Teal recalled Niall’s reaction earlier when he learned about the couple’s new situation with Sorcha. And the look of curiosity Jax had given Ronan when he’d heard Ronan’s alpha voice.
“That’s a good reminder that there might be more changes to come,” Teal said vaguely. “If we learned anything this weekend, it’s that the future comes whether you’re ready or not. When we were with Niall, we couldn’t have predicted he’d meet Jax, or that we’d both fall in love with Sorcha. I only know that we’ll be okay as long as we communicate. That’s why you have my full permission to dismiss any errant thoughts that arise in that gorgeous head of yours about disrespecting me.”
“You’re right, my omega. I just wish we’d had a bit more time before Sorcha got pregnant.”
Teal guffawed. “Yeah. I’d try to make you feel better by saying there’s a strong possibility you didn’t breed him, but I heard those noises he made when you breached him. Like he’d died of pleasure. I swear, I could hear his womb sucking in your cock. Not to mention the groans coming out of your mouth. The last time I heard those sounds was when we made Zayne. A breeding orgasm is pretty unmistakable.”
Ronan shook his head, grinning. “Teal?”
“Yes?”
“Not to totally change the subject, although this is related, but there’s something else I’ve been thinking about today.”
“What’s that?”
“I know we’ve been talking about your heat for a while. And I know it’s coming soon.”
“I certainly hope so.”
“Right. And I want to make sure you know that, despite everything that’s happened with Sorcha, I’m still all-in on breeding you when it comes. I don’t want what’s happened here to take away our dream of having another little one together. Maybe it’s crazy, but I know I can live happily with everything that’s happened over the past week, but not if it costs you that.”
By necessity, Teal had pushed aside thoughts of his upcoming heat. He’d almost been afraid to ask Ronan if he still wanted to attempt a breeding. Leave it to his perfect husband to not only bring up the matter himself, but also to have the best response. A tear slipped down Teal’s cheek. If he needed further proof that Ronan had enough love inside him to care for two omegas at once, this was it.
“My love, I appreciate you saying that. So much.” Teal placed a gentle kiss on the alpha’s shoulder. “And even though there’s uncertainty right now, I don’t want to miss my window. I still want to try for a baby when my heat comes.” He turned hopeful eyes to his husband.
Ronan angled his chin to kiss Teal’s forehead. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”
“I’m sure the boys will be thrilled to welcome two brothers.”
“Yeah. Luckily, we’ll have time to prepare them. They may have accepted the general concepts about Sorcha we introduced them to today, but having him be the daddy of a new brother will be tougher to explain.”
“My love,” Teal began carefully, “do you think all this worry about disrespecting me is because of us, or because you’re thinking about your own omega daddy?”
Ronan sucked in a breath. It was a sensitive subject for him, Teal knew.
A married, much-older alpha had seduced Ronan’s omega father, Pacy. Ronan was the product of their affair. His childhood had been difficult, raised by a single omega daddy.Omega rights were bleaker back then, and Pacy struggled against his community’s harsh judgement. Ronan’s alpha father passed away without ever claiming Ronan. Ronan never said so directly, but Teal had inferred that Pacy had engaged in some very precarious employment to make ends meet, including selling his body.
For the past decade, Pacy had suffered from dementia and no longer recognized his son. Ronan paid for him to live in the best care facility in the state and visited at least once a month. Watching the way society treated Pacy laid the groundwork for Ronan’s deep desire to protect omegas and promote their equality.
“I’m always going to think about what my daddy went through. And I’ll always believe that the best way to care for omegas is to make sure they have the same rights as alphas and betas. I never want to be like my alphafather.” Ronan spat the last word.
Teal scrambled to straddle Ronan’s lap, nudging their cocks together through the thin material of his briefs and Ronan’s joggers. “You could never be like him. Never.” He kissed his husband softly on the lips. “He walked away from his responsibilities because he was weak. You are dealing with this, taking care of everyone, because you are strong.”
“You’re sure?” Ronan choked out.
“Absolutely. You’re the very best alpha in the world. For me…and for Sorcha.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sorcha
Sorcha woke up to unfamiliar surroundings. The soft sheets and fluffy pillow under his chin were foreign. His eyes fluttered open to see a brightly lit room decorated in shades of beige, white, and sage green. Gauzy curtains shook a little with the mellow breeze coming in the window. He hugged the cozy blanket on top of him to his chest.
His body felt fatigued and worn, but in a satisfying way, like he’d had a good workout. And with that thought, he remembered.
The pieces came back slowly.
His uncles locking him in his room. The terrifying knowledge that he was probably going to die. Teal’s voice, reaching into his soul to soothe him. Ronan, rescuing him with his strength and his kindness.
