Page 29 of Alpha Heat

A more drastic step than sending him away? Xan’s mind ran wild with possibilities of what that could be and kept coming back to the same one again and again. “But I’m the only alpha. The only one of us who can inherit. By law.”

Ray nodded. “True. In this branch of the family. If you’re proven to be unfit to inherit, though, Father can legally name another alpha relative as heir.”

Xan squeezed his fists. The flash of a smarmy smile and floppy brown hair over gray eyes came to mind.

“Our cousin Janus? Seriously?” Xan snarled. “Father would entrust that smug, obsequious, yes man with the company?”

“Better a yes man, brother, than a bomb about to explode.”

Xan swallowed hard. “Tell me what Father said, what you’re trying to save me from hearing.”

Ray sighed. “All right. I suppose you should know. Maybe it will get through to you when nothing else has. Father said he’d rather leave the company and fortune to Janus, with me in charge of operations, per the law of succession by declaring you unmanned publicly, than to allow his legacy to be tarnished.”

“By me?”

“By your actions.”

Xan’s chin wobbled and tears stung his eyes. He hated the disappointment in Ray’s voice, and all because Xan was born wrong. Why couldn’t their situations have been reversed? Xan could have been a beta happily—well, more happily than he was an alpha—and Ray, as an alpha, would have done their father proud.

“Don’t look so sad,” Ray said, his hazel eyes going soft. “The house in Virona is beautiful. You probably don’t remember it, since we haven’t been there since you were a baby, but you and your omega won’t be disappointed. You can decorate it as you see fit too. I’ll make sure you have a large expense account for the purpose. I know you’ll love that.”

“Caleb has his opinions about furnishings now.”

“Of course he does,” Ray said fondly. He and Caleb got along famously at family dinners. “Then divide up the rooms. Make a game of it.” Ray smiled and leaned forward across his desk again. “We’ll miss you at the Autumn Nights feasts, but—”

“But Father wouldn’t have let me attend anyway. He’s keeping Pater from me.”

“Butthis can be a fresh start for you. Have your own feasts, invite your friends, and entertain clients. Show Father that you’re your own man in ways that don’t humiliate him.”

Xan’s throat constricted, but he nodded. “Caleb enjoys throwing parties.”

“Yes, once the house is aired out, you can entertain. Father will like that. Especially if you can include that Sabel boy. Father’s still hoping Yule Sabel will cut him a good deal on new delivery trucks. We plan to provide three-day delivery to our clients across the country by year end.”

Xan’s mind whirled at all the change that had just been thrown at him, but he managed to murmur, “That’s good news.”

“Buck up. You’re not being sent to the wilderness. Virona is a lovely town with many fashionable restaurants and stores. You’ll enjoy it there. Caleb will as well. He likes to make art of some kind, doesn’t he? There are a couple of rooms in the detached wing that would work perfectly for a studio. If I recall, Pater enjoyed the morning light there, reading with his tea. And, of course, the shore is beautiful, even in winter. I’m certain you’ll find the atmosphere bracing. And healing, I hope.”

“I don’t think what’s wrong with me is something that can ever heal.”

Ray’s sympathy hurt almost as much as his disappointment. “I know, baby brother. Believe me, I understand you inside out and I have since you were quite small. If I could change the world around us so that you wouldn’t suffer, I would. But all I can do is help protect you. Even if it’s from yourself.”

Ray rose from the desk and came around, pulling Xan up to hold him in a loose hug. “Now go home and tell your omega what’s happening. There’ll be a lot to plan in the next few days. You’re expected in Virona by week’s end.”

CHAPTER SIX

Urho waited inhis small, two-door car by the curb, watching the house on Oak Avenue until Jason stepped through the gate. Jason straightened his coat as he headed toward where his own four-door was parked out front.

Urho knew enough of Jason’s schedule. He had only a few seconds to catch him before Jason would drive to the research labs on Phinea Street, where he spent his mornings doing work on a pet project there before he was forced to head into the offices of his father’s automobile manufacturing business for his day job.

Urho waited until Jason was opening his car door, then he pulled alongside him, and slammed the gearshift into park. He jumped from his car and grabbed Jason’s lapels, barely registering Jason’s shocked expression before shoving him up against the side of the car.

Crying out, Jason’s fists came up, ready to defend himself. Their eyes locked and Jason’s swam with questions. Urho held him hard against the side of the car until Jason jerked free, resettled his coat, and shouted, “Wolf-god, Urho! What’s wrong with you?”

Urho gripped Jason’s lapels again and got up into his face. Two sleepless nights had left him feeling wild, and if the reflection in the car window was anything to go by, he looked even wilder. “You fucked him!”

Jason’s expression crashed through pissed to confused and back again. “Who? Vale? What are you talking about?”

“You fucked Xan.”