Chapter 16: Dessert

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Picture above is how I imagine Morgan!

CYRUS

I walk out of the school building with Koa and his pup, both of whom look eager to be rid of the stares that plague them here. Many are whispering to each other. The rumors of us being mates have finally been confirmed. Koa will most likely not be happy with the pressure this will put on him to conform to my pack's idea of that role, but I needed to say it. I wanted others to know that he is under my protection, so things like what happened just now will not happen again.

"I appreciate you shutting that down," Koa surprises me with the tenderness of his tone, looking up at me gratefully with those big, gorgeous honey eyes of his. "With my temper, it could've gotten out of hand really fast,"

How do I tell him I would not have minded that? His fiery attitude challenges me on the daily, yet I come back for more every time. I know I should stop trying. After he accused me of only desiring his sex, I was wounded, but not so much that I would cease attempting to prove his assumptions of me wrong. If he only knew that there is so much more to my want for him than mere lust.

Make no mistake, I do lust for him. It is agony, waking in the night hard and leaking against my undergarments, dreams of my omega moaning and wanton fresh in my mind. In some, he is beneath me, legs spread obscenely as he begs for the pleasure I can provide his delectable body. Other times he is on top, aggressively having his way on my cock as he repeatedly cries out my name. Stroking myself hard and fast to the images of him my mind provides is the only way to soothe the ever-present ache, the desire of my wolf to claim and knot him so as to mark him as ours.

But that is not all I long for, not even close. How do I show him that I am not like the alphas of his past, who wrote him off as disobedient or berated him for standing up for himself? How do I show him that I can be different? That I will treasure him, protect him, and make it so he or the pup will never want for anything because I have already given it to them.

"Tell me if anything like this happens again when I'm not around," I reply, shaking off my never-ending thoughts of my mate. "No one is allowed to mistreat you or Oliver like that, ever,"

He looks unsure of my words as if it's hard for him to accept them. But then he gives me soft smile, nodding slightly. The small gesture fills me with warmth. His depending on me is all I want for the moment. I know that I can't push for too much all at once. I'll scare him off if I act too eager.

I look down at Oliver, who walks between us, sniffling as he grasps his mother's hand tightly. I look up the path, spotting a little stand where various snacks are being sold and an idea comes to mind.

"If it is alright with your mama, how about we get you a treat to cheer you up?" I ask the little boy, noting how his face lights up.

"R-really?" he asks, lip still trembling slightly. He turns to Koa, putting on his best begging expression to earn the man's approval. Koa gives me a pointed look, before rolling his eyes slightly.

"I suppose," he gives in.

A few minutes later, I fondly watch my omega and his son munching their apples on a stick, the fruits covered in some type of sweet syrup that they both seem to be enjoying thoroughly. My wolf is pleased as we see our mate's cheeks refill with color, chuffing proudly that we've fed him something he finds tasty.

"We're definitely not used to being spoiled like this," Koa laughs, wiping some of the syrup from Oliver's nose. "This is your first time having a dessert, isn't it, Oli? Me too!"

Despite how much his laughter and excitement invigorates me, his words pinch at my heart. No one has ever given him a dessert before? Or, was he never allowed? The thought angers me. How can he think being given such a minuscule thing is the equivalent of being spoiled? How badly did the alphas of his past mistreat omegas for him to distrust me so much, or think that being cared for is a luxury? I can't ask, nor do I want to remind him of anything painful. But I remind myself that I must be gentle with him, because he is more sensitive and hurt than he lets on.

Eventually, Oliver gets tired and timidly asks if he can ride on my back. I let him do so, joy overcoming me at the boy's trust in me. As I look over at Koa, at the approval written across his features, I can barely stop myself from grinning my face off.

"You're good with pups, aren't you?"

I shrug. "I have always liked taking care of others,"

He giggles. "Pups sure do require a lot of care. Oliver was a nightmare when he was a toddler. It was like every time I looked away he found something dangerous to get up to. I once found him choking on a literal frog. I don't know why he tried to eat it, but it gave me the scare of my life!"

"Hey!" Oliver pouts.

"Don't you hey me! You were a pain in the ass in your creature eating era. I had to keep you tied to my back in a swathe the whole day so you wouldn't run off and traumatize another innocent frog,"

"Mama!"

I take note that the sugar rush from the candied apple has made my mate much livelier. It's cute, seeing him banter with the pup like this. I like hearing him talk about whatever comes to his mind. I think I just like hearing him talk, in general. Any sound that comes from those pretty lips enraptures me.

"Was there anyone else able to help, uh, with him?" I absentmindedly ask, instantly regretting it when I see his face drop. Moon goddess, I am an imbecile.

"Are you asking if his father was in the picture?" His reply is cold.

"Shhh! Don't talk about dad. He's bad! He's a bad, evil man. You said not to talk about him," Oliver intrudes urgently, shaking his head at his mother, who wears a grim look in response.

"I apologize—I shouldn't have asked that," I try to repair the conversation, but it's hopeless. Koa won't look at me, his shoulders squared and stiff.

"Right," His voice is devoid of emotion, and I curse myself for being the reason why.

Yet, a part of me does want to know about Oliver's father. Jealousy at what might have been between Koa and this other alpha shoots through me. Did Koa love him? Did Oliver's father hurt him? The thought of this other man so involved in my mates life is unbearable. If he hurt either of them—the very thought fills me with rage.

We walk the rest of the way in silence. When we reach the packhouse, Oliver is dozing off. I go to gently let him down from my back at their room door, but before I can do so, he murmurs, "I wish Cyrus was my daddy,"

Koa's face goes pale at the words. He ushers the boy inside, turning back to look at me.

"Thank you for what you did at the school today, truly. But... just know that nothing is changed. Oliver's gone through too much as it is. You getting closer to us... it will only confuse him,"

Oh. Yes. I forgot myself again. "I see," I nod, acting unfazed.

Koa is not mine. He does not want me. How did I forget?

Sorry for the downer BUT—things will be picking up like SOO soon, I promise. And by picking up, I mean getting steamy as well 😉

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