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The sharp victory cry made Tin-Chen jolt, nearly dropping the cash box he had just flipped open. He twisted, shaking his head a little, fond, only to see Sho mid-leap, one hand thrown high - still holding his gun in a way that made Tin-Chen . . . a little nervous, though despite Sho’s casual handling of it, so far as Tin-Chen knew he had never had so much as a mishap.
So far as Tin-Chen knew, of course. He’d never seen Sho lose control of it, but it wasn’t something he’d be likely to mention if it had ever happened, either, no doubt. Tin-Chen couldn’t help his sharp awareness of it, no matter how easily Sho handled the damn things.
Sho’s gun whirled lightly through his clever fingers even as he landed, and he tucked it smoothly in his jacket pocket, spinning on his heels, grinning broadly.
Tin-Chen’s nose wrinkled, just a little, as attractive as it was - as he always was, and the display of joyous pride and confident aggression certainly no less.
Still, it wasn’t . . . quite how an omega - even a mouthy, prideful one - ought to be.
Then again, he thought. . . His gaze flicked to the petite, soft excuse for an alpha watching Sho from the far side of the room and only now beginning to approach, moving slow. With that alpha evidently the only one in Sho’s life - before Tin-Chen himself, at least - well. . . Perhaps it was no wonder Sho wasn’t quite falling in as a proper omega.
Sho snitched a cigarette out of Kei’s mouth and crowed with laughter as he snapped playfully in response - though he was not growling, as every other alpha Tin-Sen knew would have. Even with an omega. Even with pack. He let Sho dance away with his cigarette, only shaking his head slightly, smiling.
Indulgent and more besides, Tin-Chen thought, dragging his attention back to his own task, reminded by the sight of Sho rifling through desk drawers across the room. Weak, perhaps. Easily led, at least.
Tin-Chen got on with his own part, ready to head out when Sho headed for the door himself, calling for Kei over his shoulder without so much as looking back - for Tin-Chen or for Kei.
He tried to take it as confidence in him - and anyway, the fight was over and they were all standing - but that conviction wavered as Kei slouched past Sho, rubbing his face with the back of his hand, his baggy jacket sleeve falling over it, and Sho beamed at him, stride shifting to comfortably match Kei’s.
Kei glanced back at Tin-Chen, a faint hint of a smile and knowing eyes, and then away, and Tin-Chen might as well have imagined it.
He trailed after them, feeling prickled and. . .
Tin-Chen sighed, rolling his shoulders and picking up his pace.
Where the fuck were they - Sho, at least, anyway, Tin-Chen thought.
Not . . . just because he wanted to see Sho - mouthy and unusual omega he might be, but he was also eye-catchingly pretty and devotedly loyal to his pack; the draw Tin-Chen felt to him had certainly not lessened over the past months as their packs meshed, building stronger bonds together. But beyond that . . . Sho was also incredibly unlikely to disappoint Yi-Che, if he could help it - Tin-Chen rolled his shoulders, not quite comfortable with that even if Sho was an omega. He’d spent too long protecting his sister to ease up on it now, no matter who it was.
Still, the point was that Sho had promised Yi-Che he would be here tonight; Tin-Chen was only surprised he hadn’t gotten here yet.
Tin-Chen glanced up at his sister, and she turned with a smile almost immediately, as though she’d felt his gaze on her. Tin-Chen returned the smile, torn, but. . .
But Toshi was hanging around here with her, could keep Yi-Che company - and keep an eye on her - so Tin-Chen was free to leave them, leave her without worry. Just for a bit - long enough, far enough to look for Sho - and possibly Kei, who rarely if ever turned up anywhere save when he was trailing after Sho.
Some alpha, Tin-Chen thought, not for the first time.
He had passed through the park and looped around it, and was just giving up, turning back, when he heard-
Tin-Chen turned, looking back. He didn’t see Sho, but that had definitely been his voice. Tin-Chen crossed the narrow street and turned the corner just as he heard a soft, rumbling sound thick with pleasure.
He froze at the corner, eyes widening. It was Sho all right, just drawing back from Kei, a smile on his pretty mouth. His voice was lower now - too quiet for Tin-Chen to hear properly - and his attention was still fixed on Kei.
That shouldn’t have been a surprise; Sho’s attention often strayed back to Kei and stayed there, no matter what else was happening around them - and no matter who else was there, even when the whole of their newly meshed, expanded pack were together.
Tin-Chen had just never thought of it like. . .
Kei cupped his jaw, the nape of his neck, drawing him back before he could straighten, and Sho bowed to meet him. Kei’s hand slid up as their lips met, Sho’s braids catching around his fingers.
Tin-Chen flinched, eyes fixed on the slender, elegant curve of Sho’s neck bared as Kei’s hand moved.
He’d never seen a claim bite so blatant and distinct. Even in the dramas Yi-Che watched, where everything was exaggerated and- But nothing like that. Tin-Chen couldn’t believe he’d not seen the mark before - it obviously wasn’t new, clear both because of the scar itself - long healed - and the way the pair of them were tangled up in one another, the way they leaned into one another, anticipated each other, moved together. Mates.
Tin-Chen swallowed, thick and a little achy.
Sho made a soft mewing sound, giving way more easily than Tin-Chen had ever seen him - Sho who was all posturing and confidence, cocky, impossibly strong for an omega - all but melting as Kei tugged at his braids - he moaned, thrumming with a delicious purr - and stroked down his back.
Sho arched, pulling away from Kei in the process; Kei was too short - his reach too curtailed - to keep Sho close.
Tin-Chen shifted his weight, jaw clenched and almost achy, his instincts thrumming through him on a wave of uncertain discomfort.
Kei had never quite called to his instincts in such a way before - Tin-Chen had occasionally prickled at the way he always looked knowing and unimpressed, the way he held himself aloof, but Kei was always so quiet, even when he teased Sho or Toshi, gentler still - like another omega - when he spoke to Yi-Che. . .
It had never felt like a challenge, and Tin-Chen could be a relaxed alpha. Confidence and security were what made-
‟Mmn, Son.”
Tin-Chen jolted, finding Sho watching him, his dreamy blue eyes shockingly sharp, contrasting with the look on his face.
Kei still stood close, and Sho leaned into him easily, as though he were-
A proper alpha, Tin-Chen wanted to think, bitter and unhappy - displaced - but whatever his own opinion of Kei or how he held himself, how he acted - what kind of alpha, or excuse for one, he might be - he was Sho’s alpha, that was more than clear now. Chosen and bonded.
Sho was leaning easily into the alpha that was his mate, held claim on him.
And whatever Tin-Chen had wanted, it was clear that the place he had longed for . . . had never been his to take, and Kei filling it had nothing to do with him.
Tin-Chen found a smile, though it was probably not quite right - he was still reeling, and whether it was right or not, he felt an unhappy, pained twist at the rejection of his desire - and crossed his arms.
‟What’s keeping you? Yi-Che’s waiting.” Tin-Chen tilted his head, jerking it back towards the park.