Page 19 of His Snowbound Omega

This was about getting back inside the omega without completely snuffing out that ember he liked to keep encased in ice and frost.

If he forced the mating bite now, Baal might break him. He didn’t want that. His mate needed to be strong and resilient. The White Frost didn’t appreciate the weak.

“You’ll get the money in the bag,” he’d give it one last attempt, and if the omega still refused, he’d make the choice for him, “and a guarantee that all of Aster’s future medical expenses will be paid.” Baal saw the glimmer of hope in Thorn’s eyes and latched onto it. “His condition isn’t incurable.”

“What do you mean?” Thorn’s tone shifted. The poor thing would really do anything for his little brother, including selling himself. “We were told we’d exhausted all of our options.”

“On the legal market, sure.” Baal shrugged. “The White Frost has ties with several pharmaceutical companies working on medical advancements not yet available to the public. Did you get a good look at Espen earlier?”

The question was double-edged, and his omega wasn’t so distracted by the first inkling of hope to not see it for what it was.

Smart.

But then, Baal knew that already as well. Before having to drop out of school to support his family, Thorn had been top of his class. He would have been able to complete his degree through scholarships if his father hadn’t taken out that first loan and sealed all their fates.

“I know better than to stare at another alpha when the one I just slept with is right in front of me,” Thorn said coolly, and while it was a shame that fire had died away, it was no matter.

Baal would bring it back out in him shortly.

“That’s good,” he praised. “Keep being good for me, omega, and I promise it’ll all be worth it.” He held up a hand, stopping Thorn from getting bratty. “Espen is one of my strongest soldiers, but he wasn’t always. He was born with the same condition as Aster.”

“What?” Thorn’s head whipped to the window overlooking the front yard, but it was too dark outside to make out any of the faces of the men standing in the driveway. “How?”

“I told you,” he said, waiting until the omega turned back to him. “We have connections.”

Thorn nibbled on his bottom lip, but it was so obvious he was going to cave. “And…you’ll give it to me? You swear?”

“He’ll need months of rehabilitation,” Baal said. “It’s not a miracle drug. It will cure him, but it’ll take time, at least a year, potentially longer.”

“But you’ll pay for it? All of it?”

“I’ll make sure he’s kept comfortable throughout.” He smirked. “You both will be.”

Thorn defiantly gave a slight shake of his head. “Being your broodmare will be anything but comfortable.”

“Perhaps not,” he agreed. “But you aren’t getting out of this, so you may as well get everything you can from me in the process, don’t you think?”

“Why me?”

“Because I want you.” It was rather simple, really.

“You’ve already had me.”

Baal snorted. “I want you to birth my children.”

“I won’t be able to.”

“That doesn’t deter me. Either I’ll eventually impregnate you, or we’ll both grow old trying.”

“Or,” Thorn said, a flash of indignation alighting in his gaze once more, “you get bored with me and kick me out onto the streets.”

“Even if that does happen,” it wouldn’t, “it would be long after your brother is already taken care of. And,” Baal got to his feet, “I won’t make you sell this house. You’ll be allowed to keep it.”

“Gee, thanks.”

He grinned. “I like it when you’re defiant, frosty omega. Just be careful not to take things too far.”

Thorn remained still as Baal approached and didn’t pull away when he reached out and captured his chin.