But I was not a better person. He deserved to be treated as less than, because here he was. Here, in Swena, family meant something. Whether it was by blood or not.
Neale faced me, and he rubbed his hands over my upper arms. “Are you all right? I’m so glad I happened to be walking by. I cannot believe the nerve of that man.”
“I’m fine. Thank you. Truly.”
Neale smiled. He cupped my cheek with his hand and brushed a thumb over my cheek. “You’re a good man, Jaq. We’re so lucky to have you. Let me and Cort take care of your… well, the former king. You’ll probably want to return to the kids.
“Oh! Yes. I left Wendell with them.”
“I’ll let Erich know where you are.”
On a whim I threw my arms around Neale and hugged him. “Thank you. No one’s ever stood up for me like that. Just Thomas.”
Neale squeezed me. “You’ve got us now. Always.”
Chapter 13
Erich
I studied the papers in front of me, not at all interested in anything that was on there. Unfortunately, it was a necessary task. Since we wanted this ceremony to be quick and small, that meant Jaq and I had a lot of the prep work to do, and quickly. Thankfully we had a team of people behind us every step of the way, but they still required our approval. Which I was trying to provide. If only I could wrangle my fiancé and have him focus.
Jaq paced the length of our room. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay your dad for what he did.” He wore a pair of sweats that were slung low on his hips and a plain white t-shirt that huggedhis chest. His hair was a tangled mess after he’d spent several minutes running his hands through it.
I took off my glasses and pinched the bridge of my nose. This wasn’t the first time we’d had this conversation since I learned of the events from earlier today. “Repay him? Sweetheart, there’s nothing to repay.”
“I’ve never had anyone stand up for me like that. Not since Thomas, when we were kids.”
As much as I loved that my father had been there for Jaq, and I really did, I would have loved to have been there for him myself. Unfortunately, I was away working when his asshole sperm donor arrived at the palace. When I did finally learn about what happened, Cort wouldn’t let me in the same room as Jaq’s father. Probably for the best, considering I would have punched him in the nose. Though I had never punched anyone before in my life, I was sure that I could do it right. Even if I broke my wrist on his face, it would be worth it. Hell, I’d pay the press to be there to witness it firsthand.
“He was so fierce. I mean, I can see how he led a country for his whole life, next to your dad, I mean. He was amazing.”
I grinned as I watched the love of my life rave about my dad like he was Jaq’s personal hero. “Yes. He also raised five boys, four alphas and an omega. He is a force to be reckoned with, which is why we need to finalize this list, or else he’s going to invite whoever the hell he wants to our very private wedding ceremony. Can you help me with that?”
“Of course, I just—” Jaq ran a hand through his hair, the distress evident on his face.
I held out a hand, and he took it, and I pulled him to me. “Sweetheart. My dearest love. Do you see now? How much everybody here loves you? My family is your family. We are all here for you.”
“I see it,” he said, and he hugged me tighter. “I just can hardly believe it. I don’t deserve it.”
I put my hand over his mouth. “You deserve all of that and more.”
We were quiet for a moment as I simply held him. I rocked slightly, hoping to ease the anxiety that was working its way through his body. He hadn’t yet come down from the confrontation earlier. My poor omega was wired with equal parts awe and dismay. I kissed his temple and breathed in his scent. His body relaxed against mine, the unfinished paperwork forgotten.
“I’m really glad my dad was there for you today.”
“I am too.” Tears pooled in the corner of Jaq’s eyes. “It felt so real when he said that… that I was his son. No one’s ever said that before. I really want to repay him somehow.”
I had to smile. If I’d been in the room when my father said those words, I’d have been reduced to a puddle of tears also. I made a mention note to send my dad flowers or his favorite candies.I thought my husband’s love language was gift-giving, perhaps acts of service. “Love, if you give him another grandchild, I’m sure he’ll be ecstatic.”
Jacques laughed. “Perhaps we shouldn’t tell him just how close we were to that exact thing.”
“Absolutely not,” I said. “We’re lucky they let the two of us live together in my rooms without any fuss.” Then again, we hadn’t really told them that Jaq was moving in with me. It was all done quietly. If there was one thing that Jaq and I did well, it was sneaking around.
“They got their virgin wedding between the king and my brother. They can’t expect the rest of you to be so innocent.”
“Exactly. Now, back to the wedding guest situation.”
“Right. Since your brother, the king, is coming, how many guards do we have to have there? And will his staff be there as well?”
