The problem was, the wedding celebrations were going to last three days, as was custom in Pelugia: the first day was a smaller reception at the omega’s house, the second day was a similar reception at the alpha’s house, and then there was a big joint reception on the third day in a neutral venue. Eric was expected to attend the receptions on the first and third day, and the mere thought filled him with unease. Liam had promised Eric that the wedding receptions would be fairly small, but knowing how much Liam liked fancy weddings, there was no telling what “fairly small” really meant.
The prospect of facing Pelugian high society wasn’t the only reason for Eric’s unease. He was worried his brothers might notice that there was something off about him. Eric still hadn’t told them about his health issues. Speaking of his health issues, what was to say that his hypersexuality wouldn’t be back once he was away from Hugh for a while? Eric didn’t trust his biology not to screw things up for him again.
So what were his options?
He could make up some excuse and not go to the wedding. But Eric missed his family. He did want to go.
He could also get Hugh an invitation to the wedding. This option was embarrassingly appealing, but it wasn’t without flaws, either. For one thing, he didn’t want to ask him for such a huge favor—another one—when Hugh clearly was eager to get rid of him and his problems. For another, Eric was still angry at Hugh for treating him like an idiot without any agency.
Eric was self-aware enough to admit that there was a paradox in his thoughts: part of him very much liked being treated like a baby, liked how protective Hugh was of him—it appealed to his omega instincts in a way very few things did—but he didn’t like that Hugh made everything about his age and inexperience, as if Eric couldn’t possibly know his mind. Eric wondered if Hugh’s bad experience with Nadine had skewed his perception of all young omegas.
In his weakest moments, he couldn’t help but wonder if Hugh’s fixation on his age was just a defense mechanism, to stop himself from falling for Eric. But that was just wishful thinking. He was clutching at straws. It was more likely that for Hugh Eric was just an annoying kid with a crush that he felt responsible for because of the failed treatment.
After a sleepless night of tossing and turning, Eric still hadn’t come to any decision, and his mood turned for the worse when Jules called him and told him that it would be better if he didn’t arrive alone.
“That’s what the royal press officer says,” Jules said, rolling his eyes. “He says if you are accompanied by ‘respectable individuals,’ it would be harder for people to treat you with derision. And apparently we don’t count as respectable individuals.”
“I thought you butted heads with that man.”
Jules chuckled. “I do. I ignore his words most of the time. But this is different. It’s about you. I think we should follow his advice in this case. So can you get someone as your plus one? Someone ‘respectable,’ of course.”
Eric’s mind immediately went to Hugh—because of course it did. He had a one-track mind these days.
“Royce and Haydn are plenty respectable,” Eric said.
“Of course they are, but they’re a married couple related to you through my marriage to Devlin. They don’t count. According to Cormack, we need to show that you’ve been accepted by respectable people not related to you.” Jules frowned, rubbing his belly absentmindedly. “That narrows the options down significantly.”
Eric quashed the needy voice at the back of his mind. “I’ve been introduced to several decent alphas recently. I’ll try to convince one of them to accompany me, but I doubt I’ll be able to do it. No one would want to be a plus one of a pariah.”
Jules peered at him, his eyes brightening with curiosity. “What about the alpha you like? By the way, you didn’t tell me how it went! How did he react to being told that you need him?”
Averting his gaze, Eric gave a shrug. “I don’t want to talk about it, Jules.”
There must have been something on his face because for once Jules didn’t push.
“All right,” his brother said quietly before continuing with a forced cheer in his voice. “You know what: don’t worry about a plus one! You’ll have all of us beside you, you won’t need anyone!”
Eric put on a small smile. He hoped it looked more sincere than it felt. “Yeah. You’re right. I need no alpha.”
“That’s the spirit!”
Eric closed his eyes once the call ended.
I need no alpha.
He wished it were the truth.
“Enough,” he whispered. “Stop moping. This isn’t you.” He looked around his room, searching for distractions, but for once even his computer failed to catch his interest. He didn’t want to play video games or browse the Internet.