Page 38 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

Blake

I'm nervous as I straighten my suit in the back room at the Starfalls expansion party, my hands trembling slightly as I adjust my tie for the third time in as many minutes.

We rented a small venue a few miles away from the company, something intimate but professional that would showcase our game properly while still maintaining the personal touch that made Keller Industries special.

I didn't want to leave Luca's side, especially with the babies so new to the world and the lingering threat of Ward still hanging over us like a dark cloud. Every instinct I have is screaming at me to stay home, to guard my Omega and our newborn sons with my life.

But I knew I had to do this.

I knew Ward would try to show up and snatch Luca, especially after I made that calculated post on social media announcing that Luca had just given birth to our beautiful boys and would be joining the party to show everyone.

Why anyone in their right mind would think Luca would be physically present is beyond me but it doesn’t matter.

The post had generated hundreds of excited comments within minutes, employees and fans alike expressing their joy and congratulations. It was exactly the kind of public attention that would draw Ward out, make him believe he had an opportunity to strike while I was distracted by the celebration.

Luther and Maceo have been trying to calm me down for the past twenty minutes as they remind me that everything is under control.

But my heart is racing with more than just anxiety about Ward's potential appearance.

Tonight isn't just about celebrating the game launch or dealing with corrupt cops.

Tonight is about taking a leap of faith that I've been building up to for weeks.

"Hey, you ready, genius?" Maceo asks, moving closer to adjust my collar.

"I think so," I reply, pushing my glasses up my nose in a nervous gesture that's become more frequent over the past few hours. "I think I've got this."

Luther studies my face with that intense Alpha focus he gets when he's trying to read beneath the surface. "What's going on? Why are you so nervous? You've done lots of release parties before. This is just another one of them, bigger stakes maybe, but still familiar territory."

I take a deep breath, knowing that I can't keep this secret any longer. My pack deserves to know what I'm planning, especially since it affects all of us in ways that go far beyond tonight's celebration.

"I wanted to do this before the babies were born," I start, my voice growing stronger as I commit to the truth. "But I was going to propose to Luca."

"What?" Luther's voice carries shock and something that might be pride.

"I know that maybe you should have done it, or Grayson, or someone with Alpha status," I continue, the words tumbling out now that I've started.

"But I wanted to marry Luca. I want to marry my Omega, officially and publicly, in a way that makes it clear to everyone that he chose us and we chose him. "

The silence that follows feels eternal, and for a moment I'm terrified that I've overstepped some pack boundary I didn't understand.

But then Luther's face breaks into the biggest smile I've ever seen from him.

"Congratulations," he says simply, but the warmth in his voice carries volumes of approval and support.

Maceo echoes the sentiment, his own grin threatening to split his face in half. "It’s going to be perfect."

"However, I know he can't be here right now, not until Ward is apprehended," I explain, my nervousness returning as I think about the logistics of what I'm planning.

"Which is why I arranged for him to sign in on video with Grayson.

The whole thing will be broadcast on the main screen so everyone can see him and the babies. "

"He's going to say yes," Maceo says with absolute certainty. "There's no question about that."

"Grayson has the ring and everything," I continue, patting my jacket pocket to make sure the small velvet box is still there.

"But I'm going to get down on one knee in front of everyone.

I want everyone here to see exactly who I'm in love with, to understand the strength and beauty of our pack and everything we've built together. "

We make our way out to the main venue, and I'm struck by how perfect everything looks.

The decorations showcase artwork from Starfalls, the lighting creating an atmosphere that's everything I need it to be, the crowd representing the best of what our company has accomplished.

Employees, investors, gaming journalists, and industry professionals all mingle together, their excitement palpable as they wait for the official launch announcement.

The countdown begins, and I find myself caught up in the genuine enthusiasm of the crowd.

These are people who believe in what we've created, who understand that Starfalls represents something special in the gaming world.

When the confetti falls and the cheers erupt, I feel a surge of pride that has nothing to do with money or recognition and everything to do with artistic achievement.

They bring me up onto the stage, and suddenly I'm looking out at faces that represent years of hard work, creativity, and shared vision. The microphone feels solid in my hand as I prepare to address the crowd.

"I have a few announcements to make," I begin, my voice carrying clearly through the sound system.

"Starting next week, we'll be reconfiguring some of our office space and opening up opportunities for more creative collaboration.

We're going back to the basics, really getting back to the grassroots approach that made this company special in the first place. "

The crowd responds enthusiastically, and I can see employees nodding with approval. They remember the early days when everyone's voice mattered, when innovation came from unexpected places rather than corporate mandates.

"I'll be trying to be on site as much as possible," I continue, "as well as offering remote opportunities and flexible arrangements that allow us to become the company I always envisioned. We're going to prioritize creativity over bureaucracy, innovation over safe choices."

More cheers and excitement ripple through the crowd as I pick up a champagne glass, raising it in preparation for what I know will be the most controversial part of my speech. This part I didn't run past Luther or Grayson, but I know it's necessary for our future.

"This wasn't an easy decision to make, but I think it's essential for bringing back the vision of that small startup I truly did create in my dorm room," I announce, my voice growing stronger with conviction.

"I know I keep saying it, but nothing starts without action.

Next year, I will be moving away from having an executive board and outside investors, which means our creative decisions will be ours and ours alone! "

The excitement in the room is electric, but I can see Gerald and some of the other board members pushing through the crowd with expressions of shock and anger. Gerald reaches the front of the stage just as I expected he would.

"Hey, what the fuck are you talking about?" Gerald demands, his voice carrying over the crowd noise.

"You accused my Alpha of embezzlement with minimal proof in an impromptu board meeting," I reply calmly, making sure the microphone picks up every word.

"You were prepared to hold a vote to determine whether I was fit to run a company I own outright.

You treated my pack like criminals based on fabricated evidence. "

"Let's take this conversation offline," Gerald says, clearly recognizing that this public confrontation isn't going to end well for him.

"No, you didn't afford my Alpha that basic decency, so I'm not extending it to you," I reply firmly. "I've never actually needed your money, but it proved useful for making Starfalls what it is today. However, after this release, we're going in a completely different direction."

The shock rippling through the crowd is palpable as people process what I'm saying.

Some of the employees look thrilled at the prospect of creative freedom, while others seem worried about financial stability.

But this is the right choice for our future, and I know Luther will support me once he understands the full plan.

I raise my glass again, addressing the broader party rather than just the board members who are still staring at me in disbelief. "However, right now I have probably the biggest announcement of my entire life."

"Even bigger than having twin babies?" someone calls out from the crowd, and laughter ripples through the room.

"Yeah, even bigger than that," I reply with a grin. "I wanted to bring my Omega out here so I could ask him a very important question."

That's when I spot Ward in the crowd, his eyes scanning frantically as he searches for Luca among the faces.

He's still scratched up and bruised from when my Alpha nearly killed him, one eye nearly swollen shut.

There's another suspicious figure near him, someone I don't recognize but who's clearly working with him based on their positioning and behavior.

I almost snort with laughter at how stupid Ward must be to think I'd actually bring Luca and our newborn babies to a public event when we knew he was still a threat.

I turn and nod to Luther, who's been waiting near the side of the stage for exactly this signal. He makes a subtle gesture, and suddenly the atmosphere in the room changes completely.

"FBI, everyone down, hands on your head!" The command echoes through the venue as heavily armed agents in tactical gear rush forward from strategic positions around the room.

Chaos erupts as party guests drop to the floor, some screaming in confusion while others try to understand what's happening. In the midst of the pandemonium, I watch with satisfaction as multiple agents converge on Ward and his accomplice.

"No, they have my Omega!" Ward shouts desperately, still trying to maintain his delusion of ownership even as handcuffs click around his wrists. "You don't understand, he belongs to me!"

I can't resist throwing my middle finger up at Ward as the agents drag him toward the exit. His face contorts with rage when he sees the gesture. "You bastard!" he screams. "You think this is over?"

"I don't know why you thought you could ever take my Omega," I call back, making sure everyone in the room can hear. "He literally has my Alphas' bites and my Gamma's bite on his shoulder. He chose us, and we chose him. That's how pack bonds actually work."

I pull out my phone and start playing a snippet of the recording Luther made earlier, Ward's voice clearly admitting to buying Luca and orchestrating the entire trafficking scheme.

The sound quality is perfect, every word clearly audible as Ward incriminates himself beyond any possibility of legal defense.

One of the FBI agents approaches me as the recording finishes. "I'm going to need a copy of that as part of our investigation. Well done, Mr. Keller."

"Mr. Keller is my Alpha," I correct with a smile. "It's just Blake."

"Well then, just Blake , excellent work," the agent replies. "I'll leave you to your party. Seems like you've got a lot to celebrate."

I turn back to the crowd, many of whom are still picking themselves up off the floor and trying to process what just happened.

"Hey, sorry about that interruption," I announce into the microphone, chuckling nervously.

"I just had to help catch an evil bastard who's been terrorizing my Omega for the past three years. "

Cautious laughter ripples through the crowd, the kind of nervous but relieved laughter that comes after extreme tension breaks.

The massive jumbotron screen behind me suddenly flickers to life, and Luca's radiant face appears, his expression glowing with joy and exhaustion as he cradles our beautiful baby boys.

The sight of him, safe at home with our children, makes my chest tight with overwhelming love and gratitude.

"Hi, cupcake," I say, turning to face the screen so he can see me clearly.

Luca blushes that adorable way he always does when I use his pet name in front of other people. "Hi, bear."

The entire crowd seems to melt at the sweetness of our interaction, soft "aww" sounds rippling through the room as people witness genuine affection and intimacy.

"I've been meaning to ask you a question," I begin, my voice carrying all the love and certainty I feel.

"Since the day I met you, since the day I saw you in that diner looking lost and scared, since the day I brought you home, since the day I made you mine, since the day you accepted my Alphas and my Gamma, since the day you told me that regardless of who I am or what I need or what I choose to become, I will always be yours and you will always be mine. "

Luca's eyes shine with tears of happiness, and I can see him trembling slightly with emotion. "What is it, bear?"

I drop to one knee on the stage, pulling the small velvet box from my jacket pocket as gasps of excitement echo through the crowd. "The one question I've been meaning to ask you is: Will you marry me?"

"Oh my gosh, yes!" Luca's response is immediate, his voice carrying clearly through the sound system. "Yes, absolutely, of course yes!"

On the screen, I can see Grayson standing beside Luca, his own face radiant with happiness. "Baby, sweetheart, be careful," he warns gently. "You're going to drop the babies."

Everyone starts laughing as Luca carefully hands Samuel to Grayson, who slides the engagement ring onto Luca's finger. The ring fits perfectly, the diamond catching the light as Luca holds his hand up to the camera.

"I'm engaged!" Luca announces to the crowd through the screen, his joy so infectious that everyone starts cheering and clapping.

"I guess it's time to party!" I announce, standing up and raising my champagne glass high above my head.

"Hell yeah!" the crowd responds enthusiastically.

"You're welcome to stay for as long as you want," I continue, already moving toward the edge of the stage.

"However, I'm on my way home because I have my pack to celebrate with, I have an Omega to take care of, and I have babies to father.

" I make an elaborate bow before stepping off the stage and then let Maceo and Luther guide me toward the car.

Luther leans down, his lips grazing my ear. “I’m assuming you already have the wedding planned?”

I snort. “No, but I’m sure Luca does.”