It’s not too far from the sports centre, so after a ten-minute walk, we’re entering the pub. It’s not too rowdy at this time of day midweek, so it’s a pretty good spot. We quickly find a table and me and Seth both grab the menu, glance at it, put it down and call for a waiter.
It’s a habit.
Or a competition.
It’s both.
Miguel completely ignores us, while Teddy gives us a look that says more than words ever could. Geoffrey is already focussed on the drinks.
Dex only raises the menu, looks between the two of us and then asks with a smile. “So, what do you recommend ordering?”
Seth is a good guy.
He pretends he didn’t hear him.
Me? I’m just a dumbfuck. I also pretend I didn’t hear him.
Seth gives me a disapproving glance.
Goddammit.
I turn to Dex. “I don’t know what kind of food you like.”
“I’m not picky.”
Yeah, I say that all the time. I’m very picky with food, though. So I am even more stumped.
“Uh… Anything’s fine then. Just pick whatever you’d normally like eating.”
Good job, me. Very smooth. As smooth as fucking gravel.
“Just pick the beef,” Seth says after smacking me over the head because I definitely deserves it. “Any beef. That’s what the spoiled brat picks.”
“…Yeah,” I say while avoiding any eye contact with Dex. “Pick beef. Unless you hate beef. Then take anything else.”
Dex looks amused. “So beef?”
“Sounds good,” Miguel replies thoughtfully. “I’ll probably choose salmon, though.”
Good, because the recommendation wasn’t even for you!
“Then I’ll also take salmon,” Geoffrey says, still just looking through the drinks.
“You’re gonna get alcohol poisoning if you plan on drinking more than you plan on eating,” I say exasperatedly. “We just worked out.”
“Sounds good to me,” Geoffrey says.
Why do I even try?
Well, I know why.
I’m a fucking nurse. I can’t just sit by and watch an alpha drink himself to death when he has pups on the way, no matter what kind of idiot he is. Even that idiot Geoffrey has to take responsibility and make sure his pups have a roof over their tiny heads and his omega is well-fed.
“Let’s invoke a drinking limit,” Seth suggests. “What do you say, Miguel?”
“Sure. I don’t want to haul his drunk arse home either.” After a bit of thought, Miguel decides how many drinks one can have.
I would have said a smaller amount, but I can’t afford to butt heads with him. I know I’m neither the most or second most dominant alpha in the room. Fuck, even Seth is more dominant than I am.
So I say, “Don’t forget to make every other glass or so water. Preferably more. Lessens any hangover symptoms tomorrow.”
And I won’t have to worry about having to get Geoffrey to the A&E.
Imagine ending up at your own workplace because someone you know drank themselves under the table over getting kicked out of the bedroom for being a knothead. Yeah, I would be so embarrassed for my colleagues having to deal with that.
Just the thought of that was bad enough that I ended up ordering a drink myself with my meal and more or less downed it right away.
I absolutely don’t want to think about this shit right now. I’m thinking about work enough while actually at work.
Seth gets lamb, as always. I have long since given up on him eating what’s superior. He has such bad taste in food, thinking he’s all that by picking something different from I.
But it’s fine.
Really.
Perfectly fine.
I get steak because of course I pick beef. Dex ordered beef stew — he’s such a good boy. He deserves pats on the head. I want to hear him purr for me as I praise him for it.
It’s dumb, I know.
Betas don’t usually purr.
Miguel does indeed order salmon, and as a result so does both Teddy and Geoffrey too. Geoffrey I know did that more to irk me than to defer to Miguel, but also because he didn’t want to seem like he wasn’t in Miguel’s camp. Which is dumb, because we’re all in Miguel’s camp. Teddy likely did so because he’s only second to the apex of the group, and is part of Miguel’s pack in the first place.
Honestly, the outlier is Dex.
But it makes me so stupidly content with him too. The urge to croon at him is so strong, I’m berating myself.
I’m such a mess.
I down another drink before I can think of kissing him, too.
I definitely am not thinking of his lips.
I am not.
Seth pours me a glass of water and places it in front of me to remind me to vary my drinks. He would make such a good beta. I’ll remember to ask my brother to find this man an assistant sometime so he can stop acting so small. He needs to be protected, so no big, bad alpha takes advantage of him being on the smaller side and not prone to posturing or dominance.
After two drinks, and some water, I start feeling a bit calmer. It’ll be fine. I can finally relax properly and lean back in my seat. I don’t need to worry about any idiots sitting almost across from me.
Well, I jumped the gun, I guess.
After a while, Geoffrey tries to spread his legs to take more space, invading both Seth’s and Teddy’s. I cross my arms and give him an annoyed snarl. “Show some respect,” I tell him. “How much space does a baby like you think you really need, huh?”
Geoffrey bares his teeth at me and looks at Miguel, who either doesn’t notice or pretends not to. He tries to take more space when not given a correction from Miguel. Seth is about to move, and a growl rises unprompted from my throat.
Miguel reacts to it and looks at me, then at the alpha trying to be something. “What’s your problem? Listen to him. That’s the third time in like an hour.”
Third? Oh, that he and I are at it? Because he definitely had been a jerk more times in the past hour.
“I let you come along this time, so you’re only embarrassing me. This is your final warning from me.”
I can tell Teddy must have kicked Geoffrey to tell him to behave too, because after throwing me a look, Geoffrey huffs indignantly but takes up less space.
“Sorry ‘bout him,” Miguel says.
“Nah. Children like him all have rebellious phases,” I reply. “He just needs a good shake and maybe get thrown to the ground a couple of time and that’ll fix him up.”
I hear Dex snort at that, and I look at him, offering him a grin. If he thought that was funny, I’m absolutely going to do exactly that for him, too. I will do anything if it makes him happy.
Miguel calls for a waiter and orders beer. He himself pours me up and I accept it.
I even offer him a toast to show I accept his goodwill and apology on Geoffrey’s behalf.
He’s such a decent guy. I already knew this. I have for months by now. I knew it as soon as my brother introduced him to me. Emmy isn’t dumb.
Sucks Miguel got a family member like Geoffrey through mating. I don’t blame him, though. I know it’s can’t be helped. I’m not like those upper class alphas who strictly follow tradition and would force my own opinions on anyone below me.
I wasn’t raised that way. Dad decided to break tradition when I was very young. He let my older beta brothers take over the so-called family business, and I have been allowed to just do whatever I want, instead of him making me the heir, force me into business, and then expect my brothers to work for me.
Well, everyone was still rather disappointed that I didn’t make it into med school, at leat. But I wasn’t surprised. I already knew I would be too dumb. I don’t have the brains to study like Seth does. I was too busy picking fights or winning competitions. Often both simultaneously. I picked more fights with other alphas at competitions than I placed on the podium.
And I placed frequently.
I remember the day when my mum told me she was worried about my future because I only had two modes — making friends or making foes. I hadn’t presented as an alpha at the time, so I didn’t understand back then.
In the end I chose to go to vocational training instead of a sports university, and the look my parents gave me still hurts me to this day. Only Seth was in my corner.
And then he told me he was proud of me that day when we were twenty and drunk.
I will always owe him for that.
Always.
“Leo, what are you thinking about?”
“Hmm?” I turn to Seth. “I’m so proud of you, man, for being a good friend.”
He blinks at me. “What?”
“You grew up well. I’ve been a good big brother to you.”
“I’m older than you.”
“Bah, it’s by like three weeks. I’m the older brother.”
Seth shakes his head with a laugh. “Okay, big brother. I think you need to have more water and eat something more.”
I pat his head and pull his smaller frame to me, scenting him.
“I’ll find you a good omega, brother. You’re such a good boy.”
Seth doesn’t fight it. He wouldn’t. He’s never tried to stand up against me.
Except with the stupid lamb. Going against the bigger alpha like that. What a jerk.
I love him all the same.
“I’ll always protect you,” I tell him.
“I know, so drink some water. You have the morning shift at the emergency department tomorrow, right?”
I let him go and follow his advice to drink some water.
Geoffrey frowns at me. I raise an eyebrow at him.
Is he trying to pick a fight? I swear, I will throw him to the floor. He’s so weak. Bet even Seth could take him on if he really wanted to.
Me? No problem. I already have implicit permission to actually not hold back, anyway.
I don’t have to worry about disrespecting Miguel anymore. I was just being respectful before.
Son of a bitch won’t forget that some of us actually have the decency to respect others. And he shouldn’t forget which one of us is on top here. It sure ain’t his sorry arse.
I might not be dominant, but I won’t take someone disrespecting me or those who are mine. I’ll make him kneel and beg for forgiveness like a good little boy. I’ll teach him how to treat his omega right.
Fuck, I’ll have to teach him manners. He’s an embarrassment to dominant alphas when he acts like an insecure teenager on a pheromone high.
I put my arm over the back of Dex’s chair, glaring at the insecure little alpha. He wasn’t even good enough to call a wolf. Not even half a dog. Just a yapping little child.
When I think about it, he reallyhas dared to challenge me thrice since we were in the locker room, hasn’t he? Before that, he was trying to do better than me no matter what I did. How courageous of him. Very brave.
Me, of all people.
Not Seth. Not Teddy.
Me.
Li’l pup, you’re gonna be in big trouble.
Be glad I’m so restrained. A lesser alpha would have already chewed you up for less.
“Here, Leo, have some water.”
“Mm-hm.” I take the glass Seth offers me and down about half of it. I put it down and turn to Dex. “Is the food good?”
Dex turned to me, chewed and swallowed. “Yeah. It’s not bad.”
“Can I have a taste?”
“Oi,” Seth said. “Asking me is one thing…”
I look at Seth with an eyebrow raised.
“You’re right,” he says. “You can ask anyone. They’re always free to say no.”
Good boy. He knows me well. I’d never force someone. I’m not a jerk. I don’t push people.
I look back at Dex expectantly.
After a moment, he scoops up some stew and holds up the spoon. I lower my head.
I should hesitate.
I know I should. I should apologise for using his spoon. Offering to get another one.
I wrap my lips around the cutlery and take the meat and sauce into my mouth. I swallow. I even lick the spoon.
Someone please turn me off right now. I beg of you!
“Not bad,” I say before I sit back again. I look at Seth. “Big brother is disappointed you still choose to eat lamb.”
Seth shakes his head and looks amused. “Yet you never actually complain.”
“I have no reason to, right? You eat what you like. I just think your taste sucks,” I tell him. “How did I get a little brother with such bad taste?”
Dex laughs softly. “I think you chose him yourself, not gonna lie.”
Any annoyance I may have felt at Geoffrey is gone in a heartbeat. I sit back with a hum. “You’re right. I picked him up myself. Guess I gotta live with all of the flaws he came with, too. Fuck me.”
“Bet that’s what Geoff’s omega said when he put pups in him,” Teddy says. “‘Gotta live with what I picked up, flaws and all. Fuck me, alpha.’”
I burst out laughing at that. “Got fucked by ‘im, but once it comes down to it, the biggest flaw is him being an alpha, so his scent is too intense for the pregnant omega nose. I feel bad for the omega to have managed to pick the most flawed alpha on the market.”
“What do you know of omegas and alpha scents? Have you even spent enough time with one to have the right to speak for them?” Geoffrey spits out.
“I see plenty of omegas almost daily in all states of undress,” I say. “Tall, short, big, small, young, old, male, female, on heat, off heat, pregnant, mid-labour, with newborns in their arms, in the arms of alphas, or clinging to their alphas, calm and feral… I think I know enough to be able to say there’s a very good reason I’m required to both have scent blockers and have gone through training to resist all pheromones.
If I need training, imagine being an omega, going through the biggest hormonal changes in life, and struggling with all sorts of scents. An alpha could easily be way too much to handle the scent of. A pregnant omega is working hard enough, just existing. Making them comfortable and safe is every alpha’s job. My job also involves making sure they stay healthy or even survive. Or that their friends, family, alphas or even strangers they see on the streets do.”
I shrug. “Or it’s just putting a bandaid on after giving them fluids because they got dehydrated during their heat. That happens too. More often than you’d think. Make sure to give your omegas plenty of electrolytes during their heats. If you got to choose between food and water, always give them water.”
“I would never allow my omega to see an alpha doctor,” Geoffrey says.
“Honestly with him,” Teddy agrees.
“Especially if they’re in heat, or naked,” Miguel says.
“I work at the A&E,” I say with a grimace. “It doesn’t matter if the doctor is a fucking fire-coughing dragon, as long as it’s a competent one that knows their specialisation in their sleep. Often, we don’t have the luxury of being picky. If a patient needs a surgeon stat, it doesn’t matter if the surgeon is an alpha and the patient an omega, and the same applies if the nurse available to cut up their clothes is an alpha. It’s all irrelevant. I don’t see my patient as an omega, beta, or alpha. I see them as an individual that needs my abilities in whatever capacity necessary.”
“I’m with big brother on this,” Seth says. “I rather my mate has the best chances of recovery over my own pride. If that means Leo sees them in complete undress, I would rather it be that way than bury them, if that’s the alternative.”
I pull Seth to me and scent him all over again.
“Don’t worry. Even if you were against it, big brother knows best, and wouldn’t give a damn about your opinions.”
Seth shrugs, then wiggles out of my arms. I let him.
An alpha who knows his etiquette doesn’t force anyone to be scented.
I’m nothing if I don’t know proper etiquette.
Instead, I sit back and take a swig of the beer. I think of something and look at Dex.
“What about you?”
Dex was just about to pour himself some water. I reach out to help him when he turns to me. Miguel is faster.
I almost growl.
Bad boy. Don’t growl at Dex’s friends.
“What about me?” Dex asks.
“How would you feel about an alpha doctor… for a beta or omega partner?”
“It’s none of my business, I guess. It’s as you say, if the situation demands it, they’d have to. But if they have a choice, it’s all about their comfort. I’m not the one being check up on.”
I need to croon. Can I? Just one “good boy”.
I swallow my own saliva. And my words. And the crooning. Show some respect, Leo.
“All right then.”
I can’t keep my mouth shut for even five seconds.
“So, what about if you’re the one who gets an alpha doctor?”
Dex thinks for a moment. “I think that would be fine.”
I am so close to crooning praise. Goddammit. Don’t do this to yourself, Leo. Respect.
Remember?
Etiquette.
I lower my voice slightly as I hum, eyes trained on Dex. I already have thoughts that are.
Not.
Right.
I’m going to end up ruining this man.
“What about a nurse?”
“Nurse?” Dex looks a little confused.
So cute. I could eat him up right now. I would make him all soft and mushy. I would pull purrs out of him.
“Yeah, an alpha nurse. Would you be comfortable with that?”
“I mean… there aren’t exactly that many nurses who are alphas. It’s one of the most beta heavy professions out there, no? I might never come across an alpha nurse my entire life.”
“But what if you did?”
Dex shrugs. “Isn’t it all the same? As long as they know what they’re doing, they could be a fire-coughing dragon, right? There should be no problems on my end whether that dragon is a doctor or a nurse.” He paused. “Depending on what needed to be done, an alpha nurse might even make me feel safer. That’s got to be an alpha with a high care taking and protective instinct, yeah? Someone not at all prone to aggression or arrogance.”
God, give me strength, for I am about to croon like he just gave me the most fantastic—
Nope, abort that thought. Not appropriate, Leopold. Control yourself before you pounce him and scare him off.
“So an alpha nurse would make you feel more safe?” I ask.
“Depending on situation,” Miguel fills in.
I hear the warning. I really do. It’s subtle. Just the slightest of pitch change. He knows I can pick it up. He is saving ny face by not alerting the others.
I move back a little bit.
No, who am I kidding?
I completely ignore the warning of the alpha sitting on the other side of Dex. I only look at Dex.
There are so many things I would like to do to a good boy like this. None of them are appropriate. All of them involves both making him cry a little, and making him immensely satisfied.
“Why are you asking?” Dex asks. “About nurses.”
“We got a couple at the hospital, is all.”
I force myself to sit back.
My father raised me better than this. Probably.
“Oh, that’s pretty cool—”
“Wow, your hospital must not value your patients all that much if alphas are nursing them. Do you know the statistics of alpha violence against betas and omegas?” Teddy asks. “Nurses work much closer to patients.”
I successfully keep my mouth shut. Don’t engage, don’t engage. It’s just provocation.
With a turn of my head, I hush at Seth.
Seth, who clearly is about to lash out, immediately backs down. Several years of friendship has definitely allowed me to anticipate this guy’s behaviour.
“Good boy,” I tell him. “I’ll make it up to you later.”
I need to reward good behaviour after all.
Seth is clearly unhappy, but he doesn’t engage, so to me the result is good either way. He wouldn’t jump in for many things, but this is one. Once he’s triggered he has no self-preservation. I would have to save his dumb arse.
“Have you seen statistics on medical professionals in general?” Dex asks.
I turn too fast to be normal. I can tell.
“If nurses are a problem, so are doctors. If doctors are a problem, we should reconsider people in authority positions in the public sector, such as any educators as well. If we can’t have alpha teachers, why don’t we rid ourselves of alpha policemen too? You even have weaponry.”
“I’m not violent,” Teddy says defensively.
I raise my eyebrow. Well, I am, you fucking idiot. That’s our stupid nature.
Dex shrugs with a light smile. “Not all lions will pounce to have you for lunch, Teddy. It doesn’t mean people see them as any less dangerous. You never know when a lion’s gonna pounce. It might get hungry later.”
“You’re not afraid of alphas,” Teddy says, disgruntled.
Dex falls quiet at that. I understand him, though. I should pull him into my lap and show him what it’s like to have an alpha dedicated to protecting you. He’ll never need to fear the big bads again. I’ll hunt each and every one of them down.
Before I stop myself, I am petting his head.
“Well done. You’re doing great.”
It takes me a few seconds, as well as Dex giving me a complicated look, before I realise…
Goddammit. I ended up crooning.
I pull my hand back. “Fuck, I think I’m a bit drunk.”
“You only just noticed?” Seth asks.
“Sorry.” I pause. “I really am in a weird headspace today. I should… I should go home and sleep it off.” Before I think of standing up, I remember something and point at Geoffrey. “This is why you don’t drink too much, yeah? After working out and on a relatively empty stomach, I mean. Eat more food. Drink more water. You have an omega who relies on you at home, regardless of whether they tossed you out of their nest. Grow up, little baby.”
“Should I bring you home?” Seth asks.
I wave him off as I stand up. “You live in your fancy little apartment, yeah? Wrong direction. Stay here if you’d like.” After a pause, I decide to be even clearer. “I am giving you permission, got it? I’m not telling you to stay. I’m telling you to eat your stupid lamb, drink whatever’s in your glass—”
“It’s just water.”
“—and make more friends. I’ll text you when I’m awake in the morning.”
“At 4 am?” Seth asks me in disbelief.
I nearly say no, because my shift starts at 8, so I would get up just before 7, but then remember… “3 am. If I text you before you’re at home, you’re in big trouble.”
“Okay,” he says, sounding a little amused. “3 am text. Got it. I’ll definitely be sleeping then.”
I stand up.
I might be a teeny tiny bit wobbly. Not sure how I didn’t notice.
“I live in the same direction, I think.”
My brows draw close, and I look at Dex. “You do?”
“I think so?”
He says which streets he lives on and I remember we actually walked together once. It had been a bit dark because it had been raining, so I offered to walk him home.
That was all before…
I sort of forgot about it because back then I really just did it because we do live pretty close to one another. If close is me taking a twenty-five-minute detour.
To me, it’s close. It’s twenty-five minutes making sure someone else is safe. That’s time well spent.
“I’ll walk you home. It’s late.”
Dex laughs. “No, I’m bringing you home.”
I frown.
What sort of alpha would let someone weaker go home alone? I know Seth will have his driver collect him to begin with, so it’s not as if I have to worry about him going home. I’m more worried about his social life.
But Dex is so small and cute and there’s no way I could let him go home alone. He needs ny protection.
“We’ll figure out the logistics later. Let’s get you home,” Dex tells me. He then turns to Miguel. “I’m leaving for today.”
“Call me if anything comes up,” Miguel says and gives me a look that sends shivers down my spine.
Not in a bad way. In the, Oh fuck, this alpha is handing over their pack member to me to take care of forever way.
He probably doesn’t mean it like that. He definitely doesn’t.
But to me, that’s how it feels.
Like I just got permission to take this beta as my mate.
“Sure,” Dex says. “If I get stranded, I’ll call you or Teddy.”
I fight the urge to smile. I lower my head to grab my bag to hide my expression. I’m not gonna act like some kind of jerk who misinterprets a glare as permission to mate.
Whether I am exactly that kind of jerk, that’s between me and my knot.
I take Dex’s bag too. I’m intoxicated, not incapacitated. As an alpha, I should carry his things. Perfectly normal.
Dex takes both bags off my hands before I have time to protest about it and is already half-herding me out.
“I need to pay,” I say.
“Miguel can take care of it.”
“Let me,” I insist.
He sighs and lets me go to the counter. With a bit of effort and maybe some mild confusion, I taught the waiter at the register how credit works.
“Seems like a decent place, you said,” Dex teases me as we step out.
I pick up my phone and send a text to Seth that I settled matters with the bill and they can go as wild as they liked.
“Mm. Seems decent,” I say again. “Wanna grab a cab? I’ll have it drive you home.”
“Let’s walk for a bit. You might need to sober up a little.”
“…Okay…”
Why am I, an alpha, deferring to a beta? Who am I to know? I just know he’s a pretty beta and my knot and brain are in complete agreement on that one matter.
Author’s Note
Third chapter is out and wish to remind you to share this story if you enjoy it.
I will post a total of 15 chapters for Leo. Preferably one every day. Hope you had a good time.
