Page 9 of Suddenly His Alpha

Tulla shook his head. “My brother was supposed to accompany me, but I was late and I think he left.”

The betatskedloudly. “Arrangements will need to be made. I need a contact number for those responsible for you.”

Tulla spat his papa’s name and phone number robotically, the shift from the need he’d just been immersed in to the cold-water sensation making him numb. He rubbed his arms, seeking warmth.

“I’ll be right back,” the beta said as he left the room, pressing numbers on his phone screen.

The door closed with a click, and he jumped slightly from the hollow sound of it. He then heard a lock engaged. Again, he was locked away, imprisoned for his own protection.

The room was quiet.Tooquiet. All he could hear was the hum from the bulbs above him… and the beating of his own heart in his ears.

And then he heard a deep murmur through the wall.

It was Beckett. Heknewit was. He rose on shaking legs and moved closer. More of the deep baritone sounded, and he pressed a hand to the wall, longing to be back with his alpha. An ache formed in his chest, the need making it hard to breathe.

“Beckett,” he cried at the wall.

Silence. Maybe he’d been wrong.

“Tulla?” came Beckett’s voice, nearer now.

“I’m afraid,” Tulla said. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Don’t be afraid,” Beckett said, and Tulla imagined him placing his hand on the wall. Near where his own was. “Soon, Tulla. Soon you’ll be mine.”

Mine.Tulla shivered all over at that declaration, knowing he wanted nothing more than to be Beckett’s. To be in his arms. Bonded by flesh.

Filled with his child.

Tulla frowned. Earlier, he’d rebelled at that thought. Had since he was young, if he was honest. Now, the instinct had claimed him… and how his papa had been right. He hated admitting it… but Papa had known.

His heart ached with a longing for his alpha… and damned if it didn’t feel a little like love.

Chemistry, he chided himself, trying to force some logic into his heart and mind.A chemical reaction.

But damn if chemistry hadn’t shattered him, mind, body, and soul.

* * * *

“Get away from the wall,” Titian spat.

Beckett scrubbed a hand over his face. His body still rocked with need. He struggled to come down off his high—especially knowing one thin wall was the only thing separating him and his omega. One fist. One well-placed fist, and he’d have Tulla in his arms.

He wasn’t a violent man. Never had been, he avoided fights, but right now he wanted to smash the godsdamned wall down and take his omega back into his arms. Beckett paced along the wall, trying to calm himself.

“Beckett! You’re making a fool of yourself.”

He whipped his head to the side and glared at his younger brother. “When I got here, all you wanted was for me to find my omega. Now I have, and you’re angry.”

“Why did it have to be Amantulla Berringer?”

“I know the two of you always seemed to be in some competition of sorts, but that wasyearsago. You’re no longer children. Act like it.”

Titian glared. “He’snotfrom a good family.”

“If I recall correctly, his parents are at our own parent’s home tonight, a member of their party.”

“Tulla’s father works for our father. It’s a pity invitation, at best.”

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