Page 8 of A Real Alpha (Lunar City)

Oscar

Not knotting Connor and not mating with him, right then and there, had felt so incredibly wrong.

I'd had my mate in my arms, I'd been inside him, as close to one person as we could physically be, and I hadn't taken it the extra step.

He probably would have hated me if I'd done it without first at least discussing it with him and I wouldn't have blamed him.

Now at least, he seemed receptive to me. Maybe we could plan a future together. I would be patient and fight for it.

Despite my eagerness, I let him sleep and took care of all of Roscoe's needs through the night since I didn't even hear a peep from in the bedroom.

Sometime around midnight, I finally caved and took Roscoe into the bedroom and carefully laid him on the side of the bed.

I would have to buy him a bassinet or something, but for tonight, I would just try to sleep lightly.

By the sounds of it, this was still better than anything they'd had with that asshole before.

The thought of what he'd done and what they had already endured made me wish I'd done more than just send the guy away when he'd come to the café.

I wished I'd given him even a fraction of what he deserved.

The next time Roscoe wiggled and fussed, waking me, it took me a minute to find him. To my relief, Connor had been quicker than me and already had him on his side of the bed, feeding.

Watching the domestic display calmed everything inside me. This was how it should be. Our family cuddled up in bed. My omega and my child.

I sighed and sank back into my pillow, facing them in the dim light. I was tired but based on the slight glow coming in from under the curtains, it was nearly time for me to get up for work already.

“How did you sleep?” I asked quietly.

“Good,” Connor replied. “Thanks to you.”

I smiled and reached out, unable to help myself. He didn't pull away, allowing me to stroke his arm. His pretty brown eyes were fixed on me, searching my face I assumed.

“You've done so much for me,” he finally said. “Why?”

I was almost taken aback, but I knew he had good reason for thinking that alphas usually wanted something from an omega and in this case, he was right to. I just hoped that he would understand.

“To be honest, at first, I just felt drawn to you. I wanted to help you.”

“...and now?” Connor asked.

I swallowed, wondering how much to say. “I like you,” I finally settled on. “I want to be with you.”

He was quiet for so long that I didn't think he was going to respond.

He sat up, carefully lifted Roscoe, who had fallen asleep again, and carefully set the babe on the floor.

Yep. I was getting a bedside bassinet today, I thought, but Connor pulled me out of those thoughts by scooting close enough to tuck his lithe body against mine.

Unable to help myself, I bent my head, directly inhaling his lovely scent from the gland on his neck. The one that I would place my mark right over, mingling our essences forever...

He melted in my arms, letting out a happy sigh that nearly made me die with satisfaction. “When you say you want to be with me. What does that mean exactly?” he whispered.

“It means that you stay here, that we become a proper couple, that we mate...”

His entire body stiffened, and I kissed his gland instinctively, tracing my lips up his neck in an effort to soothe him.

“That's what you want?” he asked with a shaky voice.

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

“But you barely know me.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him that our souls knew each other, that the more I knew him the more obvious it was and if he would just let down his guard, he would feel it too.

“I know you,” was all I said.

“I'm useless,” he whispered, clearly self-conscious. “I can barely even cook. You won't be happy with me.”

I laughed. “I want you to be my lover and life-partner, Connor. Not my maid.”

He sucked in a breath. “But I don't even have a job. I can't contribute to the bills.”

“You don't need to work,” I argued. “But if you want to, I could always give you a job?”

“Could you interview me? I haven't done an interview in ages. I'll probably mess it up and ruin my chances with your boss.”

“My boss? Connor, the Lunar Café is mine.”

“What?”

Smiling, I couldn't help but kiss his softly parted lips, even though he was too shocked to kiss me back.

“Yeah, why do you think I live over top of it? 'Course, we'll outgrow this place soon. Maybe we can get another apartment close by. A two bedroom so Roscoe can have his own space. Then if we have another, the kids can share.”

“Kids?” he asked, sounding even more stunned.

“Mm hm.”

“And me and you?—”

“Will go for walks on the weekends. Order dinners on weeknights and watch movies. We'll raise the kids and eat breakfast together every day. We'll laugh together and make love and support each other...”

Connor fought a smile. “...who knew heaven could be so simple...?”

“Is that a yes?” I asked, my heart skipping with excitement.

He took a shaky breath.

“I—I don’t know yet. Maybe.”

He wrapped his arms around my neck with sudden enthusiasm, pulling me into a proper kiss this time. He explored my mouth until my toes curled and cock was rock hard, and I was considering opening late knowing full well that we relied on the morning rush.

“Don't tell me you have to work,” he suddenly said, perhaps sensing my hesitancy.

I groaned.

“I probably should,” I admitted. “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be,” he said, smiling. “You're responsible. That's part of what I like about you.”

I grinned and kissed his cheek before pulling away.

“Why don't you come with me?” I suggested, not wanting to be apart. “You've been cooped up in here for days.”

“Really?” he asked, looking surprised.

I nodded and then because I simply couldn't resist, I bent and kissed him again.

“Your lips,” I mused, pulling back. “I think I'm addicted.”

I kissed him again and this time, his shy smile made it even sweeter.

“I didn't have time to make breakfast, but I can feed you fresh baked goods downstairs.”

“Alright,” he finally agreed. “I'll come down after Roscoe wakes up.”

“Great.”

I looked down at the little guy, fast asleep on the carpet. It was fluffy and babies weren't supposed to have blankets and pillows and the like, but I still felt guilty when I saw him there.

Dropping to my knees, I bent and very gently kissed the soft hair on the top of his head. He shifted and wiggled a little but didn't wake up. Everything that little angel did just made my heart feel tender.

When I stood, Connor was watching me with a strange look in his eyes, but I was already running too late to scrutinize it. “I'll see you downstairs?”

He nodded and with that, I took off to open the cafe.

Igor was waiting at the back door, looking a little cross when he saw me rushing down the stairs.

“The muffins won’t be ready for opening,” he said gruffly.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry,” I said, ducking past the large alpha to unlock the door. “I have to get an extra key for you.”

“You should if you plan to continue to be so irresponsible.”

I let him in, quickly entering the alarm code after I did. Huffing, he went straight to the kitchen, flicking on all the lights. I couldn't blame him; Igor took his baking very seriously. I was convinced that he was half the reason we had lines out the door every morning.

Sighing, I quickly turned on the rest of the lights, arranged all the chairs at the tables and made sure we were ready to open.

By the time I’d flipped the Open sign, Igor had worked his magic and was already delivering hot scones to the display and the muffins were just behind those.

He nodded to me, looking pleased, and went back into the kitchen to prepare the sandwiches.

Relieved, I took orders as first customers lined up. I hurried through the coffee orders until the morning rush passed, all the while glancing at the clock wondering when Connor would arrive. He was all I could think about.

It wasn't until noon and when Sage walked in to start her shift that Connor suddenly appeared at the front door, as though he was a normal customer and nothing more.

My heart leaped at the sight of him. He was all cleaned up.

Roscoe was too, in one of the outfits I'd bought him. With the afternoon sun shining in the window behind them, I was pretty sure they were otherworldly, and just for me. When Connor’s gaze caught mine, something passed between us that made my heart skip.

He came up to the counter, smiling shyly.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hey, how are you?”

“Good,” he laughed, glancing around.

“What can I get you?” I asked eagerly. “Pick whatever you want.”

His cheeks heated but he walked to the glass display, reading all the labels.

I couldn't tear my eyes away. Even the way he moved was so sweet. He had one hand in Roscoe's tiny grip for comfort and he bit his lower lip like he was uncertain but trying not to be.

Finally, he glanced at me and pointed to one of the egg sandwiches.

I took it and plated it right away. “With a muffin?” I suggested. “They're really good.”

He shrugged and nodded, blush deepening. “Okay.”

“And a coffee?” I asked. “How do you like it?”

“Um... Maybe a latte?”

“Sure. Go find a seat and I'll bring it all out to you,” I suggested.

He nodded and turned, only glancing back at me once.

“Oof, you've got it bad , bad,” Sage muttered, and I glanced over, realizing that I was just watching him walk away, smiling, and I hadn't even moved to make him his drink. Groaning softly, I turned around, grabbing a cup.

“I do,” I agreed after a moment, “and it's the best thing ever.”

When I chanced a glance over at her, she was smiling softly.

“It's sweet,” she said. “It reminds me of when I met Rachel. I would do anything to be around her. Still would.”

Warmth filled me.

“It's special,” I admitted. “This is it for me.”

She didn't look surprised. “Then you better lock him down fast before his old alpha comes back for him.”

Chilled, I shook my head. “He has no reason to come back here.”

“Maybe...”

“I'm going to take my break now,” I said, and she shrugged.

“Go on. Keep your boys company.”

Chuckling, I took Connor's order and carried it to his table to sit with him.