The Forbidden Omega

Chapter Six: So much more

Not yet echoes in my mind as I stare at Soren, watching this perfect creature admit his bond with that *beast.* I can hardly fathom why he wants this. How on earth his wolf could accept the pups of that…

I sigh, as Soren takes another bite of the pie, looking at the rain splattering against the window.

"I don't really want to have his litters," Soren mumbles, and I look back at him, my expression cautious and careful. "My wolf, she…" Soren bites his lip, poking at the crumble in front of him as his eyes fill with internal pain. "She doesn't like him."

I feel a clenching in my chest, like my insides were being slowly put through a pasta roller, as I want to beg him to see reason. How was *Jason* Soren's Alpha, when his wolf doesn't approve? I can only imagine how painful it would be, to have your wolf so against you, against what you want. I don't know what I would do.

"But, it's hard to find an Alpha who…" Soren's voice is a nearly inaudible whisper, as he tells me his inner shame. "It's hard to find an Alpha who wants this." His hand gestures to his body, his perfectly muscular frame, and impressive height. His tortured eyes meet mine with a rueful smile. "I'm not really an ideal Omega."

I could beg to differ. I bite back the words of adoration on my lips, knowing they would only lead to pain and chaos. He deserved an Alpha who truly loved him, not one who simply loves *possessing* him.

"It's their loss," I finally manage, unable to provide the full comfort I wished. I longed to shower him with praise, rain gifts and affection down upon the most perfect Omega I have ever seen. But I can't, by law. "Any Alpha would be *blessed* to have you for a mate." I swallow down the unspoken addition, *I would be.* I would be the most satisfied Alpha to simply share my life with him.

"You're sweet," he murmurs, eyes soft as he gazes at me. Soren has a tender, breathtaking smile on his face, as he tucks a stray wave behind his ear. "Not many Alphas are like you. You're… impossibly kind, Aiden." His hand brushes up and down his forearm as he looks away, a tinge of rose blooming on his cheeks.

"My parents raised me right," I reply, biting my bottom lip. My mouth curves into a gentle smile as I gaze at Soren, unable to truly look away from his beauty. "Before the cancer, my mother always taught us to respect others, and treat them like they were family." I pause, sadness coloring my voice, "She died six years ago."

"I'm sorry." Soren, with trembling fingers, brushes my sleeve. His lips quiver as he adds, "My father, she died before we were born." He bites his lip, as I detect the true sorrow in his scent. I look up, not moving or speaking, so as not to discourage my Omega from confiding in me. "Mom still misses her."

I nod, understanding what it was like. "It tore our family apart, losing Mum. Dad, he… he just pushed us all away." I swallow thickly against the mammoth lump in my throat, my breath hitching as I focused on a small flack of pie crust lodged beneath my thumbnail. "I think we only reminded him of her. He couldn't handle seeing how much we look like his late wife."

"I'm so sorry," Soren whispers again, playing with the rumpled fabric of my sleeve, his eyes glimmer with unshed tears. "That must be so hard."

"I'm used to it by now," I admit, sighing. I slide my arm away subtly, not letting my wolf have too much of the contact with our mate. He's been through too much already, I don't want to have too much hope, not after all that has gone on so far. He still begs inside my brain to tell Soren our feelings.

But the fact of his engagement means that no matter how badly I want him, my Omega has to *choose* me. And he hasn't yet given me any indication he wants anything more than a slice of pie, and a conversation. His eyes hadn't even given the telltale flash of gold that shows physical attraction. He doesn't find me appealing.

So, when he rises to leave, a muttered apology on his lips as his phone buzzes, I let him. I let him walk out the door without even trying to offer a cup of coffee, or a quick lunch. He's not my Omega, and he never will be, if his wolf doesn't start voicing her opinion soon.

I fear she might never, and I will suffer in silence as he marries Jason, with a completely boring, generic cake.

A single tear rolls down my face at the prospect.