His Two Alphas

by Anna Wineheart

  “I love you, Mom,” Spike said thickly.

  “Best mom ever,” Kai added.

  Micah’s heart warmed, watching them.

  Before Kai or Spike could say another word, Natalie released them and took Micah’s hand, leading him to the kitchen. “I want a private word with Micah,” she said. “The two of you can wait outside.”

  Micah’s pulse kicked into a staccato. There were so many things wrong about his relationship with Kai and Spike, his job as their professor, and even his entire body. What did Natalie disagree with?

  The kitchen was simply furnished, the fridge an older model and the retractable faucet perched off-center on its stand. Natalie waved for Micah to sit at the kitchen table. “Tea?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Micah fidgeted while Natalie poured some hot water from a kettle into two mugs. Then she sat across the table from Micah, pushing a mug of steaming tea over. “How far along are you?”

  “Sixteen weeks.” Micah touched his belly.

  Natalie raised her eyebrows, glancing at the kitchen doorway. “They’ve stayed around for that long, huh?”

  “I guess they have.” Warmth crept up Micah’s cheeks. “I really wasn’t expecting them to.”

  Natalie chuckled. “Spike told me about you. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if it’d be a good match—” Micah flinched “—really because Spike tends to get crazy ideas and jumps in before he thinks.”

  At that, Micah laughed. “He does. He’s different from me that way, but... I appreciate that about him.”

  Natalie smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”

  “I’m surprised you don’t mind.” Micah covered his right hand, so less of the scars showed. “Most parents want a better match for their children.”

  Natalie reached over, setting her hand over Micah’s gnarly fingers. “I don’t know if you’re all that bad,” she said simply.

  “Even if I’m forty-one, and I look like this?” Micah smiled crookedly.

  “You know that’s not all of who you are.” Natalie looked into his eyes. “There’s flesh and blood under your skin, just like the rest of us. You took my sons in when they had trouble with Kai’s scholarship. I can’t be there for them all the time, and having someone intelligent and mature like you... I think you might be what they need.”

  Micah bowed his head, his cheeks warming. “That’s high praise.”

  “I told you my mom is awesome,” Spike said.

  Natalie narrowed her eyes. Micah peeked over his shoulder.

  Spike and Kai were on either side of the kitchen doorway, both of them with their ears turned toward the kitchen. Under Natalie’s stare, they slid out of view. But they were still there, and Micah’s heart thumped for them both.

  “Those boys. I just wanted to meet the omega Spike’s been going on and on about.” Natalie smiled. “And I see why he likes you. Kai, too.”

  Micah blushed further. “That’s very kind of you.”

  “The world needs more kindness, doesn’t it?” Natalie smiled, getting up. “It’s almost lunchtime. Would you like a bite to eat? I have eggs...”

  She set a pan on the stove. Before Micah could answer, Natalie grabbed a lighter, clicking it under the pan.

  Flames burst to life on the stove, a circle of translucent blue. Micah’s heart stopped.

  Logically, he knew it was a controlled burn, that those blue flames were nothing like the yellow, flickering ones that had surrounded him. But blind panic jammed up his throat, and Micah sucked in a trembling breath, unable to tear his eyes away.

  Those flames would grow. They’d consume the walls around him, they’d devour his skin, and there would be so much pain.

  “Micah?” Natalie asked, following his gaze. “Oh, no.”

  She shut off the burner in a hurry, putting herself between Micah and the stove, so at least he couldn’t see the burners again. “I’m really sorry,” Natalie said worriedly, leaning in to take Micah’s hands. “Spike told me. I hadn’t made the connection—I’m sorry.”

  Micah breathed through his panic. “It’s fine.”

  But he was trembling now, remembering the fire that had torn through his bedroom, the wall beside him blazing and alive, like a monster. He’d drifted in and out of consciousness, and every time he’d opened his eyes, more of his body had been in agony.

  “I’ll get you something else to eat,” Natalie said.

  “No, no. I’ll be fine.” Micah hauled himself to his feet, his hands still shaking. Usually, if he was prepared to see some fire, his reaction wouldn’t be so bad. But because this was a surprise... it made his palms sweat and his ears ring. “I’ll step outside for a moment. Don’t worry about me.”

  He left Natalie with worry scrawled through her face. Outside, low voices clashed in the living room. A third one that Micah didn’t recognize.

  When he stepped out, he found Spike and Kai facing off an older alpha—salt-and-pepper hair, broad shoulders, his face twisted into a scowl. There was an underlying alpha scent of birch, but the dominant smell—that was all liquor. “Don’t tell me you weren’t doing nothing,” Terence Ventura snapped. “Groping your brother like he’s a fucking omega.”

  “I’m not an omega, and I don’t care if Kai touches me,” Spike retorted. “What if I wanted it?”

  Kai straightened his shoulders, his eyes narrowed. “He and I are adults now. What I do with him is none of your business.”

  “Damn right it’s my business,” Terence growled. “I raised you and fed you. I don’t tolerate filth under my roof. Do that again, and you’ll be disowned.”

  Micah stared. You dare say you raised him? He remembered Kai talking about fevers and infections, learning to fend for himself when he was a few years old. Kai burning his fingers on the stove, falling from counters trying to reach the plates.

  Somehow, fury overpowered Micah’s fear. His blood snarled through his veins, and Micah prowled forward, all the thoughts he’d harbored toward Terence Ventura, all the disgust and contempt for this alpha surging into his chest.

  “Don’t you call yourself Kai’s father,” Micah said, his voice building as he strode past Kai and Spike, planting himself in front of them. “A father doesn’t leave his fever-struck child to fend for himself. A father doesn’t let his spouses beat up his child. A father, like the one you say you are, doesn’t cast his children aside because his heart tells him a different thing from what you taught him!”

  Micah’s anger blazed. Feet away, Terence Ventura stared, first in shock, then in fury. “Who the fuck are you?”

  “I’m their profe—”

  “Omega,” Kai and Spike growled, stepping close behind Micah so the heat of their bodies burned into his back.

  Terence Ventura stared incredulously at Micah. “You? His omega? Are you fucking kidding me? You’ll find better at the dumpster—”

  Kai lunged at him, but Micah threw his arm out, stopping his alpha. “Kai, no.”

  Kai’s eyes flashed. “You don’t need to hear that shit.”

  Terence’s judgmental eyes swept down Micah’s body, and back to Micah’s splotchy face. Micah felt the tightness of his scar tissue, the pull of his stiff muscles and his legs. At the back of his mind, he wondered if Kai or Spike would be convinced to look at him with a fresh pair of eyes. If they would listen to their father, and realize there were better omegas out there.

  “Terence,” Natalie cried from the kitchen, but Terence was prowling forward, toward Micah.

  Micah held up his walking stick to fend him off; the man yanked it out of his hands.

  Micah wobbled, off-balance. The fight left him then—without that walking stick, he couldn’t stand strong. He didn’t feel confident enough to retort.

  “Trying to attack me?” Terence snapped, waving the stick. “Looks like you’re ugly and useless.”

  Spike wrapped his arm around Micah’s waist and pulled him backward, out of danger. Kai snarled, yanking Micah’s walking stick out of Terence’s hands
.

  “Don’t fucking touch him,” Kai growled. “Don’t fucking say any of that to him, when you can’t see his worth because you’re too fucking drunk to.”

  Then he set down the walking stick and punched Terence in the jaw. Terence snarled, hurling his fist at Kai. Micah’s heart squeezed. Don’t hurt him!

  Kai dodged the blow. Spike left Micah, stepping around the couch to grab his dad’s arms from the back. The alpha thrashed. But Spike was younger, stronger, and not inebriated.

  “Don’t touch either of them,” Spike snapped. Then he dragged Terence Ventura away, and Kai growled low, stepping between his father and Micah, his eyes flashing.

  Spike hauled Terence into a bedroom, slamming the door. It was only then, when Terence Ventura was out of sight, that Micah could draw another breath.

  After a beat of silence, Kai turned, his dark gaze raking over Micah, fierce and protective. “You okay?”

  Micah nodded, his voice stuck in his throat. He hadn’t expected the insults or the violence, or to feel so helpless. He was a professor. He should have some sort of control.

  Kai strode over, pressing the walking stick back into Micah’s hand. His anger still blazed, and his chest heaved with each breath he took. But when he touched Micah, his knuckles were gentle on Micah’s skin, stroking up the side of Micah’s neck.

  “We won’t be bringing you back here when he’s around,” Kai muttered. “We won’t let him hurt you.”

  There were Spike’s feelings, and then there were Kai’s. And in that moment, with Kai’s heart in his eyes, Micah understood that Kai meant I won’t let him hurt you.

  His pulse missed a beat. Staring at Kai Ventura, with those stormy eyes and his touch a promise of protection, Micah remembered the way Kai had barreled forward, Micah’s safety on the forefront of his mind. Kai had been animal, ferocious. Dangerous. Because he cared about Micah. And Micah realized—I love him.

  28

  Kai

  Kai hadn’t expected Dad to wake this early in the day. He’d been on one side of the kitchen doorway. Then he’d decided to give his mom and Micah some privacy, and he’d headed over to join Spike on the other side of the doorway, squeezing Spike’s ass.

  Kai had figured he would distract Spike, and maybe they’d head into their old bedroom to see if they needed anything from there.

  He hadn’t expected Spike to roll his hips, or their father to open the bedroom door in that same moment. Kai had frozen. Spike had glanced over, and then he’d straightened his shoulders, too.

  Kai didn’t remember much of the insults or argument. Wasn’t important. He’d received those same threats before. But then Micah was there, Micah was furious, all but yelling at Terence Ventura for all the stupid things he’d done in the past. The horrible omegas. The sheer volume of neglect.

  Watching him, Kai realized that Micah Davis was strong, damn fucking strong, with a sort of righteous fury that made his cheeks flush and his eyes blaze.

  Kai’s heart thumped like it had never thumped before. It said, This is my bondmate, and I love him, and he was momentarily stupefied by those thoughts. By Micah.

  And Dad prowled at Micah like he was about to attack.

  Kai reacted without thinking. He punched Dad, the impact shooting pain through his knuckles. Dad reeled. Spike used the distraction to drag Dad back into his bedroom.

  The door slammed. They were safe for now.

  Kai turned back to Micah, returning his walking stick. Then he touched Micah’s neck, right over his pulse point. Micah’s heart was beating fast, his eyes fearful. Fuck that man, Kai thought. He’s not my dad.

  “We won’t be bringing you here when he’s around,” Kai swore. “We won’t let him hurt you.”

  “Okay.” The intensity of Micah’s gaze—like he was only aware of Kai in that moment—it almost bowled Kai over. Kai wanted to lean in and kiss him. He wanted to claim Micah, and let Micah know all of him. I love this omega.

  That was a fucking scary thought.

  “Kai,” Mom said, stopping next to them. Her brow furrowed. “Now isn’t a good time to stay.”

  Yeah, it wasn’t. But Kai wanted a second to taste Micah. Let Micah know how he felt. He wanted to taste Micah’s lips, watch Micah’s reaction when Kai said, I love you.

  But did Micah want Kai’s love, with how antsy he’d been in the college lately? Uncertain, Kai glanced at his mom. “Yeah, I’ll get him.”

  What would Spike think about this?

  Briefly, Kai breathed in Micah’s gardenia scent, holding him close. Micah sagged, burying his face against Kai’s shoulder, his breath warm through Kai’s shirt. “Thanks,” Micah whispered, his body fitting perfectly in Kai’s arms. “Just a moment. I’ll let you go.”

  “I lo—” Kai said.

  His phone buzzed. Kai pulled it out, just in case Spike needed to tell him something instead of yelling it through the door.

  Invitation to Tryout for NBA G-League, said the title of the email.

  Kai froze, reading it again. Aside from applying to a few other colleges for a basketball scholarship, he’d requested to try out for the NBA’s minor league, the G-league. It wasn’t as prestigious as the major league and it didn’t pay as well, but... it was income. He’d stand a chance to be noticed by the major league, and maybe he might be drafted into the big teams.

  “Kai?” Micah glanced at Kai’s phone. “Did something happen?”

  Kai didn’t know what to say. He tapped on the email, opening it.

  Micah sucked in a sharp breath. “Are you going?”

  “It’s just tryouts,” Kai said, his heart thumping.

  He knew he’d ace it. When he got into the G-league... he’d be spending weeks away from Meadowfall, training with his team. He wouldn’t be able to see Micah, or Spike. Do I really want this?

  Dad’s bedroom door slammed open. Spike wrestled with Dad, snapping, “It doesn’t matter who I’m seeing. I’m happy with my life.”

  “And that omega’s gonna make you happy?” Dad retorted. “He’s gonna drag you down, Spike. He’s gonna make you regret.”

  Micah stiffened, blood draining from his face. Anger shot back through Kai’s chest. Why the fuck are you still spouting that shit?

  Except Dad added, “I’ve seen a bunch of omegas. Don’t waste your life with a bad one.”

  Like Zac? The man who had grabbed Kai by the hair and hissed in his ear, You’ll end up just like your dad. You’ll fail at shit and people will trample all over you.

  Dad was unshaven. He reeked of booze, and he didn’t even have a job. Kai stared at Terence Ventura, the cogs in his mind slowly clicking into place. I’m not that alpha. I won’t end up like him.

  He refused to be a liability. He couldn’t hang around forever, playing college basketball and hoping one of the big teams picked him up. If he had an invitation to the tryouts, he needed to grab that opportunity. Maybe it would end up with him leaving Meadowfall.

  Micah leaned away from Kai. Kai let him go, missing his warmth. Thought again about saying I love you. But if Kai might leave, if Kai might break a promise... I can’t tell him. I can’t break his heart.

  It was difficult, locking those three words inside his chest.

  Spike shoved their dad back into the bedroom, slamming the door shut. “We’re leaving,” he said, his eyes flashing. “I’m not listening to that crap about Micah.”

  Mom stopped next to Micah, tentatively pulling him into a hug. “I’m sorry Terence is behaving this way,” she said apologetically. “I just... sometimes, I don’t know what to do with him.”

  “You could get a divorce,” Kai said flatly. “We’ll help pay for it.”

  Mom bit her lip—she was considering it. Good enough. Kai gave her a one-armed hug, ushering Micah to the door. He wasn’t having Micah here for another second longer, if he could help it.

  “I’m sorry we have to leave this soon,” Micah said, kissing Kai’s mom on the cheek. “But I really appreciate you having us over.”


  “Anytime,” Mom said, her eyes lighting up. “I’m just—so happy that the three of you are happy.”

  Spike gave her a quick kiss, wrapping his arm around Micah’s waist. “I’ll be back with Kai,” Spike said. “Maybe we’ll bring Micah along some other time.”

  Mom waved, and then they were back downstairs, in the car, Kai’s decision heavy in his heart.

  “About the tryouts,” Micah said, glancing at Kai.

  “Tryouts?” Spike frowned.

  “I got invited to the G-league tryouts,” Kai said, watching as understanding dawned in Spike’s eyes, then dismay.

  “So you’re going,” Spike said quietly.

  “It’s just a tryout.”

  “No, it isn’t. You’re gonna leave us, Kai.” Spike looked away, his throat working. “You promised me.”

  “I can’t stay, okay? Meadowfall isn’t my future.”

  “I wanted another two years with you.” Spike blinked hard, looking out the passenger window. “I love you. You know that.”

  “Then you’d let me leave.” It was a low blow, and Kai felt like the shittiest person for saying it. Spike glared. Kai’s heart hurt. “We’ll see. For all you know, they’re gonna reject me anyway.”

  Spike’s laugh was mirthless. “They won’t. They’ll see you for what you are, Kai. You’re good. You’re the best player on our team. They’ll scoop you up and you’ll never return to Meadowfall again.”

  Kai growled. “I’m not leaving you forever. I’ll be back during the off-seasons.”

  “But it isn’t enough.” Spike glowered. “What about the baby?”

  Kai hadn’t thought that far. “I’ll make enough to pay for it.”

  “You’ll regret that, you know,” Spike said. “You can’t be a dad from afar.”

  Could Kai? He didn’t know. He wasn’t even ready to be one. Maybe ever.

  In the rearview mirror, he met Micah’s gaze. Micah’s eyes were dark, his lips pressed thin. Kai shouldn’t have brought him home when Dad was around. Micah hadn’t deserved to hear that kind of crap.

  Hell, Kai wished Micah didn’t hear what Dad had said about him and Spike. Kai was tired of being a liability, he was tired of struggling with school and scraping together money. He needed to do better. It was in his power to.