Page 56 of A Promise of Forever
"I was busy," I reply, watching Sterling throw increasingly confident punches at the bag. "I'm assuming you were calling about the impromptu police visit, but everything is okay for now. What did you learn about Thatcher?"
Caelan gives me a detailed update about the meeting with the St. Clairs, the plan to lure Thatcher toThe Forge, and the drugs they've confirmed Wilson is trafficking. The information is both helpful and disturbing, confirming how deep Wilson's corruption goes.
But there's something else I need to ask, something that's been bothering me all day. "Do you know anything about changes to an Omega's scent after a heat? Like, if there's an added smell that wasn't there before, does that mean something is wrong? Should I take Sterling to a doctor?"
There's a long pause before Caelan responds, and I can practically hear his expression shift over the phone. "I think that might be a conversation you want to have with Sterling directly."
The cryptic answer makes alarm bells ring in my head. "What do you mean? Is he in pain? He doesn't feel like he's in pain through the bond, but maybe he's hiding it?"
"Jesus Christ, you're dumb sometimes," Caelan says with obvious exasperation. "He's not in pain, Forrest. It's just... an Omega thing. Talk to him about what his body is doing and what it might mean."
The reassurance helps, though I'm still confused about what exactly Caelan is implying. I make a mental note to research this more thoroughly and possibly have an awkward conversation with Sterling about biological changes.
Looking over at my Omega, watching him hit that bag with everything he has, probably imagining Wilson's face, I feel overwhelming love and protectiveness surge through our bond.
"Sterling asked me something today," I say, shifting topics. "About why the house isn't run the same way our father did it."
"What do you mean?" Caelan asks, curiosity evident in his tone.
"When this was the central hub for our family operations," I explain, memories flooding back. "When we all lived here together. When it was a proper pack house rather than just a statement of wealth sitting empty on a hill. Sterling asked why don't you move back in?"
I can hear Caelan's sharp intake of breath. "Damn, really? How do you feel about that?"
"Honestly, brother?" I take a deep breath before admitting something I've been avoiding. "I miss it. It's so fucking quiet in here now, and maybe I thought being alone would be fine, that I didn't need anyone. But the last few days with Sterling, watching how happy Astra has become over the past year with you and Bryn... I think we all thrive with a bit of attention and family around us."
"What are you saying?" Caelan asks carefully.
"I'm beginning to think all those teachings Dad gave us had a point, and it wasn't really about being the biggest and baddest or maintaining control through fear," I admit. "I think I was just fucking angry at him for a long time because I didn't understand why he did things the way he did. I still don't understand all of it, but I'm getting pieces."
I pause, looking around the gym that suddenly feels too empty despite Sterling's presence. "I'm asking you to move back in, brother. Bring Bryn and Astra home. I think it's time we bring back how Dad ran things, make this a real family house again."
Caelan's voice is thick with emotion when he responds. "It's not going to take much convincing from me. Honestly, Bryn has been talking about how we need more space anyway, and I thinkit'd be really good for Astra and Sterling to be near each other regularly."
"Good," I say, relief flooding through me. "Now hang up. I need to figure out a way to contact Thatcher and make sure he shows up tonight for this trap we're setting. And no, I'm not going to outright call him myself. I'll have someone else make contact."
"See you tonight for the planning session?" Caelan asks.
"Yeah, come over for dinner," I confirm. "We've got logistics to walk through if we're going to pull this off safely."
Caelan snorts with obvious amusement. "You really must miss me if you're inviting me over for dinner voluntarily."
"Fuck off," I say with affection, then hang up before he can get another jab in.
I move back toward Sterling and the heavy bag as he looks up at me, breathing really hard from exertion. "I think I get it now," he pants out. "I don't know why you'd want to get hit. I still don't understand that part yet. But this feels so much better than trying to hide from everything I'm feeling."
"Well, now you know where this is if you need an outlet," I tell him, running my hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "You want to go a little longer, or grab a shower and cuddle with your Valla?"
For a moment, Sterling looks seriously conflicted, weighing his options. Then his scent sweetens dramatically until it's so thick in the small space that I can barely think straight.
"Just cuddling, little dove," I clarify quickly, recognizing where his mind went. "Come on. But if you're a very good boy, maybe I'll stuff you with my cock while you sleep. Would you like that?"
Sterling rips off his boxing gloves so fast that I can't help but laugh, the sound echoing through the gym as he reaches for me with desperate hands.
Sterling
Dinner is surprisingly low-key considering everything hanging over our heads tonight. Forrest, Caelan, Bryn, Astra, and me, all gathered around the dining table in the main house like we're a normal family having a normal meal. There's laughter and easy conversation, the kind of casual intimacy I've never experienced before but always watched from the outside.
Astra is showing me pictures of his abstract art on his phone, scrolling through vibrant colors and bold shapes that somehow convey emotion despite being completely non-representational.Each piece tells a story I can feel, even if I can't articulate it, and his enthusiasm as he explains his process is infectious.
