“That smells wonderful,” Vale said as he slipped into the kitchen. He wore a robe over pajamas just as he had since Urho had confirmed the pregnancy. He was truly a decadent man and enjoyed the pampering, but Jason knew it was only a matter of time before Vale started to feel stir-crazy and demanded to go out and about. He wouldn’t be surprised to come home from work one day soon to discover a note announcing Vale had gone to his beta friends, Yosef and Rosen’s house to visit. At least Jason knew they were responsible, reliable men who’d make sure Vale ate well and stayed calm.
“Sheet pan sausage and veggies,” he said, putting the pan in the oven, and adjusting the temperature. “Thirty minutes.”
“Just enough time for you to tell me why you’re frowning.”
“Ah, it’s complicated.”
“I’m feeling great,” Vale said defensively. “My nausea has settled. I’m hungry. I feel strong and healthy.”
“It’s not about the pregnancy, actually,” Jason said slowly. “It’s about Urho. And Xan.”
Vale’s lips twitched into a smirk. “They need someone to lock them together in a closet. Naked. Ten minutes later, they would resolve the problem between them.”
“So, you know?”
“Of course. I’m not blind.”
“I suppose I have been. It never occurred to me until today, but…”
“The electricity when they are near each other could light all the bulbs in our house,” Vale said. “I wish they’d just give in.”
“Urho isn’t quite ready yet, I don’t think.”
“He always did have to drag everything out. There were times…” Vale trailed off and then shrugged, obviously rethinking his next sentence which told Jason it was probably a reference to the sexual relationship he’d once had with Urho. “It’s simply his way to cling to protocol, propriety, and the past. Even after all these years, he hasn’t forgiven himself for hisÉrosgápe’sdeath.” Vale’s lips tightened. “It was tragic, but Urho couldn’t have stopped it if he’d tried.
“How was the lab this morning? Did the microbes react the way you thought they would? To the, uh, fizzy stuff you were soaking them in?”
Jason smiled. Vale was always sweetly trying to get his mind around Jason’s pet projects, but he didn’t care about it deeply, and the details of it went over his head. If Jason had wanted to spend his hours dissecting sonnets, Vale would have been able to hold his own and even teach Jason a thing or two. But when it came to lab work, Vale was very much bored. So, it was adorable to see him try. “I didn’t go in. Hopefully Dr. Obi will forgive me. You know he’s a stickler for punctuality. Hopefully, he’ll let me continue to work with him.”
“Since you do it all for free, I’m sure he will. But what kept you?”
“Urho. He grabbed me off the sidewalk and interrogated me about my former relationship with Xan. I’d never seen him like that before. Frankly, if I hadn’t known him, I’d have thought he was out of his mind. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.” Jason frowned, getting out cups to pour water and some special, stomach-settling tea for Vale. “I think whatever he’s feeling, it’s stronger than he wants to admit.”
“So, you told him about you and Xan being lovers before?”
Jason sighed. “I did. But somehow he already knew. He was furious about it. He said I was reckless, that Xan was, too, but I think he was…jealous? It was the strangest conversation I’ve ever had with him.”
“And?” Vale prompted, knowing Jason too well to think that was the end of it.
“He said Xan was involved with another alpha and that this relationship could spell trouble.”
“Knowing Xan, I’m sure it could.”
“Yeah. I’m going to head over to Xan’s in the morning to look in on him. Make sure he hasn’t gotten himself into anything he shouldn’t have.” Jason sighed heavily. “I hoped that after he contracted with Caleb, he’d change.”
“Darling, it’s just who he is. He’s never going to want an omega the way you do. I only hope it isn’t too onerous for Caleb. But I’ve heard rumors about him. Omegas talk.”
“What kind of rumors?”
“Just that he might be the perfect fit for Xan in a lot of ways.”
Jason eyed Vale, but he knew he wasn’t going to get more out of him that night. Instead, he turned his thoughts back to Xan. “I know what you’re saying about Xan’s nature, and I agree. But he’s so impulsive.”
“He has a bit of a death wish,” Vale agreed.
“Does he?” Jason asked, his heart skipping a beat. “Would he put himself in that kind of serious danger?”
“I don’t know, darling, but Xan struggles with himself more than any other alpha I’ve ever met.”
