“You haven’t earned it yet.”
“Hmm.” Joker pushes Bird into the pile of fluffy cushions, crawling closer to me. I stiffen. “So, you want to know how my relationship works with my Alpha?”
I glance at the door.
What I truly want is to leave before that Alpha returns.
I snatch up a protein bar and throw it to Bird. When he doesn’t catch it in time and it hits him in the nose, I laugh.
“Omega abuse,” Bird yells, dramatically.
“Eat,” I reply.
Happily, Bird snuggles amongst the blankets, opening the bar and starting to munch.
Yet still not quickly enough for me.
It’s past dawn now.
Bird and I should be leaving.
Joker notices my glance at the door. His expression hardens.
“Phantom and I have been friends our entire lives,” he says. “We grew up living next door to each other. His pack were wealthier, but mine were doing okay. My Alpha dad was an inventor and didn’t care that I was a Beta. He inspired a love of gadgets in me, despite me being a Beta. He promised that when I was older, I could become the next CEO in his small company. I mean, I had a shot at being a pro swimmer too. I wasn’t lying about that in the bar. Dad had this college fund for me because he saw something special in me. I was shit at being the sensible, quiet Beta, which the teachers and everyone else expected. I was hyper, impulsive, and too loud. I was frequently disciplined at school. Shocker, yeah? But Dad, he understood me.”
“All that about how Betas should not take up too much space and keep their heads down because Alphas are the leaders is bullshit,” I snarl.
Joker smiles, bittersweet. “Dad thought so too. I was lucky. It was a loving home.Liberal.Phantom and I went to the same school. We were best friends, even though we were literal opposites. Mom would joke that he was my shadow. But then, there was an accident.”
He becomes still. Clearly, there is much more to the story, but he’s not ready to tell it.
I reach out and lay my hand on Joker’s shoulder. I half expect him to flinch away, but instead, he leans into my touch.
After a moment, he continues, “After I lost my family, I was made into a Companion. I was terrified that I would be sent away to strangers, but Phantom demanded that I become hisward, and his pack had enough influence and money to make it happen. I lost my entire family, but I still had my friend.”
My brow furrows. “So, you’re only friends.”
Joker reaches up to touch his bond bite. “I don’t remember a time that I haven’t loved him. I mean, Phantom is his nickname from our time in the SEALs. Joker is a military nickname too.”
Bird stops eating. “What are your real names?”
Joker’s expression blanks. “The Beta who existed before Joker isdead. I don’t go by that name.”
“I’m sorry.” Bird ducks his head.
“What about Phantom?” I prompt.
“If he wants to tell you, then he will.” Joker edges closer to me. I’m not sure what he needs, but I reach out and tangle my leg over his jittering one, which appears to calm him. “Phantom could have treated me like property, but when I became his Companion, he continued to treat me like his best friend, you know? He never looked at an Omega or anyone else. I have always been all he’s needed. He’s deeply, emotionally connected to me. I’m not some kind of toy to him.”
“I didn’t mean to…” Actually, that’s exactly what I implied. “I’m not someone who needs romance.”
“Well, then my skipper can be the romantic for the entire pack, but you can do the fucking because he can take or leave the sexual side. He loves me, I know that, but he doesn’t need more than handholding and gentle touch when he’s outside rut. Why do you think he’s okay with my whole seduction routine? We have an agreement that I may share my bed with whoever I like.”
I’ve heard of Alphas like this, although they’re rare.
“Isn’t that hard?” Bird pops the last of the dry protein bar in his mouth and wipes his hands. “Because you’re one…help me out here, Ro.”
“Kinky brat with a masochistic streak…?” I arch my brow.