Chapter 36 - Flat

Outside the restaurant, Mrs. Arabella was talking to her two sons near the car they had come in. Nathaniel was probably telling her that he was going away with Jake so that his rutting could be properly taken care of, which made the alpha slightly embarrassed.

Come on, he was clearly telling his in-laws that he was going to have sex with their son. Who wouldn't be embarrassed?

— Did you manage to leave early?

Startled by Loreto's sudden and silent arrival, Jake gave a nervous smile.

— I swapped with a colleague's timetable, so it's fine.

The two of them watched from afar as the three of them chatted. Jake wasn't particularly curious to know what it was all about, he just watched Nathaniel touch his mum's shoulder as if to calm her down. He seemed to really care about her.

— I know you already deal with your family's problems, and now you're helping Nathaniel too. It must be difficult.

— I don't see it as difficult. I care about Nathaniel, and I want to protect him as best I can.

Loretto glanced over at the alpha, who felt it instantly. He was definitely being tested!

— And how can you be so sure that it's your feelings and not something influenced by the mark?

It was a good question, although at no point did Jake worry about the brand. Nathaniel had told him the other day about the problem in question, but the alpha didn't take much notice.

After all, it was Jake who had taken the first step towards intimacy between them. It was probably only after that that Nathaniel marked him.

Stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets, Jake continued to observe the omega from afar. He was tall and had a relatively average build, neither too strong nor too thin. His hair was a straight reddish brown, and when he wore a cap he looked beautiful.

Nathaniel was mysterious and full of secrets, probably all linked to the scars on his body. Still, he managed to catch your eye naturally with silly things that wouldn't even catch anyone else's eye.

— I like Nathaniel — replied the alpha in a whisper, cracking a smile — The fact that he's an omega is a mere detail among all the reasons I have for not taking my eyes off him.

Loreto continued to stare at him and then sighed.

— You must already know that he's not my biological son. But that doesn't mean I'll stand by if something happens to Nathaniel.

— It's a relief that you think so.

— I've always treated him like a son, especially after what happened. I'm sure you know that too, don't you?

— I don't know the details, just what Nathaniel told me.

— Aren't you curious?

Loreto's eyes lit up with that question. A test. Depending on what he answered, it would increase or decrease his affinity with Nathaniel's stepfather.

It was just that it was a subject that Jake was curious about at the same time as not. As it was related to his omega, he wanted to know the details, but at the same time...

— It would be a lie to say I'm not, but I'd rather wait for Nathaniel to tell me. What happened between him and the fighter is something from the past, and I'm his present — Smiling, Jake scratched the back of his head as he admitted with a certain embarrassment — And I intend to be part of his future too.

Letting out a muffled laugh, Loreto seemed to appreciate the alpha's response. At least he didn't get any disapproving looks, which was a good sign, right?

— The media are always lurking to get to Nathaniel. So you two had better be careful as this could lead you into this mess.

Hm... It made sense.

Considering what Matheus had said about the paparazzi breaking into the college, there was a chance that something similar would happen. As long as they were outside the college gates, the two of them would have to be careful.

Especially if they found out he was a McKenzie. Things would get very hectic, and even his family would get involved. Perhaps this merely hypothetical scenario already showed Jake that getting involved with Nathaniel would leave him vulnerable on all sides.

But it wasn't the first time Jake had dealt with snoopers.

That's why he created Rapoxia, isn't it?

— Don't worry about it. I know how to deal with that kind of problem.

Shortly afterwards, the Mantovani family left, leaving only Nathaniel behind. Looking at his back, Jake could only imagine the size of the burden that omega was carrying.

One step at a time.

For the moment, it would be his refuge.

Wrapping his arms around Nathaniel's shoulders, Jake guided him along the pavement while smiling.

— Come on, then! How are you feeling?

— I said I'm fine. You don't have to hold me like I'm going to faint.

— I don't mind acting like a prince standing by to save another prince.

Nathaniel grimaced again, drawing a laugh from the alpha. Every time he acted cheesy in front of him, he'd get that reaction. How amusing.

— You say some very strange things.

— Hahaha, it's fun to see your reaction.

The flat Jake lived in wasn't far from his work or college. The building was simple, and the doorman greeted them with a cheerful greeting. Just the fact that the alpha was hugging the omega was enough for the doorman to realise that this guest should be welcomed if he came round more often.

But just in case, Jake threw a cheeky glance at the middle-aged man, who only nodded.

— Why did you invite me to your flat?

— To look after my omega, of course.

— What if Matheus is there?

Watching him from the corner, Jake suppressed the urge to pull that mask off Nathaniel's face and kiss him right then and there. He was shy, which in itself was a lovely sight.

— He's not here. Matheus spends more time at his grandfather's house than at the flat.

— But you live together, don't you?

— Nathaniel, you're not going to run away from me.

Nathaniel swallowed as he looked away. Well, they'd already done so many other things together, and now he was embarrassed? Not that he'd been shameless the other times, but it was a stark difference.

As soon as they got out of the lift, in the silent corridor Jake took his keys out of his trouser pocket. Opening the door, he gave way to the omega who timidly entered.

To his relief, Matheus really wasn't there. Before closing the door, the alpha made a point of removing the red ribbon hanging behind the door and tying it to the handle outside.

It was the first time he had used this trick; it was more common for his colleague to use it. Now Matheus would know that Jake was accompanied.

Inside the flat, Nathaniel looked around curiously. He didn't touch anything, let alone walk round the flat to find out what was in each room. At least he removed his mask and took a deep breath.

Just watching him breathe deeply made Jake's throat go dry.

He wanted to release his pheromones.

If the alpha took a deep breath too, he would feel the pheromones Nathaniel was emitting.

— There's your scent here. Everywhere.

— I don't hold back when I'm at home — Jake murmured, pulling Nathaniel close and wrapping his arms around his waist — So don't be embarrassed and relax. Nobody's going to hurt you here.

Nathaniel seemed hesitant, but little by little he relaxed in the alpha's arms. However, Jake was surprised by the enormous amount of pheromones he released at once.

Was he holding back that much?

It wasn't strange that he looked sick.

The deliciously bittersweet odour that was like a drug in the air had Jake on the verge of falling into a sea of pleasure. Squeezing the omega against his body, he could already feel his blood beating fast, thirsty to feel more of that explosion of pheromones.

Nathaniel was so relaxed that he laid his head on Jake's shoulder, completely dependent on the alpha to stay upright. Running his hands through his hair, Jake smiled proudly.

— Well done, you've put up with a lot, Nath.

— That's strange. My whole body is on fire...

— It's the heat. If I release my pheromones now, you'll probably react.

Clutching Jake's shirt sleeve, Nathaniel raised his eyes in silent pleading. His pupils were beginning to dilate, but the heat emanating from his skin signalled that he would soon lose control of his instincts.

He had to be careful precisely because they were alone. Jake remembered very well that Nathaniel might not allow total intimacy, such as seeing him shirtless. In any case, that wouldn't stop him from experiencing pleasure as he had so many times before.

Feeling the omega's warm hand pull him by the scruff of the neck, Jake was roused from his daydreams when he was given a quiet kiss. The initiative taken by Nathaniel wasn't so bad, the alpha felt desired and happy to know that the omega also enjoyed touching and kissing him.

Right, he shouldn't waste time with futile thoughts. He should just enjoy the moment and make Nathaniel feel good.

If he was afraid of ending up doing something he didn't like, then Jake could act like a dog waiting for its master's command.

Squeezing Nathaniel's waist and pulling him against his body, Jake held him tightly as he pushed him towards his room without breaking off the kiss. Taking care not to bump into furniture or walls, Jake guided Nathaniel through the flat to the room that was completely filled with his pheromones.

Just being in his room, Nathaniel stood back and looked around.

— What's wrong?

— It's no big deal, it just smells like you.

— It's my room, so it's natural — Jake laughed, taking the cap off Nathaniel's head — Do you dislike smelling me so intensely?

The omega nodded, turning to look at Jake with a thin smile on his lips.

— Not at all. I like it.

Ah.

Jake's stomach seemed to have many, many butterflies flying around, causing various funny and delicious sensations. His chest was filled with a happiness so genuine that it could become a drug to which he could become addicted.

Entangling his fingers in Nathaniel's hair, Jake pulled him in to kiss him again. Even if he touched him, felt his warmth and his taste, it didn't seem to be enough to quench his desire to possess Nathaniel.

His desire grew until his pheromones were released and Nathaniel shuddered in his arms, clutching his shirt. Jake held him by the waist and continued to guide him to his bed where he carefully laid him down.

When they both needed some air, Jake lowered his mouth to Nathaniel's lobe, where he nibbled and played with his ear just to tease him. It was the start of his naughty games, but Jake was also being tortured with his own blade.

Sliding the tip of his nose down the omega's neck, Jake took a deep breath, feeling his pheromones. His body reacted strongly to that savoury aroma. He even didn't hold back the urge to lick Nathaniel's neck, hearing a graceful sound escape from his mouth.

— Hngh!

Raising his head, he saw Nathaniel cover his mouth without the courage to look at him. Jake let out a low laugh, returning to the omega's neck to lick and nibble at his skin.

Since Nathaniel usually wore a sweatshirt even in the heat, it was okay for the alpha to have some fun and mark a few hickeys on his neck, right? He would be careful not to cross the line, but he would mark him so that he would never forget what happened in that room.

As soon as his little artwork was done, Jake stood back enough to appreciate the mess Nathaniel was in. Completely flushed, clumsy and with hickey marks on his neck.

Oh, he was going to go crazy.