"Isn't that boy Jax so sweet? He immediately came to talk to Arthur. What a polite kid."
As the four of them headed back home, Kelly couldn't stop praising the young boy who had instantly impressed her with how respectful he was.
Arthur knew she was more proud of him, the son she had raised to be respected like this and couldn't hide his smile as he nodded.
Well, so, if he talks about that kid, Jax, yeah, he really was a good kid.
"Carol told me he's a beta," Kelly continued, "and that he's been kind of pushed into the corners by the other students because of it. The omegas and alphas."
Arthur looked at her in surprise.
"Huh? But I'm sure there are plenty of betas in his grade. Even more than omegas, I think."
"Really? Maybe his class doesn't have many betas for him to get along with."
Arthur listened, frowning slightly. That didn't sound right. Second genders were distributed carefully into classes, specifically to prevent situations like this.
So somehow… that kid was still alone? With no friends?
But he seemed so kind. Arthur couldn't believe anyone would want to stay away from him.
He had even assumed Jax must already have a boyfriend or girlfriend. He was outgoing and undeniably sweet.
After all, even the most annoying students managed to find partners. Most students did.
Though romantic relationships were strictly forbidden, students didn't care and teachers knew it. As long as it didn't affect their studies, no one bothered to interfere.
"Maybe…"
Arthur didn't want to worry Aunt Kelly any further, so he agreed, though guilt settled in his chest. As someone with responsibility at the school, the thought bothered him.
'Maybe I can make it better by talking to him whenever I see him now that we know each other', Arthur thought.
He leaned back in his seat and, almost unconsciously, stole a glance at the silent alpha sitting beside him.
Her gaze was fixed on the dark stretch outside the window, as if she hadn't heard a single word of their conversation.
A small pang of sadness crept into Arthur's chest.
Did I talk too much? Did I annoy her?
After all, they were only dating to see if they were compatible enough to take things further, right?
Maybe… she was already bored.
Maybe… he wasn't good enough for her standards.
She was the only impressive alpha he had ever met and wished for in a romantic way.
Even that single kiss felt unreal...like a dream.
And maybe… long-term dating was just another dream he'd let himself believe in.
'Ugh, no. You can't give up so easily, Arthur.'
Arthur liked her.
Liked her enough that he would even let her mark him.
That alone made this serious.
This was the first time he'd ever felt this way. This deep and serious...
The thought of getting his heart broken terrified him but at the end of the day, some things were out of his control anyway...
Arthur sighed.
And then froze when a soft palm brushed his cheek.
He turned sharply to the alpha beside him who was fully focused on him now, eyes intent as she gently took her hand away.
"Why do you look so stressed?"
Natalia's voice was barely a whisper, yet her touch felt louder than anything else. Arthur swallowed and quickly glanced toward his aunt and uncle, making sure they hadn't noticed them in the backseat, swallowed by darkness, feeling kind of nervous.
"N-no," he whispered back.
"You are lying."
Arthur stared at her, feeling like they were playing a risky game because, in the silent night, their whispers would be loud enough for the people in front.
He hated this nervousness.
He didn't want to feel nervous about getting caught.
Even though they weren't doing anything wrong and he had been reassured by Natalia at the time that it was absolutely okay for them to be close, he still feared it.
For whatever reason, he still feared it.
Arthur pulled out his phone and typed a message, sending it to Natalia, who also pulled out her phone to check it, understanding what he was doing.
Actually, Natalia didn't like this hide-and-seek game.
Obviously, neither she nor Arthur was doing anything wrong. But this omega seemed so set on not even getting caught talking, somehow afraid of disappointing her parents. He seemed very worried about coming off as bad to them, even with the most harmless things.
But she didn't understand why he should have this kind of fear when they and he seemed so close.
To her, it was clear that her mother and father wouldn't interfere between them even if they knew she and Arthur were dating or in a relationship.
She also thought she had made it clear enough for Arthur to know that they were not siblings, and that her parents wouldn't be bothered by it or think as much about it as he did and worried.
Arthur was such an overthinker. He seemed to love to torture himself.
Sigh…
But Natalia really liked him.
He was such a good person, and she was glad she had found him and that he liked her.
Maybe this was fated to happen.
Natalia would never jump at a chance to kiss an omega she had very recently met, even if that omega smelled like the most desirable scent in the world.
But well… now she had done that.
Not only that, she wanted to date him after all those promises she made to herself during that heartbreak back in the days.
It didn't even take seconds for her to change her mind and grab that chance with Arthur.
She had never been so reckless.
She felt stupid and was even worried she might have come across as a player by kissing that innocent omega when she clearly didn't have any romantic feelings for him at the time.
For God's sake, she almost hated omegas or so she thought. But she kissed one, and now she was eager to claim that one as hers for life, immediately trusting him.
Either she was such an idiot...
Or maybe fate was interfering in her life to match her with the right person.
'I can be patient for him. I will wait, for however long he needs.'
After all, people get second chances in life.
Arthur was maybe her second chance.
Also last...
His attention and care toward her didn't feel fake and ill intentive at all. And, she hated to doubt it, even though that might cost her another heartbreak in the future.
But she still wished.
He was the one.
The real one.
Natalia watched as message after message popped, the omega next to him busily typing even more.
Natalia's lips curled into a little smile as she stared at the busy, concentrated omega whose fingertips typed furiously. He then turned to look at her a few seconds later, seemingly startled to see she was already staring at him.
A smirk left Natalia's lips, and she could swear even in the darkness, she saw him blushing as he rubbed his ear.
'Sigh... I am having way too much fun teasing this poor innocent soul.'