“Liam is just being polite,” Julian said. “He’ll say that even if he secretly agrees with me.”
“I will not,” Liam said before taking in a sharp breath. He took his hand off Devlin’s arm and all but ran forward. “Oh my! This is amazing!”
Devlin’s gaze followed Liam.
It was a giant sea exhibit, filled with various water predators from all over the Union. Sharks—and big creatures that looked a lot like sharks—were battling it out, with smaller fish trying to hide among the picturesque caves. A huge white shark tore into the blue one right before their eyes, coloring the water with blood.
“This is sick,” Julian grumbled. “Figures that Liam would like that.”
Amused, Devlin smiled, but when he glanced at Julian, he looked genuinely nauseated, his face pale.
Frowning, Devlin hesitated. A glance at Liam confirmed that he wasn’t going to leave the sea exhibit anytime soon: the golden-haired omega was gesticulating animatedly as he talked to their guide.
“Let’s go,” he said, steering Julian away.
“What about Li?”
“I’ll return for him in a little while,” Devlin said. “Our guide will keep him entertained for now.”
Julian didn’t protest—Devlin wouldn’t be surprised if the little menace cheered on the inside, given his determination to ruin Devlin’s courtship of his brother.
“You aren’t faking it, are you?” he murmured, guiding them toward the next exhibit in the distance—a huge enclosure that imitated some kind of alien jungle.
“That’s rather rude of you to suspect a noble omega of such a thing,” Julian said, giving him an innocent look. “We omegas are very fragile creatures, don’t you know that?”
Devlin chuckled. “I forget that you are an omega sometimes.”
Julian’s lips folded into a line. He gave a small smile without looking at him. “Most people do. I’m used to it.” He shrugged. “I don’t look like an omega.”
Devlin’s eyebrows knitted together. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t understand what I mean,” Julian said, laughing a little.
“No, I don’t,” Devlin said. “I wasn’t aware all omegas looked like each other.”
Julian shot him a sharp look before averting his gaze. “Stop making fun of me.”
“I’m not making fun of you.” Devlin stopped and turned, blocking his view. “Julian, look at me.”
Julian finally did. “Stop pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about,” he said, glowering at him fiercely. “You thought I was a beta when we first met.”
“I thought you were a beta because you don’t smell like an omega,” Devlin said slowly, eyeing him. “It had nothing to do with your physical appearance. If we go by physical appearance, you look very much like an omega.”
Julian made a skeptical sound.
Shaking his head, Devlin touched Julian’s cheek with his knuckles. Stroked it. “You have perfect skin,” he stated quietly. “Silky soft and smooth. Alphas and betas don’t have such skin.” He took Julian’s hand and, lifting it, rubbed the soft palm against his own rough, stubbled cheek. “See?”
“Oh.” Julian’s cheeks were pink now. “That’s all?” he said, snatching his hand away and shoving it into his pocket.
Devlin hesitated. “Your build is very… omega,” he finally said.
“Huh?”
Devlin ran a hand through his hair. “You’re curvy in all the right places,” he said stiffly, looking at the sea exhibit in the distance. He should probably return to Liam’s side now.
“Ha! I’m telling Liam you ogle my ‘right places’!”
When Devlin whipped his head around to stare at him, he found Julian grinning triumphantly despite his blush.
Devlin laughed. “Newsflash, brat: all unmated alphas look at those places, regardless of their intentions. No ogling is necessary. It’s an instinct. We notice these things.”
Julian shot him an uncertain look before lifting his pointy chin. “Your point being?”
Devlin tapped his thumb against Julian’s small nose, feeling a rush of affection. “My point being, you’re not unattractive. When I’m your alpha, I’ll find you a good spouse and I don’t expect it to be difficult.”
Julian glared at him, but there was something strange in his expression now. Something almost… fragile.
“You will not be marrying Liam,” he said.
“Why not?” Devlin said. “I know your first impression of me wasn’t the best, but you know my intentions are good. I’ll treat your brother well. I promise.” He looked the young omega in the eyes. “I’ll take care of you, too.”
Julian swallowed, just looking at him for a moment.
Then he turned and strode toward the jungle.
Frowning, Devlin hesitated, looking between the sea exhibit in the distance and Julian’s retreating back. He really should go back to Liam, use the opportunity Julian was giving him.
But Liam had their guide with him. Julian was younger and more vulnerable. He could get lost. Or get hurt. Although there weren’t supposed to be dangerous animals in the outdoor exhibits open to the public, entering them alone still wasn’t recommended.
Devlin gritted his teeth, frustrated with himself. The politician in him knew going back to Liam was the right choice. But his alpha instincts urged him to follow the more vulnerable omega and make sure he was all right.