Slow Heat

by Leta Blake

  The front door opened before they had a chance to ring the bell. Vale didn’t know what he’d been expecting—possibly a beta servant or even Miner himself—but for Jason to be the one in the doorway took him by surprise. He froze on the front steps, heart thumping against his ribs, and he groaned as he felt a small, hot slip of slick wet his asshole.

  Could Jason smell it? Could Urho? Wolf-god, how humiliating that just the sight of the boy made him respond so helplessly. With luck, he wouldn’t embarrass himself further by making more. One little bit to acknowledge the presence of his alpha and Érosgápe ought to be enough. He begged his body to hold itself in check.

  Jason swallowed hard, the prominent Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing. “Welcome,” he said, his voice gruff with effort. “Come in. My parents are waiting in the living room. We’re happy to have you here.”

  Vale strode forward when Urho gently pushed him. “Thank you.” He moved to unwrap his scarf as he stepped into the warm, luminous foyer of the Sabel house. “We’re grateful for the invitation to visit informally before we sit down with attorneys.”

  Jason looked dizzy as he stared at Vale’s throat and then dragged his eyes up to Vale’s face. “Of course. The Feast of Alpha’s Blessings is to thank wolf-god for all the wonderful things he’s bestowed on us.” He smiled shyly and took Vale’s coat and scarf. “Finding one’s Érosgápe is usually considered a wonderful thing. Something to be grateful for.”

  “It is.”

  Vale’s stomach tumbled at the darling way Jason ducked his head to surreptitiously sniff Vale’s scarf before hanging it on the rack by the door. Then Jason hung Vale’s coat gracefully and with the same reverence a priest shows a saint’s relic. Vale’s lips twitched with a small smile. At least he wasn’t the only helpless one here tonight.

  Vale introduced Urho, Rosen, and Yosef as Jason took more jackets and scarves, hanging them with less care but still neatly. He smiled warmly at everyone but Urho, whom he met with an expression that more closely resembled a show of bared teeth. Vale had to admit there was something charming about the effort, though. It was more than he might have done had Jason shown up on his doorstep with an ex-lover in tow, expecting him to grin and bear it.

  He frowned. What was he thinking? Of course he’d handle it well. He barely knew this boy. He hoped for Jason’s sake he’d had a lover or two, or whatever omega he contracted with would be stuck teaching him everything. And who the hell wanted to do that? Yet the idea that Jason had been with someone else pricked inside him.

  If he opts for a surrogate, which he rightly should, then he’ll be with someone else forever. Make peace with it now.

  “Have you helped everyone out of their coats, love?” Miner Hoff said from the doorway of what appeared to be a well-appointed living room. He stepped into the hallway wearing a plaid suit of autumnal colors and carrying a tumbler of amber liquid and ice. He was tall, almost as tall as Jason, and thin.

  “Yes, I have,” Jason said, his eyes gobbling Vale up and his breath coming in sharply. Vale wondered what he saw—whatever it was, he seemed to like it. “And we were just on our way to join you in the living room now.”

  Miner stepped forward and shook Vale’s hand warmly. He noticed Miner didn’t seem to follow the recent bonded omega fashion of wearing a circle pin on his collar. In his experience, eschewing the trappings of submission denoted a more independent mind. And just like that, and definitely against his will, a kernel of hope rooted into his heart.

  “Vale, hello.” Miner smiled warmly. “I’m happy you came and even happier that your friends came along with you. We look forward to getting to know all of you.”

  Maybe Jason’s parents weren’t going to push for a surrogate after all? It seemed an unlikely, even costly, choice, but how else could he explain the warmth in Miner’s eyes and his sincere reassurance?

  “Come along, we’ll complete the introductions in the living room with Yule. He’s eager to meet you, too.” This last bit sounded less honest, and Vale’s nerves tightened again.

  But as if he sensed that Vale needed him, Jason stepped nearer, not touching, just closer.

  He said, softly, “They really are happy you’re here. Both of them.” He grinned, and Vale’s heart, for lack of a better description, squished. He marveled at his own ridiculous reaction to seeing a set of teeth. “And I’m very glad you’re here, too,” Jason went on. “You look amazing.”

  Vale despaired as that vicious kernel of hope grew green shoots. Wolf-god, his bumbling-but-adorable baby alpha was simply too delicious for words.

  “So do you.”

  Jason’s eyes went wide and he sputtered, losing his cool completely.

  Vale laughed. “Oh, my. I forgot how lovely you are and how young.”

  “I’m old enough for you. Don’t worry about that anymore.”

  Vale tilted his head. There’d been a command in that tone, something he felt in his gut and knees, something that made him quiver inside. “Well, well,” he murmured, fascinated, but that was all he had time to say because they entered the living room and everyone fell silent.

  Yule Sabel stood by the fireplace, his arms crossed behind his back and chest puffed up like the king of the castle. Which, Vale supposed, in a way, he was. Vale almost expected the man to lift his chin and say, “You may kneel before me.”

  Instead, Yule gave them all a good once over, relaxed his arms, and broke into a gorgeous smile. It was Jason’s bright grin on a different face.

  “Welcome,” Yule said, striding forward with his hand outstretched. He took hold of Vale’s hand and shook it soundly. “It’s good that you’re all here. Can I get anyone a drink?”

  “Wolf-god, yes.” Rosen swept his long hair back from his shoulders and shot Yosef an amused smile. “I’ll have a lot of whatever you’ve got.”

  Miner laughed and Yule followed suit. Jason scooted closer to Vale, taking deep breaths, clearly scenting him, though trying to be delicate about it. Vale’s stomach did another tumble and another embarrassing slide of slick wet his asshole. He shifted, and Jason let out of soft gasp. Vale’s neck burned hot.

  “Yes! Let’s drown this tension in liquor, why don’t we?” Yule said, grinning. “Everyone will feel more at ease after a drink or two. Not you, Jason.”

  Jason flinched at being singled out as too young or too out of control for alcohol. Vale sympathized with him. It wasn’t fair to the poor kid that their ages were so different, that they couldn’t just contract quickly and neatly, and put their bodily urges to rest.

  “Alcohol negates the effects alpha quell,” Vale whispered.

  Jason nodded, but he didn’t meet Vale’s gaze.

  “Introductions first.” Miner sipped at his own plentiful glass, obviously nervous despite his warm greeting.

  “Of course,” Yule said as he moved toward the bar and the rows of sparkling crystal glasses and liquor decanters.

  “You’ve met Jason. I’m Miner Hoff, his pater. Please, all of you, call me by my first name.”

  “Yule Sabel,” the king of the manor said, turning his gaze to Vale again. “Yule is fine. And who all have we here?”

  “Feel free to call me Vale, of course.” He hated that his heart fluttered anxiously. He was a grown man. He had commanded classrooms of young alphas less than a week ago. He could deal with meeting the parents. “Yosef Deckel is my attorney.” He touched Yosef’s sleeve. “Rosen Mann is my friend, and Urho Chase is—”

  “Your muscle?” Yule said, a sparkle of amusement in his eye.

  Vale wondered if he’d somehow been overheard on the front walk. The windows had been closed, he’d thought, but perhaps not. “Urho is a friend. A clearheaded friend with my best interests at heart.”

  “I see.” Yule’s voice made it clear that everyone saw exactly what Urho had been to Vale.

  Staring at the wall across the room with a clenched jaw, Jason held very still, as though trying to ignore a strong, unwanted urge. Abruptly, he crossed the room
to the window and opened it slightly, letting in some fresh air. No one rebuked him.

  Vale was relieved when Rosen put out his hand to Miner and said, “I’m Rosen.”

  Similar statements were issued by Yosef and Urho, hands were shaken all around, and the introductions, awkward and quick as they’d been, were done.

  Everyone but Jason gathered around the bar, making requests and accepting drinks. The liquor was potent and high quality, burning nicely as it slid down Vale’s throat.

  He hoped alcohol-induced loose-limbed relaxation would kick in soon. He didn’t know which way to turn. Toward Jason standing by the window with eyes only for him? Toward Jason’s parents who mingled with his friends kindly? Or toward the restroom where he could deal with the annoying seepage of slick that refused to entirely stop?

  The question was resolved for him when Miner sidled over with a refreshed drink and an eye on his son. “How have you been this week?” Miner guided Vale toward a set of chairs by the bar, but neither of them sat.

  “Bored mainly,” Vale answered honestly. “I’m accustomed to full days. I need to find a new, suitable schedule for myself. I lazed about quite a lot, I’m afraid.”

  “Rightly so. You’ve had a lot to think about, I’m sure. There’s so much to consider.”

  “Yes, so many unknowns. Like what will become of my properties, my retirement accounts, and the inheritance from my parents.”

  Miner paled slightly, his eyes glowing with empathy. “I can only imagine the worry this is causing you. I promise we won’t pressure you to make a quick contract.”

  “Now, now, you’re getting dangerously close to negotiation talk,” Yule interrupted with a soft smile for Miner. “Let’s just get to know each other tonight, shall we? We don’t want to get off on a stressful foot.”

  Vale didn’t know how Yule couldn’t see that all the sharp-toothed uncertainties swimming around them were what made everything so tense. If Vale had some sense of whether he was going to be able to continue his life mostly unmolested, he’d be happier. Or at least less worried. It was always better to know than to be left wondering.

  “Jason,” Yule called out, moving across the room toward his son who still stood by the window. “Have a glass of water.” He pressed it into his son’s hand and watched as Jason sipped it. Vale noted the gentle way Yule slid an arm around Jason’s shoulders and whispered something into his ear, making Jason’s cheeks flush as he nodded with a grateful smile.

  “I see where Jason got his looks,” Vale said to Miner. “With your height and build and Yule’s blond hair and blue eyes, you’ve made quite a handsome son.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” Miner said with a proud gaze across the room to where Yule and Jason talked quietly. “He’s a smart young man as well.”

  “I’m sure he is.”

  “He loves science especially. All types, but he’s majoring in biology.” Miner turned to Vale. “What about you? What did you study?”

  Vale almost laughed at the question. He knew Miner and Yule were both entirely aware of his education and employment history. A private investigator would have supplied them with most of the facts of his life by now. But small talk was small talk, and there was no way around it. “I studied Literature, and took a Creative Writing minor with a focus on poetry.”

  “I see. What drew you to poetry?”

  Vale sensed Jason was moving closer.

  “I’m not sure. I’ve always been interested in it, since I was a small child.”

  Jason came to stand behind the bar, sipping his water, and listening with a greedy expression, like Vale’s words were sex and chocolate rolled into one. He turned slightly to allow Jason to feel part of the conversation.

  “Did your pater or father read poetry to you then?” Miner asked.

  “No, but when I was old enough I used to read my father’s poetry books. I was six the first time I tried my own hand at iambic and trochaic.”

  “Were they any good?” Jason spoke quietly. Vale heard an echo of his adamant statement that the poem Vale had won the bookmark ribbon for must have been good.

  “For a child? Perhaps. But they were, in fact, terrible of course. I believe my first poem was called ‘The Teddy Bear’s Tea Party’. The milk spilled and the stuffed animals mourned. It was quite dramatic.”

  Jason’s smile was sun-bright and Vale’s heart clenched, desperate for more of it. He cleared his throat and looked away, an unexpected shyness gripping him.

  “That’s adorable,” Miner offered. “Jason was much more into bugs and spiders as a child. Tea parties with stuffed animals was more my idea of fun, but he always had me down in the dirt.”

  Vale caught Jason’s eye, remembering the photos of him as a child—robust, healthy. He could imagine the boy he’d once been wearing short pants and rolling in the grass, laughing. It was a beautiful image.

  “Do you still write?” Miner asked.

  Vale couldn’t help the scoff that broke through.

  Miner laughed. “All right, I admit to knowing the answer to that.”

  “Your poems are amazing,” Jason said and then hastily swallowed a giant gulp of water, his cheeks pinking and his eyes darting down to the floor.

  “You read them?” Vale’s guts twisted up. He knew his scent had changed because Jason’s nostrils flared slightly with alarm.

  “I, uh…” Jason gaped.

  Miner took up the slack for his undone son. “I read through one of your books and allowed Jason to see the ones that were suitable for this stage of events.” He tapped his glass against Vale’s own in a small toast. “You have quite a way with words. Your work was very beautiful.”

  Jason frowned, as though disappointed he’d been shown up by his pater. “Beautiful,” he murmured. “I agree. Powerful, too. And smart.”

  “Thank you.”

  Jason looked as if he might melt into the floor. The power Vale had over him was intoxicating, and Vale’s pulse picked up in excitement.

  Miner went on, “I admire that you’ve done so much with your life. A respected professor of alphas and an accomplished poet, no less.” He threw back the last of his drink and sat it down on the bar, motioning for Jason to make him another. “It would be fair to say I envy you.”

  “But you have so much here to be proud of…” Vale looked to Jason, who was listening with an air of astonishment. He remembered the age well. It was strange coming to know your parents were human, with dreams fulfilled and dashed, with foibles and resentments. It’d been his first loss to know his own weren’t the perfect creatures he’d imagined. And then he’d lost them both entirely.

  “I do. Of course I do.” Miner waved an elegant hand. “But I always wanted to be a musician, myself. When I was young, I dreamed of playing with the symphony here in the city. But my Pater-in-Law would have none of it.” His smile went brittle.

  “I didn’t know that,” Jason said, a frown creasing his brow. “Grandpater Derak wasn’t very nice to you, was he?”

  Miner shrugged. “It’s all in the past now. I settled for composing and teaching Jason to play.” He gazed at Jason fondly. “He’s not gifted, but talent can’t replace hard work. That’s something Jason has never been afraid of. He’s more than passable on the guitar and not terrible on the piano.”

  Jason laughed, blue eyes sparkling. “And believe me, that’s high praise from him. He’s usually less generous. I’m working at getting better, though.” The words for you were somehow implied, and Vale felt them like warm fingers pressed over his heart.

  “I look forward to hearing you play.”

  Jason smiled again and Vale nearly swooned from his white teeth glittering in the soft light.

  “What about your family?” Miner asked. “Where do your people live?”

  Another question he surely already knew the answer to, but it was fair to assume Miner wanted to hear Vale’s take on the events himself.

  “Father and Pater are both deceased. There was an accident. I didn�
��t have any other family.”

  “They were Érosgápe or…?”

  Contracted alpha-omega relationships were legally every bit as valid, but culturally they were still looked down on as less-than. Vale straightened up, sipping his drink before answering, “Érosgápe. Though I was born quite late.”

  Miner nodded, already aware.

  “You were?” Jason asked. “Why’s that?”

  Vale swirled his liquor around in his glass, schooling his features to thoughtfulness, ignoring what he knew about Miner’s problems with conception and carrying to term. “They didn’t find each other until they were both in their thirties. It seems my family line is full of late bloomers.” He took a long swallow and grimaced at the burn. “So perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised by our situation.”

  “Your parents didn’t contract with someone in their youth?” This was from Yule who’d turned from his conversation with Urho, Yosef, and Rosen to listen to Vale.

  “No. They were both romantics. They believed their match was out there, and it turned out they were right.”

  “Amazing. That’s quite the risk to take,” Yule said.

  “Maybe, but there’s always the risk of finding your match after you’ve contracted with someone else, and that’s its own kind of hell, from what I understand.”

  “Oh, indeed.” Yule’s eyes went wide.

  “Going it alone is brave,” Miner said. “Believing in destiny even braver.”

  “Speaking of a special kind of hell, your pater must have been a madman,” Yule said. “Enduring heats without an alpha as he must have done before finding your father is a very bold choice.”

  Vale lifted his brow, and Miner grew pale. “Oh, I doubt he endured heats without an alpha. I’d wager he did what any sensible omega would do and found someone to help him.”

  Jason let out a soft noise, almost like a growl, but when Vale gazed his way, he went silent; the only indication he was unhappy was a flush up his pale neck.