Page 81 of Lilacs and Leather
“Because we had it tested at a clinic, the government is now involved. Seth Douglas is, in the eyes of the law, Mat and Lex’s omega,” Rhett says heavily.
I nod solemnly, chewing on my bottom lip. Once a bond is verified and on the record, the legal rights for omegas are clear and inflexible. They are supposed to protect omegas from predatory alphas, but now I can see how they could cut both ways. Omegas are under the protection of any alpha with whom they share a bond, and the omega can hold the alpha legally liable if something happens to them. Omegas are within their rights to have more than one bonded alpha, but if they are the first omega that an alpha bonds, they get the right of first refusal for all future bonds that the alpha may want to make. It’s supposed to stop predatory alphas from collecting omegas into a personal harem. But hearing how one omega is using that technicality to hold an entire pack hostage unsettles me more deeply than I anticipated.
“But then why did the article talk about Seth like he was your ex?” I ask as the thought occurs to me.
“Our pack dynamic has always been outside the norm, with all of us being one shade of queer or another, and we know that most people in the business and real estate worlds can be less than open-minded. Seth and Mateo were always the public face of the relationship, even if Lex was also his partner behind closed doors,” Rhett says, picking his words carefully.
“About a year ago, I reached the end of my rope. I couldn’t keep up with the farce. We paid him a small ransom, and he agreed we could end our public relationship. We did not make the bond public, so as far as anyone knows, it was just a garden variety break up,” Mateo cuts in.
“What is he possibly getting out of this? If you’re taking blockers to stop the emotional connection, and he’s not getting the status of being associated with the pack—”
Mateo lets out a dark chuckle, holding up his hand and rubbing the tips of his fingers and thumb together. A fresh rush of anger fills my gut, my teeth grinding as I try to keep the colorful expletives on the tip of my tongue at bay.
“His compensation for not being allowed to live with us as a pack is a generous monthly stipend to cover living expenses. With an added bonus for his discretion,” Rhett snaps bitterly.
“I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine…” I fall silent as I consider everything they’ve told me.
“It’s not your fault, love. It’s a shit situation, no matter which way you slice it,” Rhett murmurs.
“We’re working on a settlement, but it’s slow going. We can’t reject the bond outright, because Seth knows too much, and we can’t risk our business ties over a petty omega who can’t take no for an answer. If it weren’t for the right of first refusal, we wouldn’t even be bothered,” Mateo grumbles.
“And don’t think that has to do with you, Lydia. We all have had to put our lives on hold because of this and haven’t been able to doanythingwithout having to look over our shoulders. Lucas has been with us for three years, but we can’t form a bond with him until we clear up this situation with Seth. And…” Rhett trails off, looking at me with apologetic eyes.
“And I wouldn’t be able to bond with any of you until the original bond is severed, unless I got his permission,” I finish, my shoulders slumping.
“It’s way too early to talk about taking that step, but you deserve to know what sort of mess you’re hitching your wagon to, especially after everything you’ve been through,” Rhett implores.
I nod, but my mind still turns over the information. I’d given up on finding anyone that I even wanted to consider bonding with, but ever since meeting Rhett and Mateo, and frankly this entire pack, I can admit to daydreaming of what a future would be like with them. How I would fit into their lives, and them into mine. I hadn’t realized that I even wanted a bond, but now that the option is off the table, I can’t deny the disappointment settling over me. I didn’t want to give them up, but if they haven’t figured out how to solve this over the last three years, what’s to say they’ll be able to get it done now?
“Would you have told me? If the article hadn’t come out?” I ask quietly.
Mateo and Rhett share a look, and my heart dips a little. I look down at my bourbon, letdown filling my chest like boiling acid.
“Yes. I would have. I’ll admit to being a little selfish and not wanting to ruin this before it had a chance. But yes.”
I look up at Mateo’s words, his soft brown eyes meeting mine. His face is pulled into tense lines, and I can scent the trace of burning grass under his usual citrus and sugar. My heart lurches, sensing his trepidation and distress. I shift forward, setting down my glass and taking his hand. It’s cold, and I hold tight as he automatically weaves his fingers through mine.
“This has ruined nothing, Mateo. I know what it feels like to be trapped. To feel like there’s no way out. I’ve been there. I’m not mad or upset. I’m grateful you trust me enough to tell me,” I push, running my thumb along the back of his hand.
Mateo visibly relaxes, squeezing my hand back before letting his head drop with an exhale. I look at Rhett and smile a little at the warmth of his gaze. He nods, just the slightest dip of his chin, but it still makes my heart skip a beat.
“Is the article going to be a problem? Should I try to avoid being out in public with any of y’all for the time being?”
“I don’t think so. But we’ll see,” Rhett says, an expertly crafted non-answer.
I frown, shoulders slumping.
“No, none of that. I can see the wheels of guilt turning in your head already. I’m not ashamed to be seen with you, and I’ll be damned if SethfuckingDouglas is going to keep me from taking my girl out whenever I please,” Mateo growls.
“Your girl?” I throw back with a smirk.
“Our girl,” Rhett says firmly.
Mateo rolls his eyes. “Fine.Ourgirl. But only because it’s you, prick.”
I giggle, bringing Mateo’s hand to my lips and kissing the knuckles gently. “Look at you, learning to share.”
“Do you want to see how good I am atsharing, baby?”