Chapter 25 - Shameless proposal

He was aware that any omega could choose him as their alpha, Jake wouldn't be an idiot not to know that he was handsome and popular. The point was that until then it had mattered little. In his entire life, there had only been one person Jake had seriously considered biting, but in the end he had lost that person to someone else. Since then, he hasn't dated anyone else, as they all seemed like a bunch of charmless amoebas.

It didn't matter until now.

Back at college, he met a mysterious and curious person. Someone who caught his eye because he stood out even though he desperately wanted to hide.

Jake was chosen.

Chosen to be Nathaniel's alpha. A strangely attractive guy.

Holy shit! Jake wanted to kiss him right then and there.

Struggling to pull himself together, the alpha tried to be as serious as possible. Come on, Nathaniel still had that icy mask on his face. Jake needed to make sure he wanted to stay with him too.

— What else did your doctor say?

— Nothing much, I'm just going to have a treatment to control my heat cycles. But if I end up having the heat, she recommended that I be close to you.

— Since I'm your alpha.

— Temporarily — When Nathaniel glanced at him, a shiver ran through Jake's entire body — I don't want you to be my alpha.

 Jake didn't know how to react. He had suspected that Nathaniel was an omega, but he hadn't realised that he had been marked because of it. All because he lost control that time in the college corridor.

That wasn't even what annoyed Jake!

Would an arrow hurt more? No, maybe a gunshot and a haemorrhage would hurt less than those cold words. Just because of your conversation with Matheus, Nathaniel was putting a limit on their relationship?

— Are you... rejecting me? 

Standing up, Nathaniel fixed his cap on his head.

— Basically, what you've told me is that you're not looking for a serious relationship. So I'm not going to get my hopes up about this.

That seemed to be the end of them.

The end of something Jake hadn't even started properly.

Staring at his clenched fist, Jake didn't have much time to think about his feelings. He would have liked to reflect on his feelings for Nathaniel, but if he took too long he would leave.

An omega newly awakened because of Jake, and who was going to fend for himself...

It would happen again.

— Wait, Nathaniel — Jake hurried to grab the boy's wrist — If what you've just told me is true, then I can't just sit back!

— You're very confused, Jake. You're the one who said you didn't want to get involved, but now you're asking me to stay?

— We're going to keep staying together, at least until you stabilise. That was my fault, wasn't it? Then I'll take responsibility and look after you whenever you need me.

— Is that all you want? To take responsibility?

It wasn't working.

Nothing Jake said seemed right.

He was scrambling to express himself, and that had never happened before in his life. Jake never felt pressured to say something in order to be well-liked by other people, it was natural. That's because it was easy to read people and find out what they wanted to hear. However, the person in front of him didn't give him any leeway.

In that case, should he just tell the truth? Perhaps there was hope that Nathaniel would also feel the same way and understand him.

Swallowing hard, Jake plucked up the courage to be honest.

— I meant it when I said I wanted to be with you. Please go out with me, Nathaniel.

He was in a cold sweat, Nathaniel would probably notice his icy hand, but it didn't matter. Jake wouldn't let him go until he heard an answer.

And if necessary, he would explain to the joker the times he had found him attractive. Not a few! Jake still hadn't got over him wearing that UV-protective shirt in the pool, emphasising his body. He was fucking hot. Fuck, your heart was going to burst out of your mouth with anxiety! Shouldn't that mean something?

If necessary, he would humiliate himself in front of Nathaniel.

But this time, Jake would take care of the omega that had chosen him.

Jake still wasn't confident that he could be the alpha that an omega needed. Except that every time he looked at Nathaniel, he acted naturally towards him. 

Maybe he could do it with him. Maybe Nathaniel would be part of his new beginning...

Waiting for Nathaniel's answer was torture. The joker was really considering his proposal, which made the alpha more and more anxious. Even his pensive pose, with his hand on his face, was pleasant to watch.

It would be a new experience for both of them. So think carefully.

— Why? — Nathaniel finally asked — Why do you want to go out with me?

— And why wouldn't I?

Sighing, it was Nathaniel's turn to stand in front of the alpha. There, he realised that the joker was very tall and had broad shoulders that cast a shadow over him.

— You're popular, a pretty, standard girl would be happy to go out with you without any problem. But you're asking me out?

— You should have worried about that when we were in the pool, it's a bit late now, you know?

— Late? —Nathaniel laughed.

Wow, for the first time Jake heard him laugh. All right, it was a low, mocking laugh, clearly he was making fun of Jake, but it was still a nice laugh to hear.

— I'm the one who made you wake up as an omega, but you're the one who marked me as an alpha. So don't you think it's fair that we take responsibility for each other and have a nice colourful friendship?

Nathaniel squinted his eyes.

Oh, he was going to die.

Nathaniel was going to kill him. His senses desperately warned him that he was going to be strangled in the middle of campus and serve as an example to other alpha thugs. Just one slap in the face from his hand would be enough to turn Jake's face inside out.

To his surprise, Nathaniel was scratching the back of his head and relaxing his broad shoulders.

— Aren't you... embarrassed to say things like that in public? 

Ah... they were two men. Jake was well aware that society was still a little prejudiced against same-sex relationships, even though it was more common to see such couples around town thanks to the latest political campaign.

Well, it was different from three years ago. Some things have changed in the countryside...

Leaning on his knees, Jake held Nathaniel's hand without hiding his satisfaction.

— You're going to find out that I can be a shameless slut. And when you do, realise that it's your fault.

— I don't know how I feel about you, Jake — Jake was about to ask something, but Nathaniel quickly stopped him — Yes, yes, I don't feel uncomfortable with your kiss, even though I don't think I know how to do it.

— So... your answer?

Turning his face away, Nathaniel didn't even make a point of hiding the blush on his cheeks, although he kept his evil face.

— I agreed to go out with you.

— Really? — Jake jumped to his feet — Oh, and just to be clear, avoid pheromones from other alphas.

— Why?

Holding Nathaniel's hand, Jake smiled broadly as he pulled him across the campus.

— Because I'm jealous.

Noticing the delay in receiving an answer, the alpha looked back to see Nathaniel covering his face with his hand. As expected, the tips of his ears were reddened.

It seemed that the misunderstanding between them had been resolved.

They would stay, but neither of them would pursue a serious relationship. Not yet, anyway. In truth, Jake would be taking advantage of Nathaniel's condition, but from his reactions it was obvious that the newly awakened omega also wanted to be with Jake.

Ah, his heart was racing and his hands were tingling. His smile barely fit on his face, the joy he felt at that moment. He recognised those feelings well, and knew that they were dangerous if they stayed in his heart for too long. But Jake was enjoying feeling them.

This time, he will succeed!

He would be a good alpha and take care of his partner.

Entering the campus garden, hidden among the neatly trimmed trees and bushes, Jake cornered Nathaniel against the trunk of a white-flowering tabebuia tree.

— Since we're staying now, can I kiss you again?

Blinking dazedly, Nathaniel swallowed, clearly nervous. Jake couldn't bear it and gently squeezed the tip of the boy's ear, feeling its slight warmth. Was he bursting with embarrassment even though he knew how to control his expression?

What would he look like if Jake licked his lobe and played with his earring?

What sound would he make when he nibbled and sucked on his neck to mark it completely?

Jake wanted to mess with him enough to find out.

Especially since now he could finally touch him.

— If that's what you want.

Jake removed Nathaniel's hood and cap, so that they could touch foreheads and stare into each other's eyes without any escape route.

— Hmm, so you don't want to kiss me too?

The closeness between them made Jake realise that Nathaniel's eyes were light brown with slight golden tints. If it hadn't been for the reddish circles in his eyes, he would have been able to see that peculiar glow even from a distance. Nathaniel also had long, dark eyelashes, which emphasised the natural outline of his eyes.

He was beautiful.

— It's not that I don't want to, but I still don't really know how to kiss someone...

— I've already told you that I'm going to teach you everything you need to know. So pay attention and learn well from this alpha.

That kiss under the tabebuia tree was calm and cosy. There's nothing better than making up with people, it seemed to give the kiss an extra special flavour. Or maybe it was the scent of the flowers being carried by the wind that made that kiss so special, it made Jake's heart leap out of his chest.

Whatever it was, just feeling Nathaniel's warmth, the bittersweet smell of his skin and his clumsy touch were enough for Jake to admit it to himself.

He was starting to become addicted to Nathaniel.