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Chapter Thirty-Two

Ronan

T he McGinn family remained on edge throughout the weekend.

Most of the public were aware that the state was doing little to defend itself, that the ruling would almost certainly come down in Dayson and Teal’s favor.

The talking heads on TV and online had varying degrees of outrage about the matter, but there was no doubt that the expected decision would cause anger once it came.

Adding to his dread about the potential fallout from the High Court ruling, Ronan felt terrible that he could do little to ease his husband’s pain.

Teal’s stomach was still causing him extreme discomfort and fatigue.

Ronan was grateful the conclusion of the tribunal would mean positive momentum for omega rights, but on a personal level, he just wanted the whole thing to end so Teal would go to the doctor.

Was it his heat? Stress? Something else?

He had an appetite and was going to the bathroom normally.

The other symptoms varied, but Teal’s pain was ever-present.

Yet, as previously, Teal improved as the weekend wore on, as though his body simply demanded rest and the comforting embrace of his family.

And although worries about High Court and Teal’s illness dominated Ronan’s mind, some very important developments took place over the two weekend days as well.

Ronan’s job site was getting more tense as the tribunal progressed, with the pro-alpha faction and the more progressive alphas essentially not speaking, other than for the most necessary work-related communications.

As Teal’s husband, it was difficult for Ronan to project any sort of neutrality, not that he’d want to, but that also made it hard for him to play peacemaker.

He pretended not to hear the snide comments and grumbles as he walked by and instead focused on making sure the omegas in his crew felt safe.

When he’d gotten into his truck Friday afternoon to go home, he’d been completely strung out from the difficult day.

But then he walked into his kitchen and found Niall working through math problems with Garin and Kino at the table.

The twins gave Ronan hugs, then showed him the clay volcano they’d built that day, demonstrating an eruption with baking soda and vinegar.

After exclaiming over their creation, Ronan went upstairs to find Teal resting in their bed, still in his suit from court, with Sorcha sitting up against the headboard next to him.

Zayne sat on Sorcha’s lap “reading” a book to his daddy, basically making up stories about the bright pictures he saw.

Ronan gave all three of them forehead kisses before heading downstairs to start on dinner.

But he found Jax in the living room, and the beta had just finished ordering from the McGinns’ favorite pizza place. Ronan smiled at the fact Jax already knew everyone’s favorite toppings.

“Hey, Ronan,” Jax greeted him somewhat shakily. “Since it’s Friday and everyone’s so tired, I figured I’d order in. Maybe we can watch a movie if Teal’s feeling up to coming downstairs.”

Ever since Ronan and Jax had discussed where Jax “fit” with the family, there had been extra electricity in the air whenever they were alone together. Ronan reveled in it now, stepping into Jax’s space, his body less than an inch away from the muscular beta.

Ronan placed a hand on Jax’s lower back, just above the curve of his ass, flicking his thumb back and forth over his thin tee. “That’s a great idea, Jax. Thank you for taking care of dinner for us.” Ronan tamped down his instinct to follow up his words with my beta .

Jax swallowed and nodded. But he didn’t step away. He froze, as though waiting to see what Ronan would do next.

Ronan swiped his thumb once more over Jax’s back before unhurriedly pulling his hand away. His eye contact remained a caress as he said, “I’ll let Niall know we’re having pizza.”

Before finding the other beta, Ronan leaned against the cool wall of the hallway, gathering himself.

There was no doubt Jax heated his blood, just as Teal, Sorcha, and Niall did.

He didn’t know what it meant, for any of them, and why everything was happening all at once, but he knew they wouldn’t figure it out if the betas moved back across town after the tribunal. Just the thought of it made him growl.

Their brief time living together had proven how they all belonged to one another. Ronan had seen it in so many ways.

Sorcha making chocolate chip pancakes with the twins, remembering that Garin liked his well-done.

Jax with Kino on his lap in front of his computer, showing him the drafting program he used for work, answering the six-year-old’s endless questions.

Niall helping Teal send work texts when the omega’s stomach cramps made the task too difficult.

Jax and Sorcha in the garage working on a project together while Zayne finger painted on scrap wood and Sorcha taught Garin how to use the sander.

Ronan getting soaked by a water gun fight with his children in the backyard, only to find a grinning Niall waiting at the slider door with a stack of towels.

Garin, Kino, and Zayne—perhaps because they were so used to sharing their love with not only their fathers but also Niall—had adapted quickly to having the other two men in their home and lives.

It would probably be awhile until all the small foibles were resolved, but Ronan knew they’d mostly settled into the idea.

He assumed the boys, in their own way, sensed the same rightness of their situation as the adults did.

The duplex was everyone’s sanctuary. And all eight members of the household were essential to that peace.

Late Friday night, after Zayne nearly had a potty accident while all three of the home’s bathrooms were in use, the men agreed that five adults and three small boys in one three-bedroom duplex unit was awfully crowded.

After discussing options, they decided it made the most sense for Jax and Niall to move into the other half of the duplex.

It was as close as they could be without overburdening the space.

Since the beta couple had already been planning to find a new apartment, the timing worked well too.

And, of course, there was another reason for the betas to move in permanently next door.

Ronan felt it deep in his bones, and he knew the other men did too, that it would simply be untenable for all of them, kids included, to have Niall and Jax living apart from the family. Something had shifted over the past two weeks, and there was no going back.

Thanks to connections Teal had through Schulman, Carson & Associates, they were able to hire movers at the last minute and began bringing the betas’ things over from their apartment on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, everyone except Teal—whose stomach pains were better than during the work week but still required lots of rest—went over to help unpack and set up the other unit. They removed all remnants of Dale and Abe. Even the boys helped, hanging up towels in the bathroom.

It felt a little strange having Niall and Jax sleeping next door. The units were mirror images of each other, so both main bedrooms abutted the interior divide. Ronan had liked knowing Niall and Jax were downstairs, but it felt equally reassuring to have them on the other side of his bedroom wall.

That night, the betas headed to their side of the duplex after the boys went to sleep.

Ronan had been drifting off to sleep when he heard the distinct sound of moaning coming through the wall. Then a muffled voice. He couldn’t make out the words, but he knew the cadence of Niall’s breathy pleas, knew the sounds his former lover made when he was being railed.

Niall and Jax were fucking. Hard.

He shut his eyes, gulping roughly as the sounds washed over him.

They were faint, as though the betas were trying to be quiet, but occasionally a louder groan would escape.

Ronan imagined Niall and Jax couldn’t help themselves.

It had been a long couple of weeks, and there hadn’t been many opportunities for lovemaking.

Ronan wanted to touch himself, but that felt like too much, especially with Teal and Sorcha sleeping beside him.

Suddenly, the muted sounds seeping in from the other unit weren’t the only noises in the room.

The covers rustled. Ronan glanced over in the moonlight and saw the rise and fall of the bedspread directly over the spot where Teal rubbed his hand over his pajama-covered cock.

Evidently, his husband had no qualms about stroking himself to the tune of Niall and Jax going at it.

“He doesn’t mind.” At first, Teal’s soft whisper barely penetrated Ronan’s lust-addled brain.

“What?”

Another moan penetrated through the wall, this one with more distinct words. “Oh…fuck…Jaaaaaax.” Ronan felt pre-cum dribble down his aching shaft.

“Niall. He told me. He doesn’t mind if we…hear them.” Teal’s words, though still quiet, were forceful as he continued massaging a palm over his erection.

On Teal’s other side, a whimper sounded. This time, it was Sorcha pressing on his dick through his pajama bottoms. Ronan guessed the little omega was still half-asleep, being brought awake slowly by the sexy sounds.

Ronan smiled in the dark. “When did he tell you this?” he asked Teal as Sorcha moved languidly next to them.

“I caught them. The other night when I came downstairs. I listened to them make love for a minute. Almost got myself off to it. The whole thing didn’t sit right with me, so I confessed to Niall the next day.

” Teal’s stroking grew more deliberate. He pushed down his pajamas and his cock sprang free.

He released a satisfied grunt as he touched the bare head of it.

“Niall didn’t care. Said he thought it was hot.

He liked the idea of being…listened to.”