Chapter 49 Looking Forward To The Future

Kari lay dozing on a puffy clean towel that lay over the destroyed sheets of the large bed.

Ryedir had cleaned them both off once the last vestiges of heat had finally gone from the omega’s mind. They had been able to eat and drink a little in between the clutches of heat but it hadn’t been enough to sustain them properly so Ryedir had gone in search of food.

Having completely lost all sense of time and with his body aching madly, Kari was happy to lazily wait for his mate to return. His doze was interrupted by the return of his alpha carrying a large plate of something that smelt absolutely delectable.

Raising his arms like a child, the omega made grabbing motions in the general direction of his alpha, too worn out to be bothered about being independent right then. He could gripe about following his own mind and not his instincts tomorrow when he had eaten and slept.

Ryedir chuckled as he set the tray down on a table next to a large arm chair before coming over to pick up his tired little mate. He settled down on the chair with Kari tucked firmly under his arm and offered him a small morsel.

“How long do your heats normally last for?”

Chewing and swallowing the sweet fruit Kari replied tiredly, “Around four days usually.”

The alpha hummed as he fed him a small pastry. “Then just under two days is good. You were nesting too.”

Kari blinked in surprise. Under two days? And there was the nesting as well.

All of those were behaviors of bonded omegas.

A bonded omega’s heat could range from two days, if they were well cared for by their alpha both physically and mentally, to as much as seven days if they were not. Heats that lasted above five days were dangerous, as the omega’s body would react poorly to being ravaged by the heat that long and they would often refuse food or water.

It only occurred in cases of extreme neglect from their alpha, a way for their body to demand the care and attention they required. It wasn’t unheard of for an omega that had a seven-day heat to die at the end of it.

“I told you your body knew who its alpha was,” Ryedir said smugly, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Kari huffed but didn’t comment. There was nothing he could do or say to refute that. Traitorous body.

A nose nuzzled into his hair and a small croon rumbled out from the alpha’s chest, pulling a matching purr in response from Kari. The omega froze in surprise and the alpha did it again and again with his body responding without permission.

“Hey! Stop that!” Another croon and he scowled up at Ryedir who grinned indulgently back.

“Why? You’ve done that for a while but only when you were sleeping.”

“What? Since when?”

Another croon and Kari glared even as he purred back.

“At least a few weeks back.”

The omega’s jaw dropped in surprise before snapping shut as the alpha kept crooning softly at him. Golden eyes sparkled in delight and clearly the alpha enjoyed the reaction far too much.

“Stop that! I’m trying to eat.”

Kari crossed his arms with a pout before opening his mouth, indicating he wanted more food. The tray sat on the other side of Ryedir. No point wasting what little energy he had left to start a fight over whether or not he could feed himself.

The action just seemed to please the alpha more, and he could almost feel the satisfaction rolling off the alpha in waves.

Oh Yhieris, what had he gotten himself into?

*****

They had arrived back in Mishal the evening before but Ryedir had been waylaid almost at once by a harassed looking Trois. The beta had only paused long enough to offer a small congratulation on their recent bonding before dragging his mate off to help deal with some stubborn merchants.

Kari had been left to help Nevis unpack from their trip but had been intercepted so many times by the household staff offering their congratulations that he didn’t end up helping at all. It surprised Kari. He barely knew most of the staff since he spent most of his time with his beta friend while the rest of the household generally kept their distance.

When he asked Nevis about the sudden shift in demeanour, the beta explained that they because it was the first that Ryedir had taken a pleasure slave, they didn’t know how to act around him. They saw the changes in their usually cold and indifferent master but until Ryedir bonded him, he might still have been sent away. Many of the household staff found it hard to get to know someone only to lose them shortly after their arrival.

Nevis was close enough to see the interactions between them to know it was only a matter of time but the rest couldn’t be so certain and were only hopeful.

The beta was thrilled about their bonding however, as was the entire household staff. They were relieved that their beloved master had found a mate and more than one person teased Kari about when there would be small feet pattering through the halls. It was more embarrassing than the tight pants Ryedir forced him into. Although he needed to have a talk with his alpha about that too.

The poor alpha had only just crawled into bed as the first rays of light crept under the thick curtains but Kari had slept the entire night through and was feeling very well rested.

So well rested that he had a great deal of energy. Energy he would like to expend in the most delicious way with his alpha. Except Ryedir was trying to play dead so he could get some sleep. Kari squirmed against his mate before rolling over and intentionally pressing himself back against the thick cock that rested between his cheeks. The movement caused the slick gathering at his arousal to coat the alpha’s length and he felt it twitch in interest against him.

“Rye!” Kari whined as he nuzzled into his alpha’s neck. Ryedir groaned and wrapped his arms tighter around his mate but otherwise didn’t move. Kari rolled his eyes.

“So needy,” Ryedir muttered as he moved his hand down to stroke at Kari’s own cock. He mewled at the feeling of the hot hand pleasuring him, but that wasn’t what he wanted. He pressed back more insistently and felt laughter ruffle his hair.

The large hand moved from his cock to slip between his wet cheeks and probe at his hole. He moaned as a finger easily slipped inside to be followed almost immediately by a second. Ryedir could probably press inside with no preparation. They had been doing it so often on their travel home that his omegan body bloomed easily under his mate’s touch.

Kari smiled at the thought that the Mishal manor was now home. He wasn’t sure when it crossed over to that for him but the thought warmed him. He was sad that his parents would never know he lived or get to meet Ryedir and any little ones he bore.

His decision to be mates with Rye when combined with the distance between Mishal and his family home meant he would most likely never see his family again. There was no way to send them a message either. How many people travelled between two warring countries? How many would be willing to travel to a tiny Aithyean village on the other side of the continent just to pass on a message? How much would he have to pay them with no guarantee it would even arrive? But he had made his choice and he did not feel regret over it.

Yhieris, he mentally prayed to his goddess, please tell my family not to worry anymore and that I am safe and happy.

That thought aside, he turned and pushed his alpha onto his back with a wicked grin.

Ryedir’s chest rumbled with a deep chuckle as Kari straddled him, intent on taking what he wanted. His mate brought his hands up to caress down his sides as he slowly sank down his thick length. The alpha remained pliant underneath him, too tired to surge up and take him but content to help him ease the ache deep inside.

“Given how you acted before, I had no idea you would be such a needy little thing,” Ryedir commented idly as he thrust his hips up to meet him.

Kari gasped and threw his head back, reveling in the sensation. “That has- ” he paused to gasp again before continuing, “ - nothing to do ngghhh…with this.”

Ryedir snorted as he moved a large hand to stroke over his mate’s cock as he thrust up again, sending Kari over the edge with a long moan. He stayed seated on the large, throbbing length while he caught his breath, his body still shuddering with aftershocks.

“I love you, Kari.” Ryedir’s voice was quiet and sincere and Kari felt tears welling up his eyes as he saw the love in his alpha’s eyes. “Bearer or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re the only one I love and will make love to.”

Ryedir’s hands cupped his face and stared at him, “If I hadn’t met you, Kari, I wouldn’t fall in love or think about marriage or mating. Having an heir is a trivial matter. We can just adopt. You’re more important to me, Kari.” Ryedir’s hands slid down his arms and held his hands, kissing both palms gently. “You’re my most important treasure.”

Kari was not prepared for the onslaught of emotions. He knows his alpha loves him. But he never thought that Ryedir loves him this much. Having an heir, a child, was important to alphas. Apparently, his alpha beg to differ. Kari felt like his heart will burst. He still isn’t sure if he was a bearer or not, but this reassurance from his alpha no matter what happens was big for him.

“I love you too, Rye.” He choked out with all the love and sincerity in him.

His alpha showed that boyish wide smile as he proclaimed, “Kari Lezzker. You better get used to your new name. We need to have our marriage talk soon.” The alpha grinned at him.

Kari’s heart skipped a bit at that as he grinned as well. “Well, we need to talk about my wardrobe too.”

“I’m sure I can convince you to keep it.” Ryedir grinned wolfishly.

“Oh?” Kari arched an eyebrow even as the wicked grin on his mate’s face set his heart racing wildly. He yelped as the alpha turned them over so that he loomed above Kari’s prone form.

“Oh yes, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.” He leaned down to lock the omega’s lips in a claiming kiss as he thrust slowly into him, intent on bringing them both more pleasure.

Kari lost himself in his alpha gladly. He had made his choice and now the future seemed much brighter than he ever thought possible.