by Leta Blake
“They both are. They’d put me in a glass cage if they could, and feed me only the freshest fruit and vegetables straight from golden tongs.”
“Interesting image.”
Vale sighed and rubbed his bulge again. “So with all that out on the table, indulge me some more. What’s the plan now? How will you proceed with this relationship—is that even the term for what you have? And how are you coping with all of this time apart?”
Urho sighed. “I’m not sure. Making plans is difficult because his cousin, Janus, an alpha with a reputation for seducing contracted omegas, has been sent there to spy on Xan. Or so he believes.”
“Oh, I can believe it.” Vale rolled his eyes. “Xan’s father is a controlling man from what I’ve seen and all I’ve heard.”
“Yes. Well, Xan wishes he could get away from Virona to meet me halfway in Montrew, but he’s so busy with his work. And I’m busy here, of course. Plus his father has put the kibosh on Xan traveling anywhere near the city during this flu epidemic, and his cousin is there to enforce it.”
“Jason didn’t tell me about that. What if you went up to see him for a few days?”
“He says even if I did find a way to get up there, we wouldn’t have any time alone. Not with his cousin keeping such a close eye on him.”
Vale’s face showed how ridiculous he found that argument. “You could be inconspicuous.”
“Perhaps.” Urho rubbed a hand over his forehead, thinking hard.
“Don’t be such a coward,” Vale said sharply.
“What?”
“Surely you could find someone to look after the omega who is pregnant with twins? And we could engage another doctor—just for a day or so. What’s really stopping you?”
Urho’s shoulders tightened. The idea of anyone else as Vale’s doctor…no. He didn’t want that. But the vibrating sensation in his body, the sense that he was a bell that’d been rung, was undeniable. Maybe he was too cowardly to see what he’d wrought, to test his mettle, and to keep his commitments to Xan and Caleb.
He cleared his throat. “This flu contagion is growing in proportions that frighten me. The omega expecting twins and his alpha have decided it’s too risky to stay in town. They’re heading west to Elinton for the rest of his pregnancy.”
“Perfect. When they’re gone, you should go up and stay with Xan.”
“I could, but—”
Jason entered with a stack of mail and a tray of tea. “The door was only the postman. He was coughing up a storm. Ugly wracking coughs. I’m not sure he shouldn’t be home.” Jason nodded at the envelopes. “Out in this cold weather with a cough like that, he’ll catch his death, as my father would say. And all for a stack of junk mail and fliers.”
“Go wash your hands,” Urho said, standing up. “And burn that mail.”
Jason paled and stared down at the offending papers like he held a murder weapon in his hands. “The flu,” he whispered.
“Do what I said,” Urho commanded.
Jason fled the room, and Vale chewed on his bottom lip. “Do you think he’ll get sick?”
“I hope not. For your sake. The real danger, though, is if you get sick.”
Vale nodded. “I heard rumors that this flu is bad enough that some young people are dying from it. A boy just last week—younger than Jason, healthy and hale, and then he was gone.”
“I think the omega with twins has the right idea.” Urho sighed. If he fled the city with Vale and Jason, he’d be leaving his duty to the citizens behind, but keeping his promise to Jason to see Vale through to the end of the ordeal. “I can host you at my country home.”
Another two hours south. Even farther from Xan. His heart ached.
Vale’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “No, no.”
Urho knew exactly why Vale didn’t want to do that. Urho had handled many of Vale’s heats at his country home, and it would be far too awkward for all of them to be there together. “What about the house at Seshwan-By-The-Sea? The one Jason’s parents keep?”
“They’re heading there for their anniversary in a few weeks, and, to be dramatic, I’d rather die than be caged in a house with the two of them right now. They’re as bad as Jason, only I don’t adore them. Miner’s always trying to mother-hen me, while Yule is constantly shoving food into my mouth. Did you know he cooks extra every night and brings it over here? Then I have to eat it even though Jason’s already fed me once.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know! I’ve been looking forward to them leaving town, just to get a break.”
Urho said aloud, thinking to himself, “Virona is three hours north of here by train.”
Vale raised a brow and stroked his stomach. “And?”
“And Xan is always saying that the house is empty and Caleb is lonely.”
“I don’t know if Jason will agree. He barely lets me leave the house to walk to the market or—”
“With this flu going around, I want you to stop that immediately.”
“I haven’t been in over a week. I’m going stir crazy here. The garden is dying and the flowers are going, and I haven’t written a decent poem since I got knocked up. Do babies suck out all your inspiration? Is there scientific evidence of that? Because I could contribute to the studies.”
Jason came back into the room, looking shaken. “I burned the mail in the fireplace in the reception room and washed my hands in hot water. Do you think that’s good enough? Should I shower?” He started to turn and leave again. “I can shower!”
“You’re fine.” Urho said, gesturing to the leather wing chair that used to be his favorite when he could snatch it from Vale. “Sit down. We need to discuss this flu epidemic and the risk to this pregnancy and Vale.”
Jason sat immediately, eyes like saucers, intent on whatever Urho suggested. It felt good for a moment to have the boy’s obedience because he hadn’t always been willing to listen to Urho at all.
“I forgot to remake Vale’s tea,” he said quietly. “Can this wait until I get that for him?”
“Never mind, darling,” Vale said softly. “I’m past wanting it now.”
“He’s very finicky lately. Is that normal?” Jason asked.
“Quite normal. Now, please listen. I was just telling Vale about the flu this season. It’s ramping up, becoming an epidemic very quickly. Normally, I’d want to be here, in the thick of it, helping those who contract it, but I’m committed to Vale’s health and dealing with whatever potentials come from this pregnancy. I won’t put him in another doctor’s hands.”
Jason nodded gratefully.
“Which brings me to my suggestion: I think we should all three leave town.”
“And go where?” Jason asked.
“Somewhere the flu hasn’t reached yet. The sea, perhaps,” Urho said, licking his lips. Did he sound too self-serving? Would they guess how desperately he wanted to see Xan and test himself against his own cowardice now that he’d recognized it? It shouldn’t matter, though. The suggestion was sound either way.
“My parents are already going to the cottage,” Jason said, repeating Vale’s comment from earlier. “Vale can barely stand their nightly visits. I don’t think he’d want to be stuck with them in—”
“We can go to Xan’s house in Virona,” Vale interrupted. “He’s invited us, hasn’t he?”
“Well, yes, for the Autumn Nights feasts, but we declined of course.”
“Don’t you think the offer probably still stands?” Vale pushed. “Even though the feasts are past?”
“I’m sure it does,” Jason agreed. “He’s always complaining that the house is so big and yet his cousin seems to be everywhere at once.”
“This cousin of his. Urho was telling me about him. You hadn’t mentioned him before,” Vale said to Jason curiously. “Why’s that?”
“He’s a little older than us, but I never liked him.” Jason shrugged. “Aside from that, I’ve had my mind on other things.” His brows drew down. “See
ing Janus would be a negative toward going, but if push came to shove, we could always rent our own little place in Virona if we need to get out of Xan’s hair.”
“I want to be with Caleb,” Vale said suddenly, clutching Jason’s hand. “When the time comes, it would be good to have him there.”
“I didn’t know you felt so strongly for Caleb.” Jason kissed Vale’s knuckles.
“Omega brooding instinct,” Urho said softly. “They take solace in the presence of other omegas during their time. It’s instinctual.”
Vale gazed at Urho pointedly. “Or perhaps societal. And stop talking about me like I’m not here. Regardless, if Xan and Caleb will have us, then, yes, I’m willing to go.”
“You’re coming too?” Jason asked Urho.
“I made a promise to you both that I’d deliver this baby and I will. So if Xan will have me—”
Jason laughed. “Oh, he’ll have you. This way and that.”
Heat rose up Urho’s throat and made his ears burn. “Yes, well, then I’ll be going too.”
“I think we just cinched our invite,” Jason stage whispered in Vale’s ear, eyes dancing.
Urho cleared his throat and looked at his hands. His heart beat rapidly. Soon he’d finally see Xan again. He clamped down on the squirmy feeling inside. He was terrified and yet he couldn’t wait.
“Caleb!” Xan shouted, racing over the dunes and down to the beach. His right ankle nearly twisted on the uneven ground but he righted himself. The cold wind off the ocean stung his eyes and cheeks. “Caleb!”
Caleb stood by the water with an easel and canvas. He’d taken up painting while waiting for his printing materials to arrive from the city. Xan didn’t know what was taking them so long, but apparently the printing mechanism itself was heavy and needed special equipment to move. Plus the beta servants had trouble boxing it all up because there was so much of it.
Xan had offered to buy whatever Caleb needed in the meantime, but the proposal had been brushed aside in the hustle of redecorating the house, arranging for lonely, awkward Autumn Nights feasts with local business invitees, and keeping out of Janus’s way.
“Caleb!” he cried again as he ran.
The blue slash of the sky on the canvas was brighter than the real blue above, but not half as bright as the blue of Caleb’s eyes. He turned to Xan, paintbrush raised, and his red mouth open in surprise.
“What’s wrong!” he shouted, tossing the paintbrush into the sand and rushing to Xan. “What’s happened?”
Xan swept Caleb into his arms, squeezing him, breathless with joy. “They’re coming!” His heart beat wildly, rattling his chest, and he felt like he might be able to jump into the air and fly away with Caleb crushed to him.
“Who?” Caleb gasped.
“Everyone!”
“Your family?”
“No! Thank wolf-god!” Xan laughed. “Urho! And Jason and Vale too! They’re coming, Caleb! He’s coming!”
They hugged tightly, the ocean waves pounding the shore and the gulls crying out above them. “I’m so glad, alpha mine,” Caleb finally said. “I’m excited to see him too. Your joy is my joy.”
Xan kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
“If we’re to have guests then there’s a lot to do. I’ll need Ren and the others to get the guest rooms ready,” Caleb said, obviously beginning a long list in his mind of what, who, when, and where. Caleb had been lonely since moving out of the city and away from his friends, and part of Xan’s joy was for him as well.
Caleb started up toward the house, leaving the easel and canvas behind, as well as the paints and brushes. Xan thought of turning back for them, but changed his mind when Caleb called over his shoulder that he’d send someone down later. It was evident that Caleb’s mind was on planning and parties now, and Xan was ready to go along for the ride.
An hour and a half later, beta servants were scampering around the upstairs of the house, opening windows and airing out rooms, putting fresh sheets on beds, and dusting where a dust cloth hadn’t been in years. Caleb stood in the middle of the dining room, taking measure of the long table, his head cocked and his neck exposed.
Caleb patted his own cheek absently. “Now, what will we do about seating? We need more chairs. I shouldn’t have sent so many off to be reupholstered.” He clucked his teeth. “And your alpha of course needs to be kept far away from your awful cousin.”
“I love it when you talk dirty about me,” Janus said from the doorway to the kitchen. He stepped out with a piece of pecan pie held in his hand like a hick farmer from Leitel, his lips glistening with the buttery filling. “Do it again.”
Caleb’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing in reply. Instead he simply turned and left the room.
“I’ve warned you,” Xan said, pointing at Janus, who lifted his pecan pie up in a faux toast as he laughed.
“He’s so sensitive. And whose alpha was he talking about just now?” Janus’s tone was too casual.
Pulse racing, Xan kept the subject on Caleb. “You know as well as I do that he’s off-limits to you. Plus, he’s immune to your so-called ‘charms’ anyway.”
“Is he? I wonder.” Janus smirked.
“I don’t think he could be more plain about it.”
“Believe me, he wasn’t always.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Janus took another bite of his dessert. “There was a time when Caleb thought I was the sweetest cherry in the pie.”
Xan stared at Janus, trying to parse what he was saying. “You knew each other? Outside the Philia parties?”
“We were intimate friends,” Janus said with an air of satisfaction that Xan loathed. “He hasn’t told you? In all these months we’ve been here together? Why keep it from you? Maybe he still harbors feelings for me after all this time.”
“You lie.”
“Ask him.”
Xan’s hands balled into fists, and he stepped closer to Janus, hot rage like a volcano in his gut.
“Duels are against the law,” Janus said, half laughing. “But we could have fisticuffs here in the dining room. First blood or to the death?”
“Death,” Xan muttered, his heart thudding fast. He drew close enough to smell the watered-down rose perfume Janus dabbed behind his ears. It gagged him. “Let’s go.”
Janus only stood there with his pecan pie, smiling like he had the upper hand.
“Stop!” Caleb’s voice cut into the room again. “No fighting. No dueling, either. He’s not worth it, Xan.”
“Who says I wouldn’t win?”
“Me,” Janus said, laughing.
Caleb went white as a sheet and stalked to him, took the pie from his hand, and shoved it into his face, smearing the butter and syrup concoction all over his flushed cheeks and up into his hair.
Janus gasped, his eyes wide. “What—but, why—and—”
Caleb kicked Janus in the shin. Hard. Then he elbowed him in the back of the head, felling him to the floor.
“Never insult my alpha again,” Caleb hissed. “Or I’ll murder you in your sleep, you sorry, pompous, self-absorbed, lying, manipulative prick!”
Xan blinked in shock, staring as Caleb spun on his heel again and stomped from the room. Janus struggled up from the ground, his hands clutching his shin, his face smeared with pie. He sat back on his haunches, blinking dazedly after Caleb through the sticky goo. “Wow. Maybe he is immune to my charms after all.”
“You think?”
“Tell him I’m sorry.”
Xan almost commanded Janus to go tell Caleb himself, and on his knees at that, but he bit it back, not wanting Janus to upset Caleb any further.
Janus huffed and said with a surprising earnestness, “I didn’t mean to upset him, Xan, I swear. I thought with our history, he’d take my comments in the vein I meant them, but I guess he still holds a grudge.” He rose slowly to his feet and wiped his hand over his face, gathering some of the pie goo before sticking his fingers into his mouth. “Delicious.�
��
“Get out of my sight.”
Janus rolled his eyes, but then seemed to remember that he was talking to the irritated alpha of the omega who’d just taken him down several pegs. He bowed his head. “Don’t mention this to your father, all right? Give me a chance to make it up to Caleb.”
“Is that all you care about? My father?” Xan didn’t know if his father would even believe him if he ratted out Janus. However, a call from Caleb would do the trick. He chewed on his cheek, trying to breathe through the urge to sock his cousin in the face.
“Of course that’s not all I care about.” Janus’s wide eyes made a good show of regret. “Truly, I’m sorry. For today, and for anything I said to hurt him since he arrived here.” He hesitated before his eyes dropped to the carpet. “And, most especially, for what happened in the past. Tell him I said that, and I sincerely mean it, all right?”
Xan gritted his teeth and tried to imagine what his father would say if he called and told him, “I brained Janus with a candlestick in the middle of the dining room for flirting with Caleb.” He cleared his throat and pointed at Janus. “Let this be a lesson. Don’t mess with Caleb again or give me any reason to come at you. Don’t speak of whatever happened in the past. Never make him unhappy for even a second. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Xan turned on his heel, his blood boiling, and an itchy, rageful desire to dispatch his cousin to the great wolf-den beyond still aching in him. Instead, he headed upstairs in search of Caleb and answers.
Xan found Caleb in his room, his windows open, letting the frigid ocean air pour in. He stood facing out the sash, his shoulders trembling and his hands clenching the windowsill.
“I should have told you the first day,” he said miserably.
Xan said nothing, his usually fast-running mouth fused shut. He sat on Caleb’s now-volumous bed, and the soft cushions and blankets cradled him. He tugged one blanket up over his shoulders to keep his shivering at bay.
He waited.
Out the window the clouds scattered across the sky, the setting sun shone on the water, and the rush and fall of the waves rose like a soothing whisper. The anger leeched out of him, and he waited some more, an inhuman patience settling over him. He’d wait as long as it took for Caleb to tell him.