Deltta was behaving like his alpha. The damn claiming mark was to blame. He should have taken care of it as soon as he realized it wasn’t fading – before things got complicated. Now, he wasn’t sure if his feelings or Deltta’s were real.
Of course, they were not real.
“He must be worried about you to connect with you at this hour,” Faria continued even though he hadn’t answered.
“He is,” Mac said. He wondered what was bothering him. He sounded strange.
Stop worrying about him. He’s your heat partner, nothing more.
“Wow, I always knew you would leave me soon. Not only are you starting your brand of spirits, but you found an alpha who cares about you. What else is going to happen in your life?” Faria asked.
Frowning, Mac turned to him. “You don’t want things to happen in my life? That’s a little mean.”
“I know, and I don’t care. I want you to stay here and work for me. But you’re too big for this small town. I knew that the minute you walked into my leisure room.” They came to a stop in front of his building. “There was something about you.”
Mac laughed. “I know what that something was. I’m too weird to be an omega, you couldn’t help but notice me, I stand out in a crowd, I’m too much. I’ve heard it all. Goodnight, Faria.” Mac brushed past him.
Grasping his arm, Faria pulled him to a stop.
“Don’t put words in my mouth. And you know what I’m talking about. Why can’t you see it? It's right there. You’re amazing, Mac.”
Yet, he couldn’t fuck him. Yay, I’m amazing.
Mac forced a smile and changed the subject. “Thank you, Faria. But please stop. You’re making me feel guilty.”
In retrospect, Mac was glad nothing happened between them. Faria was a good friend.
He sniffed, wiping at his eyes. “You should make it up to me.”
“I will. You’re my first customer, and your leisure room will be my center of operation. I’ll be testing new spirits there. Technically, I’ll still be working for you without pay.”
“I know,” Faria said sulkily. “It just hurts seeing you go.”
Shaking his head, Mac entered the building. “Go home, Faria. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
He made his way up to his place. Jamue met him at the door.
“You’re still awake?”
“You know I can't sleep when you're not here,” he said.
Mac knew. They shared everything. Except for two days ago when Jamue went off with a strange alpha. To this day, he never said anything about it. Mac respected him enough not to ask. Jamue never asked him anything after he came back from being with Deltta.
Mac took his hand and walked to the bedroom. “I’ll wash up quickly so we can sleep.”
Jamue followed him to the washroom.
Mac picked up the solution Jamue gave him to remove the concealing strip. The strip itched if he left it on for too long. After rubbing the solution on the strip, Mac peeled it off. The mark had gotten darker and more prominent.
How long was he going to keep this secret? His and Deltta’s lives were becoming entangled the more time passed. Deltta was opening up to him. They were getting closer.
A surged of guilt swirled inside him as tears filled his eyes. He’d selfishly wanted to know what it felt like to have an alpha. To feel his need, his desire... directed at him.
He lied.
Mac touched the mark, shivering.
“Can you arrange a meeting with your brother for me?”