Page 5 of A Real Alpha (Lunar City)

Connor

I watched Roscoe as he was rocked back and forth in the new baby bouncer Oscar had brought home. Ros examined the little mobile on the front with awe and delight and I didn't think I’d ever felt so happy than to see him so excited and engaged.

“You really didn't have to do this,” I said to Oscar for the third time.

“I couldn't resist,” Oscar said. “Don't worry about it. Please.”

Finally, I was able to drag my gaze away from Ros and to my surprise, caught Oscar watching me with I could only define as adoration in his eyes. He looked away as soon as our eyes met, but it was too late. I'd seen it… and I wasn't sure how I felt about it.

Was he only being so kind because he was interested in me?

I was in no position to be upset about it. In fact, I'd decided to use his generosity for as long as I could. So long as he was being respectful, I would shamelessly overstay my welcome. Maybe at some point I would figure out how to set up some sort of social welfare or help, but until then...

I glanced at him again, but this time, he was watching my son, smiling gently and wiggling a rattle. Roscoe managed to grab onto it.

“Good boy,” Oscar chuckled as Rosco started to shake and then bite it.

I’d never once seen anyone else look at my child with such tenderness. Warmth spread through me.

Ugh. Stop it, Connor , I chastised. You just got away from an alpha!

But Oscar was different... a voice in the back of my head told me. I tried to suppress it, but as the evening went on, it only got louder.

Oscar ended up cooking for us, made sure we were cozy and set up dinner in front of the TV so we could relax while we ate. It all felt so domestic and comfortable that I almost didn't want to retreat and lock myself in the bedroom when it got later and Roscoe fell asleep on my chest.

I kept glancing at Oscar's profile, watching the TV light illuminate his face. It seemed like the more I looked at him, the more handsome he became. By the time he stood and stretched, I could barely pull my gaze away from him.

“I need my room for a minute before you go to bed,” he said, voice already sleepy and his eyelids heavy.

I watched him go, still staring despite myself.

His broad shoulders and the long line of his body were far too enticing.

Swallowing, I forced myself to look away, attempting to watch the show that had started but I'd missed the start of the murder mystery.

I had no clue what was happening, and moments later, Oscar emerged clad in classic plaid pajama bottoms with a thin t-shirt, a spare blanket, and pillow in his arms.

“Are those for me?” I asked automatically. It would only be fair. I supposed I should take a turn on the couch.

He paused and chuckled. “No, I promised you that the bed was yours. But I got a bit cold last night and want to be prepared this time.”

“Why didn’t you come in and get a blanket?”

Oscar slowly met my gaze, almost appearing embarrassed. “It was clear… you didn’t feel safe with me in there. I didn’t want to scare you.”

I stared, aghast that he spent the night cold in his own living room instead of potentially making me uncomfortable.

“You're too considerate,” I blurted, and he simply chuckled again.

“Maybe.”

And now, I suspected he didn't want to kick me out of the living room even though he was obviously tired.

Shaking my head, I forced myself onto my feet.

“You don't have to go,” he said at once. “I wasn't trying to kick you out of the living room.”

“I'm tired anyway,” I said, confused by what he’d admitted. Confused by what his admission made me feel. I lifted Roscoe into my arms. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

I could feel his gaze on my back as I walked down the hall, watching me just as I had been watching him.

After carefully setting Roscoe on the bed, I went back to the door and locked it anyway, even though a big part of me now knew there was no way that Oscar would come in here unless I wanted him to.

My mouth went dry at the thought, and I shook it away violently.

I was not getting involved with another alpha. Never, ever, ever.

But my resolve was challenged as soon as I woke up the following morning, sweating and aching.

And wanting.

Roscoe cried, the sound like an irritating scrape on my ear drums. Normally I loved his little voice, even when he cried, but being in heat made everything bother me. There was no denying that as unfortunate as it was, I was already descending into the desperate need to mate.

“Shit,” I groaned and forced myself up into a sitting position. My arms shook but I forced them to steady as I reached down and lifted Roscoe.

He was making the hungry signs with his hands, and he smelled, too.

In my condition, I couldn't stomach it, so I put him down on the floor on his old swaddle blanket and changed him before settling down to feed him in bed.

Fortunately, feeding him eased the growing need inside until it was almost nothing, but my senses were still on high alert, focused in on the sounds from the rest of the apartment.

Oscar was moving around, getting ready for work, no doubt. I gritted my teeth and waited, barely able to breathe until I heard him close the front door behind him.

Silence fell over the apartment, and I let out a heavy sigh.

This was bad, but at least it wasn't Harry that I was stuck with.

He always demanded to help me through my heats because he needed me to “get off my ass and take care of the baby again.” It was true that an alpha's pheromones during sex could speed up the process, especially if the alpha was mated to the omega, but I had always felt like I had to do it to get back to Roscoe as quickly as possible. I didn't trust Harry with him.

Oscar on the other hand...

I shut my eyes and groaned.

Even if he knew how to care for a baby, would he be able to do it for a few days? Would I trust that? Would he let me lock myself in the bedroom until my heat had passed? Or would he insist on fucking me to get it over quicker, like Harry?

None of those options were ideal but I was going to run out of choices soon, probably before the end of the day. I should choose now so that it wasn't left entirely in Oscar's hands.

Roscoe gave a happy gargle, and I lifted my head to meet his happy gaze.

“Well, I'm glad you don't know what's going on, at least,” I informed him.

He giggled as though I'd said something funny, and I couldn't help but smile.

I shook my head, watching him and wondering if I would ever trust someone else with my precious son.

Getting through heats quickly should be my priority…

Sex with Oscar wouldn't be too bad, I thought. At least then I could get back to my baby as quickly as possible. Maybe Oscar could watch him for the night afterwards. I was sure to be better by morning if he gave me what I needed...

What I needed became more and more pressing as the day progressed.

I still fed Roscoe and tried to mask the pain in my voice when I spoke to him, but as the hours dragged on, it only became harder.

Fevered and desperate, my cock literally ached like it was going to break.

That was how Oscar found me when he came in after his shift.

It felt like Oscar had been gone for days, but I knew the café closed early compared to the other businesses on the street and it couldn't have been. He walked in with his nose up, already scenting me, then took one look at my flushed face and turned around sealing the door shut behind him.

I wasn't delirious yet, but not far from it. The pain, arousal, and desperate need for release were almost all I could think of. Almost.

When he turned and looked at me, his back against the door, I thought, this is it. Oscar was finally going to show his true colors.

“Connor,” he breathed, and the low gravel in his tone sent a shiver down my spine. “Go to the bedroom.”

I swallowed and pushed to my feet, even more heat flooding me. At the last second, I paused to look down at Roscoe. He'd fallen asleep in his baby bouncer and looked peaceful enough that all other worries faded.

I looked up at Oscar. His fists were clutched at his side.

“Lock the door behind you,” he growled. “I'll open the windows and take Roscoe for a walk.”

It took far too long for his words to make impact and when I finally realized what he'd said, my jaw nearly hit the floor.

“What?” I asked desperately. “You're not going to...” I bit my lip, looking up at him. “It's okay, if you want to...”

He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut.

“You don't even like sitting too close to me,” Oscar reminded me, and guilt mingled with my arousal.

That wasn't because I didn't find him attractive, that was because I didn't trust him— oh.

Whatever thin rasp of sense still remained in my mind knew then that he was right.

I needed to make these decisions with a clear head.

Not when I was being blasted with hormones and molasses-like desire that was thick enough to slice through.

Without a word, I turned on my heel and ran to the bedroom, suddenly sure that he would chase me because I'd moved too suddenly.

But he didn't chase me. When I slammed the door shut and locked it, I slowly backed away in case he changed his mind, or gave in to my pheromones, but everything remained calm and quiet.

I was shaking, confused, and honestly overwhelmed.

I'd left Roscoe out there with an alpha I barely knew, but a bone deep certainty filled me that my child was safe. Far safer than he’d been with Harry at the best of times. Oscar was safe enough to care for my baby—and to care for me.

By the time my heart had stopped pounding from fear, I wasn't sure why I had even run from him to begin with. Oscar was shaping up to be the most decent person I'd ever known. And I'd felt drawn to him even without going into heat.

He was the type of alpha I should want in my bed.

I didn't need to be afraid of him. He wouldn't hurt me, or take it too far, or do anything that I didn't want.

I would bet everything on that.

And now I wanted to prove it to myself and to him.