“It’s nice to meet you, Mac. I’ve been praying for a roommate. It gets lonely in here sometimes.” He smiled. Genuinely smiled at him.
Elama stared at them and then shrugged. “I’ll leave you to get settled. I’m sure Jamue will show you around and tell you the rules. I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
“Don’t tell him that,” Ulk complained as he followed her. “He caught you slacking already.”
“Who cares?”
“You don’t want another evaluation,” Ulk warned.
“Shut up!”
Mac turned to Jamue; the omega was still staring at him. He ignored him and moved to the unmade bed.
“The sheets are in the clothes cubicle,” Jamue said.
“Thanks.” Mac placed his packsack next to the bed and turned to the cubicle. One side was empty, and the other was full of long shirts and pants. The clothes were in the flamboyant colors and prints most omegas liked.
Mac looked over his shoulder at Jamue. He was a typical omega – beautiful with simpering eyes and a tiny frame. He could pull off those colorful long shirts and designs.
Mac envied him. He wished he could wear those colors, but he couldn't. He went for plain colors and no prints because he didn’t want to bring any attention to himself. He was already attracting attention.
Why add to it?
Jamue continued to stare at him.
Mac groaned.
He might not hate him on sight, but there was something. He shouldn’t feel embarrassed about it, but he did. It made him think of the many ways they were different.
Mac sighed. He busied himself with settling in; he packed his clothes and made the bed. By the time he was done, Jamue had settled on his bed, a connector in his hand, reading whatever was on the screen.
Mac sighed in relief, but it was short-lived as Jamue placed his connector on the bed and gave him his full attention.
Irritated, Mac stared at him expectantly.
"What?"
“If you’re going to ask me something, do it now because I can't stand your staring.”
“I wasn’t staring.” He sounded hurt.
“Oh, are you sure about that?” Mac asked sarcastically.
Jamue blushed.
“Are you going to ask me the million questions I've been asked all my life? Or should I go ahead and tell you that I am not an alpha? And yes, my mother had me tested, twice. No. I was born this way. My mother didn’t drop me in radioactive chemicals when I was a cub. Yes, I have heats like you, and no, I’ve never been with an alpha or beta. Yes, I’ve already had my first heat.”
“They ask you that?” Jamue looked horrified.
“You’d be surprised the things people ask to make sense of something they don’t understand.”
“I get that. But I was staring because I wanted to understand you.” He shook his head. “No. That’s not it. I was admiring you. I’ve never seen someone like you. You’re beautiful.”
Mac gasped.
“And your hair...how long is it?” Jamue asked. He slid off his bed and came to stand in front of him.
Mac wanted to scoot away from him. He’d never had anyone react to him this way. Jamue looked at him with awe in his eyes. He was used to omegas giving him the cold shoulder, looking at him with fear or disgust – never admiration.