Page 10 of Omega's Fire

I feel another pull beneath my ribs, stronger this time and unmistakable. Leo clearly feels it too. The dilation of his pupils proves he does as does the flush that is growing on his beautiful face, even if he’s clearly fighting it with everything he has.

Damn, he’s something else. That fire, that absolute conviction. I’ve never seen anyone resist a prime match pull with such determination. It’s impressive. And, if I’m being honest, kind of hot.

“Your rights aren’t being violated,” I say calmly, folding my hands on the table. “The Bureau offers extensive support. This is hardly a prison sentence, Mr. Torres.”

Leo laughs, the sound brittle and sharp. “Of course you’d say that. You’re not the one being forced into this.”

Before I can respond, Sun intervenes. “Perhaps we could return to the purpose of this meeting. The Bureau requires formal acknowledgment of the match notification and discussion of next steps.”

Leo crosses his arms. I watch the movement fascinated. He moves with incredible fluidity and grace. “I filed a preliminary challenge this morning.”

“Which will be reviewed,” Sun assures him, in a tone thatsuggests such reviews are rarely favorable. “In the meantime, protocol requires—”

“I’m not interested in your protocol,” Leo says flatly. “I am here to notify you of the challenge and because not turning up today would mean that challenge would be harder to contest.”

I watch the muscle working in Leo’s jaw, the tight line of his shoulders. Everything about him radiates defiance, but there’s something else too. I can almost feel his body vibrating with awareness of me. It matches the one humming through my own body.

“You feel it,” I say quietly. “The bond. There’s no point denying it.”

Leo’s eyes flash. “Don’t patronize me.”

“I’m stating fact.” I lean forward slightly. “You’re having a neurochemical response. Your heart rate elevated the moment you walked in. Your pupils dilated. Your scent intensified.”

“That’s called anger, Dr. Thorndike,” Leo says, but a flush creeps up his neck, betraying him.

“No,” I disagree mildly. “What you’re experiencing right now is recognition at the cellular level. Your body is responding to mine, just as mine is responding to yours.”

Leo’s hands clench into fists at his sides. “Are you suggesting I have no choice? I don’t consent to this.”

“Not at all,” I say, my voice dropping lower. “I’m suggesting that you’re fighting against something that doesn’t need to be fought.”

Leo takes another step forward, his anger drawing him closer despite his obvious intention to maintain distance. He can’t help it. He’s feeling the same pull that I am. The air between us seems to thicken further. I’m acutely aware of every minute shift in Leo’s posture, every flicker of expression that crosses his face.

He slams his paperwork down onto the table like a challenge.

“You don’t have to like me,” I say finally, my voice softer thanI intended. “But we are meant to be together.”

“You’re so certain,” Leo says, and for a moment, something almost vulnerable flashes across his face. “Has it ever occurred to you that you might be wrong?”

“I follow the evidence,” I reply simply. “And the evidence for prime match compatibility is overwhelming.”

“So is the evidence for its abuse,” Leo counters.

Sun intervenes again. If he is exasperated, he doesn’t show it. I suppose he is used to show downs in this room. “Gentlemen, please. We need to address the procedural requirements. Mr. Torres, your challenge has been filed and will be reviewed, but in the interim, the match stands.”

Leo turns to the liaison, his expression hardening. “And if I refuse?”

Sun shifts uncomfortably. “You know there are—”

“Punishments,” Leo interrupts. “Call them what they are.”

“Administrative measures,” Sun corrects.

This is going nowhere. We’re arguing in circles. Both Leo and I know what the penalties for non-compliance are. I’m also not in the mood to let this drag out longer than it needs to. I want my omega. The longer he fights this, the harder it is going to be on him. I’m not going to put my omega through that.

“As alpha, it is my prerogative to set the date for the bonding ceremony,” I interject, earning a sharp look from Leo. “Tomorrow. Nine am. The sooner we resolve this, the better for all involved.”

Leo’s eyes narrow. “No.”

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