the Omega's choice

3

The days that followed were a whirlwind of emotions for Nunew. He had never expected to find himself looking forward to seeing someone as much as he did with Zee. It was a new experience, and one that both excited and unsettled him. His usual routines were disrupted by thoughts of the Alpha, and he found himself replaying their conversations, analyzing every word and gesture.

Nunew wasn’t used to this level of distraction, and it unnerved him. For so long, he had prided himself on his independence, on his ability to maintain control over his life. But now, that control seemed to be slipping away, replaced by something he didn’t quite understand. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Zee—on the contrary, he liked him more than he was comfortable admitting. But that was the problem. Nunew had spent years carefully building walls around himself, keeping others at a distance to protect his freedom. And now, with Zee, those walls were starting to crack.

It didn’t help that Zee seemed to be everywhere. Their paths crossed more often than seemed coincidental, and each time they met, the connection between them grew stronger. Zee was always respectful, never pushing Nunew beyond what he was comfortable with, but there was an undeniable pull between them that Nunew couldn’t ignore.

One afternoon, a few days after their second meeting, Nunew found himself standing in front of a small art gallery on the outskirts of the city. He had been meaning to visit for a while, drawn by the promise of new and unique works by local artists. The gallery was housed in a charming old building, its walls lined with windows that let in streams of natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

As he stepped inside, Nunew felt a sense of calm wash over him. The space was quiet, with only a few other visitors wandering through the exhibits. The walls were adorned with paintings and photographs, each piece telling its own story, each one a reflection of the artist’s soul.

Nunew took his time, moving from one piece to the next, allowing himself to be absorbed by the art. It was a welcome distraction from the turmoil of his thoughts, a chance to lose himself in something beautiful and meaningful.

He was so engrossed in a particular painting—a vibrant abstract piece that seemed to pulse with energy—that he didn’t notice Zee approaching until the Alpha was standing right beside him.

“You have good taste,” Zee said softly, his voice a gentle murmur that sent a shiver down Nunew’s spine.

Nunew turned to face him, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of Zee’s familiar smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he admitted, his voice a little breathless.

Zee chuckled, a low, pleasant sound that made Nunew’s chest feel tight. “I could say the same about you. But I’m glad I did.”

They stood in silence for a moment, both of them looking at the painting in front of them. Nunew tried to calm the fluttering in his stomach, focusing on the colors and shapes rather than the Alpha standing so close to him.

“I love this piece,” Nunew said after a while, his voice quiet. “There’s so much life in it, so much emotion.”

Zee nodded, his gaze thoughtful as he studied the painting. “It’s like the artist poured their soul into it, every brushstroke a part of who they are. It’s powerful.”

Nunew glanced at him, surprised by the depth of Zee’s observation. “You understand art?”

Zee shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’m not an expert, but I appreciate it. Art is a way of expressing things that words can’t always capture. It’s like… seeing a piece of someone’s heart laid bare.”

Nunew was struck by the sincerity in Zee’s words, the way he spoke as if he truly understood the importance of art in a way that many didn’t. It was rare to find someone who shared that understanding, and it made Nunew feel a connection to Zee that went beyond simple attraction.