Page 30 of Forbidden Taste
“Some days,” he says, glancing back with that sugar-spun smile. “I’m usually practicing with the others but I have a solo part that I need to nail. Dancing like what you saw, though? Only when there’s a reason to. Music and dance, like every other art, is another form of expression.”
My brows furrow as I follow him out into the hallway. “And what expression did I just see?”
“Love.”
That’s not what I expected, my cheeks heating as we make our way off campus and to the little café Riley and I had been at just afew days ago. My Omega squeals as he drags me inside to that back booth, waiting until I’m seated before sitting on my lap, straddling one of my legs. When I go to say something about it, he just shakes his head.
“No, I don’t get to do this on campus. Let me enjoy being held by my mate.”
I don’t fight it because secretly, I’m enjoying Riley’s whims. His confidence is seeping into me, making it easier to adjust to all these changes in the last day. The conversation eases into our final projects, the performances at the Karlen Center, professors we despise before morphing into the more serious discussions. It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be, spilling about my feelings, my place at this academy, my new bond with Riley, me being a Zeta, and the fact that my heat is just around the corner.
Hawk doesn’t say anything at first, sipping his espresso with mild interest before a small smile cuts across his face. “Wait, you’re a Zeta? I’m not surprised, to be honest,” he adds, his smile widening just a fraction, “but that does explain some things. Look, Leo, I told Riley the same thing—we don’t have to jump into anything. It’s awful timing and I can’t imagine how confusing this is for you, but we can take it one step at a time.”
I swallow hard, my voice rough when I finally speak. “But that’s the problem,” I say, my fingers tightening on Riley’s waist, heat bleeding through me. It’s been steadily getting worse since we left the practice room. “We don’t have time. The doctor said I could go into heat within the week.”
Hawk reaches across the table, his hand flipping over, palm up. I stare at it—long elegant fingers begging me to give in. The hesitation lasts only a moment before I slide my hand into his, his touch calming, the tension unwinding as his thumb brushes my knuckles. “Leo, I presented when I was 17, and there were signs before that. I didn’t have to figure anything out. I’m assuming Riley was similar. But you don’t have to figure this all out on your own—not anymore, and I’d be honored if you invited me to your heat. Whatever you need.”
“Because we’re mates?” I ask, needing to know, needing something solid to hold onto.
Hawk’s smile softens, his hand squeezing mine gently. “That’s part of it,” he says, “but not all of it. And I know this is all moving hella fast. Let it happen naturally, okay?”
Riley twists in my hold, turning to face me, his legs shifting on my thigh as one of his hands slides to my chest. “Sweetie, take what you need, okay?” Hawk hums his agreement like it’s just that easy to take what they’re offering.
“That’s…” I start, my voice faltering, “it doesn’t work like that. Alphas don’t submit.” My face turns crimson, heat flooding my cheeks as I groan, realizing that I’ve just eluded to what I truly want.
An easy chuckle falls from Hawk’s lips, pulling my attention back to him. “Babe, I go both ways. Leo, you’re not the only one that doesn’t fit the mold.”
“And the mate thing?” I’m not sure why I can’t just trust their words. Maybe because I’ve only had days to figure everything out rather than years like most people my age.
Hawk shrugs, his thumb brushing the back of my hand. “Let it happen as it does. I’m a patient man, Leo.”
“I only want what’s best for you,” Riley offers, twisting further in my lap to cup my face in his hands, “for us.” Love trickles through the bond, warming me from the inside out. It never dawned on me that I might only have one mate, having grown up with four fathers and my aunt with four mates. However, finding someoneelse, wanting someone else feels like I’m betraying Riley in some way.
It doesn’t make sense which is why I ask. “So it’s okay to want him too?”
Riley’s eyes light up, his smile widening. “God, yes,” he punctuates his answer with a kiss, a soft remembrance that I so desperately need. He lingers there for a few moments before pulling away, giving me the room to say whatever else is in my head.
My gaze darts between Riley and Hawk, neither of them judging me, pushing me, disgusted with me. All I see is concern and love and desire and it helps to know that these two men want me, that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, either. “Can we do dinner? Really talk? I think talking helps, and I just… I need to figure this out in my head.”
Hawk breaks out into a toothy grin, bringing my hand up to his lips. “Absolutely, you tell me what you want and I’ll bring it to Riley’s apartment after classes.” Then he leans back in his chair, chugging the rest of his espresso, a new deviance in his eyes. “Now, Riley told me that you sound like an absolute angel. Said that you added a melody to his song. Is that true?”
My face heats, eyes widening a little but the sudden laugh that comes from the Alpha soothes me. A few weeks ago, I would have excused myself, found a way to leave the situation thinking that Hawk was making fun of me. But there’s only admiration in his expression as if he wants to hear my voice the same way Riley did.
I wonder if he’d think I sounded like an angel too.
twenty-one
LEO
The days drag, unnecessarily so and while I’ve been able to drown out the whispers and pointing and little snickers, my professors don’t make it easy, their eyes narrowing when I answer questions, their tones clipped and hostile like I’ve done something wrong just by existing.
I try to keep my head down, knowing that for some reason, people think I’m going to ruin the golden Omega’s future. Like I’m not worthy enough to be with him, around him. It worries me what people will say when they catch that bite on his shoulder, if they’ll shun me altogether. The Dean already knows about it as far as I know, Riley recanting everything he said to her this morning. And no doubt, they’ll drag me back into the office at some point with more questions, to really see if all of this is consensual or not.
Granted, Riley said that won’t happen but with my luck,somethingwill.
Which is why I’m not surprised just after my last class that Eugene catches me on my way through the courtyard, his hand wrapping around my wrist and pulling me back to face him. I yank myself out of his grip, glaring down at him, choosing to hold onto the straps of my backpack so I don’t do something I regret.
“Hey, big guy,” Eugene muses, trying to smile and failing, “so please tell me the rumors aren’t true.” There’s a sliver of excitement running through his worried expression, one that I’ve never noticed before. As if I’m just a commodity to him, rather than a friend in a tough situation. We haven’t really had a serious conversation in months, everything focusing on graduating and Eugene’s crush on one of the Alphas in our class. “They’re saying you’re a Zeta and that you mated Riley. He’s been wearing a collar all day, which is somewhat out of the ordinary.”
