Page 26 of Leave Me (Shift MC #1)
Chapter twenty-five
Fowler
W atching Riley spiral as we learned about his nature was like seeing him go through the stages of grief for his own identity. He got past denial and anger at the Reunion, believing Kono’s words with all the evidence. Now he was at the bargaining stage and moving quickly into depression.
With how strong his scent was, I knew we needed to reach acceptance fast.
My phone buzzed, and I saw Channing had added some context. “She said a week isn’t common, and being around an alpha helps it pass more quickly.” I paused, letting my words sink in before I added, “Chan says it’s painful on your own, but hers usually last three or four days.”
“My mom never went through this,” Riley muttered to himself. He was sitting in a chair at the small table, his head in his hands. He scoffed. “Except she does. Every month for decades.”
“Yeah,” I cringed. I hadn’t had a period in years, but I remembered hating them. I couldn’t imagine being my sister and wondered if she had both heat and a monthly visit from Aunt Flo. I actually didn’t know if Chan had both, and I messaged her again. I laughed when she replied.
Lil Sis Channing
Ew vomit emoji but yes, I had both before I got the implant.
Lil Sis Channing
Any more invasive questions?
Knowing that I’d have more questions but not wanting to be texting when Riley needed me, I let her know I was done for the moment.
Riley stood abruptly and started making the bed, so I moved to help. We worked silently to put a sheet on top of the mattress protector, and I didn’t want to think about why waterproofing was necessary or I’d get a hard-on again.
When we were finishing up with pillow covers, Riley set his pillow down and waited until I met his gaze. “If it hurts more and lasts longer without an alpha, there’s an easy solution for that. ”
My wolf bristled at the idea of Riley having sex with anyone, but my cock wanted it to be me. I wasn’t a monster who would take advantage of him in his vulnerable state.
“You don’t have to sleep with an alpha, or anyone,” I insisted, dropping my pillow half-covered and walking around the bed. I needed to touch him. “Most omegas go through their heats without anyone.”
“That’s stupid,” Riley huffed in annoyance.
“According to my Gramps, not all alphas can control themselves. He always said it was safer to keep unclaimed omegas sequestered.”
Riley’s eyes got steely before he dropped them to look at where I held his hands. “Because I’m unclaimed.”
Mine.
Willing my wolf to shut up so I could think rationally, I took a deep breath. It was a mistake. Riley’s ripe apple scent filled my lungs, and I went from controlled to barely holding back in a second. Stepping away, I walked to lean on the sink.
“Why not you?” Riley’s voice was so soft, I wondered if he meant for me to hear him. But I did.
“Why not me, what?” I asked, wanting him to say the words.
“You could help me. ”
Shaking my head, I turned to face him, crossing my arms. “How can you consent when your body is telling you to get an alpha cock in you at any cost?”
Riley startled me when he laughed and grinned at me. “King, if you don’t think I’ve wanted you since long before this week, you don’t know me as well as you think.”
“We kissed…” I hedged, remembering how kissing Riley had been what told me I liked boys as a man. “You didn’t say anything.”
“Dammit, Fowler.” Riley threw his hands up and stalked to stand inches from me. “I knew you were leaving town. And I was going to college. You threw me a bone, so I didn’t feel pathetic at prom.”
“It wasn’t—I didn’t kiss you as some kind of pity thing,” I admitted, matching his heavy breathing. “I always thought you were cute.”
“And I thought you were the hottest thing I’d ever seen. I still do,” Riley gritted out, his panting breaths causing his chest to bump mine. “I was a confused gay boy until you came out to me, and then you were the only one I wanted. But you just thought I was cute.”
“You’re still cute,” I couldn’t help teasing, pulling Riley against me. “But I also think you’ve grown into a sexy-ass man, with a sexy ass,” I added, nipping at his jaw.
“Fuck.” Riley gripped my shoulders as our hard lengths lined up. “I’m not in heat yet, and I want you more than ever, Fowler. ”
“I like it when you say my first name,” I told him. Kissing the corner of his mouth, I rubbed my cheek against his, getting my scent all over him. “And I want you too.”
“Then take me, Fowler,” Riley whispered against my lips.
Yes, take!
Letting him in, our tongues tangled as we rutted against one another. My wolf and I were fully on board until a horrible thought occurred to me. I stopped the kiss, causing Riley to whine, but I pulled my phone out and let him see what I was typing.
There was a burning question I had to ask.
Me: Can Riley get pregnant?
Riley gasped as I hit send, and we saw the telltale dots of my sister replying right away. They started and stopped multiple times, but I didn’t let Riley move away. Finally, her reply came through.
Lil Sis Channing
I…don’t know. I haven’t heard of an Alpha getting a male omega pregnant outside of myths from the tribe. But your situation is different. He’s older, and you’re trans. I don’t know, and I’m not sure who to ask.
The possibility I could get someone pregnant had never occurred to me before that day, and I had no clue what Riley was thinking. Meeting his eyes, we processed her words silently before my phone vibrated again.
Lil Sis Channing
Just in case…I left a bag of tea they gave me for if I went into heat around an Alpha to keep from getting pregnant. There’s a kettle on the stove. It can be used before full heat to work best, or after if an accident happens. One cup is all you need.
Lil Sis Channing
Please spare me any further details, big brother…
Yeah, I didn’t want my baby sister any more involved in my sex life. Riley had been reading along with me as each message popped up. When he pulled away, I let him go. He paced across the room, and I had a momentary fear he would leave.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Riley stopped at the box on the table, rummaging around until he found a cloth bag of something pungent. I could smell unfamiliar roots, the earthiness only overshadowed because of Riley’s scent and being in a box full of other smells.
“I’m going to brew tea,” Riley said as though it were obvious, walking to grab the stainless steel teapot on the ancient stove. He filled it with water and got the flame on before crossing his arms. “And then you’re going to fuck me before I go into heat.”