“No,” Aaren realized. “He never touches me there.”
“Really? The most sensitive part of you?” Even without seeing it, he knew Hades was smiling. “This is mine now.”
Aaren didn’t have to think, to know that his cock no longer belonged to Ballus.
“But why would you... You could have anyone. Any other omega. Why me?” Aaren blurted. Then again, it wasn’t as though Hades was coming back. He had already gotten what he’d come for.
“You need me,” Hades said simply.
Aaren blinked hard. Hades pulled his hand out of Aaren’s pants, but not before giving his cock a light squeeze. Aaren shivered.
“Beautiful,” Hades murmured. “So responsive.”
He licked Aaren’s come off his fingers, rolling its taste in his mouth. With his other hand, he held Aaren against himself, a warm iron band keeping Aaren close.
“Bring me your phone,” Hades said. “I should get going soon.”
Aaren scrunched up his face. Already? Before he could sulk, Hades released him.
“Fine,” Aaren grumbled.
He retrieved it from the couch and unlocked it, handing it to the alpha. Hades tapped his number into a new contact entry.
“Call me if you need any help, no matter how big or small it is,” the alpha said quietly. “Or for any reason at all. If you’re lonely, scared, horny.”
Aaren blushed. “Okay.”
Hades watched him. Feeling a little too self-conscious, Aaren busied himself with packing up the leftovers. All of it went into a large plastic container that would not be missed.
When Aaren handed it over, Hades’ fingers brushed his again.
“I’ll see you around,” Hades said at the door.
“Don’t end up back in prison,” Aaren’s mouth replied without consulting his brain. Then he groaned.
“Ha! I can’t promise that.” Hades squeezed Aaren’s nape and stepped into his boots. For a long while, they stared at each other, not speaking.
What was there to say?I wish I had chosen you instead of Ballus? I wish you could take me away with you?
I barely even know him.
Hades lifted his hand, brushing his thumb just under Aaren’s lower lip. It left behind a trail of tingles.
No alpha had lingered like Hades, as though he were reluctant to say goodbye.
Hades sighed. He brushed his fingers through Aaren’s hair, before stepping out of the house. “Take care of yourself, yeah? Tell me if your alpha threatens you in any way. I’ll be right over.”
“Okay,” Aaren croaked.
He watched Hades stride down the sidewalk until he disappeared around the corner. Then he shut the door and locked it, feeling... lost. Drifting in an ocean, untethered.
Up until two hours ago, Aaren had only seen this kind of thing on TV. He had judged the omegas for it. And now...
He had let an alpha touch him. An alpha who wasn’t his boyfriend.
“I’m a horrible person,” he whispered, drifting back into the kitchen. A hint of cherrywood lingered; he opened the windows and turned on the stove exhaust fan, hoping it was enough to draw away Hades’ scent.
When he looked in the bathroom, he realized that his multi-purpose wet wipes also removed scents. He scrubbed himselfdown with a few wipes, hoping they were enough to erase Hades’ presence.
