Page 34 of Unsubmissive Omega
“For example, I was having trouble expressing my feelings to my mate. Alpha brought in a counselor who taught me how to express my needs without sounding needy, or making my mate feel bad,” piped up one of the omegas. “And it really worked too!We’re getting along so much better now.” She blushed, the pink stain across her cheeks making her look younger.
“We had one omega who had been abused who came and told us what to do if we were ever in that situation,” added another voice.
“Has that happened here?” I asked, a bit taken aback.
“Not here, no, Alpha wouldn’t tolerate it. But some of us mate with alphas from other packs which aren’t as well run… and it could happen.”
“And, remember, someone came and told us how to safely use the dating app, and how to go about meeting up with people we match with on there.”
“Not that that’s really necessary,” scoffed the talkative dark-haired omega, jumping into the conversation again. “Alpha always makes sure one of our alphas accompanies us, at least until it’s clear we’re safe. And I’m pretty sure someone sticks around not too far away. I was certain I caught the scent of Jervius one night when I was out on a date.”
“Do they really?”
“Haveyouused the app?”
“Yeah, lots of times. There are some really hot alphas on there.”
The session dissolved into a babble of voices, all talking over one another and it went on for some time. It seemed to me that unless a specific speaker had been brought in, the support group was mainly a social chat time for the omegas. It was an opportunity for all the omegas from the pack to come together, not just the ones who lived in the omega house and already spent a lot of time with each other. It gave them a chance to talkabout anything that was on their minds, especially things that someone who wasn’t an omega wouldn’t understand.
I settled into the background, content to observe and listen. The conversation moved on to sexual topics and I was surprised by the candor with which some of them discussed their sex lives. It turned out that although no-one had been with anyone who was overtly cruel, many alphas within and outside the pack, were not particularly careful about preparing their partners for sexual penetration, and that this was the norm rather than the exception.
Heat crept up my neck as I thought of my mating night. I had to admit that Darius had been thoughtful and gentle with me. He’d taken the time to prepare me thoroughly, making certain my first experience at being penetrated hadn’t been painful at all. And he'd made sure I came before he’d allowed himself to go over the edge as well.
Some of these omegas had never had an orgasm. And they were very active. I felt embarrassed by my lack of appreciation. It also occurred to me that this was an area where the pack needed improving, and it was something I could and should bring up with Darius. I could start some sort of program for it. Oh, right, my heart sank a little. I was leaving, wasn’t I?
The other thing that was abundantly clear, was that all these omegas adored their Pack Alpha. It was true, he had created a very valuable resource for them here, but it was more than that. The truth was in the details.
Darius was a much better person than I had given him credit for. I didn’t want to inspect this thought too closely, but I was beginning to suspect I might not have been very fair to my mate.But it only proved he merited a much more deserving mate than me.
Chapter 17
XANDER
Marta was pulling a tray of cookies out of the oven when I wandered, barefoot and casual, into the kitchen. I couldn’t see what was on the tray, because she had her back to me, but the delicious smell of ginger and brown sugar was unmistakable. My mouth watered in hopeful anticipation of acquiring one of the warm treats.
But… maybe that wasn’t going to happen. As Marta straightened up, turning towards the kitchen bench holding the hot baking tray in thick oven mitts, she caught sight of me, and a small frown creased her brows. I bit my lip. I liked Marta a lot. She was warm, kindly, and literally oozed maternal comfort, but although she hid it well, I knew she had reservations about me. How could it be otherwise? Darius was like a son to her and I was clearly a poor mate to him. Still, it wasn’t my fault I’d found myself mated to him. And yes, he’d had as little choice in the matter himself, but that didn’t mean I had to be happy aboutmysituation.
Marta sighed and inclined her head towards the tray of cookies now resting on the benchtop.
“Come on, help yourself. There’s plenty,” she offered.
I happily sidled up to the bench and grabbed a gingerbread cookie, humming in delight as I bit down on it and the sharp tang of ginger fizzed on my tongue.
“Thanks,” I mumbled through the crumbs.
She gave me a small smile but it looked forced. With a rustle of her apron, she turned away and began doing something at the bench beneath the window. When I heard her gasp, I looked up from my contemplation of further cookies. Her attention had been caught by something outside the window. As her face was turned away, I couldn’t read her expression, but her posture had stiffened, the tension evident in her shoulders. The utensils she’d been holding clattered to the bench, and her fists clenched and unclenched as she continued to observe something I couldn’t see.
“What is it?” I asked, getting anxious even though I didn’t know what was going on.
Marta took a deep breath as she turned to face me. Her lips were pursed together in a thin line and her face looked severe. Despite that, her voice was soft and kind when she spoke, but she spoke with determination and authority.
“Xander, I know you’re not a bad guy, but you should go. You’re destroying this pack. You need to leave.”
“Wha-what do you mean?” I stammered, completely dumbfounded. The remark had come out of left field. “I can’t go anywhere. I’m the Alpha Mate.”
Her lips twisted, reflecting her impatience.
“It’s perfectly obvious you don’t want to be the Alpha Mate, and that you want nothing to do with Darius. And even though he’s treated you with the utmost patience and respect, you’ve continued to disrespect him in front of the pack,” she scolded. “Do you have any idea how that undermines his authority in the pack?”
