“Little one, asking me not to take care of you is like asking me not to breathe. And I don’t always do it because I think you need it. Sometimes it’s because I need it.”
Sorcha looped his arms around Ronan’s neck. “I know.”
Ronan sighed. “What we’ve found here, between the five of us, it’s like I’m more myself than I’ve ever been. Maybe it sounds nuts, but I have this innate feeling I was born for this. To be with all of you.”
“Not nuts. I believe we were meant to find one another too. I’ve been waiting my whole life to belong to a family that loves me and lets me use my voice. Teal needed space to be perfectly imperfect. Jax needed permission to be creative and unconventional. Niall needed to know he’s part of something serious, something worthwhile.”
When Sorcha didn’t continue, Ronan prompted, “And what did I need?”
“You needed to be our alpha. Like you said, you were born for it.”
Ronan closed his eyes. Sorcha was right. This was what all those dipshits in the pro-alpha groups refused to understand. They thought keeping omegas down and dominating them were the keys to being a good alpha, a natural alpha. But they were wrong.
Each minute Ronan spent protecting and providing for his family, every way he helped them feel like they could be themselves and pursue their passions—there was nothing more alpha-like than that. Ronan had four partners to care for. His heart thumped.
“You are wise, little one.”
“And you are loved, alpha.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Teal
Teal woke up on the third day of his heat feeling the last month in his body. The stress of the tribunal, the poisoning, his recovery. Every part of him ached and protested with each movement he made. But he was happy. So happy. Because he remembered.
It was hazy. His delirium had been severe, but he remembered the moment.
Teal placed a reverential hand on his stomach. He looked out the window to see the branches of their backyard Maple swaying in the gentle breeze.
“You’re awake,” Sorcha said, kissing his shoulder.
Teal smiled at him. “I am.”
“How do you feel?”
“Good, I think.” Teal kept his voice at a low whisper, but someone stirred on the other side of him. Niall. “Everything is still foggy, but I’m past the delirium.” Teal bit his bottom lip,almost afraid to ask. What if he’d remembered wrong? Or if it was a dream? “Sorcha?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you think it…took?”
Sorcha rested his hand over Teal’s and grinned. “Based on your roof-raising breeding orgasm, I’d say there is a very good chance.” Sorcha placed Teal’s other hand on his own belly. “These boys are going to be the closest of brothers.”
Ronan must have sensed his omegas touching one another because he woke up with a growl of lust, popping his head up behind Niall. “Exchanging notes?” he asked playfully. Noticing their hands on each other’s bellies, he asked, “Have I seeded you both to your satisfaction?”
Teal chuckled low. Ronan’s question may have been teasing, but he sensed the smugness beneath. “Don’t fish for compliments, my love.”
Ronan grunted and Teal inhaled the sharp peppery sage scent of his alpha. It had been elusive since his poisoning, his sense of smell affected, so the powerful aroma now had his blood heating rapidly.
“Sure you’re doing okay, sweetheart?” Niall asked Teal sleepily, shaking Jax awake behind Sorcha.
“Mm-hmm. I can feel another wave coming, but I’m okay.” His face contorted as he took stock of his body. “Actually, I can feel that my limbs are unusually tired.” Frowning deeply, he glanced at Ronan. “I doubt I’ll have the strength to ride you.”
Jax extended his arm over Sorcha and squeezed Teal’s hip. “Pardon my ignorance,” he said. “But does that matter? Is there a problem with a heat if the omega can’t be on top?”
Ronan laughed. “Not a physical problem. No. Teal is just pouty because it’s his favorite position.” He captured his husband’s gaze. “Don’t worry, baby. As soon as you’re better, I’ll let you ridemy dick as much as you want.” He glanced at the betas as if to saytheirs too, and Teal felt a wave of lust so strong he gasped.
“Alpha! Need you!”
