Page 4 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

Not yet.

“Alpha, sir.” Cameron tensed as he saluted him. “Sascha is doing well. I made sure he received warm clothing, blankets, water and…” Cameron inhaled then cleared his throat. “Nutritious snacks.”

Brandon arched his eyebrows. “I see. Well done.” He frowned. “Sascha is his name?”

Cameron nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Hmm.” He decided his omega had a lovely name. “All right. Make sure he remains safe and comfortable until it’s time for us to head to the Wolf Creek Pack.”

Cameron tilted his head. “Sir?”

Right when he was patting himself on the back for choosing wisely when it came to choosing a guardian for his omega, Brandon wondered if he’d made a mistake. Perhaps the battle and the stress over the change in his own circumstances had clouded his judgement.

“What part of what I requested is unclear?”

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t mean to question. It’s just that he mentioned his mom would be worried about him back at the Yukon Delta—”

“The last place I want him is back with the Deltas!”

Cameron’s eyes widened. “Of course, I didn’t mean to… Sorry. Whatever you want, sir. You just tell me and I’m on it. Yup. No worries there. I’m at your command.”

Brandon pinched the bridge of his nose. The cute young beta with the amber eyes and light brown, wavy hair clearly wanted to please him. He couldn’t deny what a turn-on submission had always been for him. But, not only did he already have a mate, the guy was merely fulfilling his duty as a beta. It didn’t mean anything beyond that. His nervousness likely had to do with his youth and inexperience in such an intense situation.

“Good to know.” Brandon’s eyes darted to the SUV then back to Cameron. His omega was still staring. He rubbed the back of his neck. It would be the proper move for him to at least say something to Sascha. “Right. So, I have a lot to wrap up here still, and it might be a while before it’s time to head to the Wolf Creek Pack. In the meantime, I’m trusting you with his life. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir. Very.”

Cameron tucked one side of his hair behind his ear and Brandon mentally slapped himself for again thinking this man who wasn’t his mate was cute.

Brandon glanced over his shoulder once more at the truck currently housing his omega, then angled his body so he could face Cameron. Now neither Sascha nor Cameron could see each other’s expressions, and Brandon wouldn’t be distracted by Sascha.

Brandon locked eyes with Cameron. “I’m also trusting you with something else.”

Cameron nodded with enthusiasm. “Yes, sir. Like I said, I’m your wolf. Whatever you need.”

Cute, but gabby.

“That omega…Sascha. He’s my mate. My fated mate.” Brandon waited for a reaction, but Cameron didn’t seem a bit fazed by that morsel of information. “However…”

Brandon tried not to wince. No matter how he explained his situation, it wasn’t going to paint him in the greatest light. Why he cared so much that Cameron thought well of him, he couldn’t imagine. That he wanted Sascha to admire him made sense. But a random beta he’d just met the day before?

Brandon shook his head to bring himself back to the present. He didn’t have time to indulge in regret or embarrassment. “However, I need you to be discreet until I can get back and explain things to my pack.

“Oh, sure.” Cameron bit his lip. “But… Well, he’s far enough along that people will probably notice he’s pregnant. Just sayin’.”

Brandon scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, there’s that.” In truth, that wasn’t what he’d been thinking about. Now things were doubly awkward. “But there’s also the fact that no one in my pack, or any of the council… They don’t know… Well, you see…” Brandon crossed his arms in frustration. “No one knows I’m gay.”

Cameron’s mouth formed an ‘o’. “Um, can I ask why?”

“Nope.”

Cameron nodded. “Gotcha. But I just want to put it out there that I’m here for you. You know, if you ever want to talk about the whole being gay thing, need advice and so on…” Cameron cleared his throat as Brandon glared him down. “Or not.”

“Not. I’m fine with being gay. I just never felt the need to share that fact with anyone.” Brandon shook his head and wondered if he’d remembered to put some antacids in his gear bag. “I have to get moving. I’ll keep you updated.”

“Sir?”

Brandon had already been about to turn around, but he paused and regarded Cameron again. “Yes?”