The only hug he trusted was Tarius’s, because the rest of his life made no sense. Branson knew the rumors. He’d read some of the news article, some of the op-eds, and there had been speculation his entire life over who his biological sire was. But Branson had always dismissed that shit as gossip; he’d believed the parents he knew. The parents he trusted. He’d had no reason not to believe their statements over the speculations of strangers.
“If Krause isn’t my sire, then who is?” Branson snapped. “Who?!”
Dad flinched but didn’t look away from Branson’s glare. “His name is Chip Uty. He was an alpha friend of Krause’s. The heat that produced you? Krause invited him into the house. To…helpwith my surges. A DNA test we ran after my murder trial proved Uty was your sire.”
Chip Uty. The name was vaguely familiar. Uty was a monster who’d left Sansbury not long after the trial, like many of the character witnesses called to defend Krause and persecute Dad. “But he…he raped you.”
“Yes, he did. So did other alphas. Over many years. And I have spent my whole life coping with those memories. Myself, Uty, Ronin, Constable Higgs, down to the lab tech, everyone involved signed NDAs.” Dad coughed, tears still streaming down his cheeks, but he was remarkably calm, while Branson thought he was going to vibrate to pieces.
“It was a simple agreement,” Papa continued. Always the lawyer. “Uty wanted no ties to us or you, so in exchange for never telling anyone about your paternity, and not pressing charges for rape, he signed away his parental rights to you. I added a clause stating if Uty ever returned to Sansbury, the agreement was null and void. He wanted one that said if his name ever came out in any new documentation, he’d sue. We all signed, and he left town.”
“And apparently started a new family,” Dad added.
Branson stared at his parents, and for the first time in his entire life, did not recognize the two upset people across from him. “So, you’re saying my actual sire, this Chip Uty, left the province and is probably Jeuel Alder’s sire?”
Dad nodded slowly. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“It doesn’t make any fucking sense! Why me? Doesn’t this kid have other family? Other siblings? Why does he have to blow up my life?!”
Papa stood and circled the table. Branson stepped behind Tarius without even thinking; he had no sympathy for Papa’s hurt look. “We’ll get you answers, Branson, I promise, but we can’t start making phone calls tonight.”
“Why not? It’s three hours behind in Sonora Province, right? There’s numbers on here.” Branson tossed the papers onto the table. “Call someone. It’s the fucking least you can do after lying to me my entire life.”
“We lied to protect you from Uty.”
“Don’t.” Branson couldn’t remember ever snapping at Papa so hard that Papa flinched, but Branson was beyond furious. Beyond confused and grief-stricken. “I don’t want your explanations right now. I need you to untangle this for me. Because if I have another brother out there who is in a bad situation? I am going to help him.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. If I can’t get answers tonight, I’ll do it in the morning.”
“Good.”
One of the triplets began crying. Branson had no idea if the babysitter was still there, or if they’d left. Either way, it was the perfect reason to go. “Tarius, will you please drive me home?”
“Of course,” Tarius replied. “You’re sure you’re ready?”
“Damned sure.”
Branson didn’t remember much about the drive to his apartment, only unlocking the door and going inside. Tarius locking it then pulling him into a warm, firm hug that did nothing to settle Branson’s racing heartbeat or order his cacophonous thoughts.
“I am so sorry, Bran,” Tarius said. “I cannot imagine how you feel.”
“I don’t know how I feel,” he replied to Tarius’s shoulder. “It hurts. Everything hurts so much.” His life was a lie. He could have a whole other family out there, living their lives, no idea they were related to anyone in Sansbury, much less the infamous omega killer’s firstborn.
“They were protecting you.”
“Don’t.” Branson raised his head and glared at Tarius, who didn’t deserve it, but he was there. “Don’t make excuses for what they did. Not tonight.”
“I’m sorry, I won’t.” Tarius kissed his forehead. “I hate seeing you in so much pain.”
“I mean…I always knew my sire was a despicable person and a rapist, but there was a weird comfort knowing he was my omegin’s mate. That at one point, however brief, Dad said yes to having children with him.” Branson’s throat thickened and his eyes burned. “Now he’s this faceless monster who Krause invited over to rape my omegin. How can that feel so much worse?”
“Because Krause was the devil you knew.”
“Yeah.” That made sense but didn’t hurt any less.
“What do you need?”
“Hold me tonight?”
