After dinner, Xael did exactly what Skylar thought she would do. She went to sleep. Going straight to her room after doing the dishes, she collapsed on the bed. Her pups didn't bother to move from their spot, laying on the floor by the couch, as they knew she was well protected and not in any distress. Skylar let Shado know he wanted to talk to him alone on the back deck. Her Grams would be inside watching over her if she needed anything. Shado wanted to stay with her, but figured it was best to honor what his Elder wanted. The two headed to the deck as Ms. Emma looked at them and smiled. Again she was thrilled that they were taking things slow.
The Alphas made it to the deck and took up seats around the unlit fire pit. "Adam, I'm gonna be straight with you. Xael's getting ready to go into a massive heat. Her body can't help it, especially since she's never really mated yet and this seems to be her first real heat. That's why she's been sleeping so much, her body is forcing her to conserve energy. The more time she spends with you, the more you're triggering her hormones and the more she has to fight to control it."
"I'm what??"
"You heard me...True Alpha."
"Shit...you know?"
"Yeah."
"How long have you known."
"I knew from the way Xael reacted to you when you came into the kitchen earlier, my Mate acted the same way. Always tired, irritable, clingy."
"What...you mean you're-"
"Like recognizes like, young Alpha."
"Whoa Sheriff, I had no idea you were a True Alpha."
"Yeah. I keep it hidden just like you. People tend to treat us differently for some reason. But that's not what I want to talk to you about. I want to talk to you about Xael and her being an Omega since you've never been with one."
"Okay, what about it?"
"You probably started her heat the moment she let you scent her. She's fighting her body to stay in control of not letting her heat start until you know what to expect and what she needs from you. Plus she may not be emotionally ready to mate yet. You need to be careful when you two do mate Adam, you have the potential to seriously hurt her. Even though she's strong, you're a True Alpha. Her Grandmother said she's not a typical Omega, which we both know, but still. Once you mate, you do not leave her side, do you understand?"
"I don't understand, why does everyone think I'll hurt her?"
"Because that's the nature of a True Alpha. Once we get exposed to our Mate's full scent, especially when it's an Omega in heat, our wolves will take over. When that happens, they will make their Omegas submit to them. Xael is not one to submit so easily, and neither will her wolf. She's taking extra care and time so that her wolf grows to trust you. The more her wolf trusts you, the less force your wolf will use when mating. My Mate and I were the same way. We took an entire two weeks to build trust between us, and even then, I unintentionally hurt her when I lost control. It took her 2 weeks to heal and recover, and I never left her side for a second.
An Omega's heat scent, especially an unmated Omega, is nothing to fool around with. It's dangerous for them to be around Alphas. Unmated Alphas have been known to kill Omegas in heat, the scent drives them out of their minds, literally. Xael knows this, which is why I think she's kept hers suppressed. Now do you understand?"
Shado had to sit there for a minute with his head in his hands, letting everything the Elder Alpha had just told him sink in.
"I understand."
"Good, Omegas are a complete 180 from female Alphas. Xael will be extremely vulnerable after mating. She will need you next to her, healing her until she recovers, I'm sure she'll tell you all this when you talk but I want to make sure you know. Xael will need you to protect her. And she'll be clingy, but that's only because of the vulnerability Omegas experience after mating. So don't be surprised if you find yourself being super protective of her afterwards. Even though she can go into Alpha mode, she's still an Omega."
"I see. Thanks Skylar, for everything."
"Not a problem Adam, now let's get inside. I don't think you will have your talk tonight, but Em might want to talk to you also. Xael's gonna start calling for you before too long."
"Calling for me?"
Skylar couldn't believe how the young Alpha could be so absolutely clueless about Omegas.
"Yes, when an Omega needs their Alpha, they'll whimper as if in pain. It triggers the Alpha into a need to protect. They usually do it when asleep, unconscious or if they are in pain."
The two headed into the house. Sure enough, when Shado looked into the bedroom, there was a large ball under the blankets that was now flanked by two equally large dogs. Ms. Emma motioned him to sit next to her, grabbing a nearby chair, he did just that.
"Oh Adam hun, I'm so glad Xael has you as her Mate."
"So am I Ms. Emma. I never thought I'd find anyone to form another Mate Bond with, let alone another True Mate." She motioned for Skylar to shut Xael's door.
"It's all the work of Spirit my dear."
Skylar took a seat on the couch. He was curious about what Ms. Emma would discuss with the young Alpha.
"Listen, Adam. Xael is worried about telling you everything about herself. Her parents stressed to her the importance of keeping what she really is a secret. So please, be patient with her. It will take time, but she'll grow to trust you."
"I understand. Whatever she needs, I'll do."
"I know you will dear. Now, go to your Mate, she's been calling for you!"
Shado again thanked both of the Elders for their help and advice and quietly made his way into the bedroom. The pups raised their heads and moved to the foot of the bed, quickly laying back down, they finally rested now that their momma's Mate was with her. Taking off the hoody, he slid into bed next to her. Still asleep, she moved and snaked around him. Shado laughed and pulled her against him even more as he tried to sleep.
Shado woke to the smell of coffee, bacon and an empty bed. Sitting up, he stretched and adjusted his eyes to the brightness. Xael walked into the room, she was already dressed for the day and had on one of her head wraps. She didn't say anything as she sat next to him on the bed and snuggled up to him, pulling her long legs up against him. The Deputy wrapped his arms around her and held her as she nuzzled into his neck. Xael just sat there, not really saying anything as she enjoyed the scent and feel of the Alpha. After a few minutes, she finally spoke.
"Adam?"
"Yeah babe?"
"You're a True Alpha, aren't you?" She raised her head to look at him, her grey eyes sparkled at him. Xael had a pretty good idea that he was, but wanted to verify it.
It seemed that everyone in the house knew his secret. He gently caressed her face with his thumb. "And what makes you think that, beautiful?"
"Because you're throwing me into heat and only a True Alpha can do that. Usually within the first week of scenting their Mate." Xael continued to stare intently at the Alpha.
"Yeah, I am."
Xael smiled at him and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Alrighty then, in that case, I need to keep some space between us." She sat up, but stayed close to him.
"Why?"
"Because Adam, at any time your pheromones can get to the point that I'm suddenly in heat. Doesn't matter when or where. So I need to be careful around you, your wolf wants to mate and the urge will only get stronger."
"I see, so what does that mean exactly?"
"It means that I can't spend too much time in your scent right now. I need a break to let my head clear. That's why I'm so exhausted lately, it's taking a lot for me to regulate my heat. I'm not quite ready yet."
"I understand babe, but it's not going to be easy!"
"Who are you telling, I'm about ready to eat you alive right now." Xael got up to dig her backpack out from under the bed. Getting on her knees, she wiggled her butt in the air, unintentionally of course.
"Xael, are you serious right now? Your ass in the air isn't helping!"
"Oh hush!"
Digging out the backpack, it was big enough for a few days' worth of clothes. She went to the dresser and began placing items inside.
"You going somewhere?"
"I'm packing this and will keep it with me just in case you do throw me into heat and I'm not at home when it happens. This way, all you have to do is get me to your place. I'll have everything I need in this bag." She placed the medicine bundles on the top.
"My place? You don't want to mate here?"
"Oh hell no! That is NOT an option!"
"And why not?"
"Because, my scent will clear the entire house for a week. Your place, it will just be the two of us, and it will be safer for me if no other Males are around."
"Ughh...God, I need to clean my apartment!"
The two laughed. Shado was relieved that Xael was open and explaining what was going on with her. But now he was hungry and She could tell.
"Breakfast is almost ready!" She zipped up the pack and gave him another quick kiss before heading to the kitchen. Walking into the kitchen, she gave her Grams and Skylar a hug. Her Grams didn't want to get to work that early as the menu was an easy one so not much prep was needed. She had fixed the guys BLTs. Xael sat the bag in a chair and stood in the middle of the floor, thinking of what else she needed.
"Grams? You have an extra sage/cedar bundle?"
"Yeah, I'll get it after I wash up dishes."
Skylar noticed her pack.
"What's up with the pack Pupkins?"
"Uh, it's in case I go into heat..." Xael looked away a little embarrassed. Skylar was trying not to laugh at her.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about pup, my Mate went through the same thing."
Xael sat and pierced him with her grey eyes and scrunched her face up at him as she already knew what he meant. Her forehead landed on the table with a thud.
"Great...I'm in a house with 2 True Alphas!" Her Grams patted her on the back. Setting the other BLT next to Xael for the deputy, the older woman went towards the mantle in the living room for the sage bundle Xael wanted.
Xael pushed the plate across to the other side of the table. Shado came in dressed for work and started to sit next to Xael. She turned with a confused look and growled at him.
"I need you to sit over there!" She pointed to the plate.
Skylar laughed at the two of them. Shado wasn't amused. "You're not helping things either, Skylar."