Page 48 of Ondine: Vol. 2

“Ok, ok, ok,” he pitters off to himself.

“What’s going on, Sebastian?”

He sighs deeply and rubs his hand over his skull.

“Have you ever had a girlfriend?”

I can’t help the look of glee on my face. This is a strange turn of events. I think this is the funniest alpha I’ve ever met. “Yes, I’ve had a few.”

“How many?”

“A few in high school. One through college. I dated a lot out of college. I haven’t had anyone for a couple of years now.”

“All betas?”

“Yes.”

“How did you…meet them?” I don’t think he means “meet”. I think he means “get”.

“My last long time girlfriend was Anna. I met her on a dating app, Limerence. She was a dog person. She had long red hair and a hundred friends. She liked how tall I was and would show me off like a little prize she won at a carnival. I took her to coffee at first. Then a baseball game. Then I’d bring dinner to her apartment most nights. I invited her over to my house and made tacos and gave her flowers and a card, and asked her to be my girlfriend.”

He makes a little “hmmm” sound and it’s actually kind of endearing. I don’t tell him Anna was not great with intimacy. She mostly needed a boyfriend to take along to her friends’ and families’ events. “We moved in together after six months.”

“Wait, what happened?” Alphas don’t have these kinds of relationships. They would call this “a trial”. And there’s always a well documented contract. If there’s not, people can get hurt. The idea of casually seeing where things go is foreign to them.

“We were together for nearly two years. And then broke up.”

“Wow. Beta relationships sound fucking terrifying.”

Is Sebastian wanting todateOndine?

Ondine lived most of her life as a beta. Maybe she’d want to be asked out. But she wouldn’t be happy dating someone long term that way. She has needs. But maybe she’d like it if someone dated her. Especially an alpha.

“Are you thinking of asking Ondine out?”

He goes completely pink at my question. That’s answer enough.

15

Simon

Freddie

I’m grateful Sebastian is here with me. I was going to do this on my own, but this is better. He doesn’t ask too many questions. He takes me to the Meier Protections studio to retrieve a van. Killer sits on my lap as I drive us to Man-ho School of Adolescent Alpha Boys.

I am no longer that 13 year old boy. Wayward, angry, and small. I’m an alpha. A bonded alpha. I come from one of the most influential packs in the city. I am going to join the Meier Pack.

I found my bonded mate. I should be the most powerful man in any room I’m in.

My scent match wantedme. She is safe withme.

The gate is open to the school. I drive all the way up to the school and park in front.

I take a few deep breaths.

I can do this. I’m Freddie fucking Wong.

“Want me to come in?” Sebastian asks.