Page 44 of Alpha's Sunflower Smiles

“I see.”

The problem was that I couldn’t get a handle on Papa. We’d just never had the sort of relationship where I could read him very well. I wasn’t sure whether that ‘I see’ was just plain fact or whether it was some form of judgement.

I cleared my throat. Might as well go for broke.

“I’m moving in with Wilfred.”

That statement fell like a stone and I waited for Papa’s reaction.

“That’s also fast.”

“Yes.”

“As long as you know what you’re doing. Wilfred seems like a decent man and I assume he makes you happy?”

“Yes, he does. He’s-he’s kind.”

“I know.”

Silence built between us for a moment until Papa stood.

“I can see you’re not going to talk to me about him.”

Automatically, I stood as well. “Wait, Papa, that’s not— I didn’t know youwantedme to talk to you about him.”

My omega father had quite a stare, and I sweated under his gaze. Finally, he lowered himself into his seat again and folded his hands in his lap. He waited.

I sat again, shaking a bit and not sure what to say.

We looked blankly at each other.

“What do you want to know?”

Papa sighed. It seemed I’d messed that up already.

Just as I was really starting to feel my intestines twist together, the door to my office opened again and Wilfred’s head popped round it.

“Is now a good time?”

“Yes!” I stood, going straight over to my man and sliding my arm around his waist. The feel of him grounded me and made me feel more sure of myself.

I would bet that Wilfred had been peering through his shop window at us and had come over to help when he saw Papa about to leave.

He smiled at Papa. “I saw you were visiting and I wondered if you’d like to pop across to the shop when you’re done? I’ve got some herbal tea I think you’ll like.”

To my surprise, Papa actually smiled back at Wilfred. “Yes, that would be lovely. I think we were done here, anyway. Pete’s never been very good at talking.”

I hadn’t?

“He’s getting much better at it,” said Wilfred valiantly. Just when I thought he was defending me, it turned out I was wrong. He added, “He doesn’t want to upset you by saying the wrong thing.”

Both men turned towards me expectantly and I began to panic. Wilfred subtly pressed himself into my side and my arm tightened around him.

“Yes, I, um, didn’t think you’d like the fact that I’m not attracted to omegas.”

Papa’s eyebrows rose. “You’re not attracted to omegas at all?”

“No, Papa.”

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