Chapter 5

Lex had just brazenly licked him in front of everyone. “Don’t run,” the simple phrase that had thrown the omega for a moment earlier came back to him, as did the deep rumbling croon of a pleased alpha. The blonde affectionately rubbed his cheek against Azrin’s own before pulling back, only to place the tell-tale weight of a claiming fur on Azrin’s shoulders.

“I, Lexus Burns, declare Azrin Marrow as my intended, subject only to his consent,” Lexus sounded confident if you weren’t used to the male. There was just the smallest waver in his voice indicative of his nervousness. He was giving Azrin a choice. Damn you, Lex.  

It wasn’t that the omega didn’t appreciate the gesture. It’s just that he hadn’t anticipated this situation at all.  However, everyone’s words and actions made sense now. Was he really the only one who had no clue? How was he supposed to respond to this? Was this actually what the alpha wants, or is he protecting him again? Should he say no? Was auntie aware this was going to happen? Holy shit, what if they didn’t kn-.

“Azrin Marrow, do you accept young Burns’ claim or not? How dare you take so long to answer when such a gratuitous opportunity has been granted to y-,”

A feral snarl ripped through the auditorium. “Shut your fucking mouth,” Marina was having none of the belligerent councilman’s bellyaching. Like mother like son. The female alpha turned her attention to Azrin, but instead of being annoyed or disgusted with the situation, she smiled warmly before addressing him. “Azrin dear, only answer with what is right for you. Fucking ignore everyone else. Including my brat,” She leveled the male behind him with a fierce stare and the baring of her sizable fangs.  

 Lexus snarled back at her in response to her challenge. The sound was low and guttural, a testament to Lexus entering sexual maturity. He hasn’t gotten his rut yet, but Azrin supposed, that was kind of the whole point of this ceremony, to begin with. Instead of being distressed or overwhelmed by the two posturing alphas, their behavior brought a sense of normalcy and comfort.

Azrin reached up and touched the heavy soft fur that now adorned his shoulders. He knew what his answer was. He would regret it for the rest of his life if he answered any other way. He just hoped the alpha wasn’t just pulling his leg, so to speak. “Yes, I accept the claim of Lexus Burns, of my own free will,” It was like a weight had been lifted from the omega’s chest even with the disgusted sneers blatantly on the faces of the ashtrays as Lex enjoyed calling them.

“Thank Fuck!” Lex exclaimed while wrapping his arms around Azrin’s middle and pressing himself along the omega’s tensed back. The alpha’s heat soaked into him even with the fur between their bodies. Azrin must have looked like a deer in the clutches of a lion because Marina interjected almost immediately.

 “Alright, Alright, save the fucking for home. Everyone, as always, enjoy the festivities. My family and I will be excusing ourselves for the evening. Azrin, walk with me, dear. Irina, take the brat home. Rett, I’ll see you shortly,” The clan leader’s tone left no room for argument, but of course, the young alpha had to give it a go.

“Oi! What the fuck, Hag? He just accepted, and your fucki-,”

“Lexus, take your win and go home. Let me talk to him,” There was no aggression in her cadence. With a rough ‘Tch,’ the alpha relented. He squeezed Azrin’s hips showing his reluctance but then released him to vault himself off the front of the stage and over to Azrin’s nervous teary-eyed mother. The blonde offered her his arm before glancing over his shoulder at Azrin briefly before making his exit.

Auntie waited patiently for the omega to join her at her side. She placed her hand at the small of his back where the half-folded claiming gift did not reach. She ushered him outside, and no one dared to follow. When she didn’t just jump right into a lecture, the omega began to panic once more.

“I’m so sorry!  I swear, I didn’t know he was going to do that. I- I’m sorry. I know I should have said no. I know better, but I just-,”

“He’s been planning this for ages, you know,” Marina stated it so calmly that Azrin’s brain stalled. Once she realized Azrin wasn’t going to speak, she continued.

“You both need to have an honest heart-to-heart when you get home, Azrin, but he’s always wanted you. Even when he was being a fucking douchenozzle,” she rolled her eyes.

“I-but, then why did he participate in the pre-selection?” Azrin kept his verdant eyes on the ground in front of his feet. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer from her perspective but was too apprehensive about asking the male himself.

“He bargained with the council, and that was one of their several requirements. In trade for his request,” there was a sense of pride in her words. Whatever Lex did, Azrin would have enjoyed watching.

“Auntie? What did he barter for?” his curiosity got the best of him. Even if it was looked down on, picking a male omega for a partner was not against the rules or anything. She did not answer until Azrin met her eyes.

“No contest on his choice, and an isolated year to bond you,” Marina watched him with an agonized gaze as a shock zinged through him. A no-contest was good. It meant Lexus wouldn’t be pressured to take another omega. The year though, Azrin knew even his immature scent had turned. It was a huge indicator that the male had an alternative motive, or the alpha wasn’t sure he wanted Azrin permanently.

“Azrin, ask him. I too assumed the worst; I won’t tell you his reasons because that’s a conversation between the two of you. I will tell you I’m proud of him for it,” She ruffled his wild hair and pumped out soothing pheromones. He would just have to find out from Lex what the alpha wanted from him if anything at all.

“Ok, I’ll hear it from him,” He nodded as they began walking towards the estate. Marina placed her hand on his shoulder and stopped walking. Azrin gave her a curious chirp as he stopped just slightly in front.

“One last thing. Rett and I chose to display we consider you a part of our family regardless of your choice. That’s not going to change no matter what. We will always support and love you. Ok?”

He responded with a nod and water-rimmed eyes. He really needed to learn how to control his tears, but considering his mother’s propensity to do the same, he is pretty sure it’s genetics at this point. The smirk the clan leader dawned was achingly familiar, and it had the Brunette itching to get home. She gave him a perceptive look but didn’t comment, for which he was grateful.

The rest of their walk was silent, and while a part of Azrin appreciated it, he couldn’t help the anxiety that began to consume him with every step. Chill the fuck out, omega. Dammit all, it was always Lex’s voice when Azrin was losing his shit. Truly, if the alpha didn’t want him and was just doing this to protect him, Azrin would shatter. During his panic attack, Marina didn’t say anything, but a low rumble and a gentle hand on his upper back accompanied him the rest of the walk.

Upon arrival, Azrin stopped in the entryway. A muffled enraged cadence leaked through the heavy wood and iron welded door. Lexus was losing it. As he listened, he realized the alpha was ranting and raving out of apprehension, not indignation. Well, the omega wasn’t going to get anywhere standing here.