For the first time, he felt as though he could have this.
A family.
Someone touched his hand. When Killian cracked his eyes open, he found Crush smiling at him over Joe’s shoulder. “I told you they would want to be your dads,” Crush whispered.
Killian’s eyes watered. He hid his face in Joe’s shoulder; Crush brushed his fingers through Killian’s hair.
“Hey, do we get a turn?” a familiar voice said.
When Killian looked up again, he found Titan grinning at them—Crush’s older brother from the bakery.
“Wait your turn,” Joe said dryly. He rubbed Killian’s back, leaving more of his scent on Killian’s hoodie. Ashton rubbed Killian’s arms, leaving his scent there.
When Crush’s dads pulled away, the rest of his family came closer.
“Hey,” Titan waved, reaching over to ruffle Killian’s hair. “Baby bro’s beau.”
“I’m not the baby,” Crush said dryly. “That’s Gavric.” To Killian, Crush added, “Gav’s from the litter after ours.”
“Everyone’s a baby to me,” Titan said dismissively. “That happens when you’re older than most.”
Another alpha scowled, just as large and broad-shouldered as the rest of his family. “Do Ilooklike a baby to you?”
“It doesn’t matter what you look like, Gav,” Crush said, clutching his chest. “In our hearts, you’ll always be the baby.”
Gavric flipped him off. Then he lifted his chin at Killian in a greeting, as though he was trying to look cool after all hisbrothers’ teasing. Killian felt a little sorry for him; in a family that enjoyed teasing each other, it couldn’t possibly be easy to make a good impression. He smiled and waved at Gavric, who seemed to be appeased.
One by one, Crush’s other siblings came up. There were so many alphas, each of them either shaking Killian’s hand, or touching his arm to leave bits of their scent on him.
“They’re scenting you so everyone knows you’re part of the pack,” Crush explained. “And if you’re comfortable with it, they’ll scent Naddie too.”
Killian’s throat tightened again.
“Hey, hey! Why did no one wake me up?!” A small omega elbowed his way through the crowd, hobbling until he was right in front of Killian. Killian was surprised by how exhausted the omega looked, all pale with shadows under his eyes. But the thing that stood out most was the huge jagged scar across his face. Even then, the omega wore a bright smile. “Hi, I’m Ottis! It’s so nice to have another omega in the pack!”
Killian blushed. “Um, I’m just... This is kind of... very new. Crush and I just met today.”
Ottis’ eyebrows shot up. Then he sniffed at Killian, and said knowingly, “But you know you’re right for each other.”
Killian’s blush deepened. He dropped his gaze, only to see wet spots on Ottis’s shirt, in front of his nipples. Killian blinked. When he looked over Ottis’ shoulder, there was no one behind him. “Where’s your alpha?”
Ottis and his brothers stiffened.
“I don’t have an alpha,” Ottis said shortly, eyes narrowed. His teeth looked sharper than they had been seconds ago.
Killian winced. “Crap! I didn’t mean to do that! I stick my foot in my mouth a lot. Like, I have feet breath. You can ask Crush.”
Crush coughed and squeezed Killian’s nape. “You don’t.” To Ottis, he said, “Kils doesn’t have a filter. Most of the time, it’s hilarious.”
“The rest of the time, it gets me into trouble,” Killian said miserably.
“It’s okay.” Ottis shook his head and smiled. “You didn’t know about me. It’s a long story, anyway.”
This time, Killian managed to keep his mouth shut. Maybe he could ask Crush later? Or maybe he could become friends with Ottis, and Ottis might tell him.
“May I hug you?” Ottis said suddenly. When Killian nodded, Ottis threw his arms around him, rubbing their faces together. “I’m so glad you’re here. These animals stink up the place with their alpha pheromones.”
“Hey!” Crush and his other brothers said.
