Valgar
Precisely what he had feared with Mar back in the day, which only made his loss of control all the worst.
It’d angered him to be refused, but he hadn’t bedded him out of spite. He’d told his new omega the truth; he’d do what needed to be done. The sex was required to seal the bond in magic and law, and now it was done.
He just feared the price had been much higher than he’d expected.
Servants came when he rang a bell in the antechamber, bringing a generous meal. He did not want to eat, what he wanted... No, what he needed to do was to feed his omega and ensure he was well taken care of.
But Quincy still slept and Valgar could not countenance disturbing his rest, not when he’d been in such a state while Valgar himself took pleasure in what should have only been the fulfilment of his duties.
He did not want to think about Mar, or how much she might sense through their own bond.
Even just thinking of her warmed him from inside. But that only made his guilt all the thicker. Not because he’d taken another omega. Mar knew he had no choice in the matter after fifteen years of marriage with no children to show for it.
He’d made his choice for Mar as much as for himself. Because an omega who couldn’t conceive couldn’t displace her in her own home and there would be no children for her to watch grow when their own had never even got the chance to be born.
But he’d also chosen for Quincy, without much thought as to what he might want or need.
The man was older, but he was still vulnerable.
It was easy to forget with Mar, who knew well there was nothing in Valgar’s power she could not have.
But it was impossible to look at Quincy in his bed, curled up as if to protect himself, and ignore that he was Valgar’s, for him to do what he saw fit.
An alpha’s honour was meant to shield his omegas and prioritise their needs, and Valgar had already failed.
***
HE WOKE WITH A START when he sensed Quincy stir, glancing around until his eyes settled on the bed in the other room. He had crossed the distance before his bondmate managed to turn on his side, so he saw as well as felt him wince.
“I have hurt you.”
Quincy stared at him blankly from where he was supporting himself on an elbow.
Valgar expected anger, instead his omega dropped his eyes.
“You did what needed to be done,” he said, so neutrally no one could have possibly taken offence, except, of course, that under it all there was ice all the way down to his core.
He’d as good as slammed a door between them psychically.
“Let me get an attendant for you,” he said, ignoring the sour taste in his mouth. “Do you have someone?”
“Yes,” Quincy said. “Cocal.”