Alexander's heart breaks at that one little sound. He twists around, squirms into Burr's arms and tucks himself where he fits too well, shielded in Burr's embrace.

"I can't want anything," he whispers, against Burr's shoulder. "It's not allowed."

Not a rule of Benedicta's, not anything imposed on him from the outside. Unless it is just by experience. Everything passes, everything fails, everyone dies. Alphas are allowed to want. Omegas are just there to be wanted. That's the world they live in.