FINN

My head was buzzing like a shaken-up beehive.

On the drive to Liam's apartment, we talked about safe, random things. He told me about his family—his parents died in a plane crash when he was fifteen, and after that, his grandfather, whose health wasn't great, took care of him. And actually, Liam ended up taking care of his grandpa more than the other way around. Now, the man was in even worse shape, suffering from Alzheimer's, and was in a care home since Liam had to work and couldn't be with him all day.

His grandparents on his dad's side had already passed away. He had uncles, but he didn't stay in touch with them since they lived far away from the city.

When we arrived at Liam's place, I was surprised at how tiny his studio apartment was. I watched in shock as Liam pulled out a big suitcase and started packing his stuff. He had this weird look on his face, his eyebrows all scrunched together, and then it hit me—he was packing everything!

I felt this unexpected surge of happiness, even though I didn't fully understand why. Was Liam leaving for good and not planning to come back in two weeks?

I realized I shouldn't say anything about my suspicions out loud. I didn't want to freak him out.

Good, great even. Let him leave this apartment and move in with me!

What the f…?

What was happening to me? The more time I spent with Liam, the more confused and out of control I felt. It was like I was becoming enchanted by him.

I couldn't take my eyes off him as he squatted and stood up from time to time, walked over to the closet, leaned over the suitcase. Yes, he was skinny, but his butt, visible under the tight jeans, still retained a lot of meat. I've always loved looking at butts, especially nice, protruding, round ones—they always caught my attention, and now I was staring at his like a drooling, sick bastard.

Finn, what's wrong with you, I thought. The poor guy was in a nightmarish state yesterday, and today I was horny for him!

The memory of our night came back to me, when his fragile body clung to me so tightly, and I couldn't help the fact that all the blood rushed down to my dick, even though I fought it with all my might…

I was angry with myself. After all, I was his host—I shouldn't behave like this. Besides, there was a big age difference between us, twelve years to be exact.

Even though he was twenty-two and legally an adult, I was far superior in experience, and therefore I should be superior in my sense of responsibility. But was that the case?

My behavior could easily be interpreted as simply disgusting—an attempt to take advantage of a young college graduate at his most vulnerable, in his weakness. The fact was, in such despair and depression, he was probably just looking for any arms to cry on, nothing more.

But, unsettlingly, my interest in him was far from mere human sympathy for another tormented soul. It was something far more… lustful.

How could I look at him like that? Ogling his buttocks, drooling over him. I forced myself to shift my gaze away, walking to the window, clenching my jaw and fighting strong emotions—and… a hard-on. I had to get a grip.

Eventually, Liam finished packing, and the apartment was practically empty. I didn't comment on it, didn't let any hint of what I was feeling show on my face, but it gave me a lot of satisfaction.

We carried the suitcases to the car and loaded them into the trunk.

"Wanna stop somewhere for lunch?" I asked.

"If you know a good spot," Liam muttered, staring out the window.

He was avoiding eye contact, and his fists were clenched. I allowed myself a quick glance at him and noticed his lips—they were nicely shaped and looked soft. I couldn't help but wonder what they tasted like.

No! Not again! I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, then quickly focused back on the steering wheel and turned the ignition.

Things were moving way too fast, and I couldn't even explain to myself why I was so insanely drawn to Liam. It simply defied logic and my old ways. I was never like this; my flirting and wooing a partner involved much more lukewarm and conventional methods, maybe even dull. There was never much intensity, and the chemistry was usually mild at best. Even with Winter, it wasn't perfect. Yes, we were drawn to each other by this strange competitive spark, and sometimes we had rough sex, tumbling and fighting in bed. But it never sped my pulse beyond a certain point—I was always in control of my mind and body. And now? All I wanted was to pull Liam into my arms, hold him close, and… do so much more.

It was especially intriguing because I had a kind of demisexual orientation. I needed to know a person before hooking up with them; even a bit of familiarity was my preference over completely anonymous sex. That's why I didn't do one-night stands. I would always choose a casual arrangement, like being fuckbuddies with someone I already knew, rather than meeting up with random strangers.

But… Liam was basically a stranger! And yet, in this case, something was different!

Then suddenly, I remembered what Liam had said when he was standing on the cliff. He didn't want to ‘die a virgin'.

Those words hit me like a wave, and I instantly felt stupid for being so worked up over this poor kid, especially since he didn't have any experience in that area.

Was I just a creepy old pervert?

We pulled up to a cute café along the road, one I'd eaten at a few times before, about halfway between my house and Malden Pharmaceuticals. We sat down at a little table outside under some trees, as the weather was warm. The omega waiter brought us menus.

"Today's on me! Order whatever you want," I said, grinning.

"I've got money," Liam muttered.

"I know, programmers make good money, but let me treat you. Please."

He reluctantly nodded and looked at the menu. I used that moment to check him out; he looked a bit better than yesterday. His face had some color back, and I also observed these interesting, faint golden freckles on his cheeks. He nervously adjusted the disobedient lock of hair that had fallen across his forehead.

I had this sudden urge to brush his strawberry blond strands back behind his ear, but I quickly reprimanded myself.

My gaze slipped down to his pale, thin neck, and for some reason, I focused on his neck gland. We were both betas, so our glands weren't active, but I couldn't stop staring at his. It was pale and flat, typical for our subgender, but I found myself wondering… what was it about these glands that made alphas so obsessed? I'd seen it so many times, how alphas would naturally wrap their arms around omegas and kiss their necks, their lips always finding the gland.

I'd never done that with any of my exes. Besides Winter, I'd been in long relationships with two other betas and even had a short fling with an alpha once (yes, yes, the ‘Storm case', which I won't dwell on—just a crazy incident in my life…). But that area of their body never interested me more than any other part of their skin.

However now, I couldn't stop staring at Liam's pale neck, noticing the soft pulse just below the surface. His skin was so thin, almost translucent like you sometimes see in light blondes. I wondered what it would feel like to touch his gland with my lips. It was supposed to be an intimate thing, but that was more for alphas and omegas, not betas… we didn't regard it that way. And yet…

I snapped out of it and forced myself to look at his hands instead—small, and bony.

Liam glanced up at me and said, "I've decided. I'll have the salad," pointing to the menu.

Still being in this weird mood, I forced myself to pick something for lunch. I ordered additional fries for him, which he accepted courteously.

When the waiter brought our food, Liam started eating with real appetite. I found that strangely satisfying. I watched, almost mesmerized, as he took bite after bite, the spoon sliding into his soft lips.

It was getting harder and harder to not just… stare at him. He wasn't what you'd call classically handsome. He was the type of person you wouldn't notice at first glance, but once you really looked, you'd start to see his quiet charm, something that was really pulling me in.

The conversation flowed easily. I asked him about his favorite foods, so I'd know what to cook for him in the coming days. I loved cooking and thought I was pretty good at it, so I started planning in my head how I'd spoil Liam with all kinds of delicious meals.

We got back home in the afternoon, and I helped him bring his clothes inside. He had a lot, and my narrow closet could only fit about half of them. So, we took the rest upstairs to the other small room in the loft, where there was a bigger closet. Neither of us mentioned the obvious—that this was everything Liam owned.

In the afternoon, I went out to the garden and called Winter. I told him Liam seemed calmer and was feeling better, and I asked if he could help get him a new job at D-Project. Winter was supportive and promised to ask around. He agreed that Liam needed a fresh start and that staying at DevApp wasn't good for his mental health.

When I hung up, I noticed Liam standing near the jacuzzi, looking at it with interest. The tub was covered with a clear protective cover to keep dirt out. I walked closer and smiled.

"You wanna try the jacuzzi?"

He hesitated, biting his lip, which immediately drew my eyes to his mouth.

"I have to admit, it's tempting… I've never been in a real one before."

"It's got a great hydro-massage system. Super relaxing, trust me," I encouraged, even though I knew if we both got in the jacuzzi, half-naked, things might get… intense. Still, I offered.

After a moment of hesitation, Liam nodded.

"I'll get it ready. You go change, and I'll join you in a bit."

He nodded again, running his fingers nervously through his hair before heading upstairs to the loft.

I turned on the jacuzzi and took a quick shower, feeling some excitement. By the time I got back, Liam had gone into the bathroom, still in his T-shirt. But when he came out, he was wearing only… some pretty tight speedos! Honestly, he was still really skinny, with a bony chest and thin arms, but that didn't take away from this strange, willowy charm he had.

There was something innocent about him, almost like he didn't even realize how cute he was. And yet my pervy eye ogled his entire body: his flat abdomen, the hollow space between his hip bones, his bulge, his slender legs.

I was already waiting in the jacuzzi as he approached. He dipped his foot in, testing the warm water, then sank in, looking finally relaxed. The bubbles were soothing, and soon enough, we were both sitting comfortably with the jets giving us a nice back massage.

Right away, I knew this was a good call. Liam visibly loosened up, even closing his eyes a little.

"Yeah, Winter was right when he said you've gotta get out of those mental loops we get stuck in. Life can still be good, even… enjoyable sometimes," he murmured, eyes still half-shut.

"You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that, Liam. Yes, sometimes, you just need to step out and get a new perspective. Life can be good, and for you, I'm sure it will be. From now on. I just know."

Liam opened his eyes and looked at me. I could tell he wanted to say something but held back, biting his lip again.

"Thanks for inviting me here. I really appreciate it. I hope you don't regret it, though, I can be a bit… peculiar."

He trailed off like he wasn't sure if he should keep going. For some reason, I wanted to tease a bit.

"What do you mean by ‘peculiar'?" I tilted my head a bit playfully.

Liam looked up at the sky for a moment, watching the small clouds drift by.

"I can be intense… really intense, and, well, fixated. Obsessed. When I set my sights on something, I get really… focused on it."

Should I ask? I shouldn't, but I was kind of in a mood to hear more. The warm water relaxed me, too, and the view of his slender arms and small, pink nipples just above the bubbly water was nice and made me think about… too many things.

"And what would you wanna set your sights on?"

There was a long pause before Liam slowly looked at me, biting his lip again, like he was debating whether or not to keep talking. His cheeks were blushed, but maybe it was because of the heat and steam? Then something flickered in his eyes as he narrowed them, obviously deciding to say it out loud.

"Think carefully about whether you want me to like you, Finn, because if I do, it might cause trouble for both of us."

For some reason, I felt almost happy we were back at this topic again.

"You know, this is funny, and no one would believe it, coming from people who know me—but I'm actually really possessive, too. It might not seem like it, especially since I was with Winter for so long in such a casual relationship. There wasn't any room for that kind of behavior between us. But that's one of the reasons Winter and I were never a perfect match, Liam. There was no dynamic like that. I could never fully have him… and if I couldn't have him, I couldn't fully give myself, either. Do you understand? That distance between us kept me from fully committing. But that doesn't mean it's not what I want deep down inside: an intense relationship, being crazy about the other person."

Liam stared at his hands, which were just under the surface of the water, gently moving his fingers.

"But you've had other relationships, right? Did you ever meet someone else who was more… well, unhinged?"

"In my workplace, I mostly met people like me—other teachers, professors. Kind of dull. Maybe it's just something about teachers when they date each other, or maybe it was just coincidence, but I never had a relationship like the one I imagined would suit me best. Something really close, really possessive. Sometimes, I think I should've been born an alpha." I snickered. "I've found this… deep urge inside me to dominate the other person in a way…" I trailed off, realizing I'd said too much. I shot him an uneasy look, gauging his reaction.

Liam was staring at me with wide eyes.

"In what way? Like, sexually?"

I cursed under my breath, wishing I hadn't brought it up.

"Um. Yes and no. But I'm not gonna go into my fantasies. I'd probably freak you out, and you'd run off. I really think you should stay here for a while, relax, and take a break from the world. You need to feel safe here. I don't wanna bother you with my weird daydreams."

Liam seemed even more intrigued. I'd somehow achieved the opposite effect. Maybe… subconsciously, I wanted it?

"Tell me," he said in that oddly coy voice.

I clenched my jaw. Yeah, it won't look like I resisted much, but suddenly, I didn't give a damn, and I finally said it: "It's about how alphas bite omegas… how they knot them. It… appeals to me," I muttered, barely believing I'd just blurted it out. Quickly looking away, I added, "But I'm a beta. So, it's just some dumb fantasy."

Liam was quiet for a while before unexpectedly murmuring, "I'm not a stranger to cross-gender fantasies. Sometimes I've imagined being in heat… or pregnant. Having my own kids. But that's a pretty common fantasy for betas, right? Wanting to be another subgender."

Something about the way he said it put me at ease; he didn't judge these fantasies, didn't roll his eyes, which was nice. His energy seemed pleasantly open.

"Yeah, especially the fantasy of having kids. I'd love to have them too, but I'm not a beta with alpha traits, so my sperm isn't fertile. I can't have my own. Thankfully, I've got two nephews—my omega brother's kids—and that comforts me. My tiny house will go to one of them someday." I hesitated, unsure if I should add it, before going for it. "But I've never had fantasies about being in heat. It's not my first choice of roles."

Liam bit his lip, again playing with his fingers under the bubbly water surface.

"I know most betas are versatile, but I think I'm a total bottom. Maybe that's why heat fantasies are… tempting to me."

I remained silent, unsure if I should share such things out loud. We were still in the beginning stages of whatever this was, and I didn't want to be overly graphic.

But… Liam asked, "And you?"

Letting out a sigh, I glanced at him. "Well. By preference, top, but life has sometimes forced me to make compromises in this regard. Sometimes you have to sacrifice what you like the most for the sake of the relationship. But being a bottom is not my first choice."

"You know, there's this weird belief among us betas that since we can swing both ways, we have to do it, that it's part of our nature as betas. There's almost a pressure on it, but I personally don't see anything wrong with the roles because to me, they're pretty sexy…"

"Totally agree." And I grinned.

We sat in silence for a bit. I couldn't help but glance over at Liam. The warm water and the humidity gave his cheeks a nice flush, and his lips looked almost red. His damp hair began to curl into soft waves. For a second, I imagined reaching out, threading my fingers through those delicate strands, brushing my thumb along his cheekbone, tilting his head back. My gaze landed on his scent gland, pale and untouched, waiting for something—a caress, a bite…?

Absent-mindedly, I raised my hand and slid a finger along my gums. In ABO society, everyone has mating teeth above the regular ones, but betas don't have the hormone levels to make them emerge. We go through life without ever using them. Some people even believe betas don't have fangs at all, but that's not true—they're just covered, dormant.

When I pressed a little harder, I could feel the thin, hard ridges just beneath the surface—my hidden mating teeth, held in place forever by my low hormone levels. I felt a pang of regret. It's not like I was an ‘alpha wannabe'. I'd accepted being a beta a long time ago. Sure, I had fantasies about alpha-style sexual domination, but they stayed in the background of my life, only bubbling up when I was alone and feeling, well, horny. Sometimes I'd close my eyes and imagine an omega I could claim as mine.

But with Liam, for some reason, something strange stirred inside me. These visions suddenly started flashing through my mind, and the intensity was gradually increasing, like short daydreams; they kept coming back whenever I let my guard down. One particular lewd vision ripped through my mind with unprecedented intensity: I saw myself fucking him, and sinking my fangs deep into his neck.

Immediately, I erased that image, knowing how inappropriate it was. But after a few minutes of struggle, I couldn't deny it—I was simply too weak to resist repeating it over and over again, each time in increasingly indecent ways.

This was one of those moments I was grateful for the existence of bubbles, as they hid my arousal. With a huge effort, I changed the subject, asking him more about his family life—what his childhood was like.

Liam told me he grew up in the same town as Soren. They lived close to each other. His alpha father was an engineer, and his omega dad was a lawyer. His parents were super focused on their careers, so he was mostly raised by his grandfather. They traveled a lot, and during one of those trips—died in a plane crash.

From what Liam said, it sounded like he was one of those kids who came into his parents' lives a little too late for them to adjust their lifestyle. They were already so set in their ways and didn't seem to enjoy parenthood. He always felt like a burden. He also got the impression they were disappointed when he presented as a beta. It was never said out loud, but Liam admitted he picked up on subtle signals. After their deaths, he found some confirmation of this when he read one of their emails.

His dad had written, "We went through such great effort to bring him into the world, and now knowing we won't have grandchildren… it really makes me appreciate the government programs aimed at activating betas and making them fertile members of society."

That part of our conversation really grabbed my attention.

"As you know, I also work at Malden Pharmaceuticals. My CEO, Blue Lowen, was one of the scientists who helped develop the medical protocols for exactly that program, the beta activation! He was a consultant and expert for it, though he got a lot of backlash from beta advocacy groups. He even received death threats, and his company is constantly targeted by activists who believe this research could destroy the beta community—or even the entire sub-gender—by turning them into alphas and omegas."

"Yeah," Liam nodded. "I've been reading a lot about this program. I know they recently started a small trial with an initial group of candidates. Despite the public backlash, way more people volunteered than they ever expected."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Are you interested in this subject?"

Liam blushed deeply and turned his head away. I stared at his light auburn lashes for a moment. I've always liked light eyelashes, though I don't know why. They suited his pale cheeks, subtly freckled. He looked so ethereal…

"Yes, to be honest, I have considered it—joining the program. It's interesting. Experts carefully pair betas with omegas, betas with betas, or betas with alphas. The participants receive experimental hormone treatments and pheromone sprays to stimulate and activate the natural processes in their bodies. It's still in the early testing phase, but the government is funding it heavily."

I nodded, a little surprised—and impressed—that he was into this kind of stuff.

"I had no idea you were interested in that. I'm glad to hear it, though, because it's somewhat close to my own research. I specialize in genetic studies on True Mates and how we might identify them through DNA. That includes beta True Mates. Our CEO, Blue Lowen, developed a revolutionary way to compare genetic codes and made a major breakthrough. He figured out how to identify people who are genetically incompatible, which is a big step. A lot of matchmaking services are already showing interest in buying these tests, but it's still too early for that. The technology is just being developed."

"Do you think we'll ever be able to identify True Mates by testing their DNA?"

I sighed and scratched my chin, unsure of how to answer.

"You know, some people believe True Mates are about more than just genetic compatibility. They think there's something extra, some factor we're missing, maybe linked to our alien genetic heritage. There are theories that say our genes are evolving, that alien DNA is becoming more prominent. Did you know that the children of True Mates usually have more alien DNA than the general population?"

Liam shook his head, clearly intrigued by the topic.

"Yeah, purple alphas and rose omegas are only born from True Mate pairings, and they have the highest concentration of alien DNA. There's this theory suggesting that the DNA is actually trying to concentrate itself by selecting individuals with the most of it. Like, if person A has 5% and person B has 6%, their kid might have 11% in total. It's kind of like a cumulative effect. The number of people who've been able to find their True Mates now compared to even 500 years ago is significantly higher. Even factoring in social and cultural changes, some researchers think there's something else at play…"

Liam was staring at me, his mouth slightly open, which was honestly kind of cute. I had to resist the urge to run my finger over his bottom lip.

"Do you think there's some sort of purpose behind it? Like, the aliens are trying to regenerate or… recreate through us and take over the planet?"

I laughed quietly. It was hard not to poke fun at conspiracy theories like that. Sure, you'd find a few floating around online, but they seemed a bit far-fetched to me.

"I wouldn't go that far. It's just DNA, after all. But yeah, it's alien DNA, so we don't fully understand it. We know the aliens were hermaphrodites, with both male and female reproductive organs. They tried to make humans like them, but didn't quite succeed. They managed to ensure that all males born here had vestigial uteri, but only some people developed traits of the females that lived here, while others developed the traits of super males—the alphas. The rest, the betas, were considered by early scientists to be either failed alphas or failed omegas. Something just didn't click right. I'm not sure if you knew, but in the first few generations, betas made up 50% of the population! It wasn't until about 100 years later that it dropped to 30%, and it's likely to keep decreasing. It's like alien genes have this self-correcting evolutionary process. It's actually been pretty well documented."

Liam was quiet for a moment, then said with a hint of sadness, "So, we're just some kind of mistake, a failed step along the way, waiting to be fixed?"

"I try not to look at it that way. Betas play an important role in society. We're free from the burden of reproduction and can focus on pushing civilization forward. Did you know 70% of all scientific discoveries come from betas?"

He didn't seem convinced, looking off to the side, twisting a lock of his hair around his finger.

"Yeah, but I want kids. I don't see it as a burden, more like a privilege…"

I watched him for a bit, trying to get a sense of what he really meant.

"The thing is, with only 30% of people able to have children, it's kind of become a burden. There's such a small group that's responsible for the future of our civilization. Back when women still existed on Earth, even if a large percentage of them chose not to have kids, there was still enough to make up for it. Now, if 20% of omegas decide not to have kids, it could cause a collapse. Just think of the pressure they're under. We betas don't have that, and I see that as a plus."

"Sometimes I wonder if Earth wanted us gone, you know? That epidemic a thousand years ago wiped out all the women and blocked us from continuing as a species. Maybe Earth was trying to cleanse itself of parasites like humans?"

I smirked. "That's pretty nihilistic and dark! I don't want humanity to die out; we're also the children of Earth. I think every being has a right to exist, as long as they can balance their lives with their environment. As for Earth, well, you could argue we're an alien invasion at this point—so maybe Earth just traded one problem for another." I winked.

Liam laughed. "True, we kinda are! But back then, there were 8 billion people. I'd call that a better situation. Do you know how fast humans were reproducing a thousand years ago, right before the epidemic? The population grew by a billion every ten years! Now there are only 2 billion of us, even after a thousand years and 40 generations. That's a huge difference. Growth is so slow now, and the environment is pretty clean."

"Yeah, and it doesn't look like the population will boom any time soon. The growth rate is low. Maybe that's why Earth is letting us stick around," I teased. "Maybe we betas are helping regulate things, keeping it slower?"

Liam trailed his fingers through the water, creating small ripples. "Maybe, but that government program to boost beta fertility wants to change all that."

"We'll see. Even if it does, it'll probably make only a small difference. Hopefully, it'll take some pressure off the omegas," I said, splashing him lightly. "I wouldn't mind helping with that whole reproduction thing… but more as a beta-turned-alpha than the other way around. Giving birth doesn't tempt me—sounds like a lot of work." I winked, splashing him again with more vigor.

Liam chuckled and lifted himself, trying to avoid the water droplets. For a moment, his small, pink nipples peeked above the surface, and he made a snorting sound. "You're surprisingly chill for a college professor!"

"Well, there's more. I'm thinking about quitting and going full-time at Malden Pharmaceuticals."

Liam tilted his head, eyeing me curiously. "That haircut doesn't fit a professor, or a researcher, for that matter. It's a fading mohawk—a serious fade, shaved down on the sides. I can't picture you in a white lab coat, hidden away in some lab, with that hair!"

"In my opinion, unconventional looks can be a sign of unconventional thinking, which is a good thing for a scientist!"

"That's a good point." Liam's eyes swept over my face and up to my hair, but then his face darkened slightly. It was strange, but I immediately understood what he was thinking.

"Soren has the same haircut, doesn't he?"

He blushed and looked away. "Yeah, only longer at the back. But let's not talk about him. And I think it looks good on you. Interesting, for sure."

"Well, thanks. I like to think I'm not your typical buttoned-up professor. I work with alien DNA—fringe stuff—so why not look like a mad scientist instead of a stiff academic?"

"Fair enough." He smiled. "And you don't look your age. I wouldn't have guessed you were over thirty."

"Thanks, I try to stay healthy."

Liam rubbed his chin. "I haven't exactly lived a healthy life… total nerd here. But I want to change that. I like biking. The gym's not for me, but I could ride a bike all day."

"Perfect! I have a bike at Jim's place, this place is a little cramped. And Jim has one too, but he hasn't used it in years. It's set up for omega size, so it should fit you perfectly… You're so small." The words slipped out before I could stop myself.

Liam blinked, a little taken aback. "Is that a bad thing? Do you prefer the more imposing type, like Winter?"

That question was loaded. Was he asking if I found him attractive despite his smaller frame? Did he care? There was clearly something between us, something rising to the surface. I answered lightly, "When I met Winter in college, he was different—really slender, willowy. He bulked up over the years. Honestly, I prefer a slimmer, smaller build." After a pause, hoping my words would sink in, I added, "So, what do you think? Maybe tomorrow we could go for a short bike ride around the area? Just something light, since you're probably not ready for a long one yet."

Liam looked up at me and nodded.

"Alright then, I'll pick up the bikes this afternoon, and we can head out in the morning!"

But he didn't seem done with the previous topic and was clearly struggling with something. "Have you ever dated an omega before?"

I made a face, probably revealing more than I intended. "I never had the courage to ask one out. The idea of dealing with his heat was overwhelming. One friend of mine dated an omega, and during heat, the omega got so frustrated he called an alpha friend to fuck him. The situation traumatized my friend so much he went into therapy afterward and, of course, broke up with the guy. He was left with this ‘beta insufficiency' trauma. So, I'd rather not be exposed to an unsatisfied omega in heat, resenting me for not keeping it up for five days straight or more."

Liam looked at me in shock. "That's horrible! Calling for an alpha… it's so humiliating. I understand that feeling, though. When Soren went into his mini-heat, he chose to be with Skye. I know how hurtful it can be. I've heard a lot of stories like that."

For the next half-hour, we shared some traumatic stories we'd heard about betas being dumped by AOs or treated badly because of their supposed limitations.

Finally, we were ready to get out of the jacuzzi.

The biggest shock came then. As Liam turned to step out, I saw something surprising—a large, intricate tattoo on his back, spelling out one word: Soren.

I froze, staring at his back, the sight so overwhelming that I didn't even pay attention to how his wet swim trunks clung to him, making his plump butt look pretty damn good. No, I was fixated on that damn tattoo.

He must have sensed something was wrong because he turned to look at me, and our eyes met. He knew right away what had caused my silence.

"Yeah, I know. I have his name tattooed on my back. I realize how dumb it looks now, but it's not something I can easily get rid of—it's rather large," he said, shrugging lightly as if it was no big deal, but it was.

I swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but seeing it wasn't easy for me, for reasons I couldn't fully understand.

Liam held my gaze for a moment, reading my reaction, then gave me an apologetic, sad smile and wrapped a towel around himself. "Well, it is what it is. I'm gonna go get changed."

That was all he said, hunching as he walked away. I sat there a while, trying to shake off the shock. Liam's love for Soren was literally inked on his skin, permanently. Removing such a large tattoo would be costly and inconvenient. Covering it with something else would be easier. I had an odd impulse to suggest that to him—because for some reason, I wanted Soren's name gone from Liam's life, erased. Was it jealousy? I'd only known him for two days, and… already?