“What dynamic?” I demand, though I already know.
“Birth parents typically expect the alpha to be the provider.” She gestures to my spreadsheets. “Having a betaas the primary breadwinner and an alpha as the house-husband—well, it’s an additional challenge to overcome.”
Lucas stands abruptly. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Parker.”
I gather my papers, hands trembling with anger. “This is discrimination.”
“It’s reality,” she counters. “I’m simply preparing you for what to expect.”
In the elevator, Lucas leans against the wall, eyes closed. The scent of his distress fills the small space.
“She’s wrong,” I say, reaching for his hand. “We’d be amazing parents.”
“I know.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes.
“We’ll find another agency. Or go private. I’ve been researching international options, too.”
Lucas nods, but I feel him pulling away emotionally. “Maybe I should look for more clients. Get back to full-time work.”
“That’s not the issue, Lucas.”
“Isn’t it?” His voice is soft but heavy. “An alpha who lets his beta partner support him? Who wants to stay home with kids instead of hunting and providing? Maybe they’re right about me.”
“Stop.” I grip his shoulders. “You’re perfect exactly as you are. We’re perfect together. Some bureaucrat with outdated views doesn’t get to define our family.”
He pulls me into a hug, his face buried in my neck. “I love you.”
“We’ll figure this out,” I promise, though I’m not sure how. “Together.”
The elevator doors open, but neither of us moves right away. Lucas takes a deep breath and straightens hisshoulders, putting on the confident alpha face the world expects.
Even though he and I both know how much he’s hurting.
I wish I could protect him from this pain, but all I can do is hold his hand as we walk out into the sunlight.
We stop for ice cream on the walk home. Lucas chooses an ice pop because dairy has too many calories, but it’s still something to cheer him up. If I focus my attention on my own soft-serve cone, then I don’t have to think about all the problems that can’t be solved with a few dollars at the ice cream truck.
So I’m in absolutely no mood to be welcoming when I see a familiar figure sitting on our doorstep.
“If this is about the vesting schedule for your stock awards, then you need to save it for the next board meeting.”
Matheo’s eyes glint with amusement as he rises off the front stoop. “What’s a few million dollars between friends?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “What do you want, Matheo? We’ve had a rough day.”
Lucas perks up slightly at the sight of our friend. “Hey, man.”
Matheo’s gaze shifts between us, his alpha instincts clearly picking up on the emotional undercurrent. “Bad news at the adoption agency?”
“How did you—” I start.
“You’ve been talking about it for months. Today was the big interview.” He shrugs. “Plus, ice cream on a Tuesday morning screams emotional eating.”
Lucas manages a half-smile. “They basically told us we’re at the bottom of the list because Cash is the breadwinner and I’m just the house-alpha.”
Matheo’s jaw tightens. “That’s bullshit.”
“That’s society,” I counter, fishing for my keys. “What brings you here anyway? The last time you showed up out of nowhere, it was because you wanted to break up with that beta fashion model you met during fashion week and wanted someone to tell you it was okay to just stop texting her back.”
