Page 22 of Billy and Cord (Omega Hearts #1)

Brandon squirmed, something Cord didn’t think he’d ever seen the man do.

“Rapid is a beta wolf. He doesn’t have the same level of attachment to an omega that an alpha might have.

He doesn’t see omegas the way your mate is wired to feel about them.

I am not condoning his actions at all, but the matter is being seen as more of a personal issue revolving around his fixation with Cord, rather than a direct attack against an omega. ”

Cord let out a long breath. If we attack him, we won’t be allowed to go home with Billy, he reminded his snarling wolf.

But Billy didn’t seem to have the same issues with his own wolf. In fact, his voice was calm, and Cord could imagine him negotiating with a difficult client in exactly the same way.

“Fine. I’ll accept this is a personnel matter, and no business of mine.

But as the affected omega, I insist that Rapid faces consequences for his actions.

A written apology is the bare minimum, but to me, that’s not enough.

I want compensation for the four days of emotional distress I went through.

Restitution. That’s what my mate called it.

I want restitution. We’re buying a new house together, and I want to be able to contribute to it.

I also want an iron-clad guarantee that Rapid will never be in a position to do something like this again. Iron clad.”

Brandon blinked at Billy like he’d grown a second head.

Cord bit back a grin. His mate might look like a stiff breeze could knock him over, but Billy had learned to fight for himself long ago.

From what Cord had heard from his mate’s friends, Billy wasn’t usually as vocal about it, but Cord was thrilled to see how being valued had given Billy the confidence to speak up for himself.

“Those seem like reasonable requests,” Cord said mildly. “Don’t you think, Brandon?”

His team leader sighed. “I’ll see what I can do. The apology should be easy enough - Rapid’s already whining that he’d write one if you’d speak to him.”

“Which isn’t going to happen,” Cord snapped.

“I know, and he’s been informed.” Brandon glanced at Billy. “With regards to the compensation what did you have in mind?”

Billy adjusted his glasses, a gesture Cord recognized as his mate organizing his thoughts.

“Money for me to go toward our house. Hazard pay for Cord, retroactive to when the mission started, and applicable to all team members, except for Rapid. Cord wasn’t the only one with his phone blocked unnecessarily, or his time wasted on a false mission.

There should also be a formal company policy about not interfering with mating bonds to align with national laws.

And...” he paused, color rising in his cheeks again.

“And, in exchange for letting this matter drop, the company can pay a substantial donation to our wedding costs as a way of showing their support for mated team members.”

Cord’s heart skipped. Wedding? They’d mentioned it when they’d gone house hunting, but hadn’t made any specific plans yet. But the idea of Billy in a tux, exchanging vows in front of their friends...

“I think that’s more than fair,” Cord said, standing to wrap an arm around Billy’s waist. “Considering the alternative is Billy explaining to a judge in an open court about how your organization enabled harassment and emotional torture of an omega.”

Brandon held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll take it to the board. Honestly? They’ll probably agree just to make this go away.” He stood, extending his hand to Cord. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. This never should have happened.”

Cord shook his hand briefly. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

As they turned to leave, Brandon called out, “Cord? Take the rest of the month off. Paid. You’ve both been through enough.”

Outside the office, Billy maintained his composure until they reached the parking lot. Then he sagged against Cord’s truck, hands shaking.

“Holy shit,” he breathed. “Did I really just do that?”

“You were magnificent.” Cord crowded close, caging Billy against the truck. “My fierce little omega, demanding justice.”

Billy’s laugh was shaky. “I don’t know where that came from. It’s like… I just saw him, and I kept thinking about you alone on that mission, not knowing Rapid was messing with us. It made me so angry.”

“I love you,” Cord said simply. “And not just because you went toe-to-toe with Brandon. But because you’re strong and brave and - did you really want a big wedding?”

Pink bloomed across Billy’s cheeks. “I mean, we don’t have to if you were joking about it before. I know we’re already mated, but I thought... maybe something small? With our friends?”

Cord kissed him, right there in the parking lot where anyone could see. “Yes,” he murmured against Billy’s lips. “Whatever you want. Big wedding, small wedding, Elvis chapel in Vegas - I don’t care as long as I get to call you my husband.”

Billy melted against him. “Take me home?”

“Always.” Cord opened the truck door for his mate. “Though technically, we have the rest of the month off. We could go look at that house again, start making a list of what needs fixing before we move in…”

“Or,” Billy said, sliding across the bench seat to press against Cord’s side, “we could go home, and I could show you exactly how proud I am of my big, strong alpha for not ripping anyone’s throat out today. I could feel how much you wanted to from the moment you walked into that place.”

Cord groaned, starting the truck with perhaps more haste than necessary. “Have I mentioned I love how your mind works?”

Billy’s hand settled high on Cord’s thigh. “You can show me when we get home.”

As they drove away from headquarters, Cord marveled at how much his life had changed in just a few weeks. He’d walked into that Omega Hearts event expecting nothing and found everything - a mate who was kind, clever, brave, and absolutely perfect for him.

“What are you smiling about?” Billy asked.

“You,” Cord answered honestly. “Just... you.”

Billy ducked his head, but Cord caught his pleased smile. “Sap.”

“Your sap,” Cord corrected, tangling their fingers together on the seat between them.

“Yeah,” Billy agreed softly. “Mine.”