Page 5 of Entwined

Silence stretched out between them and Darby became uncomfortable beneath Bram’s intense gaze.

Darby rubbed the back of his neck and tried to will his damn cock to calm down. “Uh, so…fairy huh?”

Bram’s jaw went slack and his brow creased. “You don’t like the fae? If it’s because you think I’m a sun fairy, I promise I’m not.” He smiled again. “I’m a moon fairy, and you know how we are.”

Darby blinked several times. “Not exactly… You want to fill me in?”

“Well, the fae of the sun are very mean and try to burn everything. But the fae of the moon are peaceful and exist in the beauty of the glow.”

“The glow, huh?” Darby scratched his head. “I can see that. I’ve always loved the quiet of the nighttime hours.” He smiled at Bram, beginning to feel more at ease with his vivid dream. “I’m sort of a night owl myself. Stay up late reading when I should be getting sleep.”

Bram jerked upright, his jaw dropping. “You’re an owl? Oh no! How will we ever mate?” His lower lip quivered.

Darby’s eyes went wide. “Hey.” He patted Bram’s arm, not sure if he should touch him, but wanting to reassure him all the same. Hmm. Very vivid dream. He feels solid. “I’m not an actual owl. That’s just an expression about a person who prefers the night to the day, who stays up past their bedtime.”

Bram gasped. “That’s perfect. I’m just like that!” He grinned then wrapped his arms around Darby’s upper arm, snuggling to his side as he did. “See? I knew fate would pick the right alpha for me.”

Where did I come up with this stuff? Darby thought he should force himself awake so he could write it all down before it was lost. It was certainly better than any of the stories he’d tried to write over the years.

“Yeah, so…can you explain what you mean about me being your alpha, your mate and all that? I’m still kinda buzzed, so I’m not thinking too clearly.”

Bram regarded him with concern as he peered up through his long lashes. “Maybe you don’t remember you’re an alpha? Because you’re on the wrong side of the veil?”

He could work with that. “Exactly. I can’t remember, so you’d better tell me everything.”

That seemed to brighten Bram’s mood. He scooched up on the pillows, supporting his head on one hand and letting the fingers of his other one dance across Darby’s arm—chest, throat— Darby grabbed Bram’s wrist right as he was about to stick one slender finger between his lips.

“Hey now.” Darby gave him a nervous chuckle. “How can I pay attention to what you’re saying when you’re so—fucking hot—distracting?” He offered Bram a warm smile and laced their fingers together, resting their joined hands on his middle. “Why don’t you help me understand what’s going on then we can move on from there.”

Bram nodded. “That’s a good idea. Especially since the full moon isn’t very far away.”

Oh boy. He’d forgotten how disjointed and non-sequitur dreams could be. It had been so long since he’d had such a long and vivid one.

“Great. Now, what’s this whole alpha thing exactly?”

Bram exhaled on a happy sigh. “Every fae has a fated mate. One partner is the alpha, who is the protector and provider, the one who gives life to the omega’s eggs. The omega is the cherished half of the union, the one who is the life-giver once they’ve been claimed and mated.” Bram grinned. “I’m the omega, so I will be the one to bear our children. Fate has chosen us to be together forever. You begin with me and I end with you. Isn’t that exciting?”

Yeah. No more vodka. Ever.

“Wow.”

Despite Bram’s rather bizarre story, Darby thought he might be able to guess where his poor addled brain had dreamt it up. In the senior English class he taught at the high school, they’d recently been discussing post-apocalyptic themes in literature, and the Alpha and omega references had come up several times. Bram began nuzzling his neck and Darby choke-coughed.

“Uh, look. I…I’m not sure how to respond to that, exactly, but… What did you mean about me not searching for you beyond the veil? You do realize I’m not a fae—sun or moon—right?”

Bram gasped. “Of course you’re not a sun fairy! I never said you were mean!” He snickered. “And anyway, I know you’re human. Believe me, I was so upset that I couldn’t feel the call of my alpha when I reached my maturity. But Ma explained that on very rare occasions, some of our fairy blood is lying dormant in the humans of yore, back before the veil was put in place separating us forever. One of your ancestors must have been a full-blooded fae, so you’re carrying that within you.”

Darby shook his head in confusion. “But…how were you able to find me since, apparently, I’m on the other side of this veil?”

Bram nibbled on his ear and Darby wondered how much further they’d get in their conversation before he had no choice but to ravage the enticing man in his bed.

“Um, Bram? Could you maybe not…do that right now?”

He pulled back. “Do what?”

“What you were just doing.”

“Oh! You mean this?”