1. Six Years Old

“I knowwho I’m gonna marry,” six-year-old Rex said, kicking his legs in the passenger seat.

Dad frowned as he drove them through the streets of downtown Meadowfall—a place they were just passing through on their vacation. “Who?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know his name. But I will know him when I see him.”

“That’s crazy. You need to get to know a person first before you marry them, Rex. But only when you’re older.”

Rex peered out of the window. He always looked at the people they passed whenever they drove slow enough to see the faces. Something in his gut told him he had to keep searching. There was someone out there waiting for him. “When can I marry him?”

“When you’re an adult. Eighteen or older.”

“Eighteen?” he asked incredulously. “That’s too far away!”

“You need to know you’re making the right choice before you commit to someone.”

“I already know. I know him. And I will marry him.”

Dad sighed. “You can’t even tell me his name.”

Rex shook his head. “But I will know him.”

Dad shot him a worried look. “Have you been talking to someone that I don’t know about?”

Rex shook his head again, turning to press his nose against the glass. Right as they were pulling into a fast food parking lot, he glimpsed a man. A thin, willowy man with blond hair and gray eyes, freckles across his face and his mouth in a pout.

Knowingshot through him like lightning. A good knowing. But with it came a terrible pain that flashed through his bones. Rex gasped, all his insides yanking forward. Despite the pain, he knew it was the right choice. The right man.

Omega.

He scrabbled at the door handle, trying to open it. “It’s him! Stop the car, I need to see him!”

“Rex! Calm down!” Dad grabbed him.

“No, no, no, I can’t! I need to see him!” Rex struggled, but his dad held on tight.

“If you keep making a fuss, we won’t stop here for lunch.”

Rex wanted so badly to scream. But that was the wrong choice. He fell silent and watched as the man put his lips around a straw and drank. Rex swallowed, his chest heaving. “I’ll keep quiet.”

“Good.” Dad parked the car and they got out. Rex followed Dad into the restaurant, barely smelling the grease. He waited until Dad was at the front of the line, putting in his order. Dad took his hand off Rex to pull his credit card out of his wallet.

Rex took the chance to slip away, to where the omega sat by the window, his tray with half a burger and some fries. Rex skidded to a stop in front of him. He didn’t have much time. “What’s your name?”

The man blinked and looked up. “Wha—?”

“Your name,” Rex asked urgently.

“O-Olson.”

“Olson,” Rex repeated, something settling in him like a puzzle piece sliding into place. He grasped the man’s wrist—one silvery bite scar; just one, just right—and brought it up to his nose.

Orchid.

Rex didn’t even know what an orchid looked or smelled like, but he knew that scent. Orchid.

He filled his lungs with it.

“Hey!” The omega frowned and tugged on his hand—not in revulsion, though.

“I’ll come back to marry you,” Rex blurted. “Don’t die.”

Olson jerked in surprise.

“Rex,” Dad growled from across the restaurant, his footsteps drawing closer. Rex had no more time.

He sank his teeth into Olson’s wrist, breaking skin, biting so hard he knew he’d left his marking. Olson hissed and spasmed like he’d felt it in his entire body.

A large hand clapped down on Rex’s shoulder. Dad scowled, angry now. “Rex.”

But this was worth it. He was worth it.

“I gotta go,” Rex said, his heart pounding. “My name is Rex. I’ll come back.”

Dad apologized to Olson. Then he dragged Rex back to the car, and smacked him. “I didn’t raise you to bite complete strangers! Or anyone!”

“He’s my omega,” Rex growled back.

“He’s just a stranger we found on the way home!”

“No. I know him.” And all of Rex’s instincts said he was right. “He’s my omega.”