Chapter 6
Chapter Six
F or almost five days of the most intense heat Ronan had ever experienced with an omega, he stayed by Emerson’s side. Nothing could prepare him for the way the muscles in his stomach ached. Over the endless nights and days through the delirium of pleasure and exhaustion, he had trays of food, mostly one bite entremets, delivered to the room so neither had to leave. Most of the light decadent morsels allowed for Emerson’s enjoyment while settling his stomach. Also, they’d been easy to reach for while locked together. Along with their food, Ronan had more bottles of water than should’ve been necessary delivered to the room.
He shifted in bed, slipping free from the tangled sheets and spied a glance over his shoulder at Emerson. His long russet hair splayed across the pillow, giving him a tussled angelic aura. The curled ends drew his attention back to the mark just visible from the angle his omega laid at. Marking him hadn’t been Ronan’ intentions. Unfortunately, what he promised himself he wouldn’t do and what he committed to were two totally different things.
Which meant facing the consequences of his action. Primarily Callum. The Alpha only saw Emerson the second he left the house. Not while he’d been there. Then instead of apologizing and trying to work out their issues, Callum ignored Emerson and placed him in a situation neither Ronan nor Emerson wanted to be in. Worst? Callum shoved Orion in the middle of the shitstorm. Learning the truth after their little meeting at the academy, turned the boy green. As an Alpha, instincts, for most of them, said to protect omega, cherish them.
Orion hadn’t done either when it came to his stepbrother.
Nevertheless, that wasn’t Emerson or Ronan’ problem. They had other things to worry about, like what would happen when Ronan told the Headmaster the truth about finding his mate among the omega of the academy.
First, he had to call Callum. Ronan wasn’t about to follow through on the bastard’s plan. Not after what occurred between him and Emerson. He didn’t even know why he agreed to try to facilitate the return of Emerson to Callum’s household. Just the thought, turned his stomach. Truth was, the second Emerson stepped foot back into the house that housed all his worst memories, he’d be shackled there for life. Callum would see to it and an unwitting Orion would be an accomplice to his father’s machinations.
He grabbed his phone off the floor where he dropped it almost five days ago and cursed the fact the battery was dead. Heat combined with rut caused an Alpha and an omega to lose their head, he was no exception, no matter how much he tried to pull off the calm facade. Silently cursing himself, he glanced around the space and found a pad of paper. He’d have to go back to his apartment on campus to charge his phone and deal with the fall out. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take long, but at least leaving a note would hopefully relieve Emerson’s panic when he woke alone.
Once he wrote the missive, Ronan redressed and headed out the door. The frigid snap of air cut across his skin. He shivered and glanced around the snow-covered housing area of the academy. Had they missed it? A whole storm rolled in, and they’d been oblivious? He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket and hastily crossed the cobblestone walkways and halls.
Whereas the campus any other time would be alive with activity it appeared the whole of the establishment hibernated. How he wished he could do the same. His jaunt back to his apartment took a little longer than usual due to the amount of snow in some places. When he stepped inside, he exhaled. This wasn’t where he wanted to be. The whole space screamed safe, plain, and comfortable. Should any omega need him, they could walk in and know they be okay there.
Not a stitch of himself resided there.
In the last five days, little parts of who he’d been before he accepted his position pushed forward. He was dominate lover. Hard on his omega. He fucked with abandoned. Cuddled. Ronan took as he gave. Maybe, in some instances, took more than he helped Emerson. He closed his eyes before scrubbing his face and grimaced. His hands still smelled of his mate. The thought should have disgusted him, yet he found himself raising his palms to his nose and inhaling deeply, taking in the sweet notes of Emerson’s slick mixed with his cum.
His cock twitched trying to rise to the occasion, but the bone deep exhaustion still lingering around his mind kept the appendage at half-mast. Stop thinking about sex and make the call. You can only put it off for so long. Right, the second he told Callum the truth, he feared the Alpha would call Ronan’s boss. Which meant dealing with the school first.
Callum second.
After plugging his phone into the charger, he put the call in to the Headmaster and waited while his secretary patched Ronan through. Guess the school isn’t sleeping... When he answered, Ronan spoke, needing to start the conversation before pleasantries were expressed. “Headmaster Cole, this is Alpha Ronan Thomas. I need to speak to you about a situation that’s come about.”
“Oh?” Headmaster Cole murmured. “What’s that? Is there an issue with Emerson James?”
Besides the fact he was Ronan’s mate? None. “Well, yes, and no. As you’re aware, there are a few Alphas who help the omega through their heats, especially when they’re off their medications. I have done so for the last ten years without issue until I helped Emerson.” Dancing around the topic was a delicate tiptoe. The power exchange between Alpha and omega, along with student and professor, was one sided. He held all the authority in their dynamic.
“You’re his mate,” Headmaster Cole said without hesitation. “There are issues that arise with this pronouncement, you understand.”
“I do.” The conversation went better than Ronan expected. Not having to spill every graphic detail made negotiating what happened next easier, even if he worried his position within the academy would be eliminated.
“Have you marked him and did he reciprocate your mark?”
Ronan smirked. “Yes, he did.” He’d honestly believed it would have taken more convincing, but in the throes of passion, anything was possible. The second Emerson leaned up and bit down on the inside of his right pectoral muscle, Ronan knotted his mate, locking them together and sealing them as mates.
“What about his stepfather?” Headmaster Cole hedged. “Are we going to see blow back from the Alpha?”
“To be determined. I thought it better to discuss the issue with you first, then call Emerson’s stepfather. To be frank, sir, it doesn’t matter. Legally, Callum White has no claim over Emerson. He’s not the biological father. Emerson is also beyond the age of maturation. Coming to Cascadia was his choice, and he funded the education himself.”
“You sound defensive,” the man jabbed.
“Not at all,” Ronan replied. “I believe after the brief episode the other day in quad, I’m a bit more protective of Emerson, is all.”
The Headmaster hummed. “Agreed. What do you want to do about your contract? There is a clause that states faculty isn’t to mate students.”
“While I understand why they included the clause, I find it to be a damnable situation. I can’t be the only one who’s found their mate on campus. It wasn’t as though I pursued Emerson relentlessly, nor did I take his choice away. We acted as two consenting adults. However, I understand the need for such a rule. Cascadia doesn’t have the reputation it does without being the best and safest place for the omega to come and explore their independence, so if the board would like me to leave, so be it. I understand.”
For several long moments, the headmaster said nothing. Then, just as Ronan was about to call out, Headmaster Cole said, “I don’t want to lose one of my best instructors. There will be rules you understand. We’ll have to call a meeting to discuss how to go about the changes. Also, you will have to move yourself and Emerson off campus. We do have to think of the abused omegas who come here.”
Of course. Nothing made Ronan sicker than thinking about an abused omega who was forced to live in a dorm or area where mates lived. He couldn’t imagine the memories or visceral reactions they might have or how it could also push them back into a moment they didn’t want to relive. He’d seen it one too many times over the years. “Understood, sir. I’ll begin the search for off campus housing today.”
“Good,” he replied. “The more we show the board the steps you’re willing to take to protect your mate and the other omega, the better off we’ll be.”
“Yes, sir,” Ronan agreed.
“I’ll let you know when to expect a phone call. Also, while you’re taking care of your end, also reach other to the stepfather, let’s do everything in our power not to blindside him. Cascadia Academy doesn’t need the negative publicity.”
“I agree. I’ll keep you posted, Headmaster.”
“Excellent,” he replied. “Congratulations on finding your mate. This is a joyous occasion, though it might be shrouded in red tape.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ronan ended the call after exchanging farewells then scrolled to Callum’s name in his phone and hit send.
This was the moment he’d dreaded.
Emerson came awake slowly. The first thing he realized, he wasn’t alone. The second, his body was pleasantly sore, and the languidness of being well cared for through his heat, cracked his chest open. His stomach did that funny, happy little flop. His heart fluttered with joy. The rush of relief consumed him as he turned in bed.
To say he’d been unhappy in the beginning to find Ronan standing over him, while he’d laid the infirmary bed, was an understatement. The idea of allowing another Alpha to use him, and discard him, fractured his mind. The only thing different about his heat this time, was that he couldn’t hide away in his room. The chores he used at home to occupy his mind and distract him, hadn’t worked. Being around other omega along with Alphas caused his symptoms to worsen. It was like standing in the middle of the best buffet ever and having a stomach bug. Everything looked and smelled amazing, but tasting or sampling anything, made him sick.
Until Ronan.
Going with him shifted something inside Emerson. What that was, he couldn’t label. Not yet at least. Maybe later.
Much later.
“Are you going to sleep the day away?” Ronan asked, brushing a kiss over his brow.
“I wish I could.” But even as relaxed as Emerson was, his skin itched from dried bodily fluids and sweat while his stomach picked the perfect time to rumble with hunger. “Unfortunately...”
He chuckled. “Well, let’s get you cleaned up and we’ll go have breakfast or lunch. Your choice.”
Emerson nodded, holding out his arms to Ronan. “Carry me, Alpha.”
He growled. “Say it again, this time add my, to it.”
Warmth spread through Emerson. “Carry me, my Alpha.” The words sparked a bit of fear within him and would take some time to get used to. He had to remind himself that Ronan wasn’t Callum, nor could he ever be.
“As you wish.” Ronan picked him up and brought him into the bathroom where his clothes laid still. “Guess we should clean up the place.”
“After a bath and you feed me.” Emerson relieved his bladder while Ronan turned on the shower.
“I should wait to tell you this,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “You deserve at least another month of blissed mating. However, I suspect you’ll find out sooner rather than later.”
The renewed excitement dimmed within Emerson. Fear bit at the back of his mind. Was the whole five days just a figment of his imagination? Had what they shared not mean the same to Ronan as it did to Emerson? “Rip the bandage off.”
Ronan exhaled and closed the gap between them. He shut the lid on the toilet and sat, tugging Emerson to his lap. “This has nothing to do with our mating. Does it have something to do with my job? Yes. Perhaps your stepfather? Yes, again. We’re good. Better than good.” He kissed the crown of Emerson’s head. “Never doubt us.”
“What about my stepfather?” Emerson drew his tongue across his bottom lip, not liking the way his stomach dropped or the worry in Ronan’ eyes.
“He is...” he exhaled. “Mad is putting it lightly. I know I’m not him. I know you waited and wanted him to acknowledge you. However...”
Emerson placed his finger against Ronan’ lips. The scowl on his face was adorable and had it been any other situation, he’d have laughed. “I don’t care.” Sometime between packing up to leave home and entering his heat, Emerson came to the conclusion he didn’t have to put his energy into something or someone who wouldn’t reciprocate the affection or attention. For all he cared Callum could rage at the heavens. It wouldn’t change the outcome or his indifference.
“What?” Surprise lit Ronan’ voice.
“I don’t care.” Emerson eased away from his mate and entered the shower, groaning as the warm water hit his crusty flesh. “Leaving home was the best decision I’ve ever made. Although I may miss my siblings, I know I’ll never be treated as family. I’ll be their object. Their maid or cook or nurse. Never someone they love. I just wish I would’ve figured it out sooner.”
Ronan dropped his head forward. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not.” He lifted his shoulder. “Guess I’ve done a little growing up in the short amount of time I’ve been here.”
Pride beamed from Ronan’ expression. “Yes, you have. I’m grateful I’ve been allowed to witness your transformation.”
“Sweet talker,” Emerson teased, reaching for the shampoo. “Anything else I need to know before we leave this room?”
“We have to find a home off campus,” Ronan answered. “Better for us in the long term. I’ll also get to keep my job, if I wish to.”
“Do you want to?”
Ronan inclined his chin. “I think we make a difference here. I enjoy my job. Without being here, I’d have never met you.”
“Then stay,” Emerson said. “We can figure out the rest as it comes.”
“You know, you can do whatever you want to do as well,” Ronan added. “I’m not the only one who can decide.”
Emerson took a moment to rinse his hair. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. All his life he’d seen his mother wait on Callum and then he’d done so until he finally had enough. Being given the freedom to choose his future seemed overwhelming. “I’d like to take my time. I have my whole life ahead of me. Why make critical decisions in a rush?”
Ronan nodded. “Exactly. No matter what happens next, I’ll be right by your side, mate.”
A deep yearning took root within Emerson, then a bubble of excitement. Mate. Such a foreign concept. Something he’d pictured far beyond his reach now stood on the other side of the shower glass. Though he couldn’t say this was the path, he wanted his life to follow, he also couldn’t say he didn’t enjoy the idea of being loved and cherished. “Right where I want you to be, mate.”