Page 64 of Alpha Heat

“And everyone just pisses me the wolf-hell off.”

“Normal enough,” Urho said. “You’re uncomfortable and the weight of the baby is putting a strain on the scar tissue now. That’s enough to make anyone cranky.”

With no segue, Vale said, “Jason is adorable.”

Urho refrained from rolling his eyes. “I’ve heard that from you before, yes.”

“But he’s making me crazy!” Vale gestured wildly as he spoke. “Eat this. Drink that. Sleep more. Let me rub your feet. Don’t tax yourself. Let’s read together.” Vale snorted. “Read together.Readtogether!”

“Did Jason not read before?” Urho raised a brow.

“No! He has a photographic memory and so he just skims books. No, he doesn’t read. Unless I read to him.”

“I see.”

Vale seemed to interpret some kind of judgment in Urho’s voice because he added defensively, “He tinkers. Out in the garden, mostly. Or with his microscope.” He groaned. “But now he’s glued to my side. Plus, he smells amazing to me. Like my alpha, yes, but I scent him even more strongly.”

“This is normal.”

“Thisleaves me aroused all the time. All the time, Urho!”

“I know but—”

“No but! Being aroused all the time is exhausting. Let me tell you this now. Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“I am gettingridiculouslytired of being fisted every day.”

Urho’s lips quivered. Vale was lovely when he was angry—cheeks flushed above his beard, eyes bright, and his breath coming quick bursts. Urho almost remembered why he’d been in love with him once. But he wasn’t half as gorgeous as Xan in the throes of ecstasy. “I told him to do that.”

“I know. Tell him to stop.”

Urho sighed. “Love, it’s important that you keep stretching that scar tissue. It’s going to be a tough few months, but, in the end, you’ll have a beautiful baby and it will be worth it.”

“I know all that!” Vale exclaimed, his pacing stopped. He turned to Urho speculatively. “Wait, though. Should you still call me that?”

“What?”

“Love? Should you call me a pet name like that?” Vale tilted his head.

“If it bothers you, I can st—”

“No. I don’t care, but does Xan mind, do you think?”

Urho frowned. “I’ve called you ‘love’ for years—”

“Not when Jason’s around.”

Urho scoffed. “Because I don’t have a death wish.”

“So what you have with Xan, it’s not…” Vale rolled his hand.

“Nickname material?” Urho hazarded.

“No! Is it not serious, you fool? What you have isn’t serious?”

“I have no ideawhatit is.” Urho wiped a hand over his face. “I haven’t seen him since he left for Virona. Between the twins, you, and this wretched flu season, I’ve barely had a moment, much less a day, away from the clinic or work. And he can’t come here. He’s ‘banished’ from the city, according to him. At least the work on his new office seems to satisfy him, because otherwise I’d worry.”