Page 62 of Omega's Secret Guardian

Storm blinked, shaking himself lightly as though he was coming out of a trance. “Okay.” He took a deep breath and grew more alert. “This is a really long detour before your class. Will you be okay to teach after this?”

“I left some time in between to rest. Don’t worry.”

“Good.”

Drake walked them back to their vehicles. Linus climbed into the Jeep and shut the door.

His phone rang. Storm.

Unable to help the smile on his lips, Linus answered the call and placed it on speaker.

“Did I read you correctly?” Storm asked. “You’re okay with another call on the way back, right?”

“Yes,” Linus said. “This is really nice.”

“I’m glad.” Was it him, or did Storm sound relieved?

With a final wave at Drake and his family, Linus and Storm turned onto the highway, heading back to Meadowfall.

The conversation flowed much more easily this time.

“Did you fix that wobbly door on the bathroom cabinet?” Linus asked.

“Yes?” Storm said, sounding awkward. “I opened it too hard one day and it fell apart on me.”

Linus couldn’t help it. He laughed.

“Hey! That’s not funny!”

“It kind of is. These things are funny when they happen to strong, capable alphas.”

Storm was silent for a moment. “You think I’m strong and capable?”

Linus was glad the alpha couldn’t see his blush. “Um, yes?”

“Shucks. Thanks. I’m glad you think so.”

And now Linus felt embarrassed, too. “Um, as thanks for coming out here with me, I could let you sample some of Mom’s new ice cream flavors.”

“Really?” Storm sounded excited.

“We’ll have to go when she isn’t there. Or she’ll have... things to say.”

“Gods, yeah. Whenever you think is a good time. I’ll be there.”

It kind of sounded like a date. Linus bit down his smile, feeling... bubbly. Excited. A little nervous. “One of the mornings next week, about 10AM? Between my classes. She usually has Maiz manning the counter then.”

“Sure. Mmm, ice cream. Can I come behind the counter?”

“If you promise not to touch anything.”

“I swear I won’t.”

They fell into a companionable silence, watching the sky grow brighter. Linus checked his mirrors often just to see Storm in them, a dark sturdy shape keeping him safe.

I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed him before.

“I just thought of something,” Storm said. “When you talk to me now, are you speaking to CagedDragon, or Storm? Or... I don’t know, the weird guy you found in your apartment?”

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