Page 53 of Single Omega Dad

“Math, I’m not a total stranger. We grew up together. I know you like I know myself. We had the same father, the same blunt-ass cold as ice father, and the things he put into our minds, well, each of us handled them differently, you, me and Kris. After Kris left, more and more I could see you trying to impress Father, be like him.”

I started to interrupt him but he shook his head.

“You were. You wanted to be the favorite. I’ve always known that. And you achieved that. Father loves you. You’re smart, you like money, you do everything he tells you to. It’s okay, but you know something? You get to be you, too. It doesn’t negate Father. And somethingison your mind or you wouldn’t have brought up Kris to Father. So spill.”

I chewed on my lower lip. My throat started to go dry.

Trigg’s eyebrows came together, an innocently worried look. “Is it so hard to talk to me? I’m your brother. I’m here and always have been. I got you, you know, even if you are a turd sometimes.”

Trigg blinked.

A warmth came from behind my eyes, unusual, unwanted, rarely felt. My voice rasped as I blurted, “I can never mate-bond, you know.”

Trigg took a drink of his wine, then tilted his head. “Says who?”

“Says me.”

“Why?”

I took a deep breath. “You have to promise you will never tell another soul.”

Trigg made the cross his heart gesture. I thought he might actually laugh, but instead he sat very still and waited, his face relaxed and intent on me.

I looked down at the tablecloth. “I have never—uh—I can’t—uh—well, I don’t knot.”

The muscles around Trigg’s eyes twitched. “I already know that. You told me you don’t because you hate it. You don’t want to. But wait… Never?”

“Never. I can’t, I guess. Even if I try.”

“You guess?”

I nodded. “Some Alpha I am, right?”

“Fuck that. So what does the doctor say?”

“What doctor?”

“You’ve never seen a doctor for this? Why not?”

“Why would I? I don’t care, you know. It’s not the end of the world. Fuck. Who cares? I’m an Alpha who can’t knot. Big deal. There are people who are dying. Omegas who are sold—“

“Whoa, hold up there. Since when do you care about Omegas? Wow, I’m seeing a whole different side to my brother here.” Trigg smiled. “And before you say another word, Math, babe, you gotta see a doctor. It could be something really minor and fixable. It’s not your fault and it’s not about being or not being the perfect Alpha.”

“Isn’t it?”

Trigg threw his head back and breathed out in frustration. “Gods, you’re such an idiot.”

“Asshole,” I replied, raising my eyebrow to soften the name-calling.

At that very moment, the waiter came with our food. I folded my napkin in my lap and focused on what was on my plate. Chicken breast. Tortellini. White sauce.

I heard Trigg’s fork scrape against his plate. I took a bite of food, noticing that Trigg was still poking at his.

“First things first,” Trigg said. “A doctor. I can get you in to see my guy maybe even this afternoon. Will you agree to that?”

I hated this. I should have kept my mouth shut.

“Why you never told me before is--”