“Not a big deal, but we had a minor incident at the aquarium the other day. It was a reminder that there are a lot of pro-alpha folks out there who don’t like what Teal is doing. Jax is staying because the five of us, including you, are closing ranks around the boys to make sure we all come through this okay. Within that circle, you don’t have to hide anything, ever.”
A lump formed in Sorcha’s throat. He had people now. Ronan and Teal. Their sons. Niall. Even Jax. “It’s like we’re a team,” he said.
“No, Sorcha. It’s like we’re a family.”
Niall got up and headed toward the hallway. “I’m going to bring you some water and tea and a sandwich. If you’re feeling up to it, you can come into the kitchen to eat.”
Sorcha tried to move, but the heaviness in his limbs held him to the mattress. “Sorry,” he said.
“Don’t be sorry. Take your time to recover. I’m sure you have lots more questions, too, now that you’re awake. I promised Ronan and Teal I’d wait until they got back before telling you anything about your uncles or their talk with the kids. But they’ll be home soon to fill you in.”
“I can wait.” Sorcha leaned back harder into the pillows. “Niall?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad we talked. I know my…relationship…with Ronan and Teal is going to be complicated, but I can’t help wanting it. Adding in your friendship, and Jax’s, feels like a dream. I haven’t had many people who’ve cared for me, and now it’s like I’m greedy for it.”
Niall sighed and walked back toward the bed, leaning down to kiss Sorcha’s forehead. “Beautiful omega, it’s not greedy to want what you absolutely deserve. I’m honored to be someone who’s going to help you feel loved. Your uncles were evil sacks of shit who didn’t appreciate your goodness. But all that’s over now.”
***
Sorcha felt well enough to come downstairs that night, but dinner began awkwardly. Ronan and Teal had told Sorcha about their talk with the boys. Sorcha stared across the table at Garin,Kino, and Zayne as they ate their chili without commentary. He was grateful for the presence of Niall and Jax, who sat at opposite ends of the table.
Sorcha wanted to offer the boys some type of reassurance, but since this would be a massive adjustment, he also wanted to take it at their pace. He and Ronan and Teal had decided earlier that Sorcha’s presence in their home was enough of a change for the time being. They could let the boys get used to that and take things slowly. Even if Sorcha turned out to be pregnant, they had time before he started showing.
Niall and Jax eyed one another across the table. Sorcha guessed the subject of their wordless communication. Should they continue to endure the silence, punctuated only by the clanking of spoons against bowls, or attempt to initiate conversation?
Finally, Teal said, “Dayson Bannon is supposed to drop by tonight to pick up some last-minute notes for tomorrow. He won’t testify until later in the week, but I want him to be prepared for what he might hear from others.”
As if on cue, Teal’s cell phone rang. He lifted a finger apologetically at the table before excusing himself to take the call in his home office.
Ronan eyed the children. “You all are very quiet tonight. Any particular reason?”
Kino shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He glanced at Garin on his right and Zayne on his left before replying. “Papa, we’re worried about Daddy. We saw what happened to Mr. Bannon. How he got beat up. Then there were those horrible men at the aquarium.” Niall and Jax winced. “And now you’ve taken us out of school. We know Daddy does very important work, but we don’t want anything to happen to him.”
“Yeah,” Garin agreed, voice wavering, clearly trying very hard not to cry.
His omega brother had no such hesitation. Zayne hiccupped once before tears began streaming down his face. “I don’t w-w-want nuttin bad to happen to Daddy!” he wailed.
Sorcha’s own tears threatened.These precious little boys!He’d been so afraid that their reticence during dinner was because of his presence, but of course their first concern was Teal’s tribunal tomorrow. Sorcha didn’t know them well enough yet to pull them into his arms, but the urge to do so coursed through him like a river. He remembered when his family died. He’d been desperate for Dale or Abe to hug him and comfort him. Exactly the opposite happened. They’d blamed him and kept him at arm’s length.
That’s why it was gratifying to see all three kids get up and hurl themselves into Ronan’s arms. The big alpha scooted his chair away from the table, making room for them in his lap. He rubbed their backs and cooed at them, “It’s okay, my loves, my beautiful boys. It’s okay. We’re going to keep Daddy safe. I promise. Daddy’s going to do his very important job, but he’s never going to do anything that would keep him away from you. But you can cry. That’s okay. Cry it out. And you can always tell me when you’re feeling scared. It’s okay, my loves.”
On and on Ronan’s endearments went as the boys snuggled and burrowed into his wide chest, also with arms around one another. Ronan was such a strong, fine alpha father. Niall got up from his seat and went over to rub Garin’s shoulder, keeping a loving hand on him, giving him permission without words to cry all he needed to. After a moment, Jax got up and did the same thing with Kino. Finally, with a nod from Ronan, Sorcha came over to run gentle fingers through Zayne’s curls, letting him feel their omega bond. Zayne released a soft puff of air at the touch. Ronan, Niall, and Jax looked at Sorcha with approval.
“What’s all this?” Teal walked in to find them all huddled around Ronan’s chair.
“The boys were feeling a little nervous about High Court,” Niall said. “But I think we’re okay now.”
Garin snuffled against Ronan’s shirt. “Yes, Daddy. We’re okay. We were just a little scared, but we know you and Papa and Niall will take care of us.” Garin peered sideways and paused before declaring, “Jax and Sorcha too.”
“Of course Sorcha and I will help,” Jax said, still running a hand over Kino. “We’ll all take care of each other.”
Sorcha had woken up happy after his post-heat sleep, feeling the physical evidence of the way Ronan and Teal had claimed him. Speaking with Niall earlier solidified his sense of belonging. And just now, he’d felt a kinship with Jax, the other new member of this clan.
But it was a snotty, red-eyed Garin gazing at him with such faith that reinforced the point in his mind. He was home. He was part of this family. And he’d do anything in his power to protect every person in the room.
Chapter Twenty-Five
