Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/638581.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Supernatural_RPF
  Relationship:
      Jensen_Ackles/Jared_Padalecki
  Character:
      Jared_Padalecki, Jensen_Ackles
  Additional Tags:
      Alpha/Beta/Omega_Dynamics, Alpha/Omega, Knotting, Claiming, Mating
      Cycles/In_Heat, Mating, Anal_Sex, Hand_Jobs, Age_Difference, Age_Swap,
      Barebacking, Dubious_Consent, Underage_Sex, Alternate_Universe_-
      Historical, Alternate_Universe_-_Regency, Alpha_Jared, Omega_Jensen
  Stats:
      Published: 2013-01-14 Words: 6218
****** Duke of Truths ******
by mznaughty01
Summary
     Why accepting a ride home from a relative stranger even in the 19th
     century was not a good idea (or how Jensen thought he was an Alpha
     until Jared set him straight...with the use of his knot).
     AN: Yeah, read with a grain of salt as I'm no history buff ;-)
Notes
     Historical version of the following prompt from SPN_Kink_Meme:
     Jensen's parents always warned him against hitchhiking, but when his
     friends flake out on him at a party, his phone gets wrecked and he
     misses the last bus, he feels he has no other choice if he wants to
     try and get home.
     When alpha Jared gives him a ride home, Jensen's body reacts by going
     into heat, Jensen's first, it's also the moment he realizes he's an
     omega, instead of an alpha or beta as he expected to be. Jared tries
     to resist, but the pull of an unclaimed Omega is too much, and he
     ends up knotting and claiming Jensen. When Jensen comes to his
     senses, he runs away, and Jared feeling guilty as it is, lets him go.
     Only six months later when Jensen goes in his second heat, nothing
     seems able to help, because only the alpha that claimed him can
     release him from his heat.
The night air enveloped Jensen in its frigid embrace as he stepped onto the
veranda, providing him with a needed reprieve from the relentless heat that had
plagued him for the past hour. He didn’t stop walking until he reached the
corner created by the short handrail butting up against the longer one, which
put him as far from the opened double doors he’d just exited as possible.
Still, laughter mixed with the other sounds of loud revelry from the patrons
within rode out to his ears on the melodic notes of the ongoing quadrille.
This ball, hosted by Abigail Seville, wife of the Marquess of Charleston, was
the place to be. Just about every sought after Alpha was present as was just
about every eligible Lady and every eligible Omega. The meddling mamas of the
latter two groups were also all present, right along with their plots and plans
and dreams of securing enviable offers for their little darlings.
Meat market, was how Jensen’s father had referred to the ordeal in whole
several times since the Ackles’ family had arrived in town from their country
estate. His disdain had been evident in the scoff which had preceded the two
words and the shake of his head after he had spat them out. But his disillusion
had always given way to a doting smile whenever his gaze landed on the hopeful
face of MacKenzie, the youngest of his three offspring. She was of age and had
already been presented to the King’s Omega Consort and, therefore, was an
active contributor in said meat market, just as was Viscount Alan Ackles’ wife.
At the age of ten and seven, a scant year older than his sister, Jensen didn’t
warrant a formal introduction to polite society nor was he expected to mate yet
and wouldn’t be expected to do so for another few years to come. He was a young
Alpha, or he would be a young Alpha just as soon as his lazy body decided to
grace him with his knot, and Alphas weren’t held to the same restrictive
standards as Ladies and Omegas. Alphas needed more time than their child
bearing counterparts to mature and to outgrow their rampant aggressiveness.
Rather than receiving encouragement to remain pure, Alphas were told to sow
their wild oats to get it all out of their blood early so they could be ideal
mates later. The extra time also allowed Alphas to establish themselves either
through their own successful ventures and forays into business, if they were
second or third born, or by prepping to take over the titles and lands to
eventually be passed down to them, if they were in line to inherit, thus making
for a more desirable catch all around.
And that was why Jensen was in attendance at this soiree although his parents
and sister were not. MacKenzie had come down the day before with a bad case of
the ague which had left her in absolute despair and with a flushed complexion
complete with a bright red nose most resplendent. Although Jensen hadn’t been
put out over the thought of staying home for a quiet evening spent with his
family, he’d shown up to the ball at his baby sister’s request, to act as her
eyes and ears, and also because his father had all but shoved him out the door
of their townhouse with a demand that Jensen, “Go and have a good time, boy.”
So Jensen had sent a missive to Lord Misha Collins requesting he come pick him
up. Collins was the heir apparent to the Earl of Hightower, a title his
childless elder brother currently held. He was also the head of The Roguish
Rakehells, a group of young, unmated Alphas who, together, attended the social
events thrown by members of the le bon ton followed up afterwards with visits
to the gaming hells and, later still, the houses of ill repute. On several
occasions, Collins had invited Jensen to join The Rakes and participate in
their debauchery and tonight had been the perfect opportunity for Jensen to
take Collins up on his offer.
Unfortunately, very soon into his evening, Jensen had found himself more than a
little repulsed by his company of choice and his disgust was the reigning
reason he’d escaped out to the terrace. The Rakes kept a running scorecard
which included dates and the names of certain Ladies and Omegas...it also
included brief descriptions of the illicit acts they’d persuaded their naive
prey into either performing on or with them.
March 28th, Omega Jake Abel: Bestowed upon CMM a kiss to the head of his
manhood – 3 pts
March 30th, Lady Sophia Bush: MC convinced the lovely lady into letting him cup
one lovely mound – 2 pts
April 1st, Lady Sandra McCoy: CK achieved full penetration – 5 pts!!!
April 4th, Omega Aldis Hodge...
There was enough information contained in that little black book to bring quite
a few to ruin and to render them unsuitable for mating if the details were to
ever get out. Although unchaste behavior was the norm for Alphas (out in the
country, even Jensen had copped a feel or three of the wet flesh between the
legs of the more brazen servant girls and the wanton omegas), it was also
understood that they were to slake their desires with ladybirds and omegajays
of the evening and not with Ladies and Omegas of the ton.
Thank God, the name of Jensen’s little sister hadn’t been recorded anywhere in
that book. If it had been—
“You’re Ackles’ youngest son, right?”
The deep voice shocked Jensen because he had failed to realize he wasn’t as
alone as he had thought. He turned around and peered through the darkness,
immediately locating the large form of an obvious Alpha who sat in the shadows
sprawled out in the center of the bench pressed flush to the exterior wall of
the ballroom. “I am and you would be...?”
Sitting forward, prominent features becoming visible, the man said, “Jared
Padalecki, Duke of—”
“Bridgemon,” Jensen finished. “Although I have never before made your
acquaintance, I am very well aware of who you are, Your Grace.”
A low chuckle filled the night. “Well, you did ask.”
Spine stiffened from the unexpected skitters the friendly sound sent running up
and down it, Jensen concurred, “You are correct, I did.”
“And I am also correct in my statement that you are Ackles’ youngest boy.”
Hazels woven through with shades of warm blues and riveting greens regarded
Jensen from a handsome face of refined cheekbones and angular lines made
sharper by the brown locks tied back in a messy queue. “I saw you at Almack’s a
few weeks back, but never have I seen you before this year. Your first season,
then, I take it?”
“My sister’s first.”
“And what about you?”
“Just here to act as a chaperone when our parents are too tired or otherwise
occupied.”
“Hmmm.” The Duke reclined back against the bench again, once more becoming
cloaked in darkness. “But who is to act as a chaperone for you?”
Now Jensen’s spine was stiffened for an altogether different reason. His knot
may not have yet formed, but Jensen was tall, broad of shoulder, an Alpha
through and through, just like his father and older brother both were. “I
apologize, Your Grace, but I am an Alpha and, as such, do not require or need a
chaperone.”
“An Alpha? I know not who you are trying to deceive here—”
“I am what I am. It is not necessary for me to try and deceive anyone.” Of all
the people for Jensen to show blatant disrespect towards, Jared Padalecki was
not one of them. The Padaleckis were related to the ruling monarch and very
powerful with a very old family name and even older money. If the Duke decided
to take umbrage with Jensen’s impertinence, not only would Jensen be affected,
his entire family would be as well. And MacKenzie’s chances for a respectable,
lucrative mating would decrease to less than nil in the blink of an eye with
just a direct cut from the Duke.
But damn if Jensen could help himself. It rankled that the Duke had just
presumed he wasn’t an Alpha.
“What’s your name, young Ackles?”
“Jensen, Your Grace.”
“Jensen, I may be many things, but not a fool or a degenerate. In my thirty
years, I have never wanted to take another Alpha to my bed.” A single beat
passed. “But you? You I want to fuck.”
“Your grace—”
“Answer just one question for me and answer it truthfully. If you give the
right answer, then my sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding. Hell, if
you desire, I’ll even take my leave for the night so that you don’t have to
worry about crossing paths with me again.”
It was on the tip of Jensen’s tongue to tell the Duke to go fuck himself, but
he truly couldn’t afford such a misstep. His sister would be devastated, her
heart broken beyond all repair, his parents disappointed. “Anything Your Grace
would like to know,” Jensen gritted between clenched teeth, “he has only but to
ask.”
“What I would like to know, Jensen, is if you really have a knot?”
Jensen inhaled a sharp, revealing breath before he could help himself. “Y-y-
yes.”
The Duke stood and stepped forward, into the dim glow of light escaped through
the fluttering drapes covering the doors leading to the ballroom. He was
massive in both height and breadth. “Do you now? Truly?” There was the briefest
flash of dimples. “Mind showing me? Just for verification purposes, you
understand.”
“I very much mind.” Beads of perspiration dotted Jensen’s brow that he swiped
away with the back of a hand. A few steps separated him from the Duke, but
Jensen felt like the man was right on top of him, a human furnace blasting out
wave after wave of sweltering heat. Even taking into consideration how
uncomfortable he had been inside the ballroom a few moments before, with the
gaggle of bodies pressed close on every side, Jensen was the hottest he’d been
all night, right at that very moment, just from being under the close scrutiny
of a set of amused honey tinted orbs.
A racket from below drew Jensen’s attention away from the Duke. The distraction
was very much welcomed.
Until he saw that it was caused by Collins and Kane and Murray and Kelly, all
being loud and crass per their usual, as they entered the coach bearing the
garish colors and crest of the Collins’ family. The Rakes were obviously on the
way to the next stop in their evening of decadent entertainment.
And on their way without an apparently forgotten about Jensen.
“Bloody hell,” Jensen cursed. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he leaned
over the handrail and yelled after the departing coach, “Collins, wait! Stop,
man! Collins—”
“Why are you calling out for that little arsehole?” the Duke growled, large
hand landing on Jensen’s shoulder and yanking him back and around until they
faced one another again. Amusement faded, darkened and intense ambers stared at
Jensen from a distance that was way too close.
“That little arsehole is my ride home.” Irritated, Jensen jerked free of the
grip which scorched his flesh even through the several layers of clothing he
wore and backed away until the Duke’s spicy scent didn’t saturate his nose with
every breath he took.
“You have got to be—you were here with them? And your father—”
“Knows where I am and who I am with.”
“And he’s not concerned about your reputation.”
“Why would he be? I’m, ah, Jesus, is it a bit hot out tonight?” Tugging at his
neckcloth in hopes that the chill of the blowing breeze would cool him off,
Jensen continued, “What was I just saying—oh, yes, that I am—”
“An Alpha, yes, pardon me for forgetting.” Head tilted to the side, escaped
wayward tendrils covered the Duke’s broad forehead in artful curls. “I know we
haven’t exactly gotten off on the best foot here, but since your ride home has
departed, allow me to give you a lift instead?” He smiled, disarming and
bright, dimples in full force. “Besides, I haven’t yet had an opportunity to
speak with your father this season. We haven’t seen each other in years and
there are some things I most definitely need to discuss with him.”
The temptation was high to turn down the offer just on the basis that the Duke
was a pompous cad. But Jensen realized the sweat and blazing inferno cooking
him from the inside out must be due to having caught the damn fever from
MacKenzie. He just wanted to get home and to crawl into his bed and the Duke
would be the quickest and easiest way to accomplish that goal.
“Yes,” Jensen relented. “I would, ah, definitely appreciate a ride, Your
Grace.”
“Henceforth, you may refer to me as Jared.”
“Very well, then.” Hot, dizzy, Jensen blinked his eyes to try and bring his
wavering surroundings back into focus. “As I was saying, Jared, I would, er,
definitely appreciate that, uh, ride home.”
                                       *
Jared stared at the Omega across from him. The Omega across from him who was in
the throes of an intense heat that had descended on him with a rapid
fierceness. And from the way Jensen squirmed becomingly all over the place, and
as he had also willingly discarded his silk cravat and embroidered waistcoat in
front of an Alpha who wasn’t a loved and trusted family member as soon as he’d
climbed into the coach, Jared was willing to bet Jensen had no idea as to what
was happening in that sweet, sweet body of his.
Even if Jensen was just now experiencing his first heat, four years or so later
than the average age when most Omegas did, it flabbergasted Jared that Jensen
had ever looked at a reflection of himself and honestly thought he was going to
be an Alpha. Even more staggering was that Jensen’s father had also subscribed
to the same rubbish, obviously never having taken any measures to verify that
the boy had actually developed a knot, and let Jensen out of the house without
a proper chaperone to accompany him at all times. Despite his height and build,
which were both more characteristic of an Alpha than an Omega, Jensen’s
prettiness was the biggest hint as to his nature.
The boy put every single preening Lady and simpering Omega presented on the
mating market this season, and in all the seasons prior, to shame.
Head twisting and turning against the seat back, short dark blond strands stuck
to his forehead in wet clumps, Jensen’s pink lips were parted open in an
enticing moue and he blew out rapid puffs of air between them. His lids were
shut tight over his dark green eyes, his long and thick lashes fanned out
across the top of his ruddy cheeks. Sweat poured down his face in rivulets, his
body’s futile effort to try and cool itself down.
At the moment, there was only one thing available that would lower Jensen’s
elevated temperature. Something located right between Jared’s thighs, at the
base of his cock. And it was the real thing, not the toy gifted at the start of
puberty to those boys who had just learned of their Omega natures to be used as
a lacking substitute up until the time they were mated and as a barely
tolerable alternative afterwards on those rare occasions their heats hit but
their Alphas were unavailable to take care of them.
Jared should say no, wanted to say no, to turn down the mindless proposal being
made.
But he was going to say yes.
Groaning, he pressed down on his interested manhood with the flat of his palm.
With Jensen’s moist fragrance heavy in the air, the restraining touch felt
magnified by a thousand, causing Jared’s hips to buck upwards in search of
more.
On first sighting Jensen at Almack’s a few weeks back, Jared had known
immediately he wanted him. A few well placed, discreet questions and he had
learned the family name of the Omega he’d determined then and there he would be
courting, but hadn’t gotten the chance to learn much else as he’d shortly
thereafter been waylaid by the manager of his shipping business. The man had
sought Jared out to discuss the serious discrepancies that existed with the
quantities of the latest shipment of goods just arrived from the West Indies.
Running into a stranded Jensen at the Sevilles tonight had been a fortuitous
turn of events, though Jared had never planned to drop his suit to begin with.
He had planned, however, to go about it in the right manner, but current
circumstances would be trumping his good intentions.
Jared was an unmated Alpha, Jensen an unmated Omega in heat. Nature was going
to prevail here. And, as Jared had always possessed every intention of knotting
Jensen and marking him up with his seed as his own, the newest mated pair of
the season would be born.
With a rap of his knuckles against the ceiling to get his coachman’s attention,
Jared commanded, “Keep driving until I give further direction.” Then he lowered
the shades over the windows to prevent prying eyes from witnessing the intimacy
that was about to occur and knelt on the floor in front of Jensen, noting with
approval the whine which escaped Jensen’s mouth and how his legs parted open to
grant Jared implicit access. Deft fingers unbuttoning the fall flap of first
Jensen’s breeches, then his own, Jared comforted, “All is going to be fine,
sweetheart, I know exactly what you need.”
He skinned the snug pants off Jensen’s muscled legs, progress halted only long
enough to rid Jensen of his knee high riding boots and stockings. Jensen clawed
at the only remaining piece clothing he wore, his long shirt, but Jared soon
divested him of that as well. That left everything revealed to Jared’s starving
gaze.
Jensen’s pale, freckled flesh was pink with heat. His pretty shaft, erect and
straining. His shiny hole, situated at the very edge of the seat, begging for a
good fuck.
Jesus, if Jensen had gotten into that coach with The Rakes, there would have
been no mercy. They would have all had a go with him, their legitimate excuse
being they were young Alphas still ruled by their baser instincts, leaving
Jensen ruined to the point retirement to his family’s country home as damaged
goods would have been necessary. As it was, that Jensen had been out cavorting
with them at all, and from what he had revealed earlier, out at other times
with just his sister at his side, gossiping tongues would be wagging behind
closed doors once it became common knowledge that Jensen was an Omega.
A low growl rumbled through Jared’s chest. He pulled his own long shirt out of
the way, and slotted himself between parted thighs moist with escaped
slickness.
He was about to stake his claim and God help anybody foolish enough to try and
test it or anybody stupid enough to question his decision. This mating would
outweigh any stigma society tried to place on Jensen as Jensen’s new social
status would outweigh just about the entirety of the ton, the sole exception
being Jared’s relatives of royal blood. And Jared could not give a shite as to
whatever potential objections they might raise.
Jared kissed away the desperate whimpers from Jensen’s luscious lips. When he
pulled back, Jensen surged towards him, searching for more of the contact. “You
want it just as bad, yeah?” Jared questioned. “Need it?”
But Jensen was too far gone to respond. So Jared let his ripe, straining body
do the answering for him.
Tip of his organ placed at Jensen’s entrance, Jared rocked forward, motion
aligned with the gentle sway of the coach, sliding all the way into Jensen’s
wet, warmth in a single push, all the way in to the top of his knot. With a few
careful grinds of his hips, he gave Jensen the relief his body demanded by
working his prematurely inflated knot inside as well.
Palming Jensen’s dick, Jared enjoyed the heavy feel of it. Longed for more of
the moans Jensen emitted as Jared stroked it.
“Yeah, that’s it,” he encouraged, “come for me.”
The cock Jared held throbbed in response, Jensen’s essence coating his first.
With a guttural grunt, Jared brought his hand up to his mouth and lapped at the
white streaks as he spilled inside of Jensen, coating Jensen’s tight channel
with just the first pulse of seed of the many to come during the course of this
first tie.
They were mated now. And Jensen belonged to and with Jared. Til death did them
part.
                                       *
“Is it true? What they are saying?”
“Go back to bed, MacKenzie. You should be resting.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you give me an answer.”
Rather than turning to face his sister and addressing her like the proud Alpha
he apparently was not, Jensen leaned forward and rested his forehead against
the door to his father’s study. Inside, his father and Jared Tristan Padalecki
(Duke of Bridgemon, Earl of Ryleton, Baron Padalecki, Royal Knight Companion of
the Most Noble Order of the Garter and Jensen’s mate) were having a discussion
so lively it could be heard by everyone on the first floor of the townhouse.
About Jensen.
Being an Omega.
And how Jensen’s father had not known. And how it had come about that the
family physician had never examined Jensen to confirm his status.
“He was a slow bloomer,” Jensen’s father said, the defeated tone of his answer
loud and clear, “but when he approached me the morn of his fifteenth year and
announced he had finally formed a knot, I, well, I didn’t think it necessary to
contact Doc Beaver for verification because I believed Jensen. He was so
excited and so...”
A huff of laughter sounded. “He must’ve been extremely convincing.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Jensen’s father replied with a deep sigh. “And
after that day my son could always be found with his hand either up the front
of some silly chit’s skirt or down the back of some foolish lad’s pants so I
just assumed that he had told me the truth.”
“Sounds to me like a simple case of a young Omega satisfying his natural
curiosity in a harmless manner with those of his own ilk.”
“Yes, Your Grace, I suppose so. Truly, though, I guess I should’ve known.
Jensen’s the complete opposite of my oldest boy. Where Josh would’ve bedded
those girls and boys without question, Jensen settled for exploratory touches.
Where Josh has said no to me time and again, Jensen has always said yes. Where
Josh wanted to be away from me and out from under my thumb as soon as possible,
Jensen has always been satisfied with staying at home with his mother and
sister.”
When Jared next spoke, his voice was just on the other side of the door from
where Jensen stood. “Tonight could have been a disaster, Ackles. One that
should never have been possible. Coming so late in his life, Jensen’s first
heat hit fast and it hit hard. If he had still been with The Rakes when it had
happened, rather than with me—”
“It would’ve been devastating.” There were a few seconds of absolute silence.
“But I hope you understand, Bridgemon, that my strong desire for Jensen to be
an Alpha had nothing to do with my own wants and everything to do with his.
Some day you’ll comprehend what I’m talking about, but not, I suppose, until
you have sons and daughters of your own.”
To hear his father’s clear disappointment, to know that the man’s frustration
was not because he had just learned he hadn’t sired the two strong Alphas he
thought he had, but because of the hurt the revelation caused to his Omega son,
troubled Jensen. Jensen had wanted to be an Alpha, had refused to believe he
was anything but and had happily lived in his oblivious reality for years, for
his father.
And all that time his father would’ve loved him no matter what. Would’ve
considered Jensen as more than an asset to be mated off in return for social
status and prestige.
Would’ve treated and loved Jensen the same as he had always treated and loved
MacKenzie.
A hesitant touch landed on Jensen’s shoulder. “It is true,” MacKenzie stated,
sounding shocked, “you are an Omega.”
But Jensen still couldn’t find it within himself to look into his baby sister’s
eyes. He could’ve ruined her, maybe had, in fact, done exactly—
“Oh, Jensen.” Sure arms wrapped around Jensen’s waist, MacKenzie laying her
head on his back as she pulled him into a firm, comforting embrace. Her action
came just in time as the door to the study swung open at that very moment and
into the space Jensen had just vacated.
“Jensen,” his father began on seeing him there, “go upstairs and pack up your—”
“I’m not leaving with him,” Jensen interrupted.
MacKenzie’s scandalized gasp filled the silence. “You have to.”
“No, Mac, I don’t. And I won’t.” Giving a reassuring squeeze to the delicate
hands clasped together over his belly, Jensen pulled free of MacKenzie’s hold
and faced both his father and Jared with chin held high and shoulders squared.
“I will not be leaving this house with him, Father.”
“Be reasonable, boy, your heat hasn’t yet run its full course,” his father
responded. “Within the hour, you’ll need—”
“Your son’s reticence is understandable, Ackles. It’s a lot for him to have to
take in all at a single time, ending up with a mate the same night he
discovered that he is an Omega. It would be a lot for anyone to take in and I
regret that our mating occurred under such dire circumstances.” As Jared spoke,
he studied Jensen. “I’ll have my steward visit Lady Matilda’s to purchase—” a
wry glance was directed towards MacKenzie “—to make a purchase and have him to
deliver it posthaste. It won’t be the same, of course, but it will be
sufficient.”
“And four months from now? When it is his time again?”
“Well, now, four months gives me ample opportunity to woo my mate properly,
doesn’t it?” Jared answered, a small smile flitting across his face.
That night, Jensen’s body forced him into making full use of Jared’s purchase
amid his sweat drenched sheets. Just as Jared had indicated, the toy did not
provide anywhere near the same level of gratification and bone deep contentment
Jensen had awoken to in the coach, when he had been stuffed full of Jared’s
engorged, pulsing knot. In truth, it left Jensen in a state of abject misery
and unsatisfied need.
Regardless, Jensen did not care. He had his pride. For, in his mind, he was
still an Alpha. And not even a lifetime of eternities would be long enough to
make him succumb to his Omega nature.
Or to Jared.
                                       *
Jared had never suspected wooing his mate would turn out to be such trying
business.
Standing in the shadows created by the eaves of The Wise Raven’s Tavern, Jared
watched Jensen hand the reins to his mount over to a stalwart stable hand. The
stable hand was not much more than a boy, but he was an Alpha and going by his
lecherous grin and how he kept edging closer to Jensen, he was also entirely
too interested in Jared’s mate for Jared’s liking.
As soon as Jensen had his back turned, Jared stepped away from the building and
into the moonlight, letting the boy get a good look at him. Face paling and
mien fading into one of acute soberness, the stable hand backed away. And
conducted the rest of the short transaction with all the respect due to the
Duke of Bridgmon’s Consort.
Before Jensen could turn around and spot him, Jared merged into the shadows
once more. Jensen would not be happy to see him there and Jared desired to put
off that inevitable confrontation for as long as possible. Preferably, until
the time that Jensen was in so much need he would welcome Jared with open arms.
Because Jared was damn sure there would be no welcome for him which included an
open heart. The past four months had been a spectacular failure of epic
proportions.
In the beginning, Jared had oft tried to call on Jensen so they could spend
time getting to know one another. Each visit had ended up with him in the study
with Ackles keeping him company as Jensen had not been feeling well as of late
or not been up to accepting callers all afternoon or some other equally
ridiculous excuse had been presented for Jensen’s unavailability. At least
Ackles had done his deflecting with a sardonic grin for Jared. And a glass of
his finest port.
So Jared had decided from then on he would conduct his courtship of his mate in
public, using the information provided by Ackles as to where Jensen could be
located and when. Only to find himself snubbed a few days later by a blank
faced Jensen when he had rode right by Jared in Hyde Park without sparing even
a single glance for his mate. And that manner of pursuit had been soon
abandoned altogether to the backdrop of raucous laughter of all those present
on a bright morning in Rotten Row when Jensen had raised his voice to yell at
Jared who blocked his way and refused to move, “I’m sorry, my lord, but do we
know one another? If not, kindly remove yourself from my presence.”
Not all of their encounters had been such horrendous experiences, however.
There were a select few Jared could recall with fondness.
Such as Jared rescuing Jensen at Almack’s from the chaperone Ackles had
employed to watch over his two youngest, the formidable spinster Lady Samantha
Ferris. When Jensen had appeared to be seconds from wrapping his twitching
fingers around the old biddy’s neck because he couldn’t move a single step
without her being right on his heels, Jared had swooped in and whisked Jensen
outside for a needed breath of fresh air. Of course, Jensen’s appreciation had
lasted only up until the point Jared suggested he be granted a kiss for his
troubles.
“I really do loathe you,” Jensen mumbled against Jared’s lips.
“No, you really don’t.” The smug bark of laughter Jared let loose transformed
into a moan of desire when Jensen pressed himself close.
“I don’t,” Jensen confessed. “But I should.”
After that night, Jensen had at least been civil to Jared in public, if not
completely accepting of his fate. He glowered in silence rather than causing
outright mini-spectacles on the many occasions Jared had timed his arrival to
events to coincide with Jensen’s so they could be properly introduced on
entrance as His Grace the Duke of Bridgemon and His Consort. When Jared placed
his hand in the low, center portion of Jensen’s back to guide his mate onto the
ballroom floor for the lone dance per ball Jensen allowed him, done with no
small amount of reluctance on Jensen’s part, Jensen had suffered his touch with
a grimace instead of shoving Jared away.
And Jared had thought they’d reached a true pivotal point just the prior
evening, while at yet another party thrown by the Sevilles. Jared had went
searching for his mate when he noticed Jensen’s sister dancing with Viscount
Welling, Lady Ferris in an adjacent room involved in a game of whist with the
other chaperones and Jensen missing.
But find Jensen, Jared had.
Jensen had been out on the veranda again. Sat on the bench Jared himself had
occupied on their first meeting and surrounded by his former compatriots who
advised Jensen they could smell the heat coming down on him and offered to
bugger his Omega arse so good and to breach his luscious mouth so deep and
disregarded Jensen’s not so subtle request to be, “Left the hell alone, you
fucking cunts.”
Collins, the main instigator, had departed the Sevilles with a bloodied nose,
courtesy of the facer Jensen had landed. The others had also all left with
bruises aplenty, courtesy of the fists Jared had let fly which earned him a
genuine smile of gratitude from Jensen. And, as of that very morning, no doubt
as a result of the severe dressing down Jared had given the Earl of Hightower
about his brother’s reprehensible actions the night before, Lord Misha Collins
was on a boat headed to the Americas and The Roguish Rakehells were no more.
But the fact that Jensen had taken a horse from his father’s stable in the dead
of night and fled to the country far outside of the city proper, and did all of
that at the onset of his second heat rather than seeking out Jared for the
relief he needed, served as undeniable proof that Jared’s attempts to win
Jensen’s favor and affections had not been well received. With Jensen’s first
heat, Jared had retreated after staking his initial claim to give Jensen time
to get acclimated with his new lot in life. This time around there would be no
such courtesy, regardless that Jensen hadn’t yet adapted.
Jared was here to fuck Jensen. To knot Jensen. To show Jensen just who he
belonged to.
And then he would be bringing Jensen home with him.
The rickety door to the seedy inn had just banged shut behind Jensen when Jared
opened it again so he could slip inside. He took a seat at a table in a
darkened corner. Watched as Jensen engaged the owner, his movements sluggish
with the haze of the heat upon him, finally receiving a key in exchange for
several coins after a few moments of haggling. Then Jared relaxed and ordered a
tankard of ale from the passing barmaid as Jensen disappeared up the steps.
Remaining attentive, he took in all those present, making sure to stare down
any who appeared too interested in the unaccompanied Omega redolent with
beguiling sweetness.
A few shillings were tossed on the table to clear up his tab once Jared
finished his drink, then he was out of his seat and following the same path
Jensen had taken, Jensen’s intoxicating fragrance leading Jared right to where
he needed to be. On reaching his destination, Jared was taken off guard to
discover he wouldn’t have to force his way inside of Jensen’s room because the
entryway was already partway open. Jared listened from the corridor, to
determine if there was maybe an intruder present with his mate, someone who had
maybe been hidden up on the second floor and out of Jared’s sight, but he heard
nothing.
Nothing outside of the breathy moans which were the sole provenance of Jensen,
that was. And those were summons enough for Jared to push his way through the
door, closing it firmly behind him.
Jensen was laid out facedown across the bed, a naked and trembling tableau of
beauty. The toy Jared had gifted to him was nowhere to be found, thus
accounting for the potency of Jensen’s scent which spoke of a need yet to be
satisfied. It grabbed hold of Jared and propelled him the three long strides it
took to reach Jensen’s side.
“I couldn’t force myself to come to you,” Jensen whispered as he unburied his
face from the pillow.
Peeling off his riding gloves, Jared asked, “You were aware the whole time
tonight that I was following you, weren’t you? It happened exactly as you
wanted, didn’t it?”
“You have to understand, Jared, I couldn’t force myself to come to you even
though I can’t even begin to abide the thought of using that thing you bought
for me again.”
Hunkered down next to the bed, Jared leaned over and brushed a kiss against the
back of Jensen’s exposed neck, enjoying the visible full body shudder it caused
in the supple, strapping form. “Why did you run?”
“Because I desire you greatly, Your Grace. Because although I am not an Alpha,
I am certainly no Omega either. I wasn’t raised to be one. I do not know how to
be one. And, as such, I could not swallow my pride and come to you at your
residence tonight for fear that...”
A member of the ton would spot Jensen and know what midnight assignation the
cock-sure Omega was on his way to.
“Do not worry, Jensen.” With a flick of his wrist, Jared tossed his leather
gloves onto the scarred wooden surface of the single table located within the
room, then pushed up to his feet.
Jensen had been brought to point non plus, leaving him with no options. Because
Jared had the only thing Jensen would ever need.
“All is going to be fine, sweetheart,” was the assurance Jared uttered as he
undressed and climbed atop the bed. “Just fine.”
Jared would damn well make sure of it.
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!