David seemed surprised Jake found his desires reasonable. Jake had always assumed the whole meek and subservient omega image was a stereotype, not reality. Did many alphas really want that? It sounded boring, to be honest. Maybe that was because he was raised by two betas. His paternal grandfather was an alpha married to a beta woman; the only alpha-omega couple he knew well was his Uncle Tim and Uncle Zeke. While Uncle Tim was definitely the alpha, Uncle Zeke didn’t just go around saying ‘yes, dear’ all the time. He was his own person for sure, and Jake had met members of Uncle Zeke’s family at parties. This business about an omega forgetting his family came out of nowhere as far as Jake was concerned.
Which reminded him, he ought to call his uncles at the earliest opportunity for their perspective on his situation.
Their conversation was interrupted when a nurse came to check on David, and they hadn’t even resumed yet when Detective Rossini knocked on the open door. “I thought you’d appreciate an update,” he announced.
“Very much,” agreed Jake.
“The crew McLaughlin hired couldn’t make plea deals fast enough. They were all happy to testify against him to reduce their sentences. My bet, McLaughlin’s lawyer is telling him to plead out as we speak.”
Jake hoped the bastard would plead out since it would save them, by which he mostly meant David, the stress of a trial.
Rossini returned Jake’s phone, wallet, and keys. “You two up for making statements this afternoon? I’ll send someone over if you are.”
“I’d like to get it over with,” said David.
“Yeah. What he said.”
The detective handed them each his card. “Call me if you need, and I’ll be in touch with any updates.”
“Thank you,” said Jake. David’s aunt and uncle went on to speak with the detective privately for a moment. It looked like they’d developed a rapport while David was missing.
Jake took the opportunity to consider his situation. While he had no legal obligation to claim David, he felt he had a moral obligation to at least consider it. After all, David wouldn’t be able to bond with another alpha and so far it seemed they might be a good fit.
He hadn’t been looking for an omega or, more likely since alphas outnumbered omegas, a beta spouse. Not that he didn’t want someone with whom to share his life, but he’d figured that would come just a little bit later. His transition to civilian life after the accident hadn’t been the easiest. In some ways the physical therapy had been the simplest part; the mental adjustment was harder.
Now he was in a better place, he’d made it through his first year of teaching and decided it was a good choice of civilian career, and apparently he was getting a house. He could support an omega and, down the road, kids. This wasn’t impossible, it was just a huge surprise.
Maybe he should clarify his view now Detective Rossini had left. “David, everything you’re talking about sounds normal to me. When I think of claiming, it means responsibility. Not just to protect you and provide for you, but if I claim you I need to give you a good life. A happy life.”
Uncle Tim had stressed an alpha’s responsibility since Jake’s teen years, and he’d impressed upon Jake that claiming an omega was the ultimate responsibility. Even children would grow up eventually whereas an omega was dependent on their alpha forever. It was true, according to Uncle Tim, that omegas were sexual creatures and liked pleasing their alpha thus (ugh, Jake never wanted to think about his uncles in bed, thank you very much). However, a good alpha earned his omega’s trust and devotion.
“Stuff like having your family involved in your life and getting a say in major decisions? Of course that’s how it should be. I’m wondering other things. Would you want a pet to keep you company while I’m at work? It’s not good to stay home all the time, so what would you want to do to get out?”
David’s aunt and uncle were both smiling at him now, a good and terrifying sign. Good because it meant they liked him, terrifying because they’d probably want him to claim their nephew and that meant accepting a massive responsibility out of the blue.
“I might like a cat,” said David after a moment. Jake was more of a dog person, but cats were alright. He wouldn’t mind one if it would make David happy. “And I’d love to join a writers’ group.”
“Writers’ group?” Jake wasn’t familiar with the concept.
“A few local people who enjoy writing who get together one evening a week to read and critique each other’s work.”
“Oh, okay. So are you hoping to publish someday?”
David couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice as he replied, “It’s difficult to publish when you can’t sign a legal contract.”
Right. “I could sign it for you, though.”
David looked at him with awe. “You’d do that?”
“Sure, why not? As long as you weren’t writing manifestos on overthrowing the government or anything crazy like that.”
“I write adventure stories. Most alphas freak out at the idea of an omega earning even a little bit of money.”
The money angle wasn’t that big a deal to Jake. Most writers didn’t make very much as far as he knew, and going for complete honesty, he said, “It’s not freaking me out, though it might be weird if you made more than me.”
“That’s very unlikely,” David told him.
“But what if he did?” pressed Julie.
Jake pondered that for a moment. Definitely weird and not the good kind of weird. Still, he thought about everything Uncle Tim told him about having an omega and how an alpha needed to do the very best for their omega, looked at David’s guardedly hopeful expression, and decided he couldn’t be that cruel in the name of his own ego. “If it did happen, I’d just have to get over the weirdness.”
David blinked in disbelief. Stunned surprise was a good look on him. “Wow.”
Jake was slammed with the recognition that he was very seriously considering claiming the omega, to the point where the idea was less hypothetical in his mind. He imagined himself coming home to David and it wasn’t a bad picture.
The younger man still looked worn down, to be expected after his ordeal, but nowhere near as ragged as he had the previous day. The IV was doing him a world of good. He had delicate facial features, beautiful blue eyes, and Jake supposed, once healthy, David’s body would be attractively lithe. All this was topped off with dark blond hair. As an omega, he grew no facial hair and it was a little strange not to see morning stubble, but that wasn’t a bad thing.
Physical attraction, check. Jake had asked for a pheromone blocker last night so he could think rationally, and as it started to wear off he concluded the omega smelled amazing. Pheromone compatibility, check.
Damn, on the thinking rationally front he really shouldn’t make a decision until he was off the painkillers. From past experience he doubted these were strong enough to mess with his head, but it wasn’t worth taking the chance while making such a major life choice.
Amanda seemed pleased. “Alright, time for everyone’s favorite question. I’d like each of you to share two weaknesses. Or, as I prefer to call them, opportunities for growth.”
“I hate admitting weakness,” said Jake.
She frowned slightly, “It’s important information.”
“That’s my first answer. I don’t like looking vulnerable.” He wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t a case of being raised to believe he couldn’t ever show weakness, it was just something that made Jake uncomfortable.
“Oh. I’m sorry for the misinterpretation; that’s a perfectly valid answer. And your second?”
Wonderful. Prod the man who just said he hates admitting weakness about his weaknesses. “Tying in with the first, I’m too stubborn for my own good. Or so I’ve been told.”
“Thank you, Jake. David?”
“I worry too much, for one thing. A second, umm. Sometimes, especially since I hit maturity and started staying home more, I kind of get lost in my own little world, reading or writing. I’m not allowed to cook while reading anymore. Long story short, we ate pizza that night.”
Now that sounded like it could be an interesting story. Jake didn’t get to ask for details because Amanda spoke up again. “Thank you, David. Jake, would you excuse us for an hour or so? I think there are some things we should discuss privately.”
“Can do.” He could use the time to think, and maybe call his uncles if he could borrow a phone charger. Some experienced perspective would be very welcome about now.
* * * *
It was a productive hour. First he spoke with a nurse about omega birth control and learned oral contraceptives were a very good option that only had to be started a week before heat. When he asked how they’d know when it was a week before, the nurse explained if Jake claimed David, he’d be able to notice the subtle changes in scent that nobody else would, including this important change that signaled oncoming heat.
The nurse also suggested an STI test which Jake agreed to immediately. He always practiced safe sex but you couldn’t be too careful, and if he claimed David, they’d be monogamous, so dispensing with condoms would be nice. (Note to self, he thought, confirm to David intention to be faithful.)
That done, he got himself discharged, refused painkillers stronger than naproxen, requested more pheromone blockers, and promised to use his crutches and knee brace faithfully. The nursing station had an extra phone charger they let him borrow, too. These folks were being very kind and he wondered if the extra attention was due to his and David’s unusual situation.
After a quick call to update his parents, he made the much-needed call to his uncles. They listened to the story intently, and when he finished, Uncle Zeke offered, “Since you said you have in mind something like our relationship, do you want me to come talk with David? I don’t think you realize just how progressive our relationship was for our generation, and while there has been some social progress, we’re still in the minority.”
“That’s a good idea. It might help him trust that I’m serious about treating him right.”
“Keep up with the pheromone blockers,” instructed Uncle Tim, “and don’t make your final decision today.”
“Yeah,” agreed Uncle Zeke, “if you claim him because you feel obligated and end up miserable or resenting him, you’re not doing him any favors.”
“How can I be sure I won’t have regrets in the future?”
Uncle Tim replied, “You can’t.”
“That’s not very reassuring.”
“It’s the truth. If you claim him you’re committing to him for the rest of your lives and there is no way to know what will happen. You make the commitment knowing whatever comes up the two of you will deal with together.”
“For what it’s worth,” Uncle Zeke said, “I think you have a lot to offer him.”
“That’s worth a lot. The question has occurred to me.” In fact it had nagged at Jake persistently ever since he learned David bonded with him. Seeing how he wasn’t at all prepared to claim an omega he seriously wondered if he had any business doing so.
“You’ll make him a good alpha if that’s what you decide.”
Uncle Tim asked, “Do you like him?”
“So far. I’d like to get to know him better, but from what we’ve talked about already it seems like we’re a pretty good match. I actually like the idea of coming home to him. It’s just a lot of pressure, you know? It’s me or nobody for him.”
“And that’s showing that you’d be a good alpha if you claimed him,” said Uncle Zeke. “A huge life-changing curveball has just landed in your lap and you’re still thinking about him.”
“I’m thinking about myself, too.”
“You need to,” said Uncle Tim. “You need to be aware of what you’re able to do and give him. For the record, Zeke’s right, you have a lot to offer. It’ll be a huge change, and since you weren’t expecting it you might have some rough patches adjusting. That’s alright, you’ll figure your new life out. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should claim him. Only you can decide if that’s the right option. I’m saying that if you choose to, you’ll be a good alpha for him.”
“The votes of confidence help.”
“Good.”
“Getting to know each other better is an excellent idea,” continued Uncle Tim. “Especially since you want him to be his own person and not a doormat.”
Amanda was heading his way, so Jake figured he was about to get back to making David’s acquaintance. “The social worker is back so I’ve gotta go.”
“Call again, day or night, if you want to talk again.”
“Don’t forget I’m happy to chat with David,” reminded Uncle Zeke.
“I won’t. Thanks a lot.”
Amanda took the seat next to his. “How are you doing, Jake?”
“Honestly? Overwhelmed.”
“I’d be concerned if you weren’t. It shows that you’re taking this seriously.” She handed him a folder. “Information that might be useful for you as you make your decision. Some of it is generic on claiming an omega and some is specific to unexpected claims. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Are some alphas really as bad as he’s talking about?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“They just dictate everything?”
“Yes. There are plenty of omegas who get very little say in their lives. I take it you haven’t had much exposure to alpha-omega couples?”
“Not besides my uncles, who I just learned have an uncommonly progressive relationship.”
“They’re your model, then.”
“Yeah. I thought that was usual and the stereotypes were just hype.” In the Army there were guys who talked about getting an omega when they were more established who usually focused on the sex aspect and the rest…well, apparently hadn’t been as much in jest as Jake assumed. “Kinda feel like an idiot about that.”
“It’s not idiotic. Actually it speaks well of your family. I do have an important question for you, though: now that you’re aware how other alpha-omega relationships work, is that what you want?”
“No,” he answered automatically. “It’s just wrong to deny someone their individuality. Plus it sounds boring.”
She cracked a smile at that. “I have to agree.”
“Do you think this could work? David and I?”
“I’ve seen unexpected claims and accidental bondings that worked out very well. They don’t all, but when the people in question share a basic idea of how their life together would work, the way you two seem to, they can build excellent relationships.”
“So in your professional opinion, we could be a success story?”
“You could, but remember, I can’t promise that. All I can say is that you have as good a chance as anyone else. You’d both have to commit to the relationship.”
“That’s what my uncles said.”
“I think I’d like your uncles. Why don’t you go back in David’s room and get to know him more? Look at the material I gave you later. Neither of you has to make up your mind today.”
Part of Jake wanted a long time to decide. The other part just wanted to make a decision so he could move forward. It wasn’t unheard of to decide on a claim after only a couple days, but usually alphas in that case would have been actively looking for an omega and were therefore more prepared. He’d be diving into the deep end.
Then again, that always had been his preferred way to enter a pool.