Page 2 of Such a Feisty Omega

Peaches whirled on me and planted her hands on her ample hips. “Do you think I’m unable to complete my tasks alone?” One of her eyebrows was cocked and her lips pursed. “Is there a competency issue I should be aware of?”

“No.” I snorted and shook my head. Peaches was one of the most capable nurses I knew. Every nurse and healer at the hospital where I worked was dedicated and smart as a whip. Not only that, but they sincerely cared about the patients and wanted health for them, not just sickness care.

Peaches had also been a NICU nurse for ten years longer than me. She taught me things almost every day that made me a better caregiver. I just wanted to make her day easier if I could.

“Go home, Julian. Run yourself a bath. Eat something delicious. Go on a date.”

That last one stung. She didn’t mean for it to. Peaches was one of the few humans on staff here. She also knew we had mates. She read a lot of shifter romance novels, even on her lunch break. “I wish I could. I work and then go home, rinse and repeat.”

“Maybe you should do something about that.” She put her hand over mine. “You deserve someone amazing.”

“Don’t get sappy,” I said as one of the incubator alarms went off.

Rushing to take care of the issue, she called over her shoulder, “Get on one of those apps and find yourself a mate.”

I packed up my things and stopped by the break room to get my lunch bag and jacket out of my locker but, once I arrived at my car, I hesitated. Going home meant facing my wishes for more. Sure, I loved my life, but I wanted a mate. Not just any oneeither; I wanted my fated. It made my stomach turn to think of the what-ifs, but they flowed through my mind anyway.

What if my mate has passed on already?

What if they live on the other side of the world?

What if they already have a chosen mate?

What if I’ve encountered them already and we missed the chance Fate gave us?

I got into my car and started up some loud music hoping the blaring tunes would push away the negative thoughts.

My dads were an age-gap couple, so I knew that Fate took a while sometimes.

I called for Thai food delivery and by the time I got to my apartment, the delivery guy was coming down the stairs, my dinner in a white paper bag by the door.

I kicked my shoes from my aching feet as soon as I stepped inside. I could afford a bigger or fancier place, but having a nest egg, ample savings I could count on, gave me peace of mind. Plus, a smaller place was easier to clean.

I went through my nightly routine, even though it was early morning. Shower. Put clothes into the hamper. Set up my dinner and eat in front of the TV. I considered a mating app but decided in the end that I wanted to meet my mate the old-fashioned way. Have him bump into me on the street. Laugh over a coffee order mix-up. See him with a family member in the labor and delivery unit. At this point, I would take any quirky scenario Fate chose to throw at me as long as I found my mate soon.

Chapter Three

Andreas

A year into our relationship, my ex told me he found impact play repugnant. Quite a switch from his sweet enthusiasm of the first few months. I gave up participating in any form of kink when he rejected participation. We were not fated mates, but at first, we’d had a lot of fun together, in and out of the bedroom, and we’d made a commitment to one another that I intended to honor. Some couples could separate kink from their actual relationship, but I had never felt comfortable with that. As a single, fine, do what you want with anyone, but I couldn’t be comfortable in the intimacy of my kink while someone else held my heart and loyalty.

It was not cheating for anyone in a partnership that allowed for it or whose comfort level was not breached. I judged nobody for their choices. But I had to make mine. Even when he said go ahead, I didn’t. He found what I did—something we’d shared many times—disgusting?

It was a hard pill to swallow, but I forced it down for the duration of our time together and for a while afterward as well. As a new father with a full-time job, there simply wasn’t time.

I sold my construction company to buy into Cuffed, hoping it would be a good thing both for me and for my family. Reed would be asleep most of the time when I was at work, and other than his few hours of preschool in the mornings, we could be together. He was growing like a weed, and I didn’t want to miss a moment of it.

I did have a bit of sleep deprivation but worth it.

And while I had enjoyed being a contractor, owning a share of Cuffed was like being paid to do what I would have been doing in my spare time anyway. Not long after I joined, I overheardsome members talking about an upcoming expansion. My ears pricked up, and I edged my way into the conversation.

“Did I hear you mention an expansion?”

“Yeah.” I didn’t know the two omegas who were speaking, but as an established dom and alpha, I could count on a polite response. “It’s exciting, isn’t it?”

“Very.” I looked around the crowded space. “Looks needed.”

“I know, right?” the other omega agreed. They were both littles if I wasn’t mistaken, but currently big—meaning, not in little head space. “I hope they have a giant toy room.” Yep, little for sure.

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