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Chapter Six

Sorcha

S orcha came back to consciousness to find Ronan sitting in a chair next to the couch.

“What’s…going on?”

“Thank the universe,” Ronan said. “I was beginning to worry.”

“W-worry?”

“You have a serious head injury. When I told you we needed to go to the hospital, you said ‘yes,’ but you’ve been drifting in and out. I'm going to drive you to the emergency room. Teal is checking to see if our nanny can come watch the boys so he can come with us.”

“Thanks for…helping me,” Sorcha said slowly, navigating the grogginess in his brain.

Ronan gave him a soft look. “Do you want water or anything to eat?”

Sorcha wasn’t used to being fussed over. He hesitated before answering, “Water would be good. Thanks.”

Ronan went into the kitchen. A quick glance around the room told Sorcha that the layout of Ronan and Teal’s home was a mirror image of his uncles.’

As his mind gradually unmuddied itself, Sorcha recalled his response to Ronan’s voice. Yes, alpha. He’d never said those words before. Never felt his inner omega in that way. He groaned, praying Teal wasn’t upset with him for responding to his husband like that.

Teal came in and sat down on the edge of the couch, tenderly brushing Sorcha’s blond strands away from his wound. "We were so worried about you. Niall will be here in ten minutes to watch the children, and then we’ll get you to a doctor and have you checked out.”

Sorcha stared into Teal’s beautiful brown eyes. He saw no signs of displeasure. Still, he apologized, “Sorry for all the hassle.”

“It’s no hassle,” Ronan said, standing behind his husband as he handed Sorcha a glass of water. Sorcha straightened against the arm of the couch and took a few sips, registering the dryness of his throat. “Are you able to tell us what happened?” the alpha asked.

Sorcha’s chest warmed at the husbands’ concern. He thought of the careful way Ronan had lifted him onto the couch, how Teal had gently wiped his face with the cloth. There had been so little touch in Sorcha’s life. So little regard.

He almost couldn’t believe he’d been so bold as to seek help when he’d fallen, but from the moment he saw the blood running down onto his chest, he felt compelled to find Ronan and Teal.

Something about the conversations he’d had with the couple over the past two days had embedded itself in his mind.

He’d known with an innate certainty that they would help him.

Sorcha cleared his throat. “My uncles left me a list of chores to do while they were gone. I was on the ladder dusting our ceiling fan when I got lightheaded and fell. When I came to, I realized I’d cut myself on the edge of the table.”

Teal twined their fingers together and kissed Sorcha's knuckles. “I’m so glad you came to us.”

The foreign sensation lingered on Sorcha’s skin, making him shiver. He worried he might faint again, especially after Ronan placed a hand on his calf and began rubbing circles over his pants.

“Do you mind if I ask why you think your uncles will be mad?” Ronan asked.

Sorcha sucked in a sharp breath. “They’re out of town. They get upset with me when I fall behind on my projects and chores. Plus, going to the hospital for stitches won’t be cheap.”

The alpha's face twisted in displeasure. “So you believe they’d rather you have a permanent scar across your face and possibly an undiagnosed concussion than go to the hospital? Pardon me for saying this, but I don’t think I like your uncles very much.”

“Do you have any idea why you might have fainted in the first place?” Teal asked. “Have you been ill?”

Sorcha cast his gaze downward, stammering a reply. “I, um, get sick a lot. It’s been happening the past few years. I’m…sort of weak…I guess.”

Teal narrowed his eyes, and Sorcha knew the older omega had guessed his secret.

He willed Teal not to say anything in front of Ronan.

It was so embarrassing! Teal dipped his chin in a barely perceptible nod, but Sorcha guessed it was only a temporary reprieve.

They’d be discussing his weakness sooner or later.

Keeping Sorcha’s hand clasped in his, Teal deftly changed the subject. “Our boys were somewhat frightened by your dramatic entrance. I think it would help them to see that you’re okay, if you’re up for it.”

Sorcha’s jaw flexed. “I hate that I scared them. Yes, let them come say hi.”

“Not your fault,” Ronan declared, heading into the kitchen. He returned with three young boys Sorcha had seen from afar many times but never spoken to directly.

The elder two were twin alphas. One stood with his shoulders stiff, eyeing the washcloth on Sorcha’s forehead warily.

The other appeared less severe, although no less curious.

The twins held back but the tiny omega boy climbed into his daddy’s lap and proceeded to pat Sorcha’s thigh.

An awareness of their omega bond spread over Sorcha like a blanket. He smiled at the little guy.

“This is Zayne,” Teal said, lifting his youngest onto his feet. He pointed at the scowlier of the little alphas. “Garin.” His finger moved to the more subdued twin. “And Kino.”

“Hello,” Sorcha said. “I’m sorry I interrupted your day.”

The boys offered mumbles of “that’s okay” before asking to watch TV. Apparently, Sorcha was much less interesting when he wasn’t passed out dripping blood in their entryway.

A knock sounded at the door. Ronan went to answer and returned with Niall behind him.

Sorcha’s face went hot.

The kind beta was the most goodlooking person Sorcha had ever seen, beautiful in his contradictions—an arresting face softened by a generous smile and steel-blue eyes filled with levity.

Since Niall and Sorcha were around in the daytime hours while Ronan, Teal, and Sorcha’s uncles were at work, they'd had numerous small interactions. Niall had always been friendly. He’d chat in the driveway, or he'd catch Sorcha in the garage and ask him about his projects. Sorcha also felt certain that Niall was more than just the husbands’ nanny.

Over the years, he’d witnessed little touches and soft looks exchanged between the men that suggested a deeper relationship.

Talking casually with the charming beta had been the highlight of many of his days. Even if Sorcha usually found himself tongue-tied.

Niall said hello to the boys and came further into the living room, putting his hands on his hips. He squeezed Sorcha’s shoulder. “I hear you have a papercut.”

Sorcha’s pulse quickened as he choked out a laugh.

His crush on Niall had always felt safe. Harmless. Just like his attraction to Ronan and Teal.

But something had changed.

As the other men eyed him with sympathy and concern, what had felt from afar now felt very front and center .

Was it unusual to be drawn to more than one person? Sorcha had never so much as kissed anyone, let alone gotten filled up or bred. Maybe he was just being fueled by pent-up need?

Whatever the reason, it was overwhelming having the three men standing over him. Kissing his hand. Rubbing his leg. Pressing on his biceps. Letting him reassure the children. Not to mention that Teal had figured out his secret.

Combined with the haziness lingering from his injury, it was almost too much. As though not just his head, but his whole life had cracked open.