Page 9 of The Sad Omega

"We can pick some up on our way out. Wait 'til you taste the bagels. They make them here too."

Right about then, the server brought our bagels and drinks and for a while we were silent except for the crunching of the crisp shell of the bagels and our soft moans of appreciation.

Isca smiled happily at me, rolling his eyes in an exaggerated response to the fabulous bagels. I grinned back at him, feeling pleased that I was partly responsible for his good mood.

We were only part-way through our lunch when the bell chimed again, as it had numerous times already, but this time the high-pitched tinkle made me smile. A moment later a dark shadow loomed over us. Isca physically jumped, but I had scented Talius the instant he walked in the door.

“Thought I might find you two here,” my mate grinned at us. “This is Irian’s favorite place.”

Talius held out a hand to Isca.

“I’m Talius. You must be Isca, right?”

Isca had shrunk into a very submissive posture, slumped in his seat, shoulders down, eyes barely meeting Talius’.

“Yes, sir,” he said, tentatively putting his hand in Talius’ larger one. It was obvious the omega was uncomfortable in the presence of an alpha, and Talius softened his voice.

“It’s nice to meet you, Isca. Irian’s spoken about you a lot,” he said gently. “And no need to call me ‘sir’. Talius will do just fine.”

The little omega nodded but wasn’t brave enough to call Talius by his name.

"What are you guys eating?" Talius peered hopefully at my plate.

"The usual," I told him, holding the bagel up to him. "Have a bite."

A large morsel disappeared from my bagel with a loud crunch and a couple of moans that straightaway had me thinking sexy thoughts. He was my alpha, after all, so no shame in that.

Talius wiped a crumb from his lips.

“Delicious! Well, I won’t disturb you two any longer. I was on my way to the post office and I saw you in here and wanted to introduce myself. You’re welcome to visit out at the farm anytime, Isca.”

“Thank you, sir.” Isca kept his head down, eyes averted.

Talius shot me an enquiry through our mind-bond. I shrugged. Maybe he could see now why I was so worried about my timid new friend.

Talius bent down and kissed me. “See you tonight, gorgeous.”

I blushed. “ ’Later.”

I didn't miss the glint of luminous brown eyes through long lashes watching our interchange.

When he had gone, Isca looked at me, eyes wide. “He's your alpha?”

I nodded.

He let out a long sigh. “Lucky you,” he said softly.

It was then that I noticed the faint flush on his cheeks, and it occurred to me that my friend found my mate attractive. Of course, he did. Talius was a very sexy man and the kindest soul that ever lived. Who wouldn’t find him attractive?

Chapter 03

ISCA

When Irian and I met up on Tuesday for the weekly shopping that we now regularly did together, he looked different. He didn’t just look different, he was also behaving kinda different. He was hyper, bouncing on his toes, and wouldn’t stop moving. He was flushed too, his cheeks a distinct pink colour, his eyes bright and shining. I wondered if he was on something.

After watching him literally dance from aisle to aisle, I finally pulled on his arm to settle him down.

“What’s with you today? You can’t seem to stop moving!”

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