the hallway, holding it ajar and motioning for Emily and Evan to follow.
The tour is tense, Emily indignant and angry with Aiden, and Aiden needling her every step of the way. But Evan feels like he’s walking on air. Peter didn’t have to bribe anyone for him to get in. He is good enough.
He almost bursts into song he’s so happy.
They don’t get to talk to any professors - they’re all busy with lessons and Evan doesn’t want to intrude - but he gets a good idea of where everything is and where his classes will be.
It’s going to be a wonderful year.
***
Chad takes a taxi home, still furious with Peter. He’s almost at the apartment when his phone rings, Peter’s name and face flashing on his screen. He debates not picking up, but in the end he knows that being petty isn’t going to do him any good,
“Hello,” he says, putting the phone to his ear.
“Chad, I’m at your office… Your assistant said you went home already?” Peter says, sounding almost tentative.
Good, Chad thinks. Peter has fucked up, and Chad has no intention of letting him off the hook. Going to work for The Virgin O less than two weeks after getting an omega of their own is probably the most insensitive thing Peter has ever done. Chad can’t believe him.
“I took a cab. Did you need something?”
After a brief pause, Peter answers. “No. I’ll see you at home… But Chad?”
“Yes?”
“Watch the attitude.”
Peter hangs up before Chad can reply, the line going quiet. Chad feels like punching something.
The taxi pulls up in front of his building and he pays the driver, pulling his coat tight as he heads inside. He wonders how Evan’s day went, cursing himself when he realizes that Aiden will be waiting for him in the apartment. The last thing he wants to do is spend time with Aiden, much less spend time with him when Peter isn’t there to make the asshole behave himself.
“Evan, are you home?” Chad calls out as he steps inside, shrugging off his coat and hanging it in the closet.
“Chad!” Evan calls back, barreling towards him a second later. The omega hits him like a little cannonball, jumping into his arms and hugging him tight. No matter how mad he may be with Peter, he can’t feel anything but happy with this kind of greeting from his omega.
“Hey, Evan. How was your day?” he asks, hugging Evan right back. He plants his nose in the crook of the boy’s neck, breathing in his scent and letting it calm him. The weight of Evan in his arms, combined with his warmth and wonderful scent, have Peter’s pants so tight it almost hurts.
“It was great!” Evan says, making Chad smile. Until he remembers that the whole point of today was for Aiden to prove how terrible he is. If Evan has had a great day, the whole project has been a fiasco. Still, Chad can’t feel bad that Evan had a good day. He smiles into Evan’s skin, rubbing his cheek up and down the vulnerable expanse of skin.
“Yeah? Tell me about it,” he says, carrying Evan towards the living room.
“We met with an advisor - her name was Emily - and she told me all about the different classes I can take in January. She knew a lot more than was in the catalog, and she helped me narrow it down to just six. I have to choose by the registration deadline next Friday…”
Chad listens as Evan blabs excitedly about the classes this ‘Emily’ has suggested, noting the distinct lack of Aiden horror stories. Has the alpha actually managed to behave himself?
>
Walking into the living room, Evan still talking, Chad comes to a halt at the sight of Aiden parked comfortably on the couch. His boots are propped up on the coffee table, his head swinging lazily around to watch Chad as he walks into the room.
“No Peter?” he asks, looking over Chad’s shoulder. Chad drops Evan to his feet, but holds him against his chest as he gives Aiden his best neutral look. He doesn’t want to start something with the other alpha without Peter there to keep the piece.
“He had to stay a little later,” he says, wondering how he can get Aiden to leave.
“I’ll wait. I’m sure he’ll want a report on today,” Aiden smirks, making a show of crossing his legs at the ankles. “And I have an incident I need to tell him about.” The last is directed at Evan, who looks nervously at the floor.