Page 184 of His Reluctant Omega

“Morning,” Avery murmured.

“Do I smell coffee, too?” Wilder drew away to reach for a mug. “Want me to make a cup for you as well?”

“I’ll fix mine in a minute. But you can help me by frying up a few eggs.”

Wilder lowered his mug and reached for a pan. “Yes, sir.”

“I meant,afteryou caffeinated yourself,” Avery said with a chuckle.

“Don’t make me think too hard this early in the morning!” Wilder placed the pan on the stove and turned up the heat. He added some oil. “I’ll let that warm while I pour myself a cup.”

“Good plan,” Avery said with a grin.

“If you’re just joining us, we have breaking news for you. After a key late-night session, Congress overwhelmingly passed what has become known as the Omega Bill of Rights.”

Avery whipped around, staring at the screen, food forgotten.

“Passing fifty-three to twenty-seven, the bill amends long-held injustices in the province. What does this mean for you and your family? Not much if you don’t have an omega in the house, but if you do, realize they’re likely rejoicing now. With the earlier approval ofHeatexandScentexallowing for the opening of doors, they’ve been flung wide open now. The top of the list? The government will no longer force unmated omegas to remain imprisoned in the Omega Quadrant. Yes, they can remain in the OQ if they choose, but will be free to travel into other quadrants, as long as they’re using both drugs. The OQ will remain off-limits for alphas, giving a safe space for omegas who choose not to use the masking drugs or those who need a break from it—as we’re learning thatHeatexrequires a pause every year or two.”

Smoke billowed around Avery. Both he and Wilder rushed to the stove to shut both burners off. “Damn it,” Wilder said, noting the oiled pan was black. “Sorry.”

“… which means, yes, some omegas will start attending colleges and universities within the province. And soon, you just might even have an omega co-worker.”

Avery turned back to the screen, tears burning the backs of his eyes. Wilder moved closer, wrapping an arm about him and pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“No more will jailed omegas be refused bond before trial… and no more will they be forced to breed inside prisons, if charged.”

“Thank the gods,” Wilder whispered against his head.

“There’s more, of course, but these are the major sections that the Omega Rights Movement stood firm on and refused to budge. They were the main agenda, and they made sure that their voices were heard. I say bravo,” the reporter said. “I, for one, am happy to see this day come… and can only imagine the relief this brings so many, none more than Avery Stephens, who we send good thoughts to on this morning before his Tribunal hearing.”

Avery stood there, stock still. Stunned. Wilder’s and Avery’s phones both went off in tandem, but neither moved. Wilder hugged him tighter, which only caused the tears hanging from his lids to fall. Everything he’d ever wanted for himself, for his brothers, for every omega in the province… it was now within their reach.

Freedom.

True freedom.

A sob wracked him, and Wilder dragged him closer, holding him through the sadness—for all they’d struggled through—until it morphed into happy tears for the future to come. They stood amidst the remnants of the smoke, the ringing phones, and the sound of recorded protests on the television, holding tight to one another.

“Maybe this means the Tribunal will go easier on you,” Wilder said, Avery’s head tucked under his chin.

“Maybe… but I can’t ask for much more of this day. It’s given us more than enough.”

“I’m selfish. Iwantmore.”

“I do, too, but I’m scared to ask.”

“I’m not,” Wilder said. He looked at the ceiling. “I want it all. Everything we wanted. One more piece is all we need. Please.”

Avery squeezed his alpha as the phones began ringing for the hundredth time. “I suppose we should check those. Something might be important.”

“Yeah,” Wilder murmured before stealing a kiss. “Congratulations.”

“You’d better wait until the hearing to say that.”

“Regardless of that, look what you’ve accomplished, baby.”

Avery smiled and kissed Wilder again before parting to check his phone. His uncle had called a few times. His brothers. A number he didn’t recognize.

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