Page 3 of Alpha Heat
“Ridiculous. I’m not an invalid.” He shrugged. “Later, as the months pass, yes, I will need to be careful, but right now I’m as fit as a fiddle. I can continue my work—”
“No!” Jason snarled. “I won’t have those idiot alphas at Mont Nessadare scenting you and knowing you’re pregnant. That you’re fragile.” He shook his head. “You’ll take another leave of absence.”
Xan sucked in a deep breath, and, yes, there beneath Vale’s usual scent was a new one, something that was a bit like damp earth, seaweed, and the iron scent of blood. The scent of Jason’s baby growing inside, tucked away, cells multiplying by the second, feeding on Vale’s life force to grow his own.
An urge to throttle Vale rushed through Xan, an irrational desire to hold him down and force him to concede that this pregnancy, this self-proclaimed mistake,neededto be terminated. But another part of him scented Jason’s genes in the child, and a tender protectiveness rose up in him, an urge to take care of his best friend’s omega and their tiny new babe.
“We’ll need your help,” Vale said, meeting everyone’s eye one by one as he brought Jason’s head down into his lap again, gently tracing his ear to calm him. “I can’t say when or exactly how, but you’re the friends we know we can count on for anything.”
“We’re always here for you,” Rosen agreed.
“For you and Jason both,” Yosef said grimly.
“You can count on me,” Xan added, lifting his chin, loathe to be left out. “For anything at all. If I can provide comfort or support, I’m happy to do it. And Caleb will want to help too.”
“Thank you,” Vale said as he rubbed Jason’s shoulders. “We’re struggling with this, but we’ll be all right.”
Jason rose then, wiping a hand over his face, rubbing away tears. “We wanted you to find out from us directly, face-to-face.”
“And your parents?” Yosef asked.
“Already know,” Jason replied, but the curt tone and the way he mashed his full lips together made it clear he didn’t intend to say more on that subject right now.
Rosen and Yosef were the first to depart. Yosef hugged Jason and whispered something to Vale about pulling legal paperwork together regarding his health care in the event that Jason wasn’t able to make decisions. Vale nodded and then accepted a hug from Rosen too.
Urho hung back from the goodbyes, clearly preparing to stay a while longer. His broad shoulders and chest stretched out his suit jacket nicely. Xan licked his lips, letting his gaze linger. He’d admired Urho physically and as a man since he’d witnessed the way he handled Jason’s pater’s miscarriage and the aftermath four years ago.
Physically strong and mentally sharp, Urho was a bit old fashioned perhaps, but something about the way he moved in the world—with confidence and certainty—left Xan’s throat dry with lust.
Shameful, illegal, and unholy lust.
Two alphas together was an abomination, and Urho was conservative enough to never entertain the idea and kind enough to have no desire to exert power over another in a flare of sexual alpha expression. That sadistic power play Xan lived to find in another alpha, the sexual thrill he couldn’t get enough of, no matter how dangerous, was the sort of thing Urho would never offer.
Rosen and Yosef crowded near Jason and Vale, giving comfort and reassurances, and extending promises. Xan didn’t plan to linger, but he didn’t want to leave without talking to Urho alone. Catching Urho’s eye, he nodded toward the bank of wide windows across the room.
Xan reached the windows first and opened the sash to let in some fresh air. He frowned when Urho came behind him and closed it.
“It’s damp out. It won’t do for Vale to get a chill right now.”
“Is he under house arrest then?”
“No, of course not.” Urho let out a frustrated sigh. “I only want to keep him safe.”
“That’s Jason’s job,” Xan said, narrowing his eyes.
Urho’s devotion to Vale pricked. It was inappropriate at best and demonstrated designs on another alpha’s omega at worst. But the reason it nettled him so much had more to do his own thwarted desire for another alpha to treathimwith half as much regard and protection. And if that alpha were a man like Urho? It’d be a dream come true.
But that was what made it all so infuriating. He’d never have the parts to inspire an alpha’s devotion. He’d never go into heat. Never experience the multiple orgasm potentials of an omega. Never bear a child. No, instead he was an alpha himself. Never mind that he didn’t want to be and could barely stand to fulfill his role as such.
“What’s your true feeling on this?” Xan asked, shoving aside all the uncomfortable, illicit feelings and thoughts that swamped him whenever he was around Urho. “Will he make it?”
“I can’t promise anything, but he has a decent chance.”
“Decent isn’t good enough.”
“A strong chance,” Urho corrected, his brow lowering and his calm, dark eyes growing troubled. “Believe me, if I could swear to his safety to relieve everyone’s mind, I would in a heartbeat. But I’m a cautiously optimistic doctor, not a fortune teller.”
“Perhaps we should consult one of those from the Calitan district,” Xan hissed. “Their word is probably as solid as yours.”
