“I think it best to wait until you’ve recovered a bit more,” Emerson said, his heart sinking. “A few weeks. A month would be better.”
Neverwould be even better, but he bit his tongue before that tumbled out.
“One of your barks and you’d be able to force me to have this baby,” Dash said.
Emerson frowned, shaking his head. “Do youreallythink I’d do that?”
His heart broke imagining Dash thought he would. Emerson would never use whatever the fuck that dominance thing was to force his will onto Dash. Not unless it was the only way Dash would protect himself.
“I don’t think you would,” Dash said.
“Then why say it?”
“Because I needed to see your reaction,” Dash replied.
Emerson held Dash’s gaze, realizing he’d deserved the concern. He’d already broken Dash’s trust twice now, even if both times were for his mate’s best interests.
“I think I might need that nap now,” Dash whispered.
Dash had fought every nap Emerson had forced on him. If he was asking for one, he was clearly out of sorts. Emerson helped his mate up and led him to the bedroom they’d shared all week. Emerson felt spoiled by that big, huge bed, so he’d taken as many opportunities to nap with Dash as he could.
Once he got Dash tucked in, he pressed a kiss to his mate’s forehead and walked towards the door.
“You’re not sleeping with me?”
Emerson froze and slowly turned around. “I wasn’t sure if I’d be welcome.”
Dash didn’t reply. He simply held his hand out. A lump formed in Emerson’s throat, as if that hand was an olive branch.
Emerson smiled softly. He returned, kicking off his shoes before slipping beside Dash and grasping that hand in his. He made his mate the little spoon and took a deep breath, thankful he wasn’t kicked out for another break in trust. Dash’s breathing soon slowed, but Emerson couldn’t slow his mind enough to follow him. Sometime later, a knock came to the door.
Dash stirred as Emerson rose on one elbow. He paused to kiss the side of Dash’s head.“Sleep. I’ll handle it.”
When Emerson reached the door, he found his father, Creed, standing on the other side. Silence lingered between them, neither offering a greeting.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” his father said.
Emerson nodded. “I sent you a text that I needed to take some sick time.”
“To take care of your mate.”
Emerson clenched his jaw, unsure what was coming next from his father’s neutral tone.
“Are you going to make me stand out here all day?” Dad barked.
“This isn’t my house,” Emerson said, not ready for the conversation his father likely wanted to have. “If you’re here to fire me or excommunicate me from the family, just say it now and go.”
“Emerson,”his father murmured.
He sighed and backed up. “Come in, but no yelling. Dash is sleeping.”
His father walked in. “I have no plans to yell, Em.”
Emerson slowly closed the door and turned to face his father. Dad leaned on the column to the opening into the living room.
Silence stretched between them until his father finally blurted, “My brother was alpha-attracted.”
“I’m aware,” Emerson said.
