Chapter Fifty-One #2
“You’re worried he’ll stop loving you?”
“I’m more worried he’ll force himself to keep loving me because he’s honorable, when secretly, he’s wondering what it’s like to be with an omega. I mean, I can’t even take his knot. And I don’t think I’m like his fathers. I couldn’t stay with Kino if he was with other guys and—”
“Wait,” Valentin interrupted. “Wait. Are you and Kino having sex?” He clenched his teeth, realizing it might not be his place to ask.
Jordie’s face turned bright red. “Just…with our hands and mouths.” Closing his eyes, he added, “Papa knows.”
Well, that was good. Valentin wouldn’t need to stress about bringing this up with Calder.
“If you’ve only had that type of sex, then how do you know he can’t use his knot with you?”
Had that been an inappropriate question? Valentin glanced up at the sky. Was he terrible at this? Would he suck at it this badly when it was Ryde’s turn to talk about boys? Thank goodness he had help.
“Betas can’t take alpha knots,” Jordie said, perplexed. “Right?”
Valentin thought about how to reply without informing Jordie that Assa, indeed, took an alpha’s knot regularly and loved it.
As long as he was well-prepped, it was one of their favorite things to do.
Wes had no interest in trying. But even if neither had wanted his knot, it would not have been a deal-breaker for Valentin.
He settled for being vaguely clinical. “Some betas enjoy being knotted,” he said. “It’s not the same as with an omega, since you need to use artificial slick, but those products are very good these days.”
“Oh.” Jordie inhaled sharply. “The boys in school said…”
The teen’s bewilderment helped ease Valentin’s discomfort.
“And this is why we don’t take sex ed from the boys at school,” Valentin joked.
“I’ve seen you and Kino together. He’s a great person, just like you.
But you’re both very young. And no one knows the future.
You’re correct that coming into bloom is a very important time for alphas and omegas.
Lots of intense feelings. It’s part of the reason so many betas like living in the beta neighborhoods, away from all that stuff.
” He slung his arm across the back of the porch swing, coaxing Jordie into a side hug.
“But it’s not a given that Kino won’t want to stay with you once he blooms. It hasn’t been an issue for me with Assa and Wes, so it might not be for him. ”
“But you got to experience heat at least once, with Zinn.”
“That’s true,” Valentin conceded. “But I fell in love with Zinn well before his heat. And it wasn’t because he’s an omega. It’s because from the moment I met him, my entire world shifted. I tried to fight it, but I couldn’t.”
“Was it the same when you met Assa and Wes?”
Valentin thought of the way his eyes had been drawn to the couple on the dance floor. “It was.”
“That makes me feel better.”
“I’m glad,” Valentin replied, meaning it. “Zinn is my past, and Assa and Wes are my present. But the love has been there both times. Different, but equal.”
“I’d really like to believe Kino and I have that.”
“Not to burst your romantic bubble, but if you and Kino ever decide to end your relationship, I think it’s less likely you’ll break up over him being an alpha and more likely that you guys simply go in different directions because you’re still teenagers.
People rarely stay with their high school sweethearts. ”
Jordie smirked. “You were giving a great pep talk. Right until that turn at the end.”
Valentin grinned. “You’re almost an adult, so I’m treating you like one.
And the core fact remains. Alphas and betas can have true love.
Full stop. I hope you never hold yourself back from loving with your whole heart because of someone’s gender.
And you can talk to me about it whenever you want.
Or any of us. I’m sure Wes or Assa would have a different perspective on being a beta who loves an alpha. ”
Jordie nudged his shoulder. “Thanks, Valentin.”
“Anytime, kiddo. I mean that.”
Jordie stood and turned to go back into the house, startled by the sight of Calder near the barely open front door.
“How much did you hear?” Jordie mumbled.
“Just you thanking Valentin. What were you talking about?”
“School.” The relief was clear in Jordie’s tone as he slipped past his father.
Calder sat down in the spot Jordie had just vacated. He and Valentin toed the wooden porch boards, rocking the swing gently.
“How much did you actually hear?” Valentin asked quietly.
“Most of it. But since you had things well in hand, I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“I hope I didn’t overstep?”
“Not even a little. I think my son was clear that he had a question only you could answer. I appreciate the assist.”
“Thank you.” Valentin barked a laugh.
“What?”
“It was just so awkward.” He rubbed his hands on his thighs. “It made me think about having to go over it with Ryde when the time comes.”
“Luckily, you’ll have lots of help.”
“Funny enough, I had that exact thought.”
“You’ll be great with Ryde. You were awesome with Jordie just now.”
“Thanks.”
Valentin stared at the bugs buzzing around the porch light. They rocked in silence for a minute before Calder spoke again.
“I particularly liked what you said about Zinn and Assa and Wes all having your love.”
“It’s true,” Valentin said, grateful that Calder never made him feel like he couldn’t acknowledge his history with Zinn, nor the love he still had for him.
“But what about your future?”
“Hmm?”
“You told Jordie that loving Zinn is your past and loving Assa and Wes is your present, but what about your future?”
Valentin’s toe caught, shaking the swing. “Obviously, Assa and Wes are my future.”
“Ah.”
Valentin wasn’t sure what to make of that response. “We’re committed.”
Calder smiled. “Yes, I know. I was at the ceremony.”
“Then why ask?”
“You just sound very confident about things that haven’t happened yet.”
Valentin stared at him. “Confident about Assa and Wes? Of course I am.”
“I see that. I was the same at your age…certain of my future. And then Denni died.” He exhaled heavily.
Valentin bit his lip. “I’m sorry.”
“Thank you,” Calder hummed. He reached between them to clasp his palm over Valentin’s knuckles.
Valentin’s eyes flashed. Warmth traveled up his arm.
Calder looked straight ahead. “No future is guaranteed,” he said. “Make sure your dreams are big enough.”
With that, he picked up their joined hands and kissed Valentin’s fingers.
The awareness in Valentin’s belly sparked to life. He sat in stunned silence as Calder went back into the house.