Wyatt sighed. Hazel tapped on her phone. “Uncle Raph said he’s busy. But he sent me a dog picture yesterday.”
“He did?” Wyatt lifted his head, peering at her screen. “Why don’t I get dog pictures from him?”
In a text message from Raph, there was a picture of a beagle—probably something Raph had found on the internet. With it, Raph had sent, If your dad allows it, we’ll get a dog sometime.
Sam rolled his eyes. “You don’t get the dog pics, you get the dick pics.”
Wyatt groaned, hiding his scorching face. He couldn’t deny that. But it was also something he’d kept out of sight of everyone else. “Not what we’re talking about, Sam.”
“I’m your best friend. We talk about everything.”
Except Sam wasn’t exactly Wyatt’s best friend anymore. Not when Wyatt had been chatting with Raph, listening to him, probing him for the little intimate details of his life. And Raph had been learning Wyatt inside and out, discussing his problems at work, showing Wyatt the newest recipes he glimpsed on Facebook.
Maybe that was what couples did with each other. But Wyatt had also been sacrificing the time he spent with Sam, so he could have more of Raph. It was selfish. Sam had been there for Wyatt for years, and this was how Wyatt repaid him. And Raph had all but disappeared from Wyatt’s life.
He pulled away from Sam, disgusted with himself.
“Ready to go?” Sam asked, looking Wyatt over. Wyatt nodded.
They left by the back doors of the grocery store, Sam scouting out the place first, with Hazel and Wyatt bringing up the rear. It was only when they were all in Sam’s car, that Wyatt relaxed, sinking low in his seat in case someone recognized him from the outside. They’d go home, and Wyatt would stay with Hazel until he calmed down.
“Have you told your mom and dad about the baby?” Sam asked, glancing at Wyatt as he drove.
“Neither.” Wyatt rubbed his belly. Would the baby look more like him, or Raph? Or would it be a mix—maybe it would have Raph’s black hair, and Wyatt’s hazel eyes. “Gods, Sam. They must be furious with me. Raph said he told our mom, but I haven’t visited since... three months ago. Before I started to show.”
“Look, if Raph isn’t going to be your alpha, at some point... you’d want to tell your parents you’re pregnant. I’m sure they’d want to know.”
Wyatt groaned. “No, I don’t think they will.”
But even as he said that, he imagined his mom’s delighted smile, his dad reaching out to carry his grandchild like he did with Hazel.
“You don’t have to mention Raph,” Sam said. “Your parents can just know you’re expecting.”
Wyatt imagined standing on his parents’ doorstep, surprise on his father’s face. Chief Fleming would want to know who his alpha was, so he could do a surreptitious background check.
“You know my dad,” Wyatt said. “You had to pass security clearance when I told him you’re my best friend.”
Sam made a face. “You know they’re going to want to know, at some point.”
He was right. Wyatt leaned back into his seat, trying not to think about his parents. His thoughts drifted to Max, and his heart thudded again.
Maybe visiting his mom wouldn’t be a bad idea. If Grandma wasn’t home, seeing his parents would soothe his anxiety. Maybe. “I... I suppose I could visit. Right now.”
Sam glanced over. “Are you sure?”
Wyatt twisted his fingers together. No, he wasn’t sure. But if there was a good reason to visit... It would probably be now. And maybe Mom would send him and Hazel home after they were done. He breathed in, then out. “I guess I am. I just have to... see if my Grandma’s around.”
“Good plan.”
They were quiet through the drive. Wyatt’s heart thudded when they approached the tall iron gates, Grandma’s carefully-crafted lawns sweeping around the mansion. The butler answered the intercom, and they began the winding ascent up the driveway.
“Gods, I never liked this place,” Wyatt mumbled, hugging himself. And he was still out of milk, and cereal. Damn it.
“You don’t have to stay for long,” Sam said. “I’m sure your mom and dad would appreciate a visit.”
They really would. “I’d talked about this with Raph. We’d agreed to tell Dad the news together.”
Sam narrowed his eyes. “Where’s Raph when you needed him, then?”
I don’t know. Wyatt glanced down at his phone. No text message, or calls from Raph. For someone who had promised to be around... Raph wasn’t, not anymore. And it stung.
“You need someone better than him, Wy. Someone who treats you better. Or I’ll help with the baby—it’s practice for me, anyway.”
“I thought you don’t want children.”
Sam shrugged, looking away. He rarely talked about his past, but Wyatt had never seen him with an alpha, either. “Experience is always good,” Sam said. “I helped with Hazel, remember?”
“Yeah. I’m forever in your debt for that.”
“Pfft. Count it as a gift. It’s not like I had money to buy you something for your baby shower.”
“I’ve never even had a baby shower.” Wyatt looked down at his belly, his heart aching. With Raph, he’d hoped to have a better home for his newborn. A father who was more present, a permanent place they could call home.
Had Raph been serious about staying? Or was he slowly leaving Wyatt, like Max had promised every alpha would?
Wyatt watched as the foreboding mansion drew closer, the front door opening. He held his breath, heart thumping. Then his mom stepped out, and Wyatt sagged into the seat. “I’ll ask Mom if my grandma’s here,” Wyatt said. “Maybe... if Grandma isn’t here, maybe Hazel and I can stay for a while longer.”
Sam slanted him a dubious look. “If you’re sure. I do have to get back to the drive-in.”
Wyatt sighed. There was that. “I don’t think I can come in today. Have you checked the roster?”
“Yeah. We’ll survive without your help, Wy. It’s not like you’ll have much time there when the baby’s born.”
“I can help!” Hazel said from the back seat.
Wyatt met her eyes in the mirror. He’d talked with Raph briefly about her skating out to take orders—risky, when it wasn’t legal for her to work yet. “There’s no need for you to, hon.”
“Leave it to the big guys,” Sam said, winking at her. “The Drive-In’s gonna be all fine.”
“Fine,” Hazel said, pouting.
Wyatt reached over, squeezing Sam’s hand. “I owe you so much.”
“You can pay me back some other time.” Sam grinned lopsidedly, and Wyatt hoped Sam would find more stability in his life, too, instead of working at the college bookstore in the day, and the drive-in at night.
Mom hurried down the front steps as they pulled up. Wyatt squirmed. He hadn’t told her about the pregnancy. Whatever she knew, it had been through Raph. And maybe she was still angry with him, after he’d kept quiet about both his children. Heavens knew how much he’d disappointed his parents.
He opened the car door carefully, not daring to breathe when she approached. Hazel flung open the back door and jumped out. “Grandma!”
Mom stooped to hug Hazel. “How are you doing, Big Girl?”
“I’m great,” Hazel said. “I got full marks for art class in school.”
“That’s fantastic! I’m proud of you.” Mom kissed Hazel’s forehead, before looking over Hazel’s shoulder at Wyatt, her eyebrows raised. Wyatt’s pulse pattered. And now he felt like a child again, doing all the things he wasn’t supposed to.
Wyatt pushed the car door fully open, stepping out. Mom’s gaze fell promptly to his belly, and he felt huge, being studied like that. Even if he was only six months pregnant. His cheeks heated. “Hi, Mom.”
She stepped over and pulled him into a hug, smelling like chrysanthemum and cookies and Mom. Wyatt’s throat tightened. “I’ve missed seeing you,” Mom said quietly, rubbing his back. “Raph told me.”
&nbs
p; Well, Raph wasn’t around right now. This wasn’t what they’d planned, and Wyatt felt a twinge of guilt for keeping his pregnancy secret. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.” Mom pulled away slightly, kissing his cheek. Then she smiled, all warmth in her eyes. “I’m just glad you visited. It’s been a while since your dad and I saw you.”
“Is—is Grandma around?” he asked, his stomach flipping.
Mom shook her head. “No, she’s out. In Highton, I believe.”
Gods knew what she was doing in Highton on a Saturday, but that was fine. It was good. Wyatt sagged with relief, his nervous pulse slowing. “So... she’ll be back late? Can Hazel and I stay?”
Mom’s face lit up. “You’re absolutely welcome to stay for dinner. I just wish your grandma wasn’t around quite so much.”
He felt the same. “Thank you.” Wyatt leaned into the car, shooting Sam a weary grin. “Mom says Hazel and I can stay. We’ll be fine.”
“That’s good.” Sam glanced around. “How will you guys get home, though? Your car’s still in the grocery parking lot.”
“I’ll get my dad to drop us off, or something.” Wyatt tried not to wince; he didn’t know how Dad would react. “Or I’ll call Penny. It’ll be fine.”
“Call me if there’s an emergency,” Sam said. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Thanks.” Wyatt reached over to hug him. “I owe you so much.”
“I’ll expect your help in the future, then.” Sam winked. “Anytime, Wy.”
Wyatt backed out of the car, closed the doors, and watched as Sam drove down the driveway.
“What’s for dinner?” Hazel asked, turning to Wyatt’s mom.
“We’re thinking of some baked potatoes and a pork roast. How does that sound?”
“I want to help,” Hazel said. “Dad lets me make scrambled eggs.”
“Really?” Mom glanced at Wyatt, lifting an eyebrow.
“I taught Hazel my secret scrambled egg recipe.” Wyatt shrugged, smiling. Mom hadn’t frowned, or begrudged him about the pregnancy. She knew the baby was Raph’s. And yet... “You really don’t mind?” Wyatt asked, touching his belly. “I thought... you might want to disown me. Or maybe Dad would.”
“Oh, Wyatt.” Mom pulled him back into her arms. “You’re still my son. I am upset—” Wyatt held his breath “—but that’s because I have an idea about the difficulties you might face.”
“We’ve talked about moving out of Meadowfall. Raph wants to quit his job and move here, though.”
Mom frowned. “He hasn’t mentioned that to me.”
Wyatt froze. Why didn’t you? I thought you trust Mom enough to tell her things.
Or did Raph not plan to leave his job at all? He’d not given Wyatt an update on his transfer application, and it had been an entire month since he began to drop out of contact. Wyatt’s stomach twisted into a tight knot. Did this have something to do with the debt?
“How is the baby?” Mom asked, looking down at his belly.
“Good. The ultrasound and bloodwork came back normal,” Wyatt said, breathing out his anxiety. “It’s starting to kick.”
“I felt the baby kick,” Hazel said, bouncing on her heels. “Will I ever have a baby?”
“That depends on whether you present as alpha, beta, or omega,” Wyatt said, setting his hand on her head. “I think you might present as alpha, though.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“None of them are bad. Everyone’s different.” He admired Hazel’s bright eyes, her indomitable spirit. She was brave, and good, and he hoped she would have a brilliant future. “In any case, you can also consider adopting a baby. But wait until you’re at least twenty!”
“You were eighteen when you had me.” Hazel looked innocently at him.
And he was twenty-seven now. With a nine-year-old daughter. Not something he’d ever imagined for himself. “You’ll be wiser when you’re older,” Wyatt said, smiling fondly at her. “I don’t want you to make decisions you’ll regret.”
Her face fell. “Do you regret me?”
“Never, hon. But I do regret that we have to deal with someone like Max.”
Mom glanced at him, her eyes sharp. “Max?”
“Max gives Dad bad moods,” Hazel said.
“An ex.” Wyatt shrugged. She’d stopped asking him who her other dad was these days. Wyatt hoped he’d never have to tell her. And hopefully she wouldn’t hate him for it, when she grew up and found out the truth.
It seemed as though everyone would end up hating him, somehow or other. Wyatt breathed out, looking at the gravel of the driveway.
“Are you going to tell your dad about the baby?” Mom asked after a while.
Wyatt gulped. “I guess I’ll have to. Is he busy?”
“He’s in the garage working on your Grandma’s car.”
“Oh. I’ve seen all his interviews,” Wyatt said. “Hazel and I have been recording them.”
Mom beamed. “That’s sweet of you.”
Wyatt shrugged. “We’re both proud of that. And I’m... not sure what Dad would feel about my news.”
Mom pursed her lips, worry darting through her eyes. “I’m not very sure, either. I haven’t told him. He can be stubborn.”
And Wyatt’s heart began to thud. He caught Hazel’s hand. “Well... if Dad doesn’t like the news, we’ll leave.”
“You’ll always have me, Dad,” Hazel said, looking earnestly up at him.
Wyatt’s throat tightened.
Mom squeezed his hand. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
He felt a little braver, walking to the garage with his mom and his daughter on either side of him. He should be stronger than this. But maybe Dad would disown him, and maybe that would mean he wouldn’t be Raph’s stepbrother anymore. And maybe things would turn out for the better.
Wyatt tried to figure how Stan Fleming would react. Dad loved his job, and he loved the town. He had frowned when Wyatt and Raph pulled tricks on the gardener, and he’d yelled when they’d accidentally dislodged the parking brake on a car, and it had rolled toward Penny.
But something like a relationship between his sons? No one was ever prepared for that. Especially not with a baby involved.
He glanced down at his belly, and breathed out. I hope you won’t have to face prejudice. I hope you’ll be accepted into society like everyone else. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll protect you.
Three more months, and the baby would be born.
They strode past the stately mansion, its glass windows gleaming under the afternoon sunlight. It was October, and the autumn chill hung around some days. This week was especially chilly; Wyatt had pulled on a knitted sweater, that hid his belly somewhat.
As they approached the garage, Wyatt heard the clink of metal falling on concrete, then some swearing. Dad crouched behind a Jaguar, looking for something on the floor.
He held his breath, and stepped forward with Mom and Hazel. “Hi, Dad.”
Dad glanced up, then did a double-take. “Wyatt?”
Wyatt’s heart lodged in his throat. He let go of Mom’s hand, so he could touch his abdomen, protect his baby.
“You didn’t say you’re expecting,” Chief Fleming said, grinning. He straightened, wiped his greasy hands on his shorts, and hurried into the sunlight. Then he looked around, eyebrows rising. “Congrats, son! Where’s your alpha?”
The lump in Wyatt’s throat grew, and his heart pounded. “It’s—He’s not around.”
Dad frowned. The sunlight glinted off his gray hair, and Wyatt saw the wrinkles on his face, the curiosity in his eyes. “C’mon, don’t say you have an alpha and then not bring him. Who’s he? We should meet. I’ll scare him a little, see if he’s good for you.”
It’s Raph. Wyatt squirmed, his hands sweating. Mom glanced sidelong at him.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it.
“Dad?” Hazel said, tapping on her phone.
Wyatt wiped his hands on his pants. “
Not right now, hon.”
Chief Fleming strode up, pulling Wyatt into a hug. Pride shone in his eyes. “Damn it, son. You should’ve told us sooner! Are you bonded? Does your alpha treat you good?”
Wyatt opened his mouth, willing his voice to come unstuck. It’s Raph, it’s Raph. Your other son.
“It’s Uncle Raph,” Hazel said, looking up from her phone.
Hazel, no.
Wyatt closed his eyes, wishing he could burrow into a hole in the ground. His father’s spruce scent enveloped him, and he wished they were hugging under better circumstances, not with him carrying a baby he shouldn’t be pregnant with.
His belly pressed against his dad, awkward and incriminating. Wyatt wished Raph were here. Wished Raph were holding his hand, at least.
He pulled away from his father, unable to meet his mom’s eyes. “Raph is my alpha.”
Dad blinked. “What?”
Wyatt sucked in a breath. “Raph is my alpha,” he said again.
Dad stared, intelligent eyes locked on Wyatt. “You mean... you had someone else’s kid, and they abandoned you? Is that why Raph’s your alpha?”
He felt the prickle of his dad’s gaze on his scent gland, where Raph had bitten him. Wyatt swallowed, holding on to the hem of his sweater. “No. It’s Raph’s baby. I mated with him.”
His face burned. Part of him wanted to snatch Hazel up and run. Before anyone could react, and before everything crashed down on him.
But part of Wyatt wanted to stay, because he remembered You deserve punishment, and it made him close his eyes, shoulders hunched, expecting pain.
“You can’t possibly...” Dad was looking around when Wyatt cracked his eyes open. Dad looked at Hazel, then his wife. “This is a joke, right? Tanya? You don’t seem surprised. Did you know?”
Mom nodded, slipping her fingers into Wyatt’s hand. “I did. Don’t be too harsh on Wyatt, Stanley.”
When Wyatt chanced a look at his father’s eyes, he found confusion, and betrayal. Maybe shock. Maybe disgust.
He shouldn’t have told Sam to leave. He should’ve asked Sam to stay around with his car, so he and Hazel had a chance to escape.
“What about Hazel?” Dad asked. “She knows, too? You’ve... told her?”
Wyatt nodded woodenly.
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