“Of course,you know my dad,” Dash said, shaking his head. “Let’s just say he’s not said much one way or the other.”
“I’ve known your dad a long time. Daniel’s a good man. Maybe just give him time,” Emerson’s father said. “He might come around.”
A shine came to Dash’s eyes.
His father drew Dash into a tight hug. “And if he doesn’t, remember you’re one of my boys now, too.”
Emerson watched his father do what his father always did. Love his children. It made him ache to have the chance himself. All the lessons he’d learned from watching Creed Walker needed somewhere to go. Maybe not this time, but some day in the future.
Dash drew back after a whispered ‘thanks’ and moved to Emerson’s side. Emerson wrapped an arm around his mate. Dash leaned into him.
“Well, I need to get back to work,” Dad said. “And Dash needs rest. I’m sorry I interrupted your nap.”
“I’m glad you did,” Dash said. “You’re welcome any time.”
After a slight bow, his father walked to the door. He paused and turned to them. “I hear you’ve got a court date early next week? For the reclassification?”
Dash nodded. “Tuesday. It’ll all be settled then, hopefully.”
“Good luck,” Dad said before closing the door behind him.
“You Walkers are something else,” Dash said.
“You’re a Walker now, too.”
Dash scoffed. “I’m a Keller.”
“Did you not just hear Dad? You’re one of his boys,” Emerson said, wrapping his arms around his mate.
The hint of a smile on Dash’s face made his chest ache from its beauty.
“In theory, but we’re not mated.” Dash said. His smile faded. “After my reclassification, I assume wecouldlegally mate.” Hisgaze whipped to Emerson’s. “Someday down the road. If we decided to do something like that.”
Emerson winced inwardly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to mate Dash. He did. But as two alphas. Legally. Not via a loophole because of his mate’s hybrid status. “Yeah.Someday.”
Dash’s brows furrowed and he leaned farther away. “Do you not want to mate with me?”
Emerson dragged his gaze from Dash’s.
“Oh,” Dash said, pulling away.
Emerson grabbed Dash and dragged him back. “Of course, I do.”
Dash’s frown deepened as he searched Emerson's face. “It doesn’t seem like you do.”
“I do. But not when you have to give up a part of yourself to do it,” Emerson said.
35
Was it truly that?Dash wondered. Or did his imminent omega status bother Emerson more than he was letting on? Concern made Dash’s blood pump a bit faster, doubts circling in his mind. The only reason he was willing to reclassify was Emerson’s safety—and his own. He didn’t want either of them ending up locked away for the rest of their lives. Not when being free and together was an option. “Why does it bother you so much? It changes nothing between us.Weknow what I am.Right?”
“You shouldn’t have to live a lie just for us to be together,” Emerson snapped. He set a scrap of paper on the narrow table beside Dash’s front door. “You’ll have to stand in front of a judge and tell the entire world you’re an omega and I know that’s not going to be easy for you.”
“No, but I’ll get more from reclassifying than I’ll lose. I’ll be able to hold your hand and tell you that I love you without fearing who might be watching. One day, I might be able to mate with the man I love in front of his family—and perhaps mine—and live with him legally. Don’t you want that?”
“Of course I do. I’m ready to take you to the courthouse right now and make it official, if we could. But I realize whatyou’re sacrificing here, too.Your whole identity.And there may be unforeseen consequences to that, as well. Things we haven’t bothered to consider.” Emerson growled. “And what have I sacrificed for you?”
“Is that it? You feel like you’ll owe me something if I reclassify?” Dash snapped.
