Matteus and Julian grinned at him. “So what you’re saying is, this all startedbeforethe incident with the omega? And actually hasnothingto do with that at all.”
“I…well…it absolutelyisbecause of that. There can’t be any other explanation.”
“Why don’t you call Lucas? Like, now?” Matteus said, taking another drink of orange juice.
“Because the boss said we’re not allowed to speak to one another.”
“No. The boss said you can’t work together. Which, to be fair, is probably the right decision.”
Oliver nodded. He knew all too well the dangers of close personal relationships in the police. Despite him and Matteus working in the same department, they almost never went out on jobs together in case something happened, and one or both of them ended up being assaulted. Matteus, despite being an omega, could be an aggressive little shit. And Oliver—well, he wassignificantlyworse.
“No. I’m not calling him, and he isn’t calling me. There shall be no calling from either of us.”
“Ollie…” Julian tried to weigh in.
“Oh, just piss off both of you. Can’t you just hurry up and have babies so I can live out the rest of my days as a cool uncle? You know, one that is perpetually single and house shares with a horde of cats?”
Julian and Matteus glanced at one another, a series of small smiles and unspoken words passing between them. And Oliver had been so wrapped up in his own issues that he hadn’t noticed Julian’s hand on his brother’s belly. Or how they snuggled close to one another under the blanket. Then, after a torturously drawn out period of silence, the penny finally dropped.
“You’re—”
“Yes.”
“And I’m?—”
“Yes,” Matteus replied, a huge smile spreading across his face.
Oliver jumped up from the wicker chair so quickly it sent the pizzas flying halfway across the garden. “Oh my God. Oh myGod,” he shrieked. “I’m going to be an uncle?”
“Yes, Ollie,” Julian said, kissing Matteus’ cheek.
“You fuckers. You absolute fuckers! You let me babble on and on, and… oh, just come here!” He threw his arms around them. “When did you find out?”
Matteus smiled, shoving Oliver down into the seat next to him. “Last night, it’s why we were up late, and why I knew something was up with you.”
“Fuck all that!” He said, waving an arm, “I’m going to be the best fucking uncle this universe has ever seen… ouch!” He raised his fingers to his nose, having jostled it in his excitement.
“Ollie, you really need the healing sleep. Or at least put the splint on,” Julian said, patting Oliver’s knee.
“Fuck the splint! I’m going to be an uncle!”
Late into the night,he and Matteus lay curled together in the heated garage. Their sandy-wolf forms were tangled amongst a pile of blankets, just as they used to when they were pups. Julian was also there, his dark fur making him almost invisible as he kept a silent watch over the night.
“Best parents,”Oliver said softly over their pack bond. He pressed his muzzle into Matteus’ scruff, drawing in his familiar, sweet scent.
“My hope,”Matteus replied, rolling onto his side. The white fur of his underbelly stuck up at all angles, and Oliver knew it would soon be plump and round.
“Going to buy all the things… all the things.”Oliver could feel his own excitement trilling along the bond, which drew ahuff from the alpha, somewhere in the darkness. If there was one thing Julian hated, it was clutter. But Oliver didn’t argue, because despite everything, he had never been as happy as he was in that moment.
EIGHT
BREAKFAST & BARGAINS
After the third day of lounging around 4 St Irving Way, Oliver was more than ready to return to the solitude of his little flat. Sitting down so much had caused an irritating ache in his lower back, and he longed to sleep by himself. He loved his brother, loved his cooking even more, buthatedhis irritating impulse to check up on him.
More than once, Oliver had subtly tried to suggest that perhaps the house simply wasn’t big enough for three grown men. In response, Matteus pouted and started looking on YouMove for five bedroom homes. Extended family units were not uncommon amongst packs, but it simply wasn’t Oliver’s thing. Nor, Oliver suspected, would it have been his brother’s thing either, were it not for his raging hormones.
“I think it’s the pregnancy,” Julian whispered, as he and Oliver stood at the bottom of the garden pretending to water the plants.
