Alexander bristles, a little, in spite of himself. In spite of the way Burr's skilled fingers and wicked tongue coaxed such pleasure out of him, in spite of the slow-wandering strokes down his back.

"I told you," says Alexander. "I'm going west."

He relents, only a little:

"It will be some time until I have gathered enough to make the journey. Until then, I am willing enough to be bought." That's an understatement. He tries again: "This has been my first heat with an alpha, and, Burr -- I have truly enjoyed it. I'd -- I'd let you have first claim on my time." A slightly more exclusive arrangement, and Alexander is unwilling to offer more, just now. He does not need rescuing, and he feels himself too low to even think of mentorship, clerking.