Page 33 of The Sad Omega

“Interesting. An incomplete mating,” mused Talius. “Mated pairs normally have a mind connection as well, but you and Zarbius don’t.”

Then I remembered something.

“I didn’t want to mate with Zarbius,” I said, “I already knew what he was like. I refused to bite him back when he mated me. Could that have done this? I didn’t know we were supposed to have this mind thing happening.”

“Maybe. I’ve never heard of this happening before. But it’s good news, because maybe Zarbius won’t find out you’re alive. Your old pack has gone. Moved out. But even if he left you for dead, I’m sure he’d be incensed if he found out you were with another alpha. He seems like that sort.”

I must have looked frightened then, but it wasn’t because I was afraid of Zarbius, which, if I’d had any sense I would be, but this close to Talius’ strong alpha body, I was finding it hard to worry about anything. But there was one thing that did bother me - that Talius might send me away to avoid unnecessary trouble with Zarbius. A fight between alphas was invariably bloody and disastrous for the pack.

Maybe I actually voiced that last thought, because Talius fixed me with a stern look. He seemed to grow taller and become more dominant. In a dark voice he told me, “You are ours now. Even if that means fighting Zarbius.”

The submissive side of me responded happily to his deep, growly voice. I threw myself against his chest and his arms came around me. “I’m happy to be yours,” I murmured meekly.

Chapter 14

IRIAN

“I don’t understand how this will work,” Isca said plaintively, as we sat cross-legged on the big bed.

“It’s simple,” I told him. “It’ll be like he has two of me, except one of me is you, and of course, you’ll be you, not me, so that’s... yes, confusing. Mmm, I don’t think I explained that very well, did I?”

He shook his head, rolling his eyes.

“What I mean is, Talius will treat us both the same, in all ways. He’ll have two mates,” I tried again. “Though technically he can’t claim you, even if you wanted him to.”

I leaned towards him and traced the silvery mating scar at the base of his neck, making him shudder. “It’s a pity though,” I said softly. “I’m sure he wants to.”

“I’ve never heard of an alpha having two mates before,” he said, chewing on his lower lip.

“You do want him, though, don’t you?” I asked anxiously. I was so excited to have Isca join us, I was terrified he might change his mind about staying.

“Yes, I do. How could I not?” He laughed at me. “Just... like I said, I’ve never heard of an alpha having two actual mates.”

I shrugged. “Talius can handle it. He’s amazing. You’ll see. He’s got a big heart, and he has plenty of, ah, stamina.”

Isca blushed. So cute. I reached out and ran a finger gently down his cheek.

“He’ll be gentle with you. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t you mind? Won’t you be jealous?” Isca frowned, worry lines creasing his face.

I laughed. “Are you kidding? I'd love it! I mean, if it was someone else, yeah, I would be. But not with you,” I told him softly. “With you it’s different. I feel like you’re meant to be with us.”

“You’re not just going along with this because Talius wants it?” he asked very quietly, biting his lip again, eyes cast down.

My heart squeezed. Poor Isca. He couldn’t see how much we both wanted him. His past experiences hadn’t let him believe he had any value beyond that of a sex object. That was a difficult belief to let go of.

I caught his chin with my forefinger and leaned forward brushing a soft kiss on his lips.

“I want you here too,” I told him. “I feel like it’s meant to be the three of us. I think I love you.”

“And besides,” I scoffed, “I never just ‘go along’ with what Talius wants.”

Chapter 15

TALIUS

It was two weeks later that Irian met me at the door in the evening, his pretty face wrinkled with worry. I didn’t have to ask what the problem was. As soon as I entered, I detected the unmistakable scent of a heat. I knew it wasn’t Irian – his next heat wasn’t due for another month and even if something had triggered a forced heat, he wouldn’t have been worried about it, knowing I would take care of it.

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