Emerson thought back. As soon as the memory hit, a wave of emotion came with it. He hadn’t understood what his father had been trying to say then. Knowing it now took his breath away. “Not really but I recall you saying that no matter what, you’d always love me.”
His father smiled. “I didn’t want to come right out and ask; afraid I’d confuse things or upset you. I asked some leading questions, but you seemed oblivious. I started second-guessing myself. What if you weren’t alpha-attracted and I made you self-conscious?” Creed sighed. “The one time I tried to help my brother, I ended up destroying him. I didn’t want to fuck up again, especially with my own child. I let it go, assuming you might come to us later and tell us. Then you started talking about all the omegas you were bedding after the Academy, and we once again assumed we’d been wrong—or that you were hiding it.”
Tears threatened. Emerson dabbed under his eyes before rubbing his aching chest. “I was too afraid to tell you. I’ve metso many alphas whose families turned their backs on them after they found out. Families who’d supposedly loved them. There was no way I could lose my family, so I hid. Until Dash—and I couldn’t hide any longer.”
“I hate that you’ve carried this secret for so long, all alone. I wish you’d come to us sooner. There were so many things I’ve wanted to say.”
Emerson eyed his father throw a sheen of tears. “It’s never too late.”
His father closed the gap between them and grasped both of Emerson’s upper arms. “I love you, son. I willalwayslove you, just as you are. Who you love doesn’t matter one lick to me, as long as you’re happy.” He rubbed Emerson’s arms. “That’sallI’ve ever wanted for my boys. Their health and their happiness.”
A sob escaped Emerson. His father dragged him into a tight embrace and held him as tears flowed down his face.
For just a minute or two, he was a little boy again, held safe in his father’s arms.
When Emerson pulled away, his father’s face looked as damp as his. After wiping some wetness away, he smiled at Emerson. “Does Dash make you happy?”
Emerson nodded. “He does.”
“Then that’sallthat matters.”
Emerson wiped the tears from his face. “You sound like Harrison.”
“Where do you think he learned it from?” his father said, giving him a wink. He reached over and wiped some of the wetness from Emerson’s cheek. “I hear that Dash plans to reclassify himself because he’s both alphaandomega?”
Emerson nodded.
“I suppose his reclassification means you’ll be legal to be together and get mated?”
“I guess, though he’snotan omega, Dad. He’s an alpha.”
“I understand that,” his father said. “But his reclassification means maybe you won’t share the same fate as your uncle or end up in prison—and I won’t deny I’m thankful for that.”
Emerson couldn’t feel thankful. He let out a shaky sigh, upset because he didn’t want Dash to live a lie.
“There will be looks, whispers, and gossip. You two need to hold your heads up high. There’sno reasonfor either of you to feel ashamed of your relationship—even if he wasn’t part omega.”
“Thank you for that.”
His dad smiled. “Just watch that smart mouth of yours. It might get you in trouble still. Don’t let it. There might be some who try to goad you into responding with violence. Promise me you’ll walk away.”
Emerson nodded. “I’ll do my best to keep that promise.”
Dad nodded. “All I can ask.” He suddenly dug into his pocket. “Bayley asked me to give this to you and Dash.”
He handed over a scrap of paper. Emerson opened it to find an email and what looked like a password. “What’s this?”
“He said he’d sent Dash a text about it but didn’t want to send his password. Something about accounts hacked or some nonsense. I don’t know about all that mess.”
Emerson chuckled. “I’ll check in with Dash when he wakes up.”
“He’s awake,” Dash murmured, appearing in the hallway, his eyes red. He walked closer to Emerson’s father and held out a hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Walker.”
“It’s Creed,” his father said, shaking Dash’s hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Dash eyed Emerson. “At least one of our fathers is okay with this.”
“Daniel’s got a problem with you two?” Dad asked, one brow rising.
