Page 3 of Suddenly His Alpha

Lovely. I’ll hear nothing but his complaints all night. “Fun.”

“Don’t snap at me. You got yourself into this predicament and you know it.” His papa let out a long sigh before scanning his small bedroom. “Bardon will meet you in the entry hall at precisely seven.Seven. Don’t be late. Or he might just end up leaving you there alone.”

Promise?He made a mental note to show up as late as possible in hopes he could avoid his babysitter. “Of course. I’ll be therepreciselyat seven.” He crossed two fingers behind his back and forced a smile to his face.

His papa spun slightly, still eyeing his bedroom. “This place is smaller than I imagined. Not much larger than a cell.”

“Yes, but it has a window and a door—both of which open. It’s all I need.”

His papa continued to stare at the small space. “One would think you’d want more out of life… yet you want to remainhere.”

Here, I’m free.

But then again… am I?

* * * *

Two nights later…

Beckett Montgomery stood in the doorway of the Omega Ball, his younger brother, Titian, at his side. He scanned the interior of the ballroom, and his stomach clenched. It was all decked out with gaudy decorations and music played too loudly. Some of the eligible omegas in the room turned and moved closer, their stares hungrily eating him alive as soon as they took note.

What in the hell am I doing here?

“Isn’t it lovely?” Titian murmured, smiling widely. “It almost makes me sad that I’ve already found my mate. I loved attending the parties and mixing with my friends. I miss thissomuch.”

Beckett had never attended a ball, but his papa had been nagging him more and more to attend. At nearly twenty-eight, he was apparently closing in on the age of no return. Or so his parents seemed to think. He was in no rush to be mated, but perhaps after tonight they’d stop nagging him for a while. “Why don’t you go ahead and mix. You don’t need me getting in the way.”

Titian’s head tilted his way, one sharp brow rising. “What? So you can disappear? I don’tthinkso.”

Beckett rolled his eyes and wished he was at home. His cat was likely lonely, curled up in the spot where he usually read at night. That was where he wanted to be, sipping on a nice red and reading his novel. Instead, he let Titian drag him deeper into the room and stood idly by as he was introduced to a bevy of curious omegas. His brother stared at him, hope lingering—but that faded as it was obvious none of the omegas in that circle caught his attention.

After a few minutes, Titian dragged him to another cluster and started the round of introductions all over again. Barely listening, he pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and let out a bored sigh. His stare drifted off to a darkened corner of the room. There sat a man looking as if he was hiding from everyone. A smile played over his lips ashewished he could be the one hiding in the shadows. A faint tremor raced up his spine. He shook it off and heard a question, pulling his focus.

“So, what is it you do, Beckett?”

Beckett’s gaze lowered to the omega who’d spoken.What was his name?Tim, Tam, or something like that. “I run a non-profit organization based here in the province. We mainly focus on housing issues for low-income families and building starter homes for those in need, particularly those with omega-based heads of household in the OQ—although my current project is focused on some housing in the Beta Quadrant.”

“Non-profit? So little to no income, is what you’re trying to say?” Tim or Tam or whatever his name was asked.

Beckett paused, struck by the question. He’d been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but unlike most other wealthy alphas he knew, he didn’t enjoy amassing a collection of things nor did he want to join in the company business. Luckily, his elder alpha brother took care of that role in the family, and even Titian had married well, bringing his mate into the company.

After getting his current position, Beckett had moved into a small flat in the AQ, where he lived as frugally as possible, making his way on his own. He earned a decent salary. His organization needed as much of the donated funds they raised to go to those in their programs as possible, so he only took what he needed. “I live well enough.”

The omegas in the group slowly began to wander off, unimpressed, it seemed.

“He’s getting a sizable trust once he mates,” Titian added quickly.

A few of the omegas turned back with interest. Not that it mattered. Beckett knew none of them were his.

“A trust I plan to donate most of to the organization.” He’d keep enough in savings to ensure he and his mate would be okay for the rest of their days, but he didn’t need much more than that. He had a small home, his cat, his books, and a passion for helping others. What more did he need?

The omegas again turned, leaving him and his brother in their wake.

Titian spun to Beckett, fire burning in the depths of his eyes. “Whatare you doing? Are you purposefully trying to make them run from you?”

If an omega was only interested in getting close to him if he had money, then that wasn’t an omega he was interested in knowing. He pushed his glasses up his nose. “What does it matter? None of them werehim.”

“But if words gets out and omegas shun you… you might never findhim.”

---