Page 31

Uriel bit his lip so hard that it almost bled.

“There are two different ways I could be understanding this situation,” Bruiser said, his serious face lit up by the full moon. “The first is if you identify as an alpha, even if you somehow have omega parts. The second is if you identify as an omega, and you’re using the whole alpha appearance as a cover.”

“What difference does it make?” Uriel growled.

“The way I treat you. If you identify as an alpha and want to be treated as such, then I’m going to treat you like one of our friends. I’m going to continue bickering with you, I’m going to be rough and callous, and swear at you. I’m going to expect you to hold your own, and I won’t put you before myself. I don’t treat omegas that way.”

Uriel narrowed his eyes. “How do you treat omegas?”

“With... more respect, for one. With more care. I don’t swear at omegas. I would protect them, and put them before myself.”

And suddenly Uriel remembered the way Bruiser had treated Aerie, the way he had been soft and sweet. His insides ached.

I don’t look like that. I don’t look like a perfect omega, and I don’t behave like one either.

“But that’s just—omegas in general,” Uriel blurted, before he realized it was too telling. “You already know me. I’m not...”

“Uriel.” Bruiser looked into his eyes, taking a careful step closer. “If you’re an omega, let me treat you like one.”

“H-how?”

“Let me take some weight off your shoulders. You’ve been struggling by yourself for a long time, haven’t you?” Bruiser’s tone was softer now, more gentle than Uriel had ever heard from him. It made him want to relax, but—It was Bruiser. He wasn’t supposed to relax around this alpha. “Let me give you a hug.”

Uriel trembled. He tried to look strong and fierce. But Bruiser reached up and touched his fingertips to Uriel’s jaw, and it was all Uriel could do to suck in a broken, shuddering breath.

Strong arms slid around him, pulling him closer. Bruiser brought Uriel up against his chest, careful not to crush Cassie between them. But there was still the feeling of being enveloped by warmth, by a sturdy, welcoming weight.

A single sob escaped Uriel’s mouth. Large fingers brushed through his hair and nudged him closer. Before he knew it, he had his face pressed against Bruiser’s chest, Bruiser taking some of his weight even as he rubbed Uriel’s back.

Uriel hadn’t had comfort like this in a long time. The sort of safety where he could let go, and let someone else deal with his worries.

Tears leaked out of his eyes. He cried a little, feeling sorry for himself. Then he remembered: Bruiser was seeing all of this.

Why wasn’t Bruiser mocking him, or saying something to piss him off?

He stiffened, unsure what to think. Was this some kind of dream, a weird one-off event, and Bruiser would antagonize him again when morning came?

He stiffened and pulled away, swiping at his face. “I’m fine.”

Bruiser watched him for a moment. “Okay.”

“Really?” Uriel squinted. He probably looked like a mess with his blotchy face. “You would just let me go? You won’t tell anyone?”

“I’d let you go,” Bruiser said seriously. “And I won’t tell anyone.”

“That sounds too good to be true.”

The alpha sighed. “I treated you as an alpha before. But that’s going to change. I apologize for being a jerk. I wouldn’t have done it if I’d known.”

“Fine,” Uriel said, still side-eyeing Bruiser. He put more distance between them even though it made him feel cold, heading back to the cabin so he could check on Cassie.

Bruiser followed them from afar.

In the cabin, Uriel changed Cassie’s diapers. Then Bruiser stepped in, and Uriel hurriedly tugged her shirt down to hide the red birthmark.

Fuck. At some point, he would have to give Cassie a bath. It was going to be difficult to hide the splotch of red on her belly if Bruiser kept hanging around.

He knows I’m an omega now. That still made Uriel anxious. Nothing he could do about it, though. Bruiser would either betray him, or he wouldn’t. Only time would prove his sincerity.