“You! I have to go hunting you down instead of seeing you hovering outside like a father waiting for the mother of his child to give birth! You did it, you gorgeous little fiend.”
I shook my head. “Did it?”
“Yes, my sweet, darling Puss. You precious jewel! Ha. I shall wear you in sunlight,” he pulled me to him and buried his nose to my throat to scent me. His other hand slipped down to cup my bottom and draw me close so that I could feel how hard he was. “You won, Hartwell. The bill passed. The Omega Property Act. You brought them to their knees. It will always be yours. Your victory and no one else’s.”
“Syon? You cannot mean it?” my heart swelled with joy. Perhaps the joy growing exponentially as he continued to call me Hartwell even while he got used to calling me Viola.
Syon wrapped an arm around my waist and hoisted me into his arms. Without acknowledging anyone he strode out of the houses of parliament and into his waiting carriage.
“You have until we reach home to explain why you are wearing men’s clothing.”
“I left in men’s clothing,” I told him.
“Oh? I told you to put on your gown.”
“I could not... You... you,” I swallowed and let out a nervous laugh. “You rendered it unwearable before you left. I wanted to be on time.”
“What?”
“It was ripped down the back.”
“What should that matter if you were wearing a cloak.”
“I thought it would be quicker to wear men’s clothing and walk,” I shrugged. “I wanted the fresh air. Syon, mark me. Make me yours.”
“We will pretend that you didn’t walk from Orley House to Westminster in men’s clothing.”
Which was not the reaction I had hoped for. “But Syon!”
“Not until we are in your nest,” he grunted but he shifted me until I was straddling him. His face grew serious. “When are you going to answer me? No, Viola, look at me.”
“Why aren’t you angry? I was so sure you would… Spank me!”
“Spank you?”
“Discipline me for dressing like this.”
“Would you like to be spanked? Fear not. I’m more like to hide you for putting yourself in danger than wearing breeches that show off your bottom to perfection. Little omegas should not be taking such risks...”
I searched his face for any lingering resentment but couldn’t find it. “I lied to you, Syon. Doesn’t that mean anything?”
“Did you ever lie to me? Putting the question of your dynamic to one side. Did you?”
“No... I wooed Olivia in your name… I didn’t lie about that.”
“Only she fell for you?” He chuckled.
“It was a horrible mistake.” I blushed. I’d told him the whole and been mortified as he howled with laughter at the idea of the tiny omega professing her love. He laughed at my blindness in not recognising either of their affections.
“You are just too alluring. I’m lucky Paxton and Fordom are so caught up with your sister. They have no problem with sharing.”
“Syon. Stop. Please. I do not want to be thinking of my siblings or the people...”
“Come here.”
I thought he meant to kiss me but instead used the hand on the back of my neck to bring my head down to his shoulder. Then his deep purr began. As comforting as his purr was his scent. And on him, I could smell myself. He’d fucked me against his desk before leaving to give his speech. I found my own purr rising. Even if I had not claimed him as my mate, there would be no mistaking it. No alpha or omega would be able to ignore our combined scents.
We arrived home and after a perfunctory celebration with the servants, Syon dragged me to the duchess’s nest. We’d been living in sin together since my heat, and I loved every moment I spent in my nest.