Page 8 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

"Blake is already stressed and very attached to Luca.

I didn't want to add to his stress level by discussing this in front of him, but if he does fully present as a Delta.

.." He trails off, chewing his lip nervously before he finds the right words.

“While there won't be many dramatic changes if he fully transitions to a Delta designation, he'll be completely incapable of having children.

I know that this is the worst possible timing with everything else that's going on, but biologically speaking, he won't be able to father children as an Omega or conceive them as the other partner. "

I know in some part that Blake wants children of his own someday, beyond just the twins that Luca is carrying for our pack.

He's mentioned it in passing and I can see it in the way his eyes light up when he talks about teaching our kids to code or showing them how to build things with their hands.

The thought of having to tell him that his biology might be taking that possibility away from him permanently feels like it would devastate him completely.

It will be a hard conversation to have under the best of circumstances, but it will be one we'll need to have nonetheless.

Blake deserves to know what's happening to his own body, especially if there are decisions he needs to make about his future.

Keeping this kind of medical information from him would be a betrayal of the trust he's placed in all of us as his pack.

"How long do we have before we need to talk to him about this?" I ask, dreading the answer but needing to know our timeline.

"Maybe a week or two at most? I wouldn't wait too long, especially if his symptoms continue to worsen." He starts gathering the few pieces of his equipment to put away. "The longer his biology stays in flux like this, the more permanent any changes might become."

Grayson groans from his position across the table, running both hands through his long brown hair in pure frustration. "Fuck."

Maceo seems to have a better handle on all of this than we do or maybe he just wants to escape, our Beta pushing away from the table to head up to our Omegas. No doubt they chose the room at the end of the hall with the most space and the lower ceiling.

Our Beta throws me a small nod before squeezing Grayson’s shoulder. "I'll go upstairs and check on them. Make sure they're settling in okay and see if Blake needs anything."

Quentin looks up from packing his medical bag.

"Blake would really do well with a knot right now, you know.

Both of them, but especially Blake given what his body is trying to do right now.

" There's a moment of nervous laughter around the table, all of us kind of looking at each other before Quentin catches onto the awkwardness of the moment.

"Did I miss something important about your pack structure?

" He turns specifically to Maceo, his head tilted with curiosity. "Wait, Maceo, do you have a knot?"

Maceo nods, though I can see a slight flush creeping up his neck at the direct question about his anatomy.

"I thought you were a Beta.”

Maceo shifts his weight from one foot to the other, looking slightly uncomfortable with the attention. "I am, well, I was born an Alpha but..." He trails off, seeming to search for the right words to explain something that he's probably never had to articulate to anyone other than us before.

Quentin's eyes light up with understanding as he sets his medical bag back down on the table.

"I just told you about fluctuating biology and designations being more fluid than most people realize.

You don't have to be strictly one thing or the other.

" His voice takes on the excited tone of a researcher encountering something fascinating.

"Sometimes there is an in-between designation that bridges multiple categories.

Would you mind submitting to a blood test?

I'd love to see your results. It might give you some clarity. "

Maceo glances at me for permission, and I nod my approval. If there's more we need to understand about our pack dynamics and it could put Maceo’s mind at ease, I’m all for it.

The blood draw is just as quick as it was with Blake’s, Quentin pulling out a second little device to fill up with the same little A, B, O lines. This time around, I can see markers in between those lines, much smaller letters attached to them, though I can’t make them out.

Both the Alpha and Beta indicators light up simultaneously, creating a pattern similar to what we saw with Blake but in different categories. Quentin stares at the screen for a long moment, his expression shifting from professional interest to something approaching awe.

"I've never fucking met a Gamma before," he murmurs, his voice filled with wonder. "Jesus Christ, you're a golden pack."

Maceo scrunches up his nose at the terminology. I can't help but laugh at his confused expression, though I have to admit that I don't fully understand the implications either.

Quentin realizes that we're all looking at him expectantly and shakes his head as if clearing his thoughts.

"I'll send you some comprehensive information about all of this - Blake's condition, Maceo's designation, what it means for your pack dynamics.

" He starts cleaning up again. "You'll need time to process everything and make decisions about how to talk to Blake about his situation.

Call me if Blake's symptoms worsen or if you need clarification on anything I've explained today. "

After the front door closes behind him, we just kind of stare at each other, unsure of how to progress. Never once did I think about newer designations, in-betweens, or having to have the hard conversations with one of my lovers.

Grayson breaks the silence first, a soft sigh falling from his lips. "I know Maceo was going to but let me make sure our Omegas didn’t get lost upstairs.” He looks between Maceo and me with a small smile. "You guys come up when you're ready."

"I can handle them for a while." Maceo starts to follow him, but Grayson holds up a hand to his chest to stop him.

Watching them together warms my heart, a different dynamic I’ve always craved and could never put into words. Maceo was always family in some part and Grayson has thrived under the added attention. And our Beta, well, Gamma , has become the protector I never thought possible.

Grayson pushes out a whispered laugh before moving closer to Maceo, and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

"I know that you need someone to talk to, and Luther is a great listener.

" He pulls back slightly, his expression warm with affection.

"Besides, there's probably a lot more legal jargon that you two need to discuss, and those technical words hurt my ears. "

Maceo chuckles at that, some of the tension leaving his shoulders at Grayson's gentle teasing.

"You've also been hogging Blake all day," Grayson continues with a playful edge to his words.

"So, this is my turn to take care of him.

" Grayson then moves over to me, and I can see the shift in his demeanor as he approaches.

Where his kiss with Maceo was gentle and comforting, the one he gives me is passionate and claiming, a reminder of the bond between us that predates our pack formation.

"See you later, Alpha," he murmurs against my lips before heading toward the staircase.