Chapter Thirteen #2
“Then that means we can talk to Scratch and get a pretty accurate account of what they talked about, but―” Ford leaned in close, tempted to kiss his mate, despite the potential audience, even though he knew Chase wouldn’t like being seen.
“This means Scratch is the one who put Lincoln in touch with Scout. We now know the link and that Scratch had your omega’s safety in mind when he set up the meet. ”
Chase smiled, satisfied with that explanation, then tilted his head up to look Ford in the eye, apparently unbothered by the proximity. “He’s not mine, you know. Lucky doesn’t belong to me or you. He belongs to both of us.”
What a feisty alpha. Ford took a drag on his cigarette. “Not yet, but he’s your true mate and that don’t need a ceremony.”
“That doesn’t make him mine.”
Intrigued by the honest, cautious answer, Ford offered his cigarette, inordinately pleased that Chase accepted.
“And Lucky would slaughter you for saying he’s mine.”
He was fascinated to see that Chase’s idea of Ford as a rival had evaporated. Before he could think of what to say, Chase tilted his head to meet his eye.
When Chase held out the cigarette, Ford indulged an urge he’d been resisting.
Touching his fingers to Chase’s palm, earning a confused look but not an outright, hostile glare, he let them drift up to tangle with Chase’s fingers.
He clasped his hand, loose in case he freaked out, and lifted those long fingers to his mouth to take a drag of the cigarette.
Chase snorted and sucked his teeth, a nervous gesture Ford had noticed over the last three days.
“I’ll keep him safe,” he said, pushing off the car to look down at their joined hands.
He met Ford’s gaze like a brazen omega testing the waters, lifted their hands to his mouth to put the cigarette between his lips, and untangled their fingers.
“Thanks for the smoke,” he added, mouth twitching with amusement.
Gods, he was a temptation. As much as Lucky was, only Lucky was an omega and definitely within ‘indulge’ territory. Chase was neither, but that didn’t stop Ford from wanting to reach out and see what happened.
Chase
Once Ford drove away, Chase made his way across the quad to greet Lucky. “Hello, gorgeous.”
Lucky turned, his relief evident in a way that made Chase feel incredible. He kissed Lucky briefly, having no words to say how much he’d missed him last night.
“That was the perfect way to start any day.” Chase took a deep breath, giving off flare to calm the anxiety coming off Lucky. “Are your folks okay with Ford driving you to campus?”
“I reminded them that, between you and Ford, I’m well protected.”
Chase noticed Lucky’s friends were trying not to intrude and cleared his throat to include them. “I hear the rumour mill has gone supernova. Is there any chance it’s blown over?”
Phoenix scoffed and shook his head. “Even if it had, the two of you being on campus would spark a new wave.”
“We’ll fend them off, don’t worry.” Grant appeared beside Chase like a ghost, still toying with his phone. “I’ve already made it clear that anyone who talks to Lucky better be packing steel balls or they’re getting ripped off.”
Lucky darted in to kiss Grant’s cheek. “You were always my favourite.”
Grant snorted and tucked his phone into his pocket. “You’re hopped up on hormones.” He wrapped his arm around Lucky’s neck and gave Chase a playful shove. “And you can keep your hormones under control or we’ll be having words.” He winked at Chase and led Lucky away.
The cheeky shit was acting like this was all his fault.
“You’re just jealous,” he complained, inviting Phoenix and Caroline to head off with them, to use Chase and Grant as chaperones. They’d meet up with Neko in class, though he wasn’t sure where Kain had disappeared to.
“I’m only jealous you got to escape this shithole.” Grant tucked his hand behind his back to give Chase the finger. When he caught up, Grant caught Chase under his free arm, a never-failing source of support.
“I’m sure you’ll find your mate soon,” Lucky said to Grant with open adoration. “Any omega will be lucky to have you.”
Grant was clearly surprised by the praise, but it was true. Chase had always been one of the few people to see Grant’s softer, caring side, but he would be a great alpha to his omega.
“Thanks, Lucky.”
* * * *
Lucky
“In conclusion, as there are laws that bind omegas to a specific behaviour or treatment by others, they are not alone,” Professor Milliner recounted from a lazy perch against his desk.
“Betas are considered to be subservient creatures, who don’t have the right to love or live freely, unless they are serving the alpha/omega community.
Alphas are expected to be dominant, overbearing and demanding. ”
The professor swung his glasses from his loose hold of one arm.
“The government―and thus the teaching of our young, dictated by the government―still sees in black and white.
There is no room for individuality, creativity, personal growth, or for anyone to step outside of the box they have been placed in by convention.
“Gods forbid each person in this world be unique, because the government will not see you that way.” He paused to chew on the tip of his glasses and stood from his desk.
“Remember, society…the government…your parents…even your expectations for yourself…may place you into a box with a specific label. There is nothing in this world that says you can’t rip the label off and write yourself a new fate.
” Pausing after the stunning statement that made Lucky’s heart flutter, Professor Milliner concluded with a casual and abrupt, “Now, get out.”
Lucky laughed, realising it was the end of class. Closing his notebook, he grabbed his bag from his chair while Chase slid his books off the table. He slung Lucky’s bag over his shoulder, holding his books to his side in a casual hold, like he’d reacted instinctively.
“Lucky, can you stay behind, please?”
“Yes, sir,” he called, sure the questioning tone meant he could wait if Lucky was in a rush to get to his next class. He had Home Economics next, for two hours, and being minutes late wouldn’t hurt.
A nod from Chase indicated he’d wait at the door.
Lucky headed to the front of the class. “Professor?”
“The rumours are rife on campus, I’m sure, but your papa called to appraise me of the situation with Lincoln Halloway. How are you?” The professor arched an eyebrow that suggested he wasn’t sure what to say.
“He called you?”
Professor Milliner rested against his desk. “I’m the Student Welfare Officer. I arranged for your other lecturers to be aware and made sure that you won’t face any questions about your absence,” he explained, and cocked his head. “He mentioned that you have two mates.”
Lucky licked his lips, not sure whether he wanted to hear his favourite professor’s opinion. “I had…what you’d call an ‘experience’, while on OX.”
Professor Milliner had always been more open-minded than his other lecturers. While Lucky explained having cursed Lincoln, the wounds he’d inflicted without contact and sensing the bond that had been crystal clear, the professor said nothing.
When he was finished, Professor Milliner removed his glasses and raised a finger. He walked around his desk and rummaged through a bookcase, returning with a book. “Read this. Not homework, but as a form of educating yourself.”
“A Comprehensive History of Omha’s Folly?” Lucky had never heard of the book, or anything called Omha’s Folly.
“Omha’s Folly is what our modern government call the…
unproven, shall we say…psychic and metaphysical phenomenon sometimes experienced by Omha Seers,” the professor said, with a smile that took Lucky off guard.
There were so few Seers in the world that it was unlikely he’d ever meet one.
“I believe you’ll recognise the author.” He tapped the cover, and Lucky goggled at the name on the front.
Xavier Darro.
He hardly had the words to comprehend it. His papa had written a book. “Why didn’t I know this existed?”
“Because it was a gift.” Professor Milliner leaned in closer.
“Your papa and I were friends, in college. We swore we’d change the world.
Then we met our true mates and fate guided us in opposite directions.
I found a particular paper he wrote to be inspiring, and it led to me becoming a history teacher.
When I became a professor here, your papa printed his paper into a book and gifted a copy to me. ”
Lucky marvelled at the slew of revelations. He’d never known that the professor he admired was one of his papa’s college friends, or that his papa had published a book. “Thank you, Professor,” he admitted, holding the book close. “I’ll return it quickly.”
“I appreciate that.” His smile twitched and he opened his mouth to speak, but a shout came from the doorway. “Come in and wait. I won’t be long.” He gestured to an older student who lingered in the doorway.
Lucky frowned, surprised that he didn’t recognise the older omega. Most mature omega students―like those who had come off Heatwave after bonding―usually introduced themselves to younger omegas on campus.
Professor Milliner folded his arms over his chest. “Seph is a second-year student at the college of linguistics and literature. He’s also my bonded mate.
He’s come to have my professional opinion on a paper that would interest you.
Perhaps, if I can convince him he’s done a splendid job without my help, I could coax him into letting you read it? ”
“I’d like that, Professor.”
Professor Milliner tapped his papa’s book with a meaningful stare.
“This might give you the answers you’re looking for.
Particularly Chapter Five, which details many first-hand accounts of omegas who claimed to have communed with Omha.
Non-Seers who dreamt of a warning that prepared them for an event that later came true, or who felt a bond before their alpha did, sometimes years in advance, though they could never legally tell anyone. ”
Lucky raised his head, stunned. “One of my friends felt the bond and filed it, but he can’t reject them because the alpha hasn’t felt the bond.” Was Omha taking a hand? Had She given Kain insight so he wouldn’t suffer a mate like Lincoln?
Professor Milliner nodded. “I’ve heard rumours about Kain’s true mate bond with Lincoln Halloway.
I’m glad he avoided the pain of making a bond that would only be broken, but I can understand why it would be hard for him to talk about.
” He paused, frowning. “Your papa mentioned that one of your mates is ORT. Perhaps he can expedite the situation? You could tell him about Kain and leave it in his hands. I’m sure the ORT would be happy to take care of the problem. ”
“I’ll do that.” Lucky would do anything to heal Kain’s pain, hating that he’d been the cause of confusion and doubt, just because Lincoln wouldn’t accept that his feelings were one-sided. “I’ll read this from cover to cover. Hopefully, my papa will talk it through with me, if I have trouble.”
The professor laughed, pushing his glasses up his nose. “I doubt you will. You are remarkably like your father, with the same ideals and philosophies. Sometimes I read your papers and have to remind myself that you’re not Xavier.”
“Thank you, Professor. I consider that a compliment.”
“You should.” The professor walked him to the door. “By the way, have you registered with the school as AOA?” They reached the doorway where Chase and Grant were waiting. “If you intend to bond, you should update your next-of-kin forms. There are three lines for a reason.”
Professor Milliner tucked his hands into his trouser pockets.
“I’d suggest reading the professor biographies on the campus website.
If you have questions, you’re welcome to ask.
Though I’m sure you understand that I don’t want to be disturbed for the next hour.
It’s rather hard to get time alone with a bonded mate who is academically inclined.
Worse when one is a professor with tenure, one working towards a graduate degree, and another a police officer. ”
Lucky’s mouth dropped open in understanding.
Chase slid a hand over his waist and stepped away from the wall. “I’ll be speaking to you soon, Professor. And I’ll make sure I don’t hold you up after class again.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Professor Milliner returned to his classroom and closed the door behind him.
Lucky shook his head. “He can’t mean―”
Chase removed his phone from his back pocket and looked up Professor Milliner’s profile on the campus website.
Name: Professor Cyran Milliner.
Position: Tenured Professor of History.
Relationship: mated and bonded, in a registered AOA.
“Wow.” Lucky looked at Chase, relieved his favourite professor had meant it when he’d said he could understand. He wasn’t blindly talking about omega rights and changes to the laws—he understood, because he had an omega who faced the same challenges Lucky did.
Chase flashed a cautious smile. “If the university recognises an AOA, then it must be legally accepted by the government.”
Gods, he was right. The Roach knew the term, and now a police officer and a college professor were in a recognised, registered relationship of a similar dynamic to theirs―two alphas and an omega.