“That’s something I wanted you to look into a little more,” says Julien. “But first, how much do you actually know about male omegas?”
Thirty-Nine
Julien
Idon’tthinkKeiris handling everything life is currently throwing at him half as well as he’s pretending. But, then again, even though he’s my fated mate, we haven’t known each other very long, so his coping strategies simply might not look the same as mine.
Still, my alpha instincts bristle at the worry in those beautiful blue-gray eyes every time some new complication pops up. I hate that he doesn’t fully trust me yet—trustusyet—and my wolf just wants to take him back upstairs and keep him naked and satisfied until he can fully relax into our mating bond.
Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen today and the best I can do is keep him close, reassure him, and hope he’ll realize I’m not going anywhere despite what the damage from his childhood and his experiences the last four years on the run might be telling him.
I swear, if Randall wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him myself, along with everyone else responsible for putting all this shame and doubt into my beautiful mate’s head. Ever since Ben showed up yesterday, Keir has seemed off, like he truly thinks that if he’s too much trouble, I’ll set him aside and kick him out.
That willneverhappen.
The timing may not have been ideal and the current circumstances make things extra stressful, but the fates gave him to me and I’m not letting him go. He might not be exactly what I expected, but Keir is perfect, both as a person and for me. I just wish he could see that.
I quickly fill Mom and Remy in about Ben and what he said, then wrap my arms around Keir’s waist and tug him closer, pressing my nose into his hair to inhale his scent. His body is tense, as if bracing for impact—or, more likely, rejection—though I don’t think he realizes it. He’s practically vibrating with anxiety in my lap, biting at his lower lip as he waits to see how Mom and Remy respond.
Remy blinks a couple times, shocked into silence, but Mom hops to her feet and comes over to take Keir’s hands in hers. She squeezes his fingers. “Sure, it’s a little strange, but this doesn’t change anything. I’m glad Julien brought you home, and I’m happy to have you as part of the family.”
I guess Mom picked up on Keir’s anxiousness about being accepted as well. She’s nothing if not perceptive. Of all the things I have to offer Keir besides my love and loyalty, my family is the most valuable. Mom, Remy, and even Dante, if he ever gets his head out of his ass and makes a move on my brother.
Remy chuckles. “Well, on the bright side, this might get the elders to shut up about a surrogate.” He grins at Keir. “I don’t want to be the one to explain it to them, though. William might blow a gasket.”
Keir’s body relaxes, and he lets out a soft laugh. “That guy does seem a bit high-strung.”
“I’ll deal with William,” says Mom in a hard voice.
“Before we tell anyone about this, I want to know a little bit more about Ben,” I say, giving Remy a pointed look.
“Of course,” he replies. “I figured you’d want me to look into him, so I already did a cursory search last night after you went to bed. Assuming he is who he says he is, Ben O’Connor was born into a pack who holds territory near Bangor, Maine. He lived there with his pack until about twenty-four years ago. After that, he stayed off the grid for a while and didn’t pop back up until a few years ago.”
“What about… my other dad?” asks Keir. “Did you find any mentions of a Theo?”
Remy shakes his head. “But I didn’t know to look for any either. That’s what I’ll focus on today.”
I nod. “Good idea.”
A knock sounds at the office door. “Julien?”
“You can come in, Dante,” I reply.
Dante opens the door and pokes his head inside. “There are two praetorians at the door asking for you and Keir.”
“Go ahead and let them in.” I pat Keir’s thigh and he stands. I follow suit, then turn my attention to the rest of my family. “We’ll regroup this evening for dinner.”
Mom and Remy both nod, then head out of the office. Dante’s gaze tracks my brother, my second turning his head and staring after Remy for a beat before giving himself a shake and going to let the praetorians inside. Keir must catch Dante’s antics too, because he smirks and his eyes dart up to me. He raises his brows in question.
“The pining has been going on for years,” I say, smiling. “But Dante’s too stubborn to do anything about it.”
Keir cuddles into my side, rubbing his cheek on my chest. “Thanks for… being here.”
I press a kiss to the top of his head. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
A minute or so later, Dante is back, directing two praetorians into my office.
“Alpha Matisse,” says the male as he dips his chin in greeting. “I don’t know if you remember us from Chicago, but I’m Craig Smith.” He gestures to the female praetorian beside him. “And this is Miranda Yang.”
