Omegas’ Destined Alpha Collection 1

AN OMEGAVERSE MATES WORLD ROMANCE

ROSA SWANN

Omegas’ Destined Alpha Collection 1

An Omegaverse Mates World Romance

2nd edition

Copyright © 2022 Rosa Swann

Copyright © Easily Distracted Media

Originally published as: Omegas’ Destined Alpha Volume 1

Copyright © 2018 ROSA SWANN

All rights reserved. No part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without express written permission of the copyright holder.

This book contains sexually explicit content which is suitable only for mature adults.

ISBN: 9789493139527

NUR: 343

Version: 20220223

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Blurb

Two Omegas. One kiss. And an Alpha who wasn’t supposed to see it happen…

Nathan

I’m supposed to be an author, but I haven’t finished a book in years. Not since things got out of control. So, to hopefully get back on my feet, I move to a new city, start teaching at college and suddenly find myself intrigued by two Omegas that pass me by every morning.

One day, on a whim, I follow them and see something I shouldn’t have seen. A kiss. A beautiful kiss. And it’s the start of a journey I never expected to make…

Zeke

I fled from the arranged marriage my parents set up for me and I was ready to give up on love entirely, and then my best friend saved his younger Omega brother, Wes, from a bad situation and suddenly I was falling, head over heels. It’s amazing to be at Wes’ side and to see him flourish, even if our relationship is a little complicated, we’re making it work. Maybe love isn’t so bad after all.

What I hadn’t counted on was the Alpha walking into the cafe, and the way my eyes keep getting drawn to him...

Wes

After my brother saved me from my abusive ex, I’m getting my feet back under me. I’m finally doing the things I was never able to do, like having a job and going to college. It’s not easy to combine it with caring for my four children. But with my Omega boyfriend Zeke and my brother’s family at my side, we make it work, they’re all the people I’ll ever need.

Until, one morning, an Alpha walks into the cafe that I work at, and he asks Zeke and me out on a date, together...

This collection includes the first four novellas about Alpha Nathan and Omegas Zeke and Wes in Omegas’ Destined Alpha, The Baristas’ Surprise, The Alpha’s Mistake, The Mates’ Choice and The Family’s Threat, which takes place in the non-shifter Omegaverse Mates World and contains mpreg (male-pregnancy).

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The Baristas’ Surprise

OMEGAS’ DESTINED ALPHA 1

Chapter One

NATHAN

“Move to a new city,” they said.

“You’ll find back your muse,” they said.

Fuck that.

I’ve been in this city for months and nothing has changed. I’m still in the same writing rut I’ve been in for over a year… I’d hoped that by now I’d be back to work, creating words, but every day gets more frustrating and I’m not seeing an end to it.

Getting away from the bad situation I was in was hard enough… I lived in that nightmare for way too long. But I couldn’t stay in my city anymore, I had to get away.

So I moved, I moved away as far as I could…

Luckily the college here could use a literature professor, so I guess my speciality is at least appreciated somewhere.

I came here at the start of the summer and now it’s already nearly fall. I saw the city empty as all the students left, and then fill again as the new semester started.

And although classes have been going well and the students and colleagues are nice… I feel like an empty husk, a lesser version of myself, when I can’t write. When the words just won’t come.

It’s not been for lack of trying.

I’m sitting at the table near the front window in my local coffee shop. A cup of coffee and my laptop in front of me, a blank new file open. But the page won’t fill, it will stay empty. As they have been for longer than I would like.

Every morning, when I get here, I open a new document, and when I leave, it’s still as empty as it was when I started. No progress at all.

A writer, sitting at a cafe to work, it feels so stereotypical. And that’s why I keep trying it, hoping that somewhere in my head the switch will flip back and I’ll finally be able to write again.

Although, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write for a living again. I think I may have just broken my brain with all the mess that went down.

My eyes keep being drawn outside, away from the page, before checking the time. The only reason —no, reasons— I keep coming here are about to pass by on the street.

My heart starts beating a little faster. Every morning, two Omegas pass by this cafe, they often have one or more children with them, and they seem so happy, always chatting.

The first time I saw them, I’d been sitting here, staring into nothingness, annoyed that this would be yet another failed morning. And then, right outside the window, these two Omegas walked by, talking animatedly and generally just looking like they were having a great day.

They walked so closely together, leaning into each other as they spoke, so close that I almost felt that it was too intimate to look at. But I couldn’t look away either. My eyes kept going to them.

The next morning, I saw them again, laughing, having fun. Probably on their way to work or something else.

And since then, it’s been the one thing I look forward to every morning, seeing them, watching them as they pass by the window.

It’s been the same for weeks now, I watch them as they pass by and then I try to return to my writing.

But not today, today I need something different.

On impulse, I close my file and then shut down the laptop. I put it in my bag and wait, staring out the window.

The two Omegas turn around the corner, walking, talking. Two young children with them, both of them being carried, looking content as they look around them.

I don’t think, I don’t give myself a chance to back out.

What I’ve been doing for months, doesn’t seem to work, so today it’s time for something else.

I get up and leave the coffee shop, watching the Omegas, staying on the other side of the street, but keeping my eyes on them. I follow them for a few minutes.

They turn another corner, and as I follow them, I see them slip into an alleyway between some buildings, disappearing behind the buildings that line this street.

I lost them. They’re out of sight.

They’re probably going into one of the buildings, there really is no other option. These small alleyways are used to bring supplies to the shops.

But do I dare to wait and see which one they went into?

Then, on my right, lights turn on behind large windows, giving me a peek inside, a cafe. It’s a cafe for parents and kids called ‘Away From Home’.

I’ve heard of the place. Some of my students enjoy studying there because the coffee is cheap and so is the internet. And, apparently, some of the Omegas like it there because it’s such a friendly place to be.

One of the Omegas I followed, the blond one, enters the cafe from the back. The eldest of the children running around his feet and he laughs as he starts turning on machines and moving tables and chairs around.

A few moments later, the Omega with dark curly hair comes in too, laughing at something that is being said, looking totally relaxed.

Then, something happens that I did not expect at all. The dark haired one leans in and gives the blond Omega a kiss.

Not on the cheek, not on the forehead, or anything innocent. No, an honest lovers’ kiss. It doesn’t take very long, but their feelings for each other are obvious.

They have no idea I saw them.

Something in my chest expands, filling with an emotion I don’t know if I can trust. Or if I should even feel it, seeing two Omegas kiss, two male Omegas.

As I’m trying to gather myself, the doors of the cafe open and the blond guy looks at me, smiling. “Sorry, we’re not open for another twenty minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you may want to find a different place to get coffee.”

He drags chairs outside and arranges them, forming places to sit. A little boy is trying to follow him, but the guy easily catches him, carrying him back inside.

“No, no. Not now. You’re staying inside while we’re all inside.” He eyes me for a moment and then closes a child gate in front of the door before he walks to the back.

I realise that the other guy is looking my way, his eyes guarded. I try to give him a reassuring smile.

Twenty minutes. They’ll open in twenty minutes.

I do the second impulsive thing for the day, and sit down in one of the chairs, grabbing a book from my bag and start to read.

The blond guy looks at me from the doorway for a moment as he’s carrying menus and things for the tables outside, before smiling and shaking his head a little.

“What? I’m not allowed to sit here, waiting?”

“I don’t think that’s against the rules, people just don’t usually do it. But go ahead. They’re there anyway.” He smiles, deftly placing the menus and other things he was holding on the tables, and goes back inside.

I don’t know what it is, but I really want to get to know these guys better. They’ve been pulling at my attention for weeks now and I’m here anyway.

And, of course, I saw something interesting just now…

Something I don’t think I was supposed to see, but now I can’t help but want to know more.

As I’m waiting, more people start to arrive, many of them with young children.

I’d heard of these cafes before, especially because people are encouraged to take their children with them and because it’s such a relaxing place for parents.

Though, I’d never been to one before now. Why would I? I don’t have kids, so there has never been a reason for me to check them out.

I stand up as the doors open again and people start filing in.

Many of them sit down at the tables in the front of the building, but some are going to the back where I guess there might be more tables.

The atmosphere is very cosy, the tables and chairs are all a little different in a way that makes it obvious that it’s been done on purpose and the layout is very open. The tables and seats are far enough apart for even twin strollers to pass between.

I go to a raised area in the middle of the cafe.

There’s a high table with high chairs surrounding it, set up with places where you can plug in laptops and charge phones. A perfect place for working on laptops or when you have a lot of books, without little kids being able to pull everything from the table as they pass by.

I put my bag on the table and sit down, making myself comfortable. I have a clear view of the counter where the Omega guys are working.

They run around, taking orders and bringing them to the different tables. It’s a little chaotic, especially with young kids running everywhere, but it soon calms down when everyone has their drinks.

Then the Omega with the dark hair looks at me, coming over. Now he’s closer, I can see that he’s probably the older one of the two and, from the way he moves and acts, he seems to have more experience working at a cafe.

“Hi. I’m pretty sure that I didn’t ask you what you wanted to drink yet. Do you have a card, or are you interested in one?” He leans on the table a little, a kind smile plastered on his face, making me very aware of his nearness.

“A card?” I blink, not fully understanding his question.

“Is this your first time visiting one of our cafes?” He keeps smiling.

“Ah, yes. I only recently moved to the area, I haven’t been to this cafe before.”

“Okay. Well, we have a customer card that basically works as a pre-paid card. It gets you drinks and free internet for ten half-days, either mornings or afternoons. Or you can just buy a drink, which also comes with free internet, but the card is much cheaper if you plan on coming here more often.” His eyes stay on me, going from friendly and polite to slightly curious.

“Oh. Hmm. I think I’d like just a drink this time.”

Sure, the guys are cute, easy to look at, but I’m not sure I’d actually be able to work here.

Not that I get much work done elsewhere either…

But let’s not turn this into more than it already has for now.

“Cool. Can do. What would you like to drink?” The Omega takes out a notepad.

“A coffee, black, large. Thank you.” Keeping it simple.

“Coming right up.” He smiles one last time, and then he goes back to the counter.

Along the way, he easily picks up the little boy who is running through the middle path, and carries him with him. It’s fun to watch them.

If you look at the Omegas even for a while, you can see the way they interact with each other, how close they are. They’re not simply friends, not family either. They’re lovers. No matter how hard they try to hide it, it’s obvious from where I’m sitting.

Or I might be biased because of what I saw before.

I’ve stayed at the cafe much longer than I expected. And curiously enough, I’ve actually written the start of a story.

Nothing serious, nothing on the book I should be working on for my publisher, but I’ve started writing a story for children. It’s not my first time, I’ve written stories for children before, but they don’t tend to bring in enough money to live off, unlike my adult work.

The cafe has gotten very quiet, it’s probably right before the lunch rush.

“Would you like a refill?” The blond guy comes over, holding a pot of coffee.

“I’d like that, thanks.” I move the empty cup in his direction.

He fills it, then he looks at my laptop, his eyes curious. “I hope I’m not a bother, but what are you working on? If I may ask?” His smile is soft and distracts me for a few moments.

“Sorry, I’m working on a story.”

“Ah, cool. Do you write a lot? You look so serious, sitting there, typing away.” He steps a little closer and something inside me wants to reach out to him, touch him.

“Sometimes.” I shrug. He doesn’t need to know about the writing block…

“That’s so cool.” He sounds excited, his eyes lighting up. “Can I read it?”

“Maybe when it’s finished.” I grin. “It’s not much of anything right now. I’m Nathan, by the way.”

“I’m Wes. Nice to meet you.” He smiles.

Then we watch as the other Omega rushes after the little girl that they brought with them. Catching her and she lets out a fit of giggles, all excited, and he hugs her tightly, also grinning. “Got you.”

Then some of the kids from customers swarm around him too, all wanting to be carried and hunted after.

I open my mouth, surprised by the words that slip out of me. “She doesn’t look like she’s his daughter.” The girl is a blond, the guy isn’t. The comment might be intrusive, but I can’t help myself wanting to know more about them.

“I would hope not.” Wes lets out a short laugh.

“Is she your niece?” The family relation between the two seems obvious.

Though Wes barely looks old enough to be out of college, so the daughter of an older sibling would make more sense. And the kiss from before means that he’s not interested in Alphas, right?

Wes raises his eyebrows and then lets out another laugh, this time less sure, less carefree. But before he can answer the other guy comes over, handing him the girl.

“Dada.” The little girl wraps her arms around Wes’ neck.

“Your daughter?” That’s a surprising twist.

“Yeah.” Wes colours a little.

“What? What about Mia?” The other guy looks at us both.

“Nothing,” Wes answers, rolling his eyes. “I’m gonna get this lady something to drink. Talk to you later, Nathan. I still want to read that story you’re writing.”

“After I finish writing it,” I promise him. It would give me a great excuse to talk to him again.

He nods as he walks off, smiling.

“On a first-name basis with our favourite barista?” The other guy eyes me, that guarded look in his eyes again.

I shrug. “Can’t help it, he’s cute.”

“I can’t stay behind, then.” He winks. “I’m Zeke.”

“Nathan.” I nod to him. “Hey, that girl, is she really his daughter?”

Zeke nods. “Yeah. The little boy I was carrying earlier is his son.” He looks after them, his eyes softening, protective.

“He doesn’t look old enough to have one kid, let alone two.” They’re both Wes’? I find it a little hard to believe.

Zeke’s eyes change a little, going darker. “Yeah…” Then he blinks, pulling up his smiling mask again. “If you need something to eat, or another drink, just wave for us.”

Like that, he’s turned back into the happy guy I saw before, and I wonder what went through his head before… What it was that saw.

Chapter Two

WES

The guy I saw this morning as we were opening the store, Nathan, is still sitting in the same place as he did when he came in.

Normally, Alphas coming in on their own don’t stay for very long, but he’s been sitting there with his laptop, writing or doing whatever, for hours now.

I can feel his eyes on me, his interest. And then there was that surprised look in his eyes when he found out that Mia was my daughter… I don’t think I should tell him that she’s my youngest, my youngest out of four…

I know that a lot of Alphas have their own ideas about working Omegas, especially when they have children.

This cafe has been created for working parents, Omegas mostly, but even from other Omegas I can sometimes see the judgemental looks. It’s hard to ignore…

My brother, Clay, the owner of this chain of cafes, has been a lifesaver in the last year. Not only did he take me and my kids in, but with the new school year starting, he’s also helping me out with college and allowing me to work here part-time.

This is a life I’ve never known before, a life I only saw from others, a life I sometimes dreamed I could have had. And now I get to live it.

I got married and had my first kid right out of high school. I was living the supposed dream, marrying my high school sweetheart, having lots of kids, all of that. But the reality was different. The dream quickly turned dark, especially after I had more kids.

Last year, the day Mia was born, Clay and his mate Aiden saved me from my ex-husband, got me out of the abusive relationship. And I’ve been living with them ever since. But even with all their help, it took a long time before the lawsuit against my ex and the divorce after that went through and I’ve only really been free to do my own thing the last few months.

This freedom, it’s scary.

It’s scary and exciting at the same time.

I’ve made so many new friends and my kids are doing really well. But it didn’t start out like that.

After the initial shock of getting away from my ex and then settling in here, I felt very lost, I didn’t know what to do with my life anymore. Not that I should have worried, really. With four kids, all under the age of six at the time, I was constantly busy.

But thinking of the future was scary. I was lucky that my brother, his Omega and their friends were there for me because I don’t know if I would have survived all of this otherwise. At least not with my sanity intact, somewhat. Because there were some really dark times.

And now, working, going to college and taking care of my kids, I feel like my life has finally started. I feel like I’m finally able to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. This life, this path I’m on now, I can see myself being happy ten, twenty or even sixty years down the road.

It helped that Zeke was there for me since the start. He was there when I was so exhausted and scared that first day at Aiden’s place. He came up to me and actually made me feel good, made me feel like I was doing the right thing.

And after that, he stayed at my side, always supporting me, always being there for me, always knowing what I need. He is the type of Omega I always wished I could be, kind, caring, with a degree and a job that he loves.

A couple of months ago, instead of keeping the lease on his own place going, he moved in with all of us. It didn’t make much sense for him to keep his place, since he was always over at ours anyway. And it didn’t make much of a difference for us.

I live with my brother Clay, his mate and their three kids, plus, of course, my four little ones. Adding Zeke to all of that wasn’t too big of a change.

My relationship with Zeke is a little… unconventional. I love him. I fell for him, hard, even though I was in no position to actually do anything about it when we first met.

But we couldn’t fight our attraction, no matter how hard we tried or how much we tried to hide it from others. We were close in ways that two Omegas usually aren’t, no matter how you look at it.

Clay took the news of us dating pretty well, even if it confused him a little at first. Zeke’s been Clay’s best friend for years, and is his most trusted employee. So I don’t think Clay really cared about my partner being Zeke, just that we’re both Omegas and that negative reactions from other people might be hard on us.

Now our closest friends and family know about Zeke and me, it makes everything so much easier. But I don’t think the rest of the world is ready for a relationship like ours yet, and I’m not ready to face angry looks and words from strangers.

So, we’re keeping it hidden when we’re outside the house, even if that’s hard. We have our stolen moments, but other than that, we have to act like we’re just really good friends.

It’s complicated, an understatement.

I finish my cup of tea as Mia and Evan are playing with their food. It’s moments like these that I love the most, spending a little quiet time with my kids, even though I’m technically at work.

I know that not many people have this opportunity, having their kids with them at work, so I feel extra lucky that I can spend my time with them.

“Wes?” Zeke comes into the small room where I’m taking my break.

“Hmm?” I look up, never able to hide the smile I get when he’s near.

“Clay sent a message saying that he and Aiden will be back late tonight. They’re having dinner at Wilder’s. So he said to just make something for us and the kids.” He comes over and he gives me a quick kiss.

My cheeks heat up, but we’re in a closed room, nobody can see us here.

“Okay.” My voice is a little low, I clear my throat. “We’ll figure something out later. I need to get to class in about an hour and I’ll be picking up Josie and Oliver from school on my way back. I’ll buy us some dinner then.” I stand up, collecting the plates and cups.

“Sounds good.” Zeke smiles, then he steps aside. “Back on your feet, we have customers to serve.” He grins and I shake my head, smiling. Yeah, yeah.

I bring the dishes to the kitchen in the back and then, as I return, Zeke is already taking Mia and Evan back to the main part of the cafe.

They usually just sit in the kids’ corner and play there. There are toys, books, other things, all there for the little ones that come here. It’s positioned so that we can easily see them from behind the counter, but there are also a couple of tables and benches around it for parents to sit at.

When I get behind the counter and take my apron, my eyes go back to the work table. Nathan is still sitting there, he smiles as he catches my eyes.

I go over to him. “Do you want anything, a refill?” I look at his cup of coffee, but he shakes his head.

“Can I have a tuna sandwich and a glass of orange juice? I need to have lunch, gotta get to my real job after this.” He smiles.

“Your real job?” I jot his order down.

“Yeah, I’m a literature professor at the local college. You may have gone there yourself?”

A literature professor. Wow. I nod, quiet for a moment. “I go to college part-time since the start of the month.”

He nods, encouragingly. “Are you a first-years?”

“Yeah. Did a couple of other things first. But realised that a degree would probably be useful.” I smile a little, euphemisms are not my strong suit.

Nathan looks like he somewhat understands what I mean with ‘other things’. Though, it’s not really a secret when I just told him that at least one of the kids walking around here is mine…

“What are you studying?” Nathan leans in a little closer, his attention really on me.

“I’m taking some classes in child psychology right now. I’m hoping to work at a nursery or primary school or something like that.”

“You want to work with young kids?”

I nod, getting a little shy under Nathan’s gaze and attention. “I love kids and I think I’d love having a job working with them. Though, I’m only going to classes part-time right now. I’m hoping to finish by the time Evan and Mia are in school so that I can start working at a school too, and we’ll likely have a similar working schedule, so that’s good.”

I’m rambling now, not even sure why I’m telling him all of this, apart from maybe liking the way he’s listening to me. And I don’t get to talk to a lot of new people like this very often, at least, not with someone who seems genuinely interested.

Especially not someone as handsome as him… Well, yes… I admit it, he’s handsome. It’s obvious. You can’t really deny it, that’s no use.

“Ambitious. I like that.” Nathan grins. “Good luck. I hope it works out for you.” He seems so sincere when he says it.

“I’ll get you your order and let you get back to your work. I can’t distract you too much when you’ve got to split your time between two jobs.” I smile back at him, and then quickly make my way to the counter. Getting away from him before he can see how my cheeks have heated up.

I put the order into the system, my fingers moving nervously.

A moment later, Zeke is at my side. “He’s nice, right?”

“Who?” Though, I’m sure it’s no use playing clueless.

“Nathan.” Zeke lets out a little sigh. “I’m pretty sure he’s flirting with you.” I’m not sure what to make of his words, but when I look up, Zeke is smiling, a happy smile. That confuses me.

“I’m pretty sure he was flirting with you before, when I went on my break.” I saw the way they talked to each other as I took Evan and Mia to the back.

Plus, who would want a guy like me for the rest of their life? The best thing I can hope for right now is finding a job soon and being able to support my kids on my own.

I don’t hold any hopes that I’ll find an Alpha who will even look in my direction again, not after the disaster of a marriage before.

It’s nice to have Zeke at my side now, and I love him, so much, more than I ever thought I could love someone. But I also know that once he finds his Alpha, he’ll be gone. That’s reality. And Nathan seems really nice, even kind, for an Alpha. They’ll make a good match.

“But yes, he’s nice. He’ll probably make someone a good husband when he chooses someone.” I pour the glass of orange juice, and see the notification that the sandwich Nathan ordered is ready in the kitchen. “Excuse me, got to get the order to him.”

When I look up at Zeke this time, his eyes are a little different, saddened, and I don’t know what to think of it. “Zeke?” I touch his arm and he blinks, shaking his head.

“Nothing.” He smiles, but the dark look doesn’t go out of his eyes. “Go get his order. I need to go to another customer.” He walks off, leaving me stunned for a moment, then I get the sandwich from the kitchen.

I’m not sure what’s going on, but something’s definitely going on.

That look in Zeke’s eyes… It means something is puzzling him, it means he doesn’t really know how he feels about something yet, and it’s not looking good.

I know that look. I’ve seen it often enough before. But I don’t know how to connect that look to the things that he just said or my reply…

And I don’t know what to think of the feeling in my stomach when I talk to Nathan.

I guess I’m just getting a little fluttery because I’m not used to handsome Alphas talking to me and showing an actual interest in what I’m saying. Or really, any Alpha, apart from my family, showing any interest in my thoughts…

I’m not used to it. And with the way everything has gone in my life up until now, I’d never expected it to happen to me, at all. I learned early on that that’s just not something Alphas do, having an honest interest in an Omega’s thoughts.

I’ve experienced it often enough, the feeling of disappointment when you realise that you saying something of substance only angers an Alpha… You learn to shut your mouth pretty quickly after that.

That must be it.

I’m just reading the situation wrong.

He’s just being polite and better at hiding his annoyance when I talk.

I nod to myself and return with Nathan’s sandwich. I should just bring him his order and get back to business. Not bother him any longer.

That’s always the best idea, the safest option.

The option with the least pain.

Chapter Three

ZEKE

When Wes comes back from the kitchen and gives Nathan his order, I can see that he’s changed. The way he moves, the way he holds himself, it’s different from before and I hate the way it makes me feel, this sadness that spreads through my heart.

Something that I said must have turned his head bad, must have triggered something inside him that makes him revert to this again. The way I saw him behave when we just met.

He’s acting like a drone almost, he appears to be smiling but it doesn’t reach his eyes, and I can see the way in which he’s deflecting conversation with Nathan now. The way he stands, his shoulders tense, his body ready to flee, makes me want to go right over and pull him away. Makes me want to demand he tells me what’s going through his head.

I know that Wes sometimes thinks too much. That he feels he’s a bother to other people, even when he isn’t. I’ve known him for over a year and I’ve seen him revert back to this a few times, it always hurts.

I’ve tried to show him that not everyone is evil and that people really do like talking to him.

But years of conditioning by his asshole of an ex is hard to break, and worst of all… his ex wasn’t exactly unusual in the way he thought about Omegas or the way he treated Wes. He was just a little on the extremer side of the norm. It feels wrong to say ‘a little’, but my own experiences tell me that it’s right.

I take another customer’s order and get back to work. I can’t let this distract me right now. I’m going to have to talk to Wes later, hopefully before he’s off to class, but if that doesn’t work out, we’ll have time to talk tonight too.

There are too many customers to deal with this right now, even if that hurts.

I bring another order around and as I’m on my way back to the counter, Nathan motions for me. I go over to him, trying not to read anything into the look he’s giving me, but I know that he’s going to ask about Wes. He looks sad and a little confused.

“Yes?” I put on my best smile, which isn’t too hard around Nathan. It’s easy enough to smile at someone when they’re this handsome, even though I’m still worried over Wes.

Nathan takes a breath and then his eyes automatically go to Wes, who is helping another customer. “Did I say something wrong?”

“I have no idea. I’m not listening in on your conversations.” Okay, maybe I’m a little snippy. Can’t help it.

Nathan walking in here this morning changed something and it made Wes revert back to this state. I get snippy when that happens.

“Smart.” Nathan shakes his head a little, a small smile appearing on his lips, even though his eyes are still sad. “He came back with my order and he just looked… different.”

“I know.” I say it before I even realise it. I wasn’t planning on answering his question, but I couldn’t help myself.

Nathan’s eyebrows go up as he looks at me, alert. “So, something did happen.”

“If something happened…” I take a deep breath. “It’s not your fault. He’s… had a rough couple of years. He doesn’t easily trust people.”

I can give Nathan this, right? He looks genuinely interested in Wes and upset by the change, not in an angry way, but in a sad way.

“Alphas.”

“Hmm?” I blink, not sure I understood Nathan right.

“Not people, Wes doesn’t trust Alphas.” There is something in Nathan’s eyes as he looks Wes’ way that makes my chest clench and makes me feel like he knows exactly what he’s talking about.

Why does that hurt?

Why would…

“Something like that.” I hate how suddenly my voice sounds rough.

His eyes come to me again, falling on my face, and suddenly it feels like he sees right through me, like whatever is hurting on the inside is okay to let him know. Like he can see inside me, and understands it.

“I… I need to…” I take a step back, turning around.

“Zeke.” His voice stops me.

I turn back to him. I need to take a moment to myself, I really have to. I have to get away.

“Is it okay if I ask the two of you out for dinner? If I ask him that, will you come too?” He sounds so sincere, and at the same time scared.

The look in his eyes… It’s protective, a look I don’t often see from someone who makes my heart beat like this.

I nod, swallowing hard, unable to say anything. Something is bubbling up inside and I need to take a break.

“Thank you.” His voice is low and soft.

I nod at him again, and flee. Wes can take over the orders for a bit, but I need to hide. I need a couple of moments to myself.

I lock myself in one of the bathrooms, my breathing hard as I feel tears stream down my cheeks. I feel like such an asshole. Telling a total stranger about Wes, about his past.

But also, the look Wes had after I said that Nathan was flirting with him, and the way Wes changed when he came back… How am I supposed to handle this? How am I supposed to do this?

I love Wes, I love him with all my heart. I’ve never felt like this before. Never. I’ve never been in love before I met Wes.

And now… Seeing Nathan and Wes interact… It’s almost like that’s okay, that what I’m seeing between them is how things are supposed to be.

My heart may beat a little faster at seeing Wes get some positive attention, but my brain knows that as soon as he chooses a new Alpha… It will be over between us. It hurts.

I’ve always known that this would happen, but to see it play out in front of me, it hurts.

So why am I not upset over Nathan, but only sad about losing Wes?

I want Wes to be happy. And I’ve always known that I won’t be the one who will make him happy for the rest of his life.

How can I? He had an Alpha before, and he will have an Alpha again. He was never someone who was interested in other Omegas.

I was just someone who happened to him… A single Omega he seems to like, just one, me. I’ll never be able to give him what he needs… I can’t even… During sex… I can’t give him that, it doesn’t work like that for me.

So how can I ever compete with an Alpha?

I take a deep breath, I knew this would happen at some point. I guess it just happened sooner than expected.

Better get back to work, enjoy the time I still have, and prepare myself for the inevitable.

When I get back, when I feel like I can act normal again, Wes is playing with Mia, Evan and some of the other kids in the play corner and Nathan is back to work, typing on his computer.

Nathan looks up and finds me watching him, something in his gaze changes, worry. He motions for me to come over, but I shake my head. I really need to get back to work.

When I see the time, I realise that Wes will leave for classes in about twenty minutes, so that means that the other barista, Tim, will come in soon.

I help a couple more customers, and then, as I’m preparing orders, I see Wes at Nathan’s table and my chest tightens. Nathan asks him something and Wes frowns.

Wes looks my way, confused, before saying something to Nathan again, his face serious.

I bring the order I was working on to the customer and then, on my way past Nathan’s table, Wes grabs my arm, pulling me to them.

“Zeke.” Wes’ voice is low, but I can see the confusion on his face.

“Yeah?” I look at Nathan next, he already knows my answer to his question.

“What… Why…” Wes looks so confused, and it hurts to see him like this. I wish I could just hold him, pull him close, but this is not the right place for that.

“I asked him if he’d like to go on a date, all three of us.” Nathan says it like it’s the most normal thing in the world, like he hasn’t already asked me.

“Oh.” I shrug. “Sure. Sounds fun.” I put on a smile.

Wes looks at me with wide eyes. “But… The kids…”

“Your brother and his mate can look after them for a night. I’m pretty sure they still owe us some babysitting time.” I step closer to Wes, taking his hand in mine out of the view of the rest of the cafe.

Wes squeezes my fingers tightly, but I also feel how he’s shaking a little, scared.

“Sounds like a plan.” Nathan smiles at us. “I can pick you up after work on… Thursday?”

“Wednesday works better for us, we close late on Thursdays.” I play along.

“Good. It’s a date, then.” Nathan looks at us both, his smile getting bigger, then he finishes off his juice and packs his laptop. “I’m off.”

He steps a little closer. “See you two lovelies tomorrow.” His voice is low so only we can hear it.

Then he leaves the cafe and Wes immediately pulls me towards the back of the cafe, into one of the quiet rooms there.

“Why did you say yes?” Wes closes the door behind him. “Why did you have to say yes?” He looks upset now and I wonder if I made a mistake.

“Why not?” I shrug. “He seems nice, and it’s been a long time since either of us went out for dinner without the kids or your brother.”

“But…” He looks around, his eyes darting from place to place.

I step closer, putting my hands on his shoulders. “There is nothing wrong with this. We can go out for a night, have some fun. That’s it.” Although, the look in Nathan’s eyes, I’m pretty sure he wants it to be more than just a single night.

“But…” Wes grabs my hands, holds them in place. “I love you. I don’t…” He looks so upset. “Don’t you…”

I pull him closer, wrapping my arms around him tightly. Why does he break my heart so much by looking like that? “I love you too. The most in the world. This is just a fun night with someone who just moved here and doesn’t know anyone. That’s okay, right?”

I feel him nod against my shoulder.

“It will be fine,” I whisper against his neck. “Everything will be fine.”

The look in Nathan’s eyes when he talks to Wes… He doesn’t want to hurt him either. If there is one thing I’m sure of, it’s that Nathan doesn’t want to cause any trouble, but that didn’t stop him from asking us on a date.

And the way he looks between us… I think he knows, or at least suspects something is going on between Wes and me. I don’t know how I feel about that, but it won’t matter anyway, not if everything works out right.

Can I do it? Can I let Nathan get close to Wes, after everything Wes went through?

The rest of the afternoon was slow. I don’t know what it was exactly, but after Wes left for classes, the afternoon just seemed to drag on and on.

It didn’t help that Mia and Evan were being difficult, both wanting to be carried around the whole time. But I made it through. I made it through the day and when I got back home, Wes and I spent the evening on the couch, wrapped up together and the kids doing their own thing.

I know that Wes wants to talk about what happened at the cafe, although he won’t bring it up in front of the kids. I respect that, though I don’t think they’d really realise what was going on anyway.

When Clay, Aiden and their kids come home, and all the kids are safely tucked into bed, Clay and Aiden sit down on the other couch.

“Anything interesting happened today, at the cafe or college?” Clay wraps his arms around Aiden.

Wes shrugs, trying to look neutral. Of course, he fails.

I speak up instead. “Can you look after the kids tomorrow evening? Over dinner and potentially into the evening?”

“Oh?” Clay raises his eyebrows as he looks at us. “Anything I should know about?”

“Just going out for dinner with someone.” I try to play it off cool, though I’m sure that I’m just as bad at it as Wes.

Aiden smiles. “Sounds good. Sure. We’ll make sure to pick them up from school. I don’t have to go to Sterling’s tomorrow anyway. Wednesday being my day off work and everything. I’ll even look after Mia and Evan during the day, if needed.”

I eye Wes, but he shrugs, his eyes guarded. “I don’t think that that will be needed. They’re good at the cafe.” I smile. “But, thanks. We may have to take you up on that some other time.”

“Of course. No problem. So, tell me… Anyone interesting?” Aiden’s eyes sparkle and I smile.

“Not really. Just someone who wants to get to know people. He just moved here.”

“Ah.” Aiden smiles too.

Wes moves a little. “He says he’s an author and he’s teaching at the college.”

“A smart man, then.” Clay nods. “It’s always good to have smart friends.” He grins and Aiden rolls his eyes at him.

The way Clay and Aiden just easily accept our explanation makes me relax a little. Yeah, Nathan may have called it a date, but it’s also just meeting up with someone. And he did just move here, that’s the truth.

In my arms, Wes has also relaxed a little. I think we can make this happen without too many awkward situations.

Not that I wouldn’t be the cause of many of them…

I don’t really have any experience with dating. I was never allowed to date, and when I finally got my own life… I had no interest in it at all.

I saw the pain that it caused too often. I didn’t feel like I’d ever find someone I’d actually like to date. The trouble of going through all those dating things just didn’t seem worth all the pain when people realise they’re not actually mates.

And then Clay brought Wes home with him…

And everything changed for me.

And, today, things may have changed once again…

Fuck.