Page 13

Ersa

“W here did that serving bot disappear to?” Ersa mumbled around a mouthful of crispy, spiced meat, his gaze sweeping over the crowded eatery. “These meat fries are unreal.”

“You want to order again?” Jun asked, incredulous, his eyes drifting to the stack of empty plates cluttering the table. They had already eaten enough for an army. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were eating for two.”

Ersa dismissed the comment with a lazy wave, already lifting his arm to flag down a nearby server. Before he could get their attention, Jun yanked his arm down with a firm grip, dragging the sleeve along with it. The fabric slipped away, exposing the crescent-shaped scratch that Ersa had deliberately kept hidden. He tensed, knowing exactly where this was headed. Ersa had wanted to avoid this conversation, but there was no escaping it now.

“I thought you said it was a onetime thing,” Jun murmured, his gaze locking onto Ersa’s arm, eyes dark with unspoken questions. “This looks fresh. Did you fuck your alpha last night?”

Ersa sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes widening in horror. “Keep your voice down,” he hissed, darting a glance around the crowded eatery.

Jun didn’t seem the least bit concerned. He leaned back in his chair, arms folding over his chest, his expression shifting from shock to something dangerously close to amusement. “Oh wow,” he murmured, eyes glinting with realization. “You’re not even denying it.”

Ersa sank his teeth into the soft flesh of his cheek. He should lie, tell Jun that nothing was going on between him and Xander. But how long could he keep up the charade? They could barely keep their hands off each other. And there was an even more pressing matter: his false pregnancy. It was already taking its toll on his body. The subtle swell of his belly, the changes in his posture, the way his scent had shifted—sooner or later, people would start to notice. Maybe it was best to stay home for the next seven months. By then, the false pregnancy would have faded, his body returning to normal. And Benjn… Benjn would be bigger, already weaned and eating solid food.

The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, as he struggled to piece together a response.

“That son of a bitch knocked you up, didn’t he? That’s why you’re eating too much.” When Ersa didn’t answer him, Jun’s eyes widened, a flicker of alarm darkening their usual warmth. His gaze darted over Ersa, searching for confirmation. “Tell me the truth.” Jun’s voice wavered with concern, his brows drawn together in a tight knot. “He didn’t pressure you, did he? He didn’t manipulate or force you into anything?” His fingers curled into the edge of the table, knuckles whitening. “I’ve heard horror stories of omegas taken advantage of by the alphas entrusted with their care. I’ve been worried sick ever since you told me you were applying for that job. I wish you’d just let your parents find you a proper alpha to bond with.”

Ersa stiffened, his patience fraying at the edges. “Stop,” he snapped, a sharp edge to his voice. “Xander didn’t do anything. We’re together.”

He parted his lips, hesitating for a brief moment, the weight of his secret pressing down on him. A part of him wanted to tell Jun everything, to unburden himself, but the words got stuck in his throat.

“You’re… together?” The disbelief in Jun’s voice was impossible to miss. “How did that happen?”

“It’s… a long story,” Ersa said as he attempted to brush off the question.

“I have time,” Jun said, folding his arms across his chest.

“Okay. I lied on my application,” Ersa admitted, exhaling a long, weary sigh. Then, with a hesitant glance at Jun’s expectant face, he spilled everything. “So… we kind of fell for each other after that first time?”

Jun’s eyes narrowed. “That’s sex, Ersa. Not love.”

“Maybe,” Ersa shot back, his voice tight. “But whatever it is, it feels good—and I like being with him.”

Jun sighed, rubbing his temples like he was gearing up for something unpleasant. “Are you sure you’re not… using him as a substitute or something like that?”

The words hit like a punch straight to the gut. Ersa stared at Jun, his heart cracking under the weight of the accusation. Without a word, he shoved to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. But before he could storm out of the eatery, Jun’s hand shot out, grasping his arm.

“I’m sorry,” Jun said quickly, his voice strained. “I shouldn’t have said that. I… fuck.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, his expression crumpling. “Please, sit down.”

Ersa hesitated, but the plea in Jun’s voice convinced him to stay. He sank back into his seat, his throat so tight it hurt. Before he could stop them, tears welled up, blurring his vision. He blinked rapidly, but a few slipped free anyway.

“Ersa…” Jun’s voice softened, regret lacing every word. “I didn’t mean that—not the way it sounded. I’m just… worried about you. You fell into this so fast, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m sure three years ago, no one meant for me to get hurt—but I did,” Ersa said, his voice trembling as he swiped at his damp cheeks. “No one thought I’d survive living in a commune house, but I did that too. What I feel for Xander… maybe it’s not love. Maybe it is just sex. But it’s real. And for the first time in a long time, I’m happy . Can’t you just be happy for me?”

Jun nodded, the fight draining out of him. He reached across the table, his fingers curling gently around Ersa’s, the warmth of his touch offering quiet reassurance. “I am happy for you,” he murmured, his voice low and sincere. “I’m glad you found someone who cares about you. You deserve that, Ersa. You really do.”

A small, wobbly smile played on Ersa’s lips as he squeezed Jun’s hands back. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I care about him too.”

“I’m sorry,” Jun whispered.

“It’s okay,” Ersa murmured back.

“Okay, enough of the mushy stuff. Order your meat fries.”

“Thank you… thank you!” Ersa said, his excitement bubbling over as he spun around to flag down one of the servers. His eyes sparkled with anticipation as the server approached, and without missing a beat, he rattled off his order. Just as the server was about to turn away, Ersa glanced at Jun and added, “Oh, and can I get one more order to go?”

“This is going to be the longest seven months of my life,” Jun muttered in mock horror. “Are you planning to eat nonstop the entire time?”

“I might,” Ersa admitted shamelessly, popping a crispy, golden-brown piece into his mouth. A satisfied moan escaped him as the flavor hit his tongue. “Everything tastes so good.”

Jun just shook his head, exhaling in defeat. “Unbelievable.”

Ersa laughed, but the sound was hollow—a weak attempt to shake off the weight of Jun’s words. Still, they clung to him, a quiet ache he couldn’t quite ignore. They followed him home, trailing behind him like a shadow. Even as he cared for Benjn, his mind kept circling back to that conversation.

Later, as he tucked Benjn into bed, his hands moved on autopilot—smoothing the covers, brushing a stray curl from the cub’s forehead—while his thoughts spiraled. Afterward, he wandered to the washroom. He got cleaned up, changed into sleepwear, and sat on the edge of the bed, slowly massaging lotion into his hands. The soft, calming scent rose around him, but even that familiar comfort couldn’t soothe the tension coiled tight in his chest.

“Are you alright?” Xander’s voice pulled him from his thoughts, warm and gentle. He stood in the doorway, his brow creased with concern. “Did something happen with your friend? You’ve been quiet since you got back.”

Ersa glanced up, his throat tight. “It’s nothing. Let’s just go to bed.”

He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Xander, the solid warmth of the alpha grounding him as they moved toward the bed. But even with that comfort, his mind wouldn’t settle. Long after they lay tangled beneath the covers, Xander’s soft breathing filling the quiet, Ersa stared up at the ceiling, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on his chest. Sleep evaded him, and the silence only made Jun’s words echo louder.

When Benjn’s soft cry broke the stillness, Ersa was still wide-awake. He shifted, ready to get up, but Xander’s groggy voice stopped him.

“I’ll get him,” he mumbled, already getting out of bed.

Ersa watched him stumble out of bed and disappear into the nursery, and the ache in his chest grew. The ease with which they’d slipped into these roles—caring for Benjn, sharing a bed, moving around each other like two halves of a whole—had felt so natural, so right, that Ersa hadn’t stopped to question it. He’d just embraced it.

But now, those questions wouldn’t leave him alone.

Xander returned a few minutes later with Benjn cradled in his arms. The little thing screamed his head off and only quieted down when Xander handed him over to him.

Ersa lifted his shirt and started to feed him as Xander moved around the bed to settle on his side. He stretched out beside them, propping himself up slightly as his gaze lingered on his face. Ersa’s stomach fluttered, and his cheeks heated. “What?” he asked shyly.

“Something’s wrong,” Xander murmured, a gentle warmth threading through the words. A slow, knowing smile curved his lips, but his eyes stayed fixed on Ersa, steady and patient. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

There was no pressure in his tone, no hint of judgment or frustration. Just an openness that made something inside Ersa ache. And before he even realized it, the words began to spill out.

He told Xander everything about his conversation with Jun, about the doubts that had taken root and wouldn’t let go. Jun’s questions had dug a hole inside him, one that kept growing, making him second-guess everything he’d been feeling. Everything they’d built.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” Ersa whispered.

Xander didn’t flinch. His face remained calm, his voice steady and gentle when he finally spoke. “Do you feel like you’re using us as a substitute?”

Ersa’s heart twisted at the softness of the question—no anger, no accusation. Just quiet curiosity.

He shrugged, his fingers twisting the hem of his shirt. “After we slept together that first time, I… I couldn’t help but crave your attention. I missed having an alpha.” His voice cracked, and he forced himself to meet Xander’s gaze. “And Benjn… he saved me. The moment I held him in my arms, it was like love at first sight. Everything just… made sense.”

His gaze drifted downward, the weight of his confession pressing heavily on his chest. And still, Xander said nothing—but his silence wasn’t cold. It was patient, waiting, letting Ersa take his time. Letting him be vulnerable.

As the cub stared up at him, the shift in his demeanor was almost tangible. His features softened, his posture relaxed, and a quiet warmth settled over him. The effortless affection he showed him stole his breath, a tenderness so natural it made Ersa’s chest tighten.

I adore you too , Ersa silently said as he cradled Benjn close, and that realization sent a deep, unexpected satisfaction coursing through him. Benjn suckled lazily. With each slow, rhythmic pull, his eyelids grew heavier, fluttering shut. His breaths deepened, a peaceful slumber settling over him.

“He’s out,” Ersa said, kissing Benjn’s forehead.

“Bring him here,” Master Quin said, pushing back the covers and rising from the bed. With steady hands, he took Benjn and gently rested the cub against his shoulder, his palm moving in slow, soothing circles over the small back. A quiet hum rumbled from his chest as he paced toward the nursery. Moments later, he returned. When Xander lay beside him and pulled him close, Ersa was surprised by the gentle possessiveness of his touch, as if nothing had changed, as if the words he’d just spoken hadn’t driven a wedge of doubt between them. The warmth of his body chased away the chill of uncertainty, and Ersa couldn’t help but melt into him.

“Tell me about them,” Xander murmured.

Ersa blinked, his breath catching. “Why?” he asked, his throat tightening.

“Because they were part of you,” Xander said simply, his fingers brushing through Ersa’s hair with soothing patience. “Even if they’re gone, that doesn’t change. They’re still there in your memory, and I don’t want you to be afraid to love them or talk about them with me. I want to share in your memories too. And I want Benjn to one day know about your cub.”

The tenderness in his words cracked something open inside Ersa, and when he finally spoke, his voice was a whisper. “Mika. That was his name.”

Xander smiled softly. “And your bond mate? What was his name?”

“Mason,” Ersa said, and for the first time in a long while, it didn’t hurt quite as much to say his name. A tiny, bittersweet smile tugged at his lips.

“How did you two meet?” Xander asked, shifting around to get comfortable like he was settling in for a story he truly wanted to hear.

Ersa pulled back just enough to look at him, searching his face. “Do you really want to know?”

Xander’s eyes softened, his expression open and inviting. “Yes. And maybe one day, I’ll tell you about Nath.”

The unexpected honesty, the quiet vulnerability, made Ersa’s eyes fill with tears. He swallowed hard, his heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and love. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “How did I get so lucky?”

Xander’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “We’re both lucky. I’m so happy I found you.”

He leaned down and captured Ersa’s mouth in a slow, tender kiss—one that spoke of promises and patience, of a future they didn’t have to rush. And as Ersa clung to him, his arms tightening around the alpha, he vowed never to let him go.