Omega's Stepbrother

by Anna Wineheart

  Not in front of Penny. Wyatt tensed, resisting Raph’s arms. He ended up stumbling between his siblings, his cheeks burning. He didn’t want Penny to see them hugging. No need to freak her out even more.

  Raph caught him, his eyes contemplative. Then he leaned in, pressing a kiss to Wyatt’s temple. “Pen, all you need to know is that Grandma drove him out of the house. She found us together.”

  Penny blinked several times. “I can’t believe this,” she said slowly. “Gods, it’s worse than the time I found Dr. Kinney with Greg.”

  Wyatt cringed. Who else had Penny walked in on? He didn’t envy them, but their situation probably paled in comparison to this. “I understand if you’d like to leave. I won’t expect you to babysit Hazel anymore.”

  Penny pursed her lips. Wyatt looked past her shoulder, at the framed photos of him and Hazel in the dim hallway. Raph had stopped holding on to him, and Wyatt missed that. Missed having the solid comfort of Raph’s body against his own. So he stepped back to Raph’s side, lacing their fingers together. Raph gave him a squeeze.

  “Still feel like puking?” he asked.

  Wyatt shook his head. His stomach had settled, thankfully, and he wanted some food. “Breakfast would be nice.”

  “Do you have anything for the morning sickness?”

  “Yeah. I bought some ginger drops—those seemed to work when I had Hazel. I’ve left a couple everywhere.” In fact, he’d tucked some away in the bathroom, too. Wyatt’s spirits lifted. He turned to the medicine cupboard, snagging one of the ginger drops he’d dropped into a plastic cup.

  The candy wrapper crinkled loudly in the bathroom. Wyatt popped the ginger drop into his mouth, painfully aware of both Raph and Penny watching him.

  “How long did the morning sickness last with Hazel?” Raph asked, his fingertips stroking Wyatt’s back.

  “About two months. It varies between pregnancies, though.” Wyatt sighed, leaning against him. Raph’s touch was comforting, a quiet reassurance: I’m here.

  “You’ve told Hazel about this,” Penny said dubiously. Raph clenched his teeth.

  “You have a problem with it?” He eased in front of Wyatt, shielding him. And Wyatt was grateful for his presence. Raph was... everything an alpha should be. Unlike Max.

  “And she just accepted it? Her dad and uncle sleeping together?” Penny grimaced.

  “Who we sleep with is none of her business.” Raph tensed. “And it’s none of yours, either. If you can’t accept that, fine. But quit giving Wy bullshit in his own home.”

  Wyatt’s throat tightened. He hadn’t expected Raph to speak up on his behalf. “We don’t have to talk about this now.”

  “I’m just making it clear,” Raph growled, holding Wyatt’s hand. “You’re my bondmate. You’re carrying my child. I won’t leave you just because someone says this is wrong.”

  “You aren’t... aren’t aborting it?” Penny winced.

  “Fuck, no.” Raph glared. “That’s our baby, Pen. If you can’t deal with it, leave.”

  Penny flinched, as though Raph had slapped her.

  Wyatt looked down at his flat belly. I hope that there’ll be a lot less hate around when you’re born. Your dad and I love you.

  It was comforting, knowing that Raph wanted this child just as much as he did.

  Penny backed away, glancing at the rest of the apartment. “I was just here to talk about the auditions. That’s all.”

  She looked down at her hands, then at the toilet, and Wyatt. Wyatt’s heart sank at the hurt on her face. He thought he might feel the same, if it had been Raph and Penny who were having a baby instead. But that would’ve been so much simpler, wouldn’t it? He wouldn’t have to worry about being ostracized.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how else to break the news to you. But for what it’s worth, Raph brought his violin. He hasn’t played in two years, but he said he’d try for my sake.”

  Penny looked at Raph, her expression hesitant.

  “I’ll be here on the weekends.” Raph shrugged. “Probably the rest of this week, too.”

  Wyatt turned to him. “You are?”

  Raph’s lips pulled into a crooked smile. “You looked like you were gonna fall over last night. If you’re gonna put yourself through that, I’ll come pick you up.”

  “It’s an hour’s drive to Meadowfall.” Wyatt winced. “You aren’t making that trip every night.”

  “I will, if it’s gonna stop you from crashing your car.”

  Raph met his eyes, his gaze solemn. He wasn’t kidding. And Wyatt wasn’t sure what he’d do with Raph, with his generosity, his sheer love. He swallowed, his chest too tight.

  “I can send Wyatt home,” Penny blurted. Raph glanced at her, his eyebrow raised. “Really. I mean... Wyatt’s my brother, too.”

  “I can trust you to drive, at least,” Raph said.

  Penny winced. “Yes. I mean, I won’t if you don’t want me to. I just... I’m sorry. I didn’t know you cared that much about each other.”

  “Yeah, well.” Raph turned to Wyatt. “Your call. You’re getting chauffeured home at night. Either that, or you leave the drive-in at 9 PM. Or I’ll pick you up at 9. You’re not working full days until the fatigue wears off.”

  Wyatt opened his mouth, unable to help his disbelieving smile. “I’ll work half-days. I’m not going to trouble either of you.”

  “Really?” Raph wrapped his arm around Wyatt’s waist, his gaze intent. “Promise me you’re going to go home if you think you’ll keel over.”

  “I promise,” Wyatt said. Penny had her own commitments, and Wyatt couldn’t possibly make Raph drive to Meadowfall every day, just so he could get home safely. That was insane. But so very sweet of Raph to offer. “Neither of you are driving me home.”

  “Fine,” Raph said. Then he glanced at Penny, his lips thin. “Look, we figured you might freak if we told you. I don’t need people telling Wy he’s crap, okay? He’s had enough of that.”

  Well, Wyatt didn’t know that. He’d thought Raph was just looking out for Hazel. His cheeks prickled.

  Penny opened her mouth, then closed it. “I’m sorry—I understand. I won’t get in your way.”

  She turned to leave, her gaze downcast. This wasn’t what Wyatt wanted. He loved Penny; she was his sister, and he owed her so much.

  He released Raph’s hand, catching Penny by the arm halfway through the living room. “Penny. I’m sorry we didn’t tell you. I really am.”

  She looked at him warily, her nostrils flaring. Then her gaze dropped to his neck, and Wyatt knew she’d found Raph’s bonding mark. She looked away. “I don’t know what to think about this,” she admitted. “It’s just... a lot to process at once.”

  “I promise we still love you as our sister,” Wyatt said, hoping she would believe him. “We just... Raph is really protective of the baby. And me. That’s all. Please don’t tell Mom and Dad about us. Grandma, too.”

  “I promise. You’re really keeping it?” she whispered, glancing past his shoulder, where Raph probably stood.

  Wyatt nodded. “I am. I love Raph, but I don’t think it’s the same way you feel about him.”

  She bit her lip. “Okay. I should probably return another day. Sorry about breakfast.”

  Wyatt sagged, relieved. Maybe this wasn’t turning out so bad, after all. “Don’t worry about it. You mentioned the audition...?”

  “I was going to tell you that Dad signed us up for it. But I guess Raph already told you.”

  “It would be lovely if you could join us,” Wyatt said, squeezing Penny’s hand.

  Penny looked doubtfully at him.

  “Really,” he said.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  He pulled her into a hug, breathing in her lily scent. Maybe she smelled the traces of Raph’s scent on him. And maybe she might think it terrible. He would have to learn to live with her disapproval.

  Penny pulled away, giving him a wan smile. “Say hi to Hazel for me. I’ll stop by some
time.”

  She slipped out of his arms, smiled again, and left, shutting the door quietly behind herself.

  The apartment rang with quiet. Wyatt stared at the door, almost expecting Penny to return. Had she forgotten something? Would she be back?

  Raph stopped beside him, his warm fingers slipping into Wyatt’s hand. “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel like I’ve screwed this up somehow,” he said, groaning. “Penny isn’t evil. She’s just... she talks too much. We know that. But I think we’ve hurt her, too.”

  Raph sighed, pulling Wyatt into a tight hug. “She may be our sister, Wy, but you’re my omega. To me, your feelings come first.”

  My omega. Wyatt cracked a smile, leaning into Raph’s chest. Raph was warm, his skin smelling like soap and teak. “You might be the only person who’s ever said that to me.”

  “Your feelings coming first?” Raph’s arms circled him like a protective cage, holding him close. “I could’ve sworn Mom might’ve said it.”

  “Not that I remember.”

  And maybe Mom had been more concerned about fairness and their merging as a family, than how each of them felt. Ever since he’d given birth to Hazel, Wyatt had stopped placing any importance on his own feelings. He wasn’t worth much; Hazel was the one who deserved all his care.

  To have Raph consider Wyatt’s feelings important, well. “You’d do better caring for someone else.”

  “No.” Raph hugged him tight, his fingers stroking through Wyatt’s hair. “Someone needs to care for you. That’s gonna be me.”

  “I’ll have you know that I don’t deserve it.” Wyatt breathed in deep, filling his lungs with Raph’s scent. “Gods, you smell so good.”

  “You’re the one carrying our baby,” Raph murmured, kissing his cheek. “You’re my most important person. You’ve probably always been.”

  Wyatt’s throat tightened. “I... don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  He pressed his face into Raph’s shoulder, and Raph stroked his back, dropping kisses on his ear.

  “Breakfast is ready!” Hazel yelled, racing into the living room. “Wait. Where’s Aunt Penny?”

  Wyatt winced. “She had to leave, but she’ll be back another day.”

  Hazel thought on his words for a moment. Then her face lit up. “Can I have Aunt Penny’s eggs? I made enough for all of us.”

  Raph snorted. “Kids.”

  “Sure you can,” Wyatt said. “But not too much! On second thought, maybe I’ll have more eggs, too.”

  “More eggs!” Hazel did a little gleeful dance, hopping back into the kitchen.

  “Feeding an extra someone?” Raph murmured, catching Wyatt’s earlobe between his teeth. Wyatt shivered, then touched his belly again. The pregnancy felt more real with the nausea. He was carrying Raph’s baby. Raph had marked him, and this was too good to last.

  They’d seen Penny leave. They could see their parents turn them away, too.

  “I suppose I am,” Wyatt said.

  Raph grinned, his eyes bright. Wyatt realized that Raph wanted this baby, regardless of the consequences. He’d meant what he said to Penny. And maybe Raph really would stay. Wyatt swallowed hard, his pulse fluttering.

  “Should we tell Hazel?” he asked.

  Raph glanced at the kitchen. “Your daughter. Your decision to make.”

  “Part of me wants to wait until I’m past the first trimester. The other part says Hazel will catch on to the puking.”

  They didn’t know if there would be a miscarriage, or anything like that. But Wyatt liked the thought of bearing Raph’s baby. He wanted Raph to look at him like he mattered most in the world. And so he hoped that this pregnancy would go fine. That he could tell Hazel, and eight months later, he’d give birth to a healthy, happy child.

  “I think I will,” he said. “After breakfast.”

  16

  Wyatt

  Naturally, breakfast dragged.

  Wyatt had spied the violin case behind the coffee table. When he set the last of the rinsed dishes away, he stepped into the living room, and found Raph with the case open, his violin tucked between his chin and shoulder.

  Wyatt stopped breathing.

  Against the bright window, Raph cut a fine figure—all broad shoulders and strong jaw, his eyes downcast, his lips beautiful. He had looked younger a decade ago, in Grandma’s piano room, thinner, his bow darting across the strings. Now, he looked warier, more mature. He looked like an alpha Wyatt wanted in his family.

  “I did a few chords last night,” Raph said. “When I picked it up at home.”

  “Yeah?” Wyatt said.

  “Not at my best right now. Will need practice.” Raph tested a few notes, and the violin’s mellow purr tingled down Wyatt’s spine.

  “Will you teach me?” Hazel asked.

  “Sure. After I get the hang of this.” Raph played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, his bow sliding slow on the strings, his lips pursed in concentration.

  “Do you still remember...” Wyatt’s heart pattered. “The songs we played?”

  Raph glanced up, and met his eyes. And maybe the look they shared was timeless—it was the same way Raph had looked at him nine years ago on that piano bench, and then a month ago, when they’d first mated. “Yeah,” Raph said. “‘Course I do.”

  “Will you play Songs About Us?” And why was his heart beating so fast, when they were just talking about a song?

  Raph held his gaze. “I’ll need piano accompaniment.”

  “I-I can do that.”

  He’d played it on the piano sometimes, when Hazel asked about the CDs her grandpa hummed along to. He’d never thought Raph would be in his living room, never thought he’d hear Raph’s violin again.

  “You’ll have to start,” Raph said. “I’ll join in.”

  Hazel followed Wyatt to the piano, plopping herself on the edge of the bench. With trembling fingers, Wyatt set the metronome. Then he pressed his fingers to the cool white keys, and played.

  The first few notes came hesitantly; Wyatt was only too aware that Raph was listening. But he knew the words to this song, knew the melody that would follow in the next few bars.

  Wyatt glanced over his shoulder at Raph, and found Raph closer now, so close that Wyatt could reach out and touch him. Then he watched as Raph pressed his fingers to the violin strings, as though he was remembering the accompanying notes he could’ve played.

  Between them, Hazel hummed, and Wyatt’s music soared, filling the living room.

  Raph’s violin joined in a beat later, when Wyatt’s notes dipped low. The violin sang, and the piano rumbled, and the music harmonized like it had done years ago, back when they were younger and more innocent.

  Forget me not in the years to come

  Together, we’ll be stronger as one

  Through the quakes and the storms

  When the clouds part, the sun will shine again

  It sounded good. More than that. It raised the hairs on Wyatt’s arms, and even though Raph slipped on the timing and a couple of notes, he was brilliant. Sunlight caught on his darting bow. He leaned forward, matching his notes to Wyatt’s.

  Wyatt poured everything he felt into the song, because I love you wasn’t enough to convey everything he felt for this man.

  Then Raph fumbled, trailing off, and he grimaced. Pulled his bow away from the violin. “Sorry.”

  Sorry? That was the last thing Wyatt needed from him. He stood, his throat tight, and padded over to Raph. “That was beautiful.”

  “Nah, I could’ve done better.” Raph scratched his neck, his face red. “I’ll go back and practice—”

  Wyatt caught Raph’s face in his hands, pulled him down, and kissed him hard. “You did great,” he whispered. “I’m proud of you.”

  Raph chuckled lowly against his lips. “I’m an alpha. I don’t need you to be proud of me.”

  “Proud of you anyway,” Wyatt said. “It doesn’t matter what you are.”
<
br />   For a long moment, Raph stared at him. Then he settled into a smile, and leaned his forehead against Wyatt’s. “All right.”

  “Are we going to play some more?” Hazel asked, wriggling on the piano bench. “The kissing thing is gross, but I’ll deal if you teach me how to play the violin.”

  Raph laughed. “Let me get better first, and then I’ll teach you.”

  Wyatt smiled, basking in the cheer of his family. Then his stomach roiled, squeezing. Gods, it would be a pain, dealing with morning sickness all over again. “Be right back,” he said, heading to the bathroom.

  Raph frowned. Wyatt ducked into the en-suite in his bedroom, and folded himself over the toilet. Pity about breakfast.

  A minute later, Raph was beside him, stroking his back. “Is this gonna happen all the time?”

  Wyatt spat, then flushed the toilet. “I’ll get used to it.”

  “Are you okay, Dad?” Hazel asked from the doorway. “Do you need to see the doctor?”

  Raph winced, glancing at her. Wyatt figured Raph had tried to distract her from the puking—only it never worked with that child. She was sharp, more so because she’d learned to read Wyatt a long time ago.

  And maybe there wasn’t any way to hide this from his daughter. Wyatt sighed, wiping his mouth. “I really am okay. Remember the book we read about babies? About how a baby takes nine months before it’s born?”

  Hazel nodded slowly, still frowning.

  “Well, a month into their pregnancy, omegas tend to feel tired and nauseous a lot. So they’ll be very sleepy, and they’ll want to vomit every so often.”

  He waited a beat, so Hazel could digest that. Then she blinked. “Does that mean... you’re pregnant?”

  “Yes, I’m pregnant. The vomiting will be normal for me for a while.”

  Wyatt wasn’t sure how she’d react. They’d talked about babies and alphas and omegas after reading that book, but Wyatt had never really dated an alpha long-term, not enough for Hazel to get curious about babies.

  “So I’ll get a brother or a sister?” Hazel asked, her gaze sliding to Wyatt’s flat belly.