ALEX #8
Joyful squeals pull my attention away. I look at little Tommy, this innocent child who does not understand the situation his dad has found himself in. He’s playing now, sliding off the pouf and climbing back onto it, drumming his hands against it.
"There is another option," I whisper. "You can find yourself a protector who will keep you safe."
I know what I’m talking about. After all, I have one.
Jared lifts his head and looks at me for a moment.
"Funny you say that," he whispers and tilts his head slightly. "There is something I need to tell you. In very dramatic circumstances I received the contact information of a person who apparently has a talent for finding people’s True Mates."
A moment of silence falls. I am stunned, unable to say anything, and he continues after a few deeper breaths.
"I do not know how much I can believe in it, but apparently he has already made matches for several people, and I admit I have clung to that hope a little. I came here so I could stay for a few days and go to this man as soon as possible to ask whether he could find my True Mate."
I keep blinking, gaping.
"Wait. So there’s a person who can find True Mates? I’ve never heard of such a talent; it sounds incredibly specific."
Jared stares at me as if he’s suddenly unsure of everything, then says, "Here’s the business card I got," and hands me a small piece of paper in silence.
I look at it for a moment and feel laughter bubbling up in my chest. Once again life proves how small this world is. Printed on the card is a single name:
Storm Nolan
—with Fate’s Choice Matchmaking Agency written underneath.
"Is he maybe the brother of that… Bay of yours?" Jared whispers.
I only nod and swallow hard.
Dear Fate. Seriously? I feel like the universe is closing in on me. Everywhere I turn, there’s Bay’s family popping out.
"So, can Storm actually do something like that?"
"Apparently."
I fall quiet for a moment.
"Somehow it fits. I know their family has talents that are hard to explain, his brother Snow can supposedly predict the future to some degree," I mutter, my voice just a whisper, probably trying to convince myself more than him, because as soon as I think about all of this, another thought strikes me.
Maybe I could get Storm to confirm my status with Bay as well, if all of this is true? That would be something…
A fire shot through me. Yes, it’s a good idea!
"I think you should go see him. It never hurts to try; he’s a purple alpha after all, and they’re known for their unusual abilities," I say with a slightly roguish smile. After all, I could use the trip for my own plan.
"Would you mind if I stayed here with you for a few days until I find something for myself?"
"Of course, Jared. During the week I work, so I won’t be able to help much with everything, but if you want we can go see Storm even today."
I must have gone a little crazy offering it so quickly, especially after barely recovering from last night’s awful reaction to Compatron, but something inside me twists with this strange need for another confirmation, something that would give Bay and me more hope, more optimism and faith that it will all work out!
Jared looks at me in surprise, clearly not expecting me to act so urgently.
"Sure, if you don’t mind, we can go," he says, swallowing hard.
Suddenly I realize how he might be interpreting my eagerness.
"Listen, I want you to know this isn’t because I want to get rid of you as fast as I can. It’s just that if things are really how you say and you don’t feel safe, then finding someone who can protect you, a True Mate, really is the most logical option."
Jared watches me for a moment, as if unsure whether to believe me, then slowly nods.
"You’re really okay with me staying? I don’t want to impose, but you’re the only person I can trust, the only one in this world." His words are so heavy, and yet I understand him perfectly. I felt lonely and abandoned by everyone for years, even though I truly wasn’t.
"Of course, Jared, we are family," I whisper.
"You were always on my side, you know? I didn’t appreciate it at the time, and I recklessly rejected your care…" Jared sniffles.
I blink, feeling awkward under the weight of his trust and gratitude. I sit beside him and gently squeeze his hand.
"I’m really sorry, Jared. I know how much you dreamed of a family, of stability, of safety. I know what it’s like to dream, because I live in dreams too, and you won’t hear a word of criticism from me. You followed what you felt might give you happiness, and I get that."
Tears fill Jared’s eyes, but he quickly wipes them away. "Thank you, Alex. And I’m truly sorry I didn’t listen to you back then."
"Don’t apologize. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has the right to them. Maybe now things will finally turn around for you?"
He leans in and embraces me. Wow, when did I start sounding so paternally, so seriously? Am I getting old?
◆◆◆
Two hours later, we stop in front of the large hall belonging to Fate’s Choice, a matchmaking agency and a fair-and-auction house at the same time.
Fortunately there are no marriage-contract fairs today, the kind they host often, which is a relief since I hate crowds.
There is a peculiar atmosphere here. As we get out of Jared’s car, we walk past the complex, I get the chance to see the upper floor of the administrative building attached to the hall, the same one that was damaged in the bombing during the attack on Blue.
They tried to cover it with some campaign posters and banners, but it’s still visible. The explosion must have been quite powerful; it’s a miracle Blue survived. Purple alphas are not to be trifled with, so it’s good Storm was here and protected my tiny omega uncle.
The hall feels empty as we walk through it.
Rows of glass booths line the space, the kind where people sit and wait for somebody to buy their marriage contracts, hoping a suitable match show interest. But today there’s no one here, only employees.
I had texted Storm earlier that we were coming, and I think he already knew Jared would show up, because he accepted it calmly and invited us straight to his office.
Walking inside, I feel unsteady. I haven’t seen Storm in eight years. Last time we met he was a tall, rebellious fifteen-year-old.
He was the only one of the brothers who never tried to play chess with me, as if he accepted his defeat without ever stepping onto the board.
He had always been the most isolated one among them, the least liked, even though Snow also tended to stand off to the side, but Storm was always in the middle of the fire in that family, constantly at war with one brother or another, his purple alpha temperament shining through in everything.
Though perhaps for a reason beyond my understanding, he never seemed to have much of a beef with Bay, they were more likely to stay out of each other’s way.
When the door opens, I tense even more.
The room is small, probably repurposed temporarily as an office, the renovation of the administrative building clearly moving at a slow pace, forcing employees to squeeze into whatever space they can.
"Hello, Alex," I hear Storm’s deep voice as he approaches with his hand out.
Gosh, he’s huge, seven feet two, and massive at that. Though I must say, Bay doesn’t seem much smaller in sheer muscle mass, which is impressive in itself, considering Bay isn’t a purple.
I shake his hand cautiously, afraid of that familiar burst of pain, but nothing happens. Just a normal handshake. Maybe Blue’s therapy is finally desensitizing me? But it can also have something to do with the fact that Storm is already mated and his body may now produce neutral pheromones.
"Hi, Storm, long time no see," I say with a small smile, trying to keep my tone light, then turn toward Jared who stands behind me, holding Tommy in his arms.
"And this is Jared Ferguson…"
"Jared Daniels," Jared corrects me as he shakes Storm’s hand.
For a moment I freeze because that’s not our family surname. And then it hits me. Jared introduced himself with the surname of his biological father.
"Oh, I guess I’m lucky with that surname," Storm laughs with a hint of arrogance. "Three weeks ago I found a True Mate for someone with the same last name. Even looked a bit like you. Maybe it’s a good fortune."
"Oh, it’s a common name," Jared smiles politely. "Though I have a half brother, Star, by the same name. Sadly, we’re not in contact."
"Oh," says Storm, suddenly tensing. "The guy I helped find his True Mate had exactly this name…"
An uncomfortable silence comes down on us.
Only then do I notice Storm isn’t alone. A short omega stands against the wall at the back of the room, he’s maybe two inches taller than me, with reddish-pink hair, a heart-shaped birthmark on his cheek, and a soft, rounded figure.
A shiver runs through me. Of course. I should have expected it.
I know who he is. For the first time in my life, I’m standing in front of my biological brother, Damien.
The question is whether he knows who I am. I doubt Storm told him my surname, and even if he did, I have no intention of making myself the center of attention. I would rather slip out; I’m well aware they are not exactly ready to welcome me into the family just yet.
"Jared, I’ll take Tommy to the cafeteria so you two can talk," I mutter quickly, grabbing Tommy and slipping out, leaving Jared tense and somewhat overwhelmed with Storm.
Trying to steady myself, I spend maybe twenty minutes in the cafeteria while Tommy eats yogurt with fruit, and then I see Storm and Jared heading our way, clearly finished with their conversation. Damien isn’t with them, which I welcome with relief.
Jared doesn’t look great, and Storm doesn’t seem thrilled either.
"We’ll stay in touch," Storm says. "I’ll call you as soon as I know anything."
Jared nods and takes Tommy into his arms. Then I gather my courage.