Page 62 of Glitterati Omega

Rupert reared back. “Well, I …”

“You said you’d do anything.”

Rupert pursed his lips. “Yes, but upsetting one’s entire lifestyle is …”

“Isn’t that what being a parent is? You have to change a lot for a child, now don’t you?”

Rupert squeezed his eyes shut. “Just … give me a moment to think, would you!”

“I don’t think it should be something you need to think about—either you’d give anything for your children or you won’t, simple as that.”

“Oh, you’re atrocious,” Rupert muttered. “Why are we even discussing this? I should go find someone else.” Though the very notion was ludicrous. He could hardly imagine another alpha even contemplating a child with him. The offer was tempting for that reason alone; adding in that Winston was seemingly suggesting he came along with the deal made it more appealing.

Still. It seemed like an awfully large thing to ask. Although Rupert supposed he had a point—what the hell was Rupert doing with all the money and land and property? It wasn’t like he could be on fifteen yachts at once.

Winston shrugged. “You could find someone else, and then we wouldn’t need to discuss anything at all.”

Rupert hated how easily he said that. He looked away. Winston set his mug down with a clack. “I think omegas shouldn’t feel compelled to undergo … that. To destroy themselves. But it seems to me that you’re going to destroy yourself either way, and I think I’d rather see you happy if you must.”

Their eyes met, and they both glanced away. “Does your money make you happy?”

“No,” Rupert sighed. “No, it …” He huffed a deep breath. “I’d have rather my father loved me, but he didn’t, so all I’ve got is his goddamn money.”

Tears welled up in his eyes. “I—I want to have a baby, but I want … I want to make sure …”

He screwed his eyes shut. “I want them to be wanted,” he sniffled. “I want them to be loved.”

He pressed his lips tight together. After a moment, he nodded. “Fine,” he said. “Fine. If—if giving everything away will convince you that I can be a good mother …”

“Please. I’m not asking you to convince me of anything, love. This is bigger than you alone,” Winston said. He reached for Rupert’s hand, squeezing tight. “Please. I need this from you, if … well, if we are going to stay together at all. Peace of mind.”

Rupert felt a bit gobsmacked; Winston wanted to stay with him? After all of that? He gazed down at their twined hands, then looked at the alpha. He wanted to ask the alpha how it would bring him peace of mind, but the look on his face was so severe that Rupert didn’t dare utter another word.

,

They left the village the next morning, just as the sun was coming up. It was a long drive back to Durban; Rupert was just thankful they were traveling during the winter, when the weather was a little cooler. He didn’t fancy making the trip in the summertime.

Winston had been quiet at breakfast; he seemed contemplative, almost sorrowful, and Rupert wondered if he was regretting the offer he’d made yesterday evening.

He didn’t particularly want to ask. He himself couldn’t fathom it. It was hard to imagine an alpha like Winston wanting to be with an omega like himself—Winston was incredibly steady, very levelheaded, while Rupert …

Well, even he knew he was a bit off the deep end. He chewed at a nail and pondered making an appointment for a manicure. He hadn’t had one in a while.

He frowned. Would Winston make him give up simple things, like manicures and pedicures? He wanted Rupert to give everything away in exchange for a baby. And, well, yes, Rupert had said he’d give anything …

He wasn’t sure what that meant. Did Winston really mean everything, every penny? He couldn’t imagine Winston wanting to put him in the poor house, especially not if they were talking about having a child.

Or perhaps Winston wanted full control over him. He knew some alphas liked that. Thomas had never been quite like that, although Rupert hadn’t been in full control of the Cullinan estate at that point.

Perhaps that was it then. Winstondidseem a little uncomfortable that Rupert had quite as much money as he did, so maybe it was a ploy to make Rupert give it up so that he’d be beholden to Winston. Helpless. Entirely reliant on him. Alphas liked that.

Winston leaned forward suddenly, pointing out the window, to the east. “Over here,” he said, and Rupert squinted, then shaded his eyes with his hand.

As they crested the hill, an enormous solar farm came into view, the first rays of sun glinting off the panels. He peered at it, then tossed Winston a quizzical look. “Yes?” he said. “It’s a solar farm. There are plenty of them around—”

“This one is owned by the people,” Winston said. Was that pride tinging his voice? “It operates and provides power to the village and the surrounding area, free of charge.”

“Free of charge?”