“Speaking of,” Vale said, as pulled away from Jason’s fingers and buttoned his shirt. “I want some tea. Daytime tea. Something strong and well steeped. Jason, will you get it, please?”
Jason rose, obviously reluctant to leave Vale’s side, but like any alpha, he was also prepared to do whatever his pregnant omega demanded of him. This Vale counted on because he wanted a few minutes with Urho alone.
The doorbell rang.
Vale growled, almost pulling off the final button in his annoyance. “If that’s your pater or father, I will murder them both. Do you hear me?Murder. Them. Both.”
Jason bent to run his fingers over Vale’s dark beard, whispering, “If it’s them, I’ll tell them to leave. I promise.” Then he rushed off as the doorbell rang a second time.
Urho began to gather his things. “I’ll get out of your hair, too.”
“You never come over anymore except to examine me,” Vale complained. He never thought he’d say it, but resting on the sofa all day, reading books and eating the food Jason had left behind for him grew a little dull. He’d been accustomed to teaching at least two units a day at the university and seeing his friends a night or two a week. Now he just saw his annoying in-laws.
“I come here every day.” Urho buckled his bag and sat on the sofa next to Vale, a knowing smile on his face. “But I can stay awhile if you want.”
Restlessness rose up in Vale, and he stood to pace. The baby rolled and kicked, visible even beneath Vale’s loose shirt. “He moves around so much,” Vale said, rubbing a hand over his stomach. “Is that normal?”
“Better than normal. It’s a good sign.”
“I can’t stop eating. Sometimes I eat so much, I can’t put any more in, but I’m still hungry.”
“Another excellent sign.”
“And everyone just pisses me the wolf-hell off.”
“Normal enough,” Urho said with a sympathetic smile. “You’re uncomfortable, and the weight of the baby is putting a strain on the scar tissue now. That’s enough to make anyone cranky.”
Vale glanced toward the doorway out to the hallway and sighed. “Jason is adorable.”
“I’ve heard that from you before, yes,” Urho said.
“But he’s making me crazy!” Vale gestured emphatically to make his point. “Eat this. Drink that. Sleep more. Let me rub your feet. Don’t tax yourself. Let’s read together.” He snorted. “Read together.Readtogether!”
Urho raised a brow. “Did Jason not read before?”
“No! He has a photographic memory, and so he just skims books. “Vale was rather proud of his baby alpha for that trait, but still… “No, he doesn’t read. Unless I read to him.”
“I see.”
Vale didn’t like the judgment he heard in Urho’s voice. Jason might not be much of a reader, but he was a very good alpha, very smart. The best of all men. “He tinkers. Out in the garden, mostly. Or with his microscope.” Vale groaned. “But now he’s glued to my side. Plus, he smells amazing to me. Like my alpha, yes, but I scent him even more strongly.”
“This is normal.”
“Thisleaves me aroused all the time.” Vale threw his hands wide. “All the time, Urho!”
“I know but—”
“No but! Being aroused all the time is exhausting. Let me tell you this now. Are you listening?”
“Yes.”
“I am gettingridiculouslytired of being fisted every day.”
Urho’s lips quivered. “I told him to do that.”
“I know.” Vale crossed his arms over his chest and snarled at Urho. “Tell him to stop.”
Urho sighed. “Love, it’s important that you keep stretching that scar tissue. It’s going to be a tough few months, but in the end, you’ll have a beautiful baby, and it will be worth it.”
