Page 31 of Advocate Omega (Unforeseen Paths #1)

Lucan

During our week with the Kato Clan, I gathered many wolves to join our cause.

Alphas and betas volunteer. Zander works with Gabe during the day, devising various ways to provide support for the omegas we plan to eventually rescue.

He wants to have group sessions where they can discuss their traumas, form a career center where those knowledgeable in specific fields can train and offer tips—it’s brilliant— he is brilliant.

And I couldn’t be prouder of him.

At night, we lose ourselves together, making love and learning every inch. Before we sleep, we exchange secrets and intimate facts about ourselves. And true to my word, I remain at his command. Nothing happens without his say-so, and he simply thrives .

Griffin has even warmed up to the idea of Gabe making more decisions for their pod. I never imagined this ideology would spread like wildfire, but it has.

It’s less about an exchange of power and more about finding an equal footing for all involved.

It’s naive to think everyone will follow in our footsteps, as I often have to remind Zander. He has a unique perspective that many wolves don’t have. But in time, I think things will change, and for the better.

I’m loading a truck full of supplies for our reconnaissance mission when Oberon approaches. He has been oddly encouraging of this whole endeavor.

Taking his time to peruse the truck, he brushes his hand over one of the ice chests before facing me. “When will you tell him?”

“Hmm?” I secure the chest with a tie-down, unsure what he means.

“That you’ve bonded.”

I suck in a rough breath and stop what I’m doing. “He doesn’t need to know that.”

If Zander outright asks me, I will tell him the truth.

And I think, in some ways, he can tell. It wasn’t something I just decided; rather, it’s been building and strengthening since his heat.

In fact, I might have already started the process that first night.

Humans would argue that wolves move too quickly—that we love too soon and too strongly.

But it’s different with us. When we find the one, we simply know.

And I’ve known for a while now.

Zander is my mate.

“You are going into a dangerous territory. If he were my omega, I’d—” I cut him off with a growl. Dipping his head, he clears his throat and changes tactics. “This isn’t coming from a place of jealousy. You should visit the shaman before you go. Take Zander with you.”

I grunt.

“You aren’t young anymore,” he says gently. “And unless the fates are willing to bless this match, he will outlive you.”

Bristling, I move past him and secure the other side of the tie-down. “I’ll think about it.”

He nods in understanding and approaches me.

It takes me a moment to realize what he’s about to do.

I allow him to embrace me, rub his forehead against mine, and acknowledge me.

It’s a sign of respect, of acceptance, and an informal welcome to his pack.

Emotion clogs my throat, but I swallow it down.

It’s been so long since I’ve felt…wanted.

When we part, I squeeze his shoulder once and get back to work.

Hours have passed since Oberon and I had our brief conversation. It’s a double-edged sword, what he suggested.

On one side of the blade, I risk being told the fates don’t accept our match—that Zander and I are not fated.

While the odds of getting their approval are low, not many pairings have that deep a bond.

My heart says that we are different. The way I feel about him can’t be anything else.

My whole life, I’ve wanted to find my fated—my mate in every life cycle.

My parents were fated, their souls bound for eternity.

And when those souls are reborn, they will find each other every time.

It’s hard to think there could be any other outcome.

The shaman alone holds the answers, having an otherworldly tie to the fates.

It’s a dream that I cling to with bloody claws.

However, the alternative, which involves Zander being bound to me, might come at a cost. While we have learned more about each other, and he seems content by my side, I don’t know if he will accept such a thing.

What if he rejects it entirely? Just the thought has a crippling pain spearing through my chest. Because any other rejected bond will hurt—it will feel like the end of the world.

But rejected by your fated mate? Going against the most ancient of forces?

There is no recovering from that.

There is no life after knowing the one who is the other part of your soul wants no part in it.

And that alone is why I’m hesitant. I could be happy never knowing. I could be satisfied with simply being as we are. If never knowing means I get to keep Zander…then I’ll just never fucking know. I’ll give up that dream.

Entering the bedroom, I find him packing a bag. Well, he’s shoving unfolded clothes and spare shoes into it. I can’t help but chuckle, moving in closer.

“I’m not wasting time folding this crap,” he says hotly and leans into my embrace.

From behind him, I brush his hair aside and nuzzle his neck, licking and nipping and keeping him smelling like me.

I stroke his swollen little belly, knowing that there’s no way he doesn’t smell like me due to how much cum is inside him.

“When do we go?” he urges, wiggling out of my arms.

“Soon,” I say. “When the sun sets.”

“Ugh,” he groans and flops down beside his bag on the bed. “I want to go now. ”

“I know, sweet.” I gently put his bag on the ground and lay beside him. He comes to me quickly, snuggling into my chest and stuffing his hand under my shirt.

While he toys with my nipple, lost in his head, I press a kiss to his forehead. “What does being fated mean?” he whispers.

The question shocks me, but I recover fast. Swallowing, I try not to get my hopes up and answer, “Why do you ask?”

He shrugs, inching impossibly closer and sliding his leg through mine. “I’ve been thinking about how you said an alpha can trigger a heat…if the alpha and omega are fated. How do you know if that…well, if that happens?”

My heart races against my will. “Usually, a shaman will tell a pair if the fates have accepted them.”

“No,” he grumbles, pinches my nipple, and looks up at me. “How do you know if an alpha triggered a heat? What are the signs?”

I swallow again. “Typically…the heat will come on fast. The alpha’s scent will…be almost unbearable. Stronger than any other.”

He drops his head and frowns into my chest. “What else?” he asks softly.

“Some have said there is a foreign sense of safety and trust. The omega will be affected more intensely by the alpha’s actions and words.”

Shivering. He’s shivering.

“Sweet?”

“That night I found you,” he starts, clinging to my side and digging his fingers into the meat of my muscles, “I knew something was off. You scented me, and I got wet. Just a little bit, but it was there. I didn’t know what it was because that had never happened before.

And then I needed to be in your clothes even though I couldn’t stand the smell.

” Lifting his head again, he stares into my eyes.

Those blues of his are vulnerable and scared.

“I went into heat the next night. I was three years late, and I spent one day with you and went into heat.”

I cup his face. “It’s alright, baby.”

“And I haven’t been able to stay mad at you for longer than like…three minutes. I don’t want to ever be mad at you. Everything you do makes me like you more. It makes me think that I—that we—Luc, what’s happening?”

“Are you afraid of these feelings?”

He shakes his head. “I was…at first. But now, I need to know. I need to understand why this feels so good.”

A soft whine leaves my throat as I kiss him. “If you want to know, my heart, we have to visit the shaman.”

“Gabe’s creepy grandma?” he balks.

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh, but it doesn’t work. So I kiss him again. Against my lips, he protests, “She’s terrifying! Did you see her left eye? It’s all milky and—”

“Shh,” I insist. Stealing a few more kisses while I can. “Having a gift like hers isn’t creepy.”

“Fine,” he whines dramatically and pushes me so I’m flat on my back. Straddling me, he holds my neck and stares into my eyes. “You would want me? Even if I’m still not sure about a lot of things?”

My chest pinches. “I want you.”

“But what if we are this magical power couple? What if you’re… stuck with me, Luc?”

I slide my hands over his hips and let them settle on his waist. “I’m not stuck with you.”

“W-what?” he croaks.

“The word stuck in reference to a pair means it wasn’t a choice, Zan. It means they deal with the hand given and settle.”

“I don’t understand, and it’s giving break-up vibes.” He curls his arms to his chest defensively. “So you better change this shit real fast because I do not want to get my heart ripped out before I go on some awesome quest to save the world.”

I sit up fast, tug his perfect body closer, and growl, “I choose you, Zander. And I will choose you every day, in every life, as long as you’ll allow it.”

“Yeah?” he whispers, slowly wrapping his arms around my neck.

“Yes,” I insist. “Yes, precious. You’re mine. My heart. My baby. My sweet thing ,” I purr and tickle his sides. He squirms and laughs before nudging my face to the side to get access to my throat.

As he scents me, those plump lips kissing, tiny canines biting, and pink tongue licking, he trembles. “I choose you, too, Lucan. I chose you immediately, even if I didn’t know why.” Another little suck. “I want to be with you.”

“Then look at me and say it.”

He sucks in a sharp breath and pulls back.

When our eyes meet, my heart reaches for him.

“I—” He brushes his fingers over my cheeks, then over my eyes and brow.

Carding them through my hair next, he kisses me hard and fast. “I choose you, Lucan. I’m…

,” he pauses to blush and kiss me again, “fuck it. I’m your omega. ”

I whine and crush him to me in a bruising embrace. “You’ve just made me the happiest male in the entire world, my heart.” Tears quickly swell in my eyes, so I hide them in his neck. “The happiest…”