I chuckle as I think back on the past few years’ reports from Dean Hoffield. After Diego and Em dropped off the rescues from the Orion house, I’ve been keeping in touch with the dean to hear how the altered omegas have been faring. There have been some wild tales from the academy, but despite their hardships, each adventure has worked out in the end.
“The usual college drama. Hookups and breakups, end-of-the-world kind of stuff–at least, to them it was. But enough about that. We’re here to celebrate Olly and Auryn’s baby, to spend time together as a family. Let’s not bring Sneed’s machinations into this. I don’t want to spoil the day.”
Olly’s eyes take on a faraway look. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad … I mean, I believe it because the tests were conclusive, but–”
“You finally figured out how to use your dick, and now you’ll have a kid to prove it.” Em ducks as an empanada flies through the air. Olly’s aim was true, though, and it hits him square in the face.
“Emmett!” Auryn tries to scowl, though the corner of her mouth twitches up in a smile regardless. “The twins are right here. Watch your language.”
“They’ve heard worse in this household.”
They really have. We should work on that.
After lunch, we sit together on the picnic blanket while the twins play-fight with sticks they found, pretending the sticks are swords. Riley has the better reach, but Kendal’s faster, making them a fairly even match. More often than not, the twins “kill” each other at the same time, ending the match in a draw.
Just before sunset, while we’re packing up to head home to the compound, Olly suddenly clears his throat.
“What’s up, Olly?” I ask.
He shifts his stance a bit, standing straighter. “I have an announcement to make.”
“Well, get on with it,” Em mutters.
Olly shoots him a glare. “I’m trying to, Em. Anyway, I’ve decided to quit the mercenary biz. I mean, I love working with you guys, but I’m about to be a father; I can’t just spend my time chasing runaways. So, starting next week, I’ll be heading up the biology department at the academy.”
We respond to his words with a round of applause. Well, everyone but Em.
“What if one of us gets hurt on a mission? We need you, Olly.”
“I’ll only be a couple hours away. Just try not to die in that time frame.”
“Olly!”
He rolls his eyes. “Well, it’s a possibility, Auryn. I can’t deny the facts. Mercenary work is dangerous.”
I rub my chin in thought. “You’ve got a point. Maybe we should ask the dean if there are any other positions open. I could teach phys ed, Diego could teach cooking … Maybe we could all retire from merc work.”
“Merc work! Merc work!” Riley and Kendal run in circles around us, chanting the words.
As I drive us all home, my mind races with thoughts of settling down, of living a less dangerous life. Is the academy the answer? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I want to watch these kids grow up. I want to see them become adults, to see their trials and triumphs. I have a reason for caution now, a reason to crave a simpler life.
These boys are our future, and I want to be there for every second of it.
Epilogue 2
Olly
The bell rings, pulling me from my attention on my whiteboard. I turn, hoping to catch Mishka, one of the omega males we’d rescued from Sneed’s compound. His grades are good, but he’s been getting into all sorts of trouble lately. Mostly it’s just fights with the other alphas, but Auryn told me this morning Gage caught him and Calvin Roan, the academy’s top alpha, bloodied with their hands around one another’s throat.
I know it’s killing her not to be here, not to have checked out the guys herself. She’s been restless since having our daughter, Linnea, but she still has at least another month before she can come back. Though I miss having her close by during the day, I remind her it’s important for her to rest, too. But my stubborn hybrid mate reminds me almost nightly there is a difference between rest and becoming stir-crazy. Which is exactly how I’d let her talk me into speaking with Mishka.
“For science, Olly. Please…” she had pleaded, letting out those strategic little omega whines that always have me caving so easily. I hate to hear her whine. Hate when she doesn’t have everything she wants. It’s been years, and still the desire to give my mate everything she wants is as loud and strong as it was the day I watched Emmett carry her back to the Jeep.
“Mishka, can you, uh…hang back a moment?” I ask, feeling the nerves start in my stomach. I hate getting in the middle of things. Especially things that are certainly not my department, but if Auryn thinks there’s something to be found out, I suppose whatever it is could help Mishka. And I want to help my students, so I suppose it needs to be done.
“Yes?” he asks as he slowly heads to my desk.
I wring my hands, not sure what exactly to say. Talking has never been my strong suit, but when I look into the young man’s blue eyes, I sigh with relief.
