Page 29 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

Luther

I lean back in my chair, dragging a hand down my face as I let out a heavy groan.

The workload that has landed on my desk since Grayson was forced out feels overwhelming.

Not just the additional responsibilities, but all the rumors and speculation that came with his departure.

The whispers in the hallways, the side conversations that stop abruptly when I walk by, the way people look at me like they're trying to figure out if I knew about the supposed financial irregularities.

On the other hand, the past two days have been a whirlwind since Blake published his letter to the company.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive toward him, much more than I expected.

Employees have been reaching out with messages of support, investors calling to express their renewed confidence in Blake's leadership, and even some board members admitting they may have been too hasty in their judgments.

Blake's vulnerability in that letter struck a chord with people.

His honesty about his personal struggles, his designation change, the challenges he's faced while still maintaining his vision for the company—it reminded everyone why they believed in him in the first place.

The gaming industry has always been filled with misfits and outsiders, people who found their place creating worlds that others could escape into.

Blake's story resonated with that community.

Blake hasn't been receptive to all of their apologies, though, and I don't blame him. They tried to go around him to a mysterious buyer who doesn't have all the information and was actively trying to portray our pack in a bad light.

I glance across the room to where Blake is currently sprawled out on the couch inches from my desk, laptop balanced on his chest as he works on the final touches for the Starfalls expansion.

Watching him in his element like this reminds me why I fell in love with him in the first place.

The intensity of his focus, the way his fingers fly across the keyboard, the small sounds of satisfaction he makes when he solves a particularly challenging problem.

He's been able to pull himself away from Luca more easily over the past couple of days, knowing that Maceo and Grayson are both there taking care of him.

The separation is still difficult—they text constantly and video call multiple times throughout the day—but the desperate need to be physically together every moment has eased somewhat.

As a result, the bonds between the five of us have also softened.

Quentin assured us that as long as Blake isn't in pain and isn't exhibiting any adverse symptoms, everything should be fine with his Delta transition.

And for the most part, the past two days have felt like domestic bliss, at least during the quiet moments between the chaos of work and legal issues.

But I know it’s coming to an end. Damien hasn't gotten back to me yet with information, but I know when he does, it's going to change everything.

I check my watch and realize it's well past the end of the normal workday which means the building is mostly empty except for security and a few dedicated employees pulling late nights on various projects.

"Blake," I call out, my voice carrying across the office. "Baby, we have to go home. It's time for dinner."

Blake doesn't look up from his laptop, his fingers still moving across the keyboard. "Just a few more minutes. I'm almost done with this part, and I want to get it implemented before tomorrow."

I stand up from my desk and walk over to the couch, settling beside him and gently closing the laptop despite his protests. "You can come back tomorrow and figure it out. This game will still be here. The launch will be amazing regardless of whether you finish this tonight."

Blake turns to look at me, the exhaustion in his eyes clear despite his determination to keep working. "But what if—"

I silence him with a full kiss, my hand cupping the back of his neck as I taste the lingering cup of coffee from this afternoon. He melts into me immediately, his body relaxing for the first time all day as he lets me support his weight.

When I pull back, Blake is already writhing slightly against me, his scent starting to sweeten with arousal. The Delta transition hasn't dulled his responsiveness to my touch, if anything it's made him more sensitive to our pack dynamics and my Alpha presence.

"As much as I'd love to fuck you here in this office," I murmur against his ear, enjoying the way he shivers at my words, "we absolutely cannot. Because if you start going into heat, that will be an entirely different problem to explain to the board."

Blake groans in frustration but allows me to help him gather his things. "You're probably right. Luca's been texting me all afternoon saying the babies are being extra active today."

It makes me wonder how soon the twins will be here as Blake’s priorities shift and he starts ushering me out of the building, urging me to get home faster.

He barely makes if five minutes before he dozes off against the passenger window, the stress of the day finally catching up with him now that he's not actively working.

I find myself watching him at red lights, marveling at how young he looks when he's sleeping, how the worry lines around his eyes smooth out.

Another car comes into view as I pull into the driveway but it’s not one I recognize, setting immediate alarm bells off in my head. "Stay in the fucking car," I tell Blake as he rouses from sleep. “Call Maceo but don’t open the door.”

Blake's eyes snap open, instantly alert as he takes in the unfamiliar car and my tense posture. "Luther, what—"

"Stay here," I repeat, already getting out and approaching the other vehicle.

The driver's side window rolls down as I get closer, and my blood runs cold when I see who's behind the wheel. Hudson looks worse than I've ever seen him. His usually imposing presence has been reduced to something desperate and hollow, his face gaunt and his eyes darting around nervously.

"I just really want to fucking talk," he says before I can speak, his voice carrying a note of pleading that I've never heard from him before.

"You have some damn nerve being in my fucking driveway," I snarl, my Alpha presence flaring with barely controlled rage. "After everything you've done to my family, to my Omega."

"If you save me, I'll tell you everything," Hudson says quickly, the words tumbling out like he's afraid I'll walk away before he can finish. "I'll tell you who the buyer is. I'll tell you everything you need to know. But I need you to save me."

I laugh, but there's no humor in the sound. "I'm not saving you from anything. You tried to kill my family. You tried to hurt my pack. You tried to take what was mine." I pull out my phone, my finger hovering over the emergency number. "I'm calling the police."

"Luther, please ," Hudson says, the desperation in his voice giving me pause. "You don't understand what you're dealing with. This buyer, he's not just some rich Alpha with a fetish. He's dangerous. He’s everywhere."

I snort as I dial 911 anyway, keeping my eyes fixed on Hudson as I report his location.

I twist around to see Blake on the phone too, my heart racing at what could have happened had Hudson tried to break into the house.

He leans over the console, the sudden movement putting me on edge as I throw a punch at his face.

He deserves more but the awful cry that falls from his lips confuses me.

This can’t be the same fucking Hudson.

When he leans forward again, I reach through the window and wrap my fingers around his neck to keep him pinned against the console. He tries to pry at my fingers as the front door opens, Maceo stalking out to grab Blake and guide him back to the house.

Only then do I relax a little but don’t let go until a police car pulls into the driveway behind my car.

An officer steps out, his brow furrowed in confusion as he approaches us.

His gaze dips to my threatening grip and then Hudson bent awkwardly over the console before he taps my arm to let go. "What's the situation here?"

"This is Hudson Ellis," I explain before spitting on Hudson’s face. The bastard hacks out a cough as he tries to catch his breath. "He's been harassing my family, and there should be a protective order in place. He shouldn’t be anywhere near us."

The officer checks something on his radio and then shakes his head.

"Actually, sir, the protective order expired a few days ago.

So, unfortunately, we can't arrest him for being here.

" He pauses, hearing another muffled voice before speaking again.

"However, he did skip out on bail, so we will be taking him in on that charge. "

Relief floods through me as another officer approaches the driver’s side of Hudson’s car. I fold my arms across my chest, finally letting myself step back. "Thank you for responding so quickly."

Hudson doesn't resist as they drag him out of the car and place him in handcuffs, but he keeps his eyes fixed on me as they lead him to the patrol car. "You're making a mistake, Luther," he calls out. "When you find out who the buyer is, you're going to wish you'd listened to me."

I watch as the second officer drives away with Hudson secured in the back seat, the first officer climbing into Hudson’s car and backing it out onto the street.

There’s something odd about that. An officer would usually call in a tow but I don’t have the time to care about that.

Right now? I need to make sure my mates are okay and then I need to fucking rage.

I stalk into the house, looking for Blake and Luca, Grayson appearing in the kitchen as I'm looking around, his expression concerned. "I took them upstairs to their first nest, thinking we might need a little more privacy to discuss whatever just happened."

"Yeah, because what the fuck was Hudson doing at our house?" I demand, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

Maceo joins us in the kitchen, his own expression grim. "I have a better question. I overheard that the protective order ended. When did that happen?"

"Yeah, I have to fucking figure out what happened with that," I say, my anger shifting to confusion and concern. "Someone should have notified us that it was expiring." Not that it should have been. Ward had told me it would be good for years.

I quickly explain to both of them about everything I’ve told Damien so far.

"We're going to have to get him to look into a few other things now, because at this point it's more than just Hearthstone and Hudson.

" I pause, processing the implications of Hudson's desperate plea for help.

"The fact that Hudson was so desperate to come to the very men he was planning to steal from for help means that this buyer is a very dangerous man. "

Grayson's face goes pale. "I don't like this at all. I hate how dangerous this is getting, and I'm very worried about what's going to happen next."

"It's about to get a little more dangerous," I admit reluctantly. "We were given invites to the gala for Hearthstone's supposed closing, because they claim they found homes for all of the Omegas except for a few. The problem is, I don't believe it, and I need to know what's really going on."

Grayson immediately shakes his head. "I don't like the idea of any of us going to that event whatsoever."

"I don't either," I agree. "But at this point, I can't trust the police to handle this properly. And while I've sent some tip-offs to an agent I know, I can't wait for this to end through official channels. I need to protect my pack."

Grayson nods slowly, understanding the impossible position we're in. "I totally understand the necessity but the only thing I ask of you is that Luca doesn't go. He's too close to giving birth, and he's been through enough trauma already."

"I completely agree," I say immediately, meeting the smaller Alpha’s gaze as I step up to him and pull him into my chest. "Luca stays here, no matter what we decide to do about the gala.

" I take a deep breath, trying to center myself and focus on what's most important right now.

"However, for tonight, it's just going to be the five of us.

We're going to stay in here, lock all the doors, and take comfort in being together. Tomorrow we can take on the world."

Grayson's expression softens with relief as he sags against me. "That sounds perfect. I'll go ask what Luca and Blake would like to do for the evening."