Chapter 9
“What’s up with you lately?” Elm watched as Sky notched another arrow and sent it soaring across the makeshift training field. “You’ve been…off.”
“I’m fine.” The arrow landed dead center in the target, knocking a few others loose. They tumbled to the ground, littering the orange and yellow leaf-strewn forest floor.
Not many people knew about this part of campus, but Sky had been coming here to practice whenever the official training building was too crowded, and he needed space to think.
He’d set the targets up himself on five different trees, all within a clear path.
Every month or so, he’d replace them, depending on how frequently he visited.
His visits had increased the past few days, all thanks to Kian Erskine and that damn text message Sky had seen.
He should have minded his own business, maybe then he wouldn’t feel this way.
Like he’d been used.
Fooled.
Played.
No wonder Kian hadn’t fought him over having intercourse. He already had an omega stashed away somewhere, one who was going to have his kid.
Sky let another arrow fly.
“You’re pissed,” Elm stated dryly. “Is it Kenta? Did he do something?”
He shook his head. As far as his best friend knew, he’d spent his heat locked up in his studio alone.
When it’d come time to confess, he simply hadn’t been able to do it.
A part of him had always known Elm was right about his brother, that Kian would never want Sky back, but still…
To have come that close and lose it all?
To get his hopes up the way that he had?
It was mortifying.
“Well, that’s good, because I invited him over,” Elm said, chuckling when that shocked Sky enough to misfire.
“What?”
“Kenta? He’s on his way. He asked where you were, so I told him. Figured you could use something to get you out of,” he waved a hand at Sky, “whatever this is.”
“I really wish you had asked me.” Sky pinched the bridge of his nose, bow momentarily hanging at his side. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Kenta, it was just…He wasn’t ready. Before he’d seen that text from Kian’s omega, he’d thought moving on with someone else was the smart move.
But seeing how strongly that ultrasound photo was affecting him, Sky had been forced to acknowledge that he’d only be taking advantage if he followed through with his plans. Kenta didn’t deserve that, and Sky didn’t want to make anyone else feel the way he currently felt.
Which was why he’d been actively avoiding the alpha for the past few days.
“Too late.” Elm motioned with his chin toward the edge of the forest, and Sky turned to find Kenta already heading toward them.
The alpha had clearly just come from class and was dressed in orange and yellow plaid over a form-fitting black t-shirt.
He had the red strap of a backpack slung over his left shoulder, and his boots crunched in the fallen leaves as he made his way down the makeshift path that led from the back of the science building to where the two of them were standing.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Elm came over to pat Sky on the shoulder and then winked.
Even though Kian was his brother through adoption, and the two shared no physical features, it instantly reminded Sky of the older Erskine.
He was scowling before he could help it, only realizing when he turned his gaze toward Kenta and the alpha missed a step under his glare.
“Sorry,” Kenta hesitated and then ran a hand through the short hairs at the back of his head. “Should I not have come? Did I miss a hint?”
A swell of guilt flooded through him and Sky forced himself to relax. “No, it’s cool. What’s up?”
It didn’t seem like the alpha believed him, but he carefully approached anyway, glancing down at the quiver resting against Sky’s left leg. “I thought the archery team got the week off? Isn’t your coach on his honeymoon or something like that?”
“Yeah,” Sky said. “But I don’t like slacking.”
“You’re good enough to go pro,” he laughed. “I don’t think you need to worry about getting rusty in just nine days.”
“Fair.” He ran his thumb over the smooth handle of his bow, momentarily struggling to come up with anything to say. “I didn’t know you were into archery.”
“That’s actually how I was first introduced to you,” Kenta admitted, then laughed. “Is that lame?”
“Only if you follow that up by saying you’re my biggest fan.”
“I’ll keep that to myself then.”
Sky laughed, feeling some of the tension he’d been clinging to since the other day finally beginning to ease away.
“Any chance you’re ready to take a break?” Kenta pointed over his shoulder. “Maybe grab some lunch? Or even just coffee? On me.”
He shouldn’t…
Sky blew out a breath. “You’re a really nice guy, Kenta—”
“So then give me a chance.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to.” He nibbled on his lower lip and then just opted to put it all out there. “I just spent my heat with someone else.”
“Oh.” For a moment, he looked stricken, but then the alpha composed himself. “Are you seeing this person now?”
“No. Honestly? A part of me hopes I never see him again.” The other part was still stuck in the past, wishing for things that would never be.
“Then I don’t think there’s a problem.” Kenta beamed at him, his smile bright and open.
The complete opposite of everything Kian was.
“Look, I’m not asking for you to let me bite you. But I like you. A lot.”
“Even if I was just with someone else?”
Kenta shrugged. “It sucks, but I’m sure you had your reasons not to call me. That just means I have to step up my game. Starting, I hope, with coffee?”
Sky had been as honest as he could be, and the alpha still wanted to date him. Wasn’t that exactly what he’d always dreamed of? Someone who would return his desire? Someone who wanted to take him out and get to know him?
“All right.” He started collecting his things. “It’s a date.”
* * *
Sky smiled at Kenta from across the Velvet Brew Café, patiently waiting for the alpha to get their order. There were a ton of other students occupying tables, and he shared pleasant looks with a few he’d seen around or spoken with at one time or another.
When he’d been younger, he’d been the definition of shy.
Too timid and afraid to even open his mouth for fear that he’d make some horrible sound or misspeak.
He blamed it on growing up as an only child as a part of a species meant to thrive in packs.
Out of all of his friends, he didn’t know any who didn’t have at least one sibling.
There was nothing wrong with his parents' relationship. They got along great, were the picture-perfect couple. That might be part of the reason they’d stopped at Sky though. So they could still spend time with each other.
Sky had grown up envying them. The love they shared, the attention they lavished so willingly and openly on one another. It was something he’d always wanted for himself. A safe space. A partner. A home.
Could that be Kenta?
He took the opportunity to inspect the alpha while the other man waited by the counter.
He was definitely attractive, and whenever he was near enough for Sky to pick up on his scent, he smelled good.
Though they were nothing alike in appearance, Sky could see aspects of his father in him.
The good-natured vibe, the witty but sweet remarks.
If cozy and comfortable was what Sky was after, he’d hit the jackpot with Kenta.
And yet…
Flashes of the other night, being pinned down by Kian, having the toy shoved roughly into his aching body…
Or longer ago even, when a man in a mask shoved his face into an empty sink and held him down as he practically tore Sky’s pants—
His multi-slate dinged, and he jolted in his seat.
Shit. There he went again. Letting his mind go straight to the gutter.
He cleared his throat and turned his wrist to check his device, freezing when he caught sight of the name at the top.
He should ignore it. He didn’t even really know why he had the number stored in the first place. The two of them had never spoken on the phone before.
Had they ever even exchanged texts? Sky tried to recall a time they had, but came up empty.
Well, that alone was enough to pique his curiosity. After a lifetime of silence, what reason could Kian have for messaging him now?
Kian: What are you up to?
Sky blinked at the words. That was it? What even was that? Small talk? Really?
Sky: Coffee shop. Why?
Kian: Pretty sure the polite thing is for you to return the question.
He wanted Sky to be polite? What was this? An actual conversation? What for?
Sky: What are you up to?
Kian: Funny.
Sky: Just doing what you told me to.
Kian: Promise to keep it up? If you will, I will.
He frowned and was in the process of typing that he needed emphasis to understand, but then an image came through, and he made the mistake of clicking on it.
Sky yelped and shot to his feet.
Only that did nothing to distance himself from the offending image, because his device was still attached to his wrist.
“What’s wrong?” Kenta appeared at the end of the table, mustard yellow tray in hand. His lips were pursed and he glanced from Sky’s face down to his multi-slate.
Sky quickly tapped the screen off and shook his head. “No, nothing. I just…” Fuck. “There was a spider.”
Kenta laughed lightheartedly and moved to take the seat opposite him. “You’re afraid of spiders?”
“Not really, it just surprised me.” That was so dumb, but Sky was sticking with it since it seemed to do the trick and distract the alpha.
The alpha he was currently on a date with.
He clasped his hands in his lap and rested a palm over the dark screen of his device, momentarily spacing out. Maybe he’d seen it wrong? His mind had been in such a filthy place a second ago, could he have imagined it?
It was risky, but Sky found himself checking under the table, turning the multi-slate back on and entering the chat feed. He sucked in a sharp breath when his gaze landed on the unmistakable photo of an erect alpha cock.
Sky: Did you seriously just send me an unsolicited dick pic?!
He shot off the message before he could help himself, fuming at the older man’s audacity.
“Are you sure this is going to be enough?” Kenta was busily setting their items out on the table. “If you want anything more to eat, just let me know.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Sky wasn’t going to admit that he was no longer hungry. When they’d been perusing the menu, the carrot cake had caught his eye and his stomach had actually grumbled like they were characters in a bad romcom. But now…He swallowed the lump in his throat and shifted in his seat.
Kian: You didn’t get to take it last time. Not where it counts.
Sky: I don’t want it.
Kian: You’ve turned into such a liar in my absence. You’ll like it. Promise.
Sky: What the hell is this? What are you doing right now?
Kian: I’m waiting for someone to leave their house so I can break in.
What the actual fuck—
“Sky? Are you sure you’re okay?” Kenta was holding out the brown butter latte Sky had ordered.
“Sorry.” He took it and made himself switch his multi-slate to silent mode so he could focus. It didn’t matter what games Kian thought they were playing. Sky refused to be a part of it. “Thanks.”
“Still thinking about training? I did interrupt you during.”
“Something like that.” Sky sipped his latte. “Let’s talk about something. It’ll distract me.”
“What are you wearing to the carnival this weekend?” Kenta asked.
“Why? Going to match me?”
“Couples' outfits are pretty fun. Don’t you think? Or is that too soon for a first date?” He picked at the crust of his sandwich and chuckled at himself.
“Second date,” Sky corrected, shrugging when that drew the alpha’s attention. “This is our first, remember?”
Kenta grinned and launched into the conversation, unloading all of his suggestions and the itinerary he’d come up with for them at the carnival.
All the while, Sky kept telling himself this was what he wanted. The normal, caring boyfriend. Regular dates on the weekend and matching t-shirts with ridiculous phrases. He wanted romance, not veiny alpha cock.
No, wait! He still wanted veiny alpha cock, just—
Gods damn it.
The dick pic on his device seemed to mock him.