Tamed by His Omega Page 3

  They left the bedroom and went downstairs. Owen did his best to keep up. His cock was painfully hard, and his legs trembled. They wound up in a kitchen that looked like it belonged in a nineteenth century manor. A huge wooden table dominated the middle of the room, and an enormous wood-burning stove sat against one wall. Pots and pans hung over the table. As Ryden moved to an alcove and focused on shelves full of little bottles, Owen did notice a refrigerator. He leaned against the table, wishing he had the strength and focus to ask questions. He noticed a blender as well, tucked beside a knife block.

  Ryden brought six bottles to the table and pulled a bowl from a cabinet. He reached under the table and drew out a book, and Owen bent to see there was a whole shelf of them, all of them seeming to be very old. A little dust actually flew when Ryden opened the book. He flipped a few pages and then read. He turned a few more and finally seemed to find what he wanted. He went back to the alcove and brought some more items over. Owen wanted to look at the book but didn’t dare move any closer. He wanted Ryden so much every part of him ached. Tears pricked at his eyes.

  Why doesn’t he want me? Why aren’t I good enough? How can he fight the pull this way?

  Ryden began combining things, and then he moved to a drawer for a whisk. He mixed the liquid ingredients together and then added two dry ingredients. None of it smelled enticing. Ryden went to the sink next. He came back with a wet cloth and moved toward Owen, who jumped when Ryden pressed the cloth against his face. Ryden paused his motions a moment then resumed.

  “That feel better?” Ryden asked.

  The cool cloth did help, but only a little. His face flamed when Ryden wiped at the tears that had escaped his eyes. “Yes,” he said softly.

  “The mixture needs to sit a few minutes. You’ll feel better once you drink it.”

  Owen loved feeling his touch but felt so embarrassed Ryden had seen his tears. “You should be enjoying the reception, not taking care of me.”

  Ryden actually laughed. “Did I look like I was enjoying the reception?”

  “No.” He looked into Ryden’s eyes, hoping for some emotion there. “You say you aren’t gentle, but your touch tells me a different story.”

  Ryden stopped what he was doing and tossed the cloth to the table. “I said I wasn’t a gentle lover. And I’m not. Keep gazing at me like that and all will be lost. I’ll have you pinned to this table the rest of the day.”

  “So my scent is affecting you?”

  “Yes, but I know how to control myself.” He backed up and crossed his arms. “Since you know nothing about what it’s really like to be in heat, you probably don’t know about imprinting.”

  “Imprinting? Like baby animals with their mothers?”

  “Similar, but not quite. If I take you now, you’ll long for me the rest of your life. No other will satisfy you. It’s ten times worse than the ordinary mating bond.” He turned and went back to the potion, lifting the bowl and swirling it a bit. “I know men who have forced shifters into heat. Not just members of my clan—as you pointed out earlier, you’re living in a much bigger world now, one with beings you could never have imagined. The sex goes on for days, and they say the experience is unforgettable. But that’s the problem for the shifter. I’ve seen it drive people insane.”

  Owen shuddered. “So the Fens really are as cruel as they say?”

  “Some are, yes, which is why I tried to warn you, little one.” He poured the mixture into a glass. “It will taste awful, but you must drink. I warned your Alpha, but he wouldn’t listen. He has no concept of what you’re experiencing or how much worse he made it for you.”

  Owen accepted the glass, caressing Ryden’s fingers. He wanted to thank the other man for caring but settled for trying to say it with his eyes. Ryden stepped back and looked away hurriedly, and Owen forced himself to drink. His skin instantly felt cooler, but the potion did taste awful, like charcoal and burned vegetables. He choked it down, though, every drop.

  “Will I be drinking this the rest of my life?” he asked.

  “No, just for the next day or so. You should be fine once this first bout is controlled and forced to pass. The magic surrounding me is triggering a biological imperative that, well, isn’t that imperative anymore. You and your pack have evolved past it, you could say. You may find yourself a bit lustier in future, but once you’re away from me, things will return to normal.”

  “So what happens when we see each other again?”

  Ryden narrowed his eyes. “That can never happen. It’ll drive us both crazy.”

  “But if we mated?”

  “We aren’t going to.”

  “But if we did?”

  “It would calm the need in you.”

  A knock sounded in the distance. Ryden’s eyes cut in that direction, annoyance flashing in their blue depths. “Excuse me, please. Help yourself to anything you’d like. I’m sure you’d like to get that taste out of your mouth.” He gestured to the refrigerator and a bowl of fruit before exiting.

  Owen watched him leave the room, and then he slumped against the table. He can’t be as uninterested as he says. He brought me to his home. He’s taking care of me. And he’s pretty steamed Gregor wouldn’t listen to him, so it must bother him to see me suffering. Those hard eyes waver at times—he has to be feeling something. Owen smiled to himself as he wiped his face with the cloth. I haven’t been rejected yet.

  ****

  Ryden sensed who it was and cursed under his breath. But he couldn’t deny an elder entry to his home, so he had no choice but to open the door. “Rafe,” he said, “how can I help you?”

  “Kiran reported that something was going on. You left the reception with guards and never came back. I reached out and felt your presence here.”

  “I’m surprised he could stop flirting long enough to call in.”

  Rafe took a deep breath. “Seems you must’ve been flirting with someone.” Rafe smiled at him, leaning closer. “You’ve never smelled this good before, not even our first night together.”

  Ryden took a step back. “Don’t be crude.”

  “Don’t pretend we haven’t fucked.” He shook his head. “You always bristle if I bring it up. I’m not sure if you’re prudish or sentimental.”

  “You know damned well I’m not prudish, and I definitely am not sentimental about you, believe me.”

  Rafe laughed.

  “So this is one of your lovers?” a voice behind them said.

  Ryden cursed silently before turning around. “You should be resting.” He moved toward Owen, wanting to get him away from Rafe.

  Rafe quickly moved around them and blocked the doorway, looking down at Owen with interest. “I wouldn’t use the word lover, but there was certainly a time he couldn’t get enough of me. Or my cock.” He leered at them both. “Such a loud moaner.”

  “Don’t talk about him like that!” Owen said, stepping forward with his hands on his hips.

  Rafe looked stunned, and Ryden would’ve found the sight comical if fear hadn’t gripped him. Rafe wasn’t known for thinking his actions through.

  “Owen, Rafe is one of the clan elders, so please—”

  Owen rounded on him, fire in his eyes. “I might be half your size, but I’m still your mate!”

  That defiance brought a wave of arousal crashing over Ryden, and he fought through his surprise and desire to try to find the right words to defuse the situation.

  Rafe’s eyes widened before a smile spread over his face. “Oh, it’s more scandalous than I thought.” He leaned against the doorjamb and laughed. “A little shifter. Oh, it’ll be like having a pet.” He reached out for Owen. “A pretty one that will suck your—”

  Ryden grabbed Rafe by the wrist and twisted. “Don’t you touch him!”

  Rafe grabbed Ryden’s shoulder and threw him up against the wall, pinning him there. “And what will you do if I touch him?”

  Ryden let the beast come forward a little, his voice a deep rumble as he said, “I’ll kill you
.”

  Rafe backed up and looked over at Owen. A few more seconds passed before he released Ryden. “The elders won’t allow it. You’re a strong warrior. I suppose you can keep him for your amusement, but he can’t be your official mate.”

  “This is not their concern.”

  Rafe looked back and forth between them. “You forced a heat. That’s why you smell so good.” He eyed Owen. “Both of you.” He shook his head. “Well, enjoy him for now. You aren’t getting any younger, and the elders are expecting you to marry soon. We’ve already discussed this.”

  “And I’ve already told you all that I will marry when and if I choose.”

  Rafe turned and headed for the door, turning back to say, “You’ll marry by the deadline we give you. And if you don’t pick someone more acceptable than him, we’ll pick for you.” He gave Owen one last look before leaving, slamming the door and making the shield on the wall beside it rattle.

  Owen sank down into one of the chairs by the wall, and Ryden went over to him, reminding himself not to touch Owen. Any physical contact would work against the potion and make this ordeal even longer. “That was brave, but stupid.” Remembering the fiery look in Owen’s eyes, Ryden studied Owen, thinking he might’ve underestimated the shifter’s devotion. It might prove problematic, but that passion did the little omega credit.

  “I couldn’t stand the way he said it, as if you meant nothing to him.”

  Ryden sat in the other chair, straightening the books on the little table between them and then wondering why he’d done it. “That’s exactly what I mean to him. Nothing. Just as he means nothing to me.”

  “But you slept together.”

  “For three months, we had sex off and on. We never slept in the same bed. What he said is true. I wouldn’t have called us lovers either. He was powerful and desired me at the time.”

  “Were they all like that?”

  “Not all of them.”

  “Were you ever in love?”

  Ryden laughed before he could stop himself. “In love? No. Not even close.” He laughed again as he thought of how most of his partners would react to that idea.

  “I thought I was. Once.”

  Ryden’s laughter died instantly. “Did you?” he said quietly, watching Owen.

  Owen folded his hands in his lap and looked down at them. “You’ll probably laugh at this, too. It was the guy who was my first. He was a Beta. Very handsome. And kind. We made love three times, and then he had to go away for a while.” Owen finally looked up. “He went to visit another pack and came home with a mate. He was apologetic, and I was … crushed.”

  Ryden held very still. The omega needed comfort, craved it probably, but he couldn’t risk touching him. “But your pain faded in time?”

  “Yes. I didn’t love him. It was the way he treated me. That’s what I loved.”

  “I believe you called him kind.” He paused a long time before he said, “No one has ever called me that.”

  Owen sat back in the chair, studying him with an odd expression on his face. “Would you really have killed him for touching me?”

  “That was a bit dramatic. I’d be exiled for killing an elder.”

  Owen leaned on the arm of the chair, holding his gaze. “Doesn’t answer my question.”

  Ryden returned his gaze, and the determination he saw there had him saying, “My wolf wants to rip him to pieces for the disrespect he showed you.”

  “That’s exactly how I felt when he said those things about you.”

  Ryden sighed. “But I’m strong enough to follow through.”

  “That’s why you don’t want me? I’m smaller and weaker?”

  “You heard what he said. My world is very different from yours. Everyone here would treat you the way he just did.”

  “I also heard you say you would marry when and if you choose.”

  Ryden didn’t feel like arguing. He pulled out his cell phone again. “Here. Call your Alpha and let him know how you are.”

  Owen took the phone. “And if he wants to know when I’m coming back?”

  Ryden stood, letting out another sigh. “A couple of days, perhaps sooner.”

  Owen began tapping away at the phone’s screen. “Thank you,” he said softly.

  “You’re welcome.” Ryden turned on his heels and went back into the kitchen, busying himself with cleaning up. Anger at Rafe still rankled at his nerves, and he had to make a conscious effort not to start slamming things around the kitchen.

  Owen’s soft voice drifted to him, and he moved toward the back of the house so he wouldn’t overhear him. He stopped by a picture window and watched the snow begin to fall again.

  Rafe’s words came back to him. And if you don’t pick someone more acceptable than him, we’ll pick for you. Ryden looked off into the distance, toward the great hall where the elders met. “You’ll pick for me? You’ll all regret it if you try.”

  Chapter Three

  Owen turned off the shower and stood there leaning against the tile a moment. He hadn’t asked if masturbating would affect the potion’s effectiveness, but he’d started feeling anxious again as soon as he began bathing. He’d never have imagined a time when just touching his own skin would get him aroused. For better or worse, he’d let thoughts of Ryden take over, and in the end, he’d made himself come twice. He still felt a bit on edge, but in his opinion, it had helped. Ryden would be bringing another dose of potion soon, and Owen felt sure that, if he hadn’t made himself come, he’d have been more than ready to jump the man. He dried himself and got dressed in clothes Ryden had left for him, folding his own sweaty clothes up and setting them aside. The simple linen shirt smelled faintly of Ryden, yet it was much too small for him. The clothes seemed fairly new, so Owen wondered where they’d come from. The large house probably had plenty of room for servants, but there seemed to be no one else around.

  He’d passed the afternoon restlessly trying to read in the library. But he hadn’t been able to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. His phone conversation with Gregor had been awkward, but it had given him a little comfort to know his Alpha was so concerned. They hadn’t talked about Owen’s out of control arousal earlier. Instead, they’d focused on how Ryden was treating him. Owen had asked the Alpha to be patient with Ryden, and with the situation, because Owen felt sure he could win the other man over in the end. The Alpha had promised to stand by Owen in any way he could, yet he’d also cautioned Owen not to get his hopes up. Those words had lingered with Owen as he’d given the phone back to Ryden, only to be informed the other man had something to do. Ryden had given him directions to the library and told him to help himself to anything in the kitchen, and even explore the house, before practically bolting out the back door. That trust Ryden appeared to be showing warred, in Owen’s mind, with the fact the man had as good as run away from him.

  Owen turned down the bed and sat on it. His fingers moved over the unbelievably soft sheets. He’d slowly gotten a bit more used to the house, though he still thought it felt cold and much too big. Ryden had come to check on him once, only staying long enough to give him fresh clothes and show him to where he’d be sleeping. He’d given him the room right next door to his, and that did make him feel a little better. His head popped up when he heard footsteps.

  A firm knock sounded.

  “Come in,” Owen said.

  Ryden came in, another glass of potion in his hand. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better now that I’ve showered.” And taken care of the needs you’re choosing to ignore.

  Ryden nodded and then held the glass out to him. “Here.”

  “Thank you.” Owen took the glass and downed the nasty potion. “How many more doses?” He felt better right away, but the taste seemed worse this time. It made him wonder if this batch was stronger.

  “Two tomorrow. Perhaps three. I imagine I’ll be taking you home the day after tomorrow, if nothing goes wrong.”

  If nothing goes wrong? You mean like
my mate actually touching me? Giving in to the fact that some part of him does want me?

  Owen set the glass down, suddenly too tired to argue. “Okay.”

  Ryden eyed him, as if surprised Owen wasn’t pushing him. “The clothes are all right? Sorry I didn’t think about you wanting to change earlier.”

  “No reason you should’ve. And yeah, they’re fine.” He lifted the collar of the linen shirt to his nose. “They smell like you, though.”

  Ryden tilted his head, as if thinking. “Oh. Well, I suppose they would. Is that a problem? Is it irritating you?”

  “Doesn’t seem to be.” He definitely didn’t want this one little link severed. Having that faint scent there did comfort him, in a small way.

  Ryden nodded slowly. “My scent could spark a reaction if it was coming directly from me. But it’s my touch that could cause the real problems. A little hint on the clothes shouldn’t affect you, if it’s not bothering you yet.”

  “Why do they smell like you? There’s no way they’d fit you.”

  “Not now, no, but they are mine. They’re clean, though. I simply used a spell to shrink them. I wasn’t sure your exact size, but they look like they fit. And for sleeping I figured you’d like them a bit loose.”

  “Your clothes?” He looked down at them, baffled but curious.

  “Yes. I can’t make things appear out of nothing the way someone like the fae king probably can, but I can alter matter easily. Within reason, of course. I couldn’t turn a real boat into one that would fit into a bathtub or anything. Or vice versa. That’s too intricate.”

  Owen ran his hands over the linen pants. “That’s still amazing.”

  “I’m sure I take such advantages for granted. The way you take shifting for granted.”

  Lifting his gaze again, Owen asked, “Did you finish your work?”

  Ryden looked confused. “My work?”

  Owen wondered if Ryden had lied to get away from him. “Said you had something to do. I assumed it was work.”