[Sam260]

Mayor Michael Nolan sighed as he signed the document; legally signing his son's life away when he turned eighteen.  His husband and Omega Axel stood by and watched, horror filled in his green eyes as he witnessed his mate signing their newborn son over to another man, so that one day their own two son's would be married.  It was still eighteen years away, but Axel was not at all pleased.

Once their guest left the mansion, Axel shook his head in disappointment "I cannot believe you just signed our son's future away like that!  You should be ashamed of yourself, Michael." Axel chided, glaring harshly at his husband while rocking their newborn son on his chest.

Michael stood up from his desk, hands planted firmly on the calendar blotter "Axel, this is the only way to save our kind -- We are a dying breed and one day will be overrun by the regular people of this world.  We are one of five communities that are strictly Alpha and Omega pairs.  We need more of us, Axel... you have to understand that what I am doing is to save the future of our lineage, our heritages!" Michael shouted back.

The newborn squalled in protest of his parent's raised voices, Axel frowned as he rubbed his son's back tenderly "I think you're making a mistake, Michael.  Carter should not have to suffer like this... I know that we too had an arranged marriage, but I was already in love with you when our parents decided that it was a set match!  Carter won't even KNOW this other boy until he's eighteen!" Axel exclaimed huffily, just before he left his husband's office, tears already running down his puffy red cheeks.

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That was twenty-three years ago... Michael was able to push the date of arrangement back, several times, with several different excuses and lies - but now he had no choice but to fulfill his end of the contract.  Michael dialed his son's cellphone number from his home office and frowned deeply "Carter, it's your father... I'm calling to inform you that we are having a special dinner tonight and your OM wants you to show up.  Dress your best boy, it is not a casual social gathering." Michael left the voicemail and then hung up; he knew his son was in class at the moment, and he was proud of his boy -- he was not so proud of himself, he should have listened to Axel all those years ago, but he could not change what he had fated for his son, and today was officially the day that the two men would meet.

Carter frowned as he listened to his father's voice message; he pushed his blonde hair back from his face and looked down at his attire -- Carter was skinny at an average of 135 pounds, he was short like his father Axel, at only 5'4", a lot of people made fun of him, if not for the clothes he wore - which commonly consisted of skinny jeans and shirts that clung to his body like a second glove; then they made fun of him for his more feminine features - he had soft, porcelain toned skin, his eyes were a bright shade of blue, and he had shoulder-length blonde hair.

Carter should have answered his father's phone call, having decided to skip his classes for the day - he was in a rare mood, not wanting to be bothered by anyone, but of course Michael would find a way to ruin his plans of just staying in bed.  Carter rumbled and grumbled as he got off of his very soft queen mattress and padded over to his closet.  Looking at the choice selections of his 'best dress' he pulled out a tailored button-up shirt, a pair of skin-tight black slacks and his favorite 'church shoes' - if he went to church, at least that would be what he'd wear.

Carter still had a few hours before the dreaded gathering, so he put his mind at ease by playing the electric keyboard he had in his dorm room -- It helped, but he wished he could play the baby grand that was at home; it was much more soothing and he could get lost in the music for hours though, so he did. And when it was time to get ready, he showered, changed and started the short journey to his parent's house.

Whatever was in store for Carter, he honestly hoped that he could weasel his way out of it - He hated being a part of his parent's elaborate dinner parties, and this time was no exception.  He wanted more than anything to not be here, walking into his parent's hillside mansion, preparing to meet whomever they have decided was prudent to pull him away from college... Especially this time of year, where he could just sit in his room, stare out the window and watch as the football team practiced for their games this year.