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Wilder contemplated that for a moment. He couldn’t imagine what an omega dealt with, yet still… it was more complicated than just that. “You knew… that you were mine… all this time. Didn’t you?”
“Yes,” came a whisper.
“And you never told me.”
“If I had,” Avery said, his tone quiet. “I’d lose the freedom I’d gained.”
“You viewed mating me as imprisonment?”
“I’mmorethan a womb,” Avery spat. “I have every right to be more.”
“I wasn’t implying otherwise.”
Avery released a sigh. “I didn’t view youpersonallyas imprisonment. I viewed the whole process as unfair. I couldn’t work unless I chose to be a surrogate like my uncle, or undress for leering betas in some strip club. Had I found my alpha, I wouldn’t have a life outside raising my children and caring for the home purchased by my mate. I’d be a man’s possession and nothing more. I want to be more, Wilder. I’ve proven Icanbe more.”
Wilder rested his forehead against the back of Avery’s head. “Did you ever think that perhaps I’d be amenable to that?”
“Meaning?”
“You’re amazing. I would never hold you back from anything you wanted to do.”
“Omegas aren’t allowed to work outside the OQ. Had I not lied about who I was, I never would’ve proven myself capable. There would’ve been no college. No education. No way I would’ve gotten this job. And once I was here…”
“It was hard to stop being here.”
“Yeah,” Avery said faintly.
Wilder hated looking at the back of Avery’s head during such an important conversation, but the knot was still binding them as they were. He wanted to see Avery’s face. Read the emotions in his omega’s truths.
“What do we do next?” Wilder asked.
“Send for your car… take me home, please.”
“Alone?”
“Yes,” Avery whispered.
“And let you suffer… alone?”
“I’ve survived heats without you before.”
“But you’ve never started a mating and walked away from it. I understand that can cause great pain to an omega.”And the alpha, as well.
“I’ll deal with it.”
Wilder’s knot waned. As soon as possible, he withdrew. Spinning Avery to face him, he collected his mate’s chin in his hand.“OrI can take you home. My home. To my bed. And I could take care of you through this.”
“I don’t want a baby. I’m not ready.”
While Wilder had said the same thing many times, for some reason, Avery’s words stung. “I have condoms. I can do my best to protect you.” He neglected mentioning they’d potentially made a baby then and there.
Avery frowned. “You would do that? Use condoms and keep me safe?”
“Of course.” He caressed the side of Avery’s face. “I wouldn’t do anything you didn’t wish me to.”
Avery searched his face for a few seconds. “What happens when you can’t see straight? When the rut takes over?” Avery shivered, a moan coming to his lips.
Wilder pressed a gentle kiss to Avery’s forehead. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to control himself fully. He’d never been in full rut before that moment, yet he sensed he would do whatever his mate needed. One way or another. “I only wish to protect you. Share your body. Stave off the pain of your heat.” Wilder kissed the spot where Avery’s neck met shoulder.“Love you, over and over again.”
