Precious Moments

Chapter 1 Blake Hill closed the apartment door behind him and placed his car key on the small table next to the door before he took his shoes off and placed them on the shoe rack. Then, he walked toward the couch and plopped his whole body face down over it. He was tired of being rejected by yet another alpha. It was the story of his life. He was aware that he put too much pressure on himself. After all, he was only twenty-five years old, but almost all omegas, both males and females, around his age were either mated to their alphas or were about to be claimed by their adoring, loving alphas. Some of those mated omegas might even have one or two babies by the time they reached his age. Meanwhile, he was still single and desperately available. He hated going through his monthly heat alone. He would feel the burning deep in his guts for three torturous days in a row. Without an alpha of his own, he would have to take care of his s****l needs by using a knotted dildo. Then, he still had to remember to drink plenty of water to keep himself hydrated and eat something light to ensure he had enough strength and stamina to last for the duration of his heat. If he had an alpha or two, there would be somebody to look after him while his mind was hazy from his heat. Moreover, he wouldn’t feel lonely as the alpha or alphas would be by his side throughout those three days. They could chat and laugh together when he was in between waves of his need to be f****d and filled by the alpha’s c*m. He’d heard it would be even better if the alpha was in a rut, but he couldn’t know that for sure since he never had an alpha who experienced a rut at the same time as he was going through his heat. He groaned when he heard someone knocking on his apartment door. “Open up, Blake. I can hear you in there.” “Go away, James,” he yelled from the couch. “I’m exhausted.” “It’s two in the afternoon.” He sighed and got off the couch to answer the door. James Walters was his beta best friend since childhood. He loved James like a brother, and he was aware the feeling was mutual. Sometimes, he wondered if he would have fallen in love with James if the man was an alpha instead. Not that a beta and an omega couldn’t be mated, but the bond wouldn’t be strong enough. Moreover, a beta wouldn’t be able to properly take care of an in-heat omega. “What do you want, s**t-face?” he asked as soon as they were both seated on the couch in the living room. “Nice to see that you’re alive, ass-breath,” James retorted. “Another bad date?” “Yes. f**k off, James.” “It’s not the end of the world.” “f**k you.” “Tony would’ve killed you if you did.” He rolled his eyes at James, but he knew James wasn’t kidding. Anthony, affectionately known as Tony, was a giant of an alpha. The man was the most possessive alpha Blake ever met in his entire life. He was aware Anthony tolerated him because he was James’s best friend and also because he was an omega. Alphas, no matter how feral they got, would never attack an omega. It was ingrained in their genes. “No, he wouldn’t,” Blake insisted. “True, but he would be f*****g pissed off.” “Not denying that. Anyway, why are you here?” He felt a horrible feeling welling up deep inside when James’s face brightened, because that was an expression he was familiar with. Blake was certain it would be nothing he liked. He had no doubt James had come up with a very stupid idea he would hate. Blake raised both hands to stop his best friend before the man could even begin to open his mouth. “Whatever hare-brained, moronic idea you have, save it. I’m not interested.” James huffed. “You haven’t even heard what I have to tell you.” “I don’t have to. All of your brilliant ideas always land me in one form of trouble or another. No, thank you. I’ve had enough of them.” “Blake, buddy, come on. I promise you’ll like this wonderful idea.” “Oh, no! That makes me even more sure I won’t. Everything that you label as wonderful is anything but.” “But you’ll get to meet two incredible alphas who are looking for an omega mate.” “I…” His protest died in his throat. He narrowed his eyes at James. “That’s vague. What are you hiding?” “Well, I sort of, kind of didn’t tell them about your…you know…” James trailed off while gesturing at Blake’s body. Blake sighed. “So, they don’t know I’m not built like the typical omega?” James shook his head. “But it’s just a blind date. Right?” He snorted. “James, there’s only one type of alpha who wants me. They all want to f**k me, but they’re not interested in mating me. They just like the feeling of being able to dominate a freakish omega like me. I’m six-foot-four and two hundred and ten pounds of bulky muscle. They all like the victorious feeling of being able to manhandle someone as huge as me, but at the end of the day, they prefer what they perceive to be the perfect omega. They all want an omega mate who is lithe with a small build and a pretty face.” “Dude, you’re a damn pretty face yourself.” “I don’t know about that. I’m not narcissistic enough to judge my own face.” “Trust me, Blake. You’re one of the most beautiful omegas ever. Your violet eyes and black hair are the most awesome features on your face.” “It’s just too bad that I’m so tall and muscular that almost everyone’s first impression of me is that I must be an alpha.” James threw him a sheepish grin. “Well, at least you have a very sexy ass.” Blake was startled into laughing out loud in amusement. “Tony would’ve killed me if he knew you thought of my ass in that way.” “He thought so, too.” Blake was taken aback to hear that admission. “What?” “Tony told me your ass is ‘perky and sexy as fuck.’ His words. Not mine.” “Ugh, thanks?” “You’re welcome. Anyway, how about that date?” James asked. “I don’t know, James.” “Come on, Blake. Just one date. What could it hurt?” He wanted to scream at James. His pride had suffered through multiple dents over the last few years from one rejection after another. He became disillusioned after the fifth alpha refused to even consider mating and having kids with him. Hence, he stopped seeking an alpha to assist him through his heats. He would rather spend his heats alone rather than get his hopes up, only for them to come crashing down from yet another disappointment. However, James was looking at him in such a way that he knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse his best friend at all. He shut his eyes and nodded. “Fine. One date.” “Yes! You won’t regret it, dude. Anyway, I have to return to the shop now. It’s almost Valentine’s, and it gets rather busy this time of the year. I can’t let my alpha handle everything on his own.” “The two of you have two employees.” “Yeah, but my alpha sometimes likes a quickie or two in the afternoon.” Blake grimaced. “That’s downright disgusting. You’re like a brother to me. I don’t want to know about your s*x life at all.” “Prude.” “Slut.” James stood and walked toward the door. “Whatever. Anyway, the alphas’ names are Mason Armstrong and Kian Evans. They’re mated to each other, but they’re looking for an omega to complete them. They will be waiting for you tonight at seven at the diner downtown. It’s called The Old Block. Bye, Blake.” “What? Wait a minute, you son of a—” The sound of his apartment door closing cut him off. James didn’t even bother checking if he could make it that evening. Then again, James knew him well enough after decades of friendship. He spent most of his time designing websites or translating documents for clients. He earned more than enough to support his simple lifestyle. He had considered getting some more work done later that night, but he now had a date to go to. He would have to put work off for the time being. He also had to keep his fingers crossed and hope the upcoming date wouldn’t turn out to be another bust. Or at least not too big of a blow to his already bruised ego.