Precious Moments

by Casper Graham

  After that, the three of them spent the entire fifteen-minute journey chatting about the activities of the past couple of days. Since he worked from home, Blake didn’t have much to contribute to the conversation unlike the two alphas, who entertained him with stories about interesting people at the diner or the hilarious children in the school. He enjoyed hearing about all these things because he was, more or less, a self-imposed hermit due to the nature of his work.

  When they arrived at the carnival, he could only stare at some of the booths as Kian and Mason trailed after him. There were so many sinful, unhealthy foods that he wanted to get his hands on, but he didn’t know where to begin. He wanted them all. Then, there were the various games that seemed like plenty of fun. He was like a kid in a candy store. He glanced around the carnival for a suitable starting point. This was one of the few times he was glad to be tall because he was able to view several things he might have missed if he were a short omega.

  Kian tapped his shoulder to get his attention. “Take your time, Blake. There’s no rush. It’s only half past nine in the morning.”

  “We can try all of the games if you’re so inclined,” Mason added.

  He nodded at the alphas. It took him a few more minutes to make up his mind, but he decided they should get some snacks first before going on one of the rides. The carnival wasn’t crowded yet. He figured he should enjoy the rides before the other visitors arrived. The lines would be too long then. After purchasing all of the food that caught his fancy, he blushed when the alphas stared at him. They weren’t disgusted, but he could tell they were astounded at the amount of food in his hands. He had churros, mini corn dogs, funnel cakes, cinnamon sugar donut muffins, fried chicken strips, a few slices of rum cake, three cotton candies, and three glasses of lemonade.

  He gave the alphas a sheepish grin. “I go a little overboard.”

  Kian took some of the paper bags from him before responding. “It’s fine, Blake. It’s refreshing to date an omega like you. I like that you don’t care about counting calories and stuff like that.”

  He snorted at Kian. “I’ll burn them off at the gym tomorrow. I have a membership at the gym a block from my apartment. I go there five, six times a week early in the morning at six o’clock. Besides, I’m sharing the food with both of you. I’m sure we can finish everything.”

  “Thanks,” Mason piped up while taking more of the paper bags from him. “Anyway, Kian and I invest in our own gym equipment at home.”

  “Awesome. That must be convenient. You don’t have to wait for someone else to be done with the equipment that you want to use.”

  “That’s right,” Kian confirmed as the three of them continued to explore the carnival while enjoying the food. “We also have a hot tub in the backyard, but it’s surrounded by glass everywhere. Mase and I soak in the tub at least three times a week.”

  “The glass doesn’t fog up?”

  “We apply anti-fog film on each glass wall,” Mason replied.

  Blake nodded. After that, the three of them remained quiet for a few minutes. They were enjoying the carnival as well as the nice weather. After all, the winter season was about to arrive. Blake had a strong feeling the carnival that weekend was probably not as busy as it usually was because the weather was still rather cold even though it was nearly the end of February. He didn’t think anyone would enjoy going to a carnival when the temperatures were low. At least, it wouldn’t be as popular as the ones in summer or fall.

  “Tell us more about your parents,” Kian urged out of the blue.

  Blake pointed toward an empty bench, and the three made their way toward it. He noticed he was seated between the two alphas. He understood it was the alphas’ protective instincts to make sure he was safe. He leaned against the back of the bench to get into a more comfortable position.

  “I’m an only child. My parents love me like crazy, especially my alpha dad.”

  Mason chuckled. “It’s understandable. I’m an alpha. Even though I don’t have my own child at the moment, I can empathize with alpha parents who are driven by their innate nature to defend and protect their children, especially if those children happen to be omegas.”

  Blake nodded. “My beta dad is much more relaxed.”

  “And your omega dad?” Kian inquired.

  He snickered more to himself than to the alphas. “Almost as insane as my alpha dad. Between my alpha and omega dads, I’m coddled to within an inch of my life. Even now as an adult, they will still call me once every two days to make sure I’m eating right. My omega Dad can’t stop emailing me all these simple and healthy recipes because he’s worried that I can’t cook, and I’ll starve myself to death.”

  Mason scrunched up his face in confusion. “But you can cook, right? I remember you telling Kian and me about it the first night we met.”

  “Duh! Of course. Omega Dad is a worrywart.”

  Kian snickered. “He cares a lot about you.”

  “I know, but it gets too much sometimes.”

  Mason inhaled deeply before speaking up. “I don’t have any siblings either, but my parents are the opposite of yours. I have an alpha dad, an alpha mom, and an omega dad. I’m aware that all three of them love me very much, but they allow me to do whatever I like. I think it’s mostly because I’m an alpha, so they aren’t as worried about me. I only have to call them once a month to inform them that I’m still alive and kicking.”

  Blake rolled his eyes. “You’re damn lucky. What about you, Kee?”

  “An only child, as well. I have two alpha dads and an omega mom. Their personalities are somewhere in the middle between your parents and Mason’s. I usually call them once or twice a week.”

  Blake beamed at Kian. “That’s nice, too. I love my parents, but I’m being smothered with too much affection.”

  The three remained on the bench until they finished the food and drinks. Then, they threw away the packaging before going on several rides. Blake insisted on taking several photographs of them on his smartphone as they were having so much fun. He noticed how some alphas stared and postured at him, displaying their alpha status when he, Kian, and Mason were walking past or were standing too near to them.

  He was aware how those alphas were wary of him because he was built like an alpha. It was an automatic reaction on their parts. An alpha’s territorial nature grew worse when he or she has an omega nearby. However, he noted their astonished expressions when they realized he was an omega. In the past, he would be self-conscious. It was a painful reminder of how undesirable he was as an omega mate.

  This time around, things were different. He had an alpha on either side of him. He didn’t feel as alone anymore. He actually might have a chance of becoming a mated omega soon. As independent as he was, he couldn’t deny his omega biology. He wanted to have a loving mate or two and also kids of his own someday. Naturally, it would be even better if he had at least one alpha mate to help him through his monthly heat.

  As wonderful as betas were, they wouldn’t be able to satiate his heats the way an alpha could. Omegas were more than capable to go through life without any alphas. It wasn’t impossible, but each heat would be difficult to get through. He wished there were suppressants that could prevent heats from coming altogether, but they hadn’t been invented yet. The ones on the market only reduced a portion of the symptoms.

  He was engrossed in his thoughts, so he was taken aback when he felt the warmth of the alphas’ hands holding onto his own on both sides. They each gave him a tentative smile, so he beamed at them to indicate he was all right with what they did. He had plenty of fun at the carnival for the next few hours. His favorite moments came nearly toward the end of their outing when the alphas wrapped their arms around his waist and led him toward the exit and all the way out to the parking lot. It was one of the most memorable dates he ever had, and he would treasure the memory for the rest of his life.

  Chapter 6

  A few days after their fun carnival date, Mason and Kian paid
a visit to Blake’s apartment for the first time. They were both nervous as they knocked on the door that Tuesday evening and waited for Blake to answer.

  “Do you think he’s going to like it?” Mason whispered, doing his best to suppress his nervousness.

  Kian faced Mason before shrugging uncertainly. “I don’t know. I hope so.”

  “Oh, shit,” Mason hissed under his breath. “What if he hates it? What if he thinks it’s the stupidest idea ever? You know what? Stay right here. I’ll return it to the car.”

  Kian reached out and grabbed Mason’s hand. “Don’t do that. I think it’s going to be fine.”

  Mason narrowed his eyes at Kian. “You don’t sound confident about it.”

  “I’m fucking anxious about Blake’s reaction, okay?” Kian snapped.

  “So am I,” Mason retorted.

  Kian was about to respond when Blake opened the door. “Hey! Come on in.”

  Mason stepped forward without uttering a word and pulled Blake into his arms. He planted his nose right against Blake’s neck and sniffed in the calming omega scent. The tension instantly melted away. He almost growled a warning when he felt another alpha pushing him aside and nosing into the other side of Blake’s neck, but he stopped in the nick of time when he realized it was Kian.

  The three of them remained in the same position for the next few minutes until Mason was calmed enough by Blake’s scent to pull away. Then, he ignored Kian, who was still clutching Blake tightly. Instead, he gave Blake a sheepish smile and offered the omega a bouquet of a dozen champagne-colored roses. He smirked when Blake put the flowers up close to his nose and raised his eyebrows in astonishment.

  “Surprise.”

  “These are chocolates?” Blake asked.

  Mason grinned when he smelled the delighted scent coming off Blake. “Yeah. Dark chocolate with champagne filling.”

  Blake’s eyes widened a little more. “Incredible. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Kian broke away from Blake seconds later and offered the omega a huge gift-wrapped flat box. Blake’s eyes darted back and forth between Mason and Kian.

  “What’s this? It feels heavy.”

  “Open it,” Kian replied while closing the door behind them.

  Mason’s palms grew clammy as he walked next to Kian. The two of them trailed after Blake, who was leading the short distance toward one of the couches in the living room. He ignored the heavenly scent of something cooking in the kitchen. Instead, he observed Blake’s expression closely as the omega tore away the wrapping paper to reveal a plain brown box. Mason could tell Blake was curious about the contents as the omega pulled the lid up. However, Mason’s heart sank when Blake simply stared in silence at the box’s contents.

  “Oh, fuck. You hate it. Blake, I’m sorry,” Mason apologized and reached out to take the gift away.

  He didn’t expect Blake to jump onto him and proceed to kiss him like a starving man. The kiss was uncoordinated. There was too much saliva and teeth involved, but it was the most fantastic kiss he’d ever experienced. He loved Kian, and their kisses always drove him insane with an overwhelming amount of lust, but the one he’d just shared with Blake was a smidgen better. His dick had gone from flaccid to steel-rod hard in two seconds flat.

  He thought his erection couldn’t get any harder, but he was wrong. When Blake pulled away and jumped on Kian to push the other alpha onto the couch before pressing their lips together, he discovered he had an unexplored voyeuristic kink. He enjoyed watching Kian and Blake making out with each other. He groaned deep in his throat when he detected the sweet scent of an aroused omega mixed in with the smell of his and Kian’s musk.

  It was even better when Blake lay flat on the couch and tugged him and Kian closer, so the two of them were on either side of Blake as they kissed one another. Fortunately, the couch was wide enough. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be able to accommodate three men their size. Their tender three-way kiss was so intoxicating, Mason was certain he’d be able to get drunk from it. He whined when Blake moved away from him and Kian. He focused on Blake’s beautiful violet eyes. The color was darker due to the omega’s arousal, but those eyes were still so enchanting.

  Kian smiled at Blake while scratching the back of his head. “So, you like the gift?”

  Blake nodded. “Yes, I do. Thank you, alphas.”

  Mason and Kian moaned almost at the same time. It was the first time Blake had addressed them as “alphas.” Mason loved it, and it made him want to bite Blake’s neck to form a bond with the omega. However, he reminded himself he and Kian had agreed to do a proper courting of their omega. They would go through the ritual until the end, no matter how desperate they felt to claim Blake as theirs.

  Kian beamed at Blake. “You’re welcome.”

  “How did you both manage it?” Blake gestured at the sepia-toned painting, which showed the three of them from behind, walking hand-in-hand. Mason and Kian’s faces were turned toward Blake as they smiled at the laughing omega, whose head was tilted back slightly and looking upward at the clear blue sky. “This painting is so life-like. It’s breathtaking.”

  “It is,” Mason agreed. “Anyway, there was this painter at the carnival. I approached her while you and Kee were busy playing one of the games. Kee’s job was to distract you for as long as possible while I negotiated with the painter. I hired her for the duration of our time there. I wanted her to take as many photographs of the three of us as possible before turning one of them into a painting.”

  Blake gaped. “That’s…I…no one has ever done something so awesome for me. Thank you. Both of you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Mason and Kian responded at the same time.

  “I’ll treasure this gift. It’s a tangible reminder of one of the best dates ever. I remember feeling so safe, surrounded by the scents of my alphas. I was able to have fun and let my guard down because I knew the two of you wouldn’t allow anything or anyone to harm me. There are no words to describe how much I appreciate this painting.”

  “I can smell your contentment and joy, baby,” Kian leaned in closer and whispered into Blake’s left ear. “That’s all I want.”

  Mason mirrored Kian’s movement. “What Kee said, sweetheart.”

  “Now I’m worried about what to get you both.”

  Kian shook his head. “Don’t stress out over it. Mase and I will be overjoyed to receive whatever it is that you come up with. “There’s no pressure at all.”

  Mason nodded his agreement as he inhaled Blake’s scent. “You smell like the most luscious temptation right now. Kee and I are so damn lucky that you’re even willing to give us a chance.”

  “I should be the one thanking you both for dating a freak like—”

  “Don’t fucking finish that sentence,” Kian snarled. “You’re not a freak. You’re an enticing, gorgeous omega. You’re also sweet and kind. Those idiotic alphas are too blind to see anything beyond the surface stuff.”

  Mason leaned in closer to Blake. “I agree with Kee. I don’t ever want to hear you put yourself down in the future. You’re the omega Kee and I are courting. I don’t care that you’re not the typical omega, but that makes you unique.”

  Blake hesitated for a few seconds before nodding at the alphas. “I’ll try my best. I’m still getting used to being wanted as a potential mate. It’s the first time ever for me. I have a hard time wrapping my head around that.”

  Kian beamed at Blake. “We will remind you, babe.”

  Right at that moment, Mason’s stomach rumbled. He blushed in embarrassment as Kian and Blake stared at him in surprise. His neck and cheeks heated up even further when Kian and Blake burst out laughing in amusement. He bit his bottom lip and scratched the back of his head for a moment before he joined in. The seriousness of the previous few minutes dissipated, being replaced by the lighthearted teasing from Kian and Blake as the three of them got off the couch and headed toward the kitchen.

  For the remainder of their da
te, Mason and Kian enjoyed the baked chicken and boiled vegetables that Blake had prepared prior to their arrival. The three of them chatted about their day and relaxed with one another as they sat around the dining table. Mason loved the simplicity of the date. It felt like a preview of what their future together would be like, and he couldn’t wait to have Blake as his other mate. The day couldn’t come soon enough. He made a silent vow to shower Blake and Kian with even more affection in the future, especially after they were all mated. He would add a surprise or two once in a while. Mason just didn’t expect how creative Blake could be when the omega put his mind to it.

  Chapter 7

  Blake smirked at Mason and Kian when he visited the alphas at their house on Friday evening. The three of them were seated around the dining table. He specifically chose the chair across from the two alphas. He wanted to observe their expressions when they opened the gifts he presented to them. They stared at him in confusion when he placed two small bottles in front of them.

  He pointed at one of the bottles and smirked at the alphas. “Open the bottle with the red cap first, but make sure your noses are as close as possible to the bottle.”

  Kian’s eyes narrowed. “What’s in it?”

  Blake chortled at the suspicious expression on Kian’s face. “It’s nothing horrible. I have a very strong feeling you’ll both like it.”

  Mason glanced at him for a few seconds longer before turning toward Kian. “On the count of three?”

  Kian nodded. “Let’s do it together.”

  “Of course. Three.”

  “Two.”

  “One.”

  Blake could tell when the alphas figured out what was inside the bottle. The twin look of amazement on their faces was gratifying. He waited patiently for them to question him. The two alphas were quiet for a while. It was obvious they were trying to come up with the right words, but they were in shock.