Niid’s blush deepened. “He’s not my alpha. He’s my dad’s friend. And I’m going to live and work with him. Nothing more.”
Amuel smiled slyly. “Yeah, right. Talk to me after a few days of living in the same house as him. Alphas can get out of control. Omegas too when they see something they like. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Jamue shook his head. Amuel always came off as the experienced one when he knew nothing.
“How do you know alphas get out of control when you’ve never been with one?”
“I’ve heard things. Unlike you, my parents allow me to educate myself about the world. I’m not just a pretty face to be bonded off to a wealthy alpha.”
Jamue hissed, his words hitting him hard.
“Amuel, that was uncalled for,” Niid said, reaching for him.
“I’m fine.” Jamue brushed him off. It was true. His parents wanted him to bond with a rich alpha. Jamue looked around the crowded room again, anxiously. It was only a matter of time. He’d be bonded soon.
Amuel stepped close to him, looking contrite. “Sorry, I was just…”
“I know.”
An awkward silence ensued between them. Niid looked at him sympathetically.
“Do you want to know what I’ve learned?” Amuel said. “You’re going to get bonded soon. You need to know what to expect from your alpha. Alphas can be demanding; you have no idea.”
Jamue nodded.
He was getting bonded soon. He should get that into his skull. There was no other future for him.
“Let’s get some drinks, and I'll tell you everything I know.” Amuel turned to a serving bot wheeling past them. "Shit, there's your father," he whispered harshly, pointing to the other side of the room.
"Where...?" Jamue turned to look and froze.
His father wasn't alone. An alpha stood next to him.
“Do you think that’s him?” Amuel whispered next to him.
Jamue nervously looked away. “I don’t know.”
“He’s not bad,” Niid commented.
He wasn’t, Jamue thought, glancing back at him. Older than him, yes, but he could look younger if he wore vibrant clothes and cut his hair in a more youthful style.
He could get used to him if he put his mind to it.
His father turned and looked directly at him. Jamue quickly walked to him.
“Father,” he said as he got closer. His father took his hand. Jamue’s cheeks hurt from smiling so hard.
You can do this, he told himself. The alpha was not bad. But he felt nothing as he stared at him. Perhaps once they got to know each other, he’d feel something.
“It seems we have to do this alone,” his father said with a laugh.
It sounded forced.
“Don’t worry, Isa. There’s no rush. My family is not here either. We can wait,” the alpha said politely.
His eyes landed on Jamue, intense and heated.
Jamue took a tiny step back. He felt he should put as much distance between them as possible, but that would be considered rude. There was something about the alpha that felt - predatory.