Page 68 of Alpha Heat

Jason sat immediately, eyes like saucers, intent on whatever Urho suggested. It felt good for a moment to have the boy’s obedience because he hadn’t always been willing to listen to Urho at all.

“I forgot to remake Vale’s tea,” he said quietly. “Can this wait until I get that for him?”

“Never mind, darling,” Vale said softly. “I’m past wanting it now.”

“He’s very finicky lately. Is that normal?” Jason asked.

“Quite normal. Now, please listen. I was just telling Vale about the flu this season. It’s ramping up, becoming an epidemic very quickly. Normally, I’d want to be here, in the thick of it, helping those who contract it, but I’m committed to Vale’s health and dealing with whatever potentials come from this pregnancy. I won’t put him in another doctor’s hands.”

Jason nodded gratefully.

“Which brings me to my suggestion: I think we should all three leave town.”

“And go where?” Jason asked.

“Somewhere the flu hasn’t reached yet. The sea, perhaps,” Urho said, licking his lips. Did he sound too self-serving? Would they guess how desperately he wanted to see Xan and test himself against his own cowardice now that he’d recognized it? It shouldn’t matter, though. The suggestion was sound either way.

“My parents are already going to the cottage,” Jason said, repeating Vale’s comment from earlier. “Vale can barely stand their nightly visits. I don’t think he’d want to be stuck with them in—”

“We can go to Xan’s house in Virona,” Vale interrupted. “He’s invited us, hasn’t he?”

“Well, yes, for the Autumn Nights feasts, but we declined of course.”

“Don’t you think the offer probably still stands?” Vale pushed. “Even though the feasts are past?”

“I’m sure it does,” Jason agreed. “He’s always complaining that the house is so big and yet his cousin seems to be everywhere at once.”

“This cousin of his. Urho was telling me about him. You hadn’t mentioned him before,” Vale said to Jason curiously. “Why’s that?”

“He’s a little older than us, but I never liked him.” Jason shrugged. “Aside from that, I’ve had my mind on other things.” His brows drew down. “Seeing Janus would be a negative toward going, but if push came to shove, we could always rent our own little place in Virona if we need to get out of Xan’s hair.”

“I want to be with Caleb,” Vale said suddenly, clutching Jason’s hand. “When the time comes, it would be good to have him there.”

“I didn’t know you felt so strongly for Caleb.” Jason kissed Vale’s knuckles.

“Omega brooding instinct,” Urho said softly. “They take solace in the presence of other omegas during their time. It’s instinctual.”

Vale gazed at Urho pointedly. “Or perhaps societal. And stop talking about me like I’m not here. Regardless, if Xan and Caleb will have us, then, yes, I’m willing to go.”

“You’re coming too?” Jason asked Urho.

“I made a promise to you both that I’d deliver this baby and I will. So if Xan will have me—”

Jason laughed. “Oh, he’ll have you. This way and that.”

Heat rose up Urho’s throat and made his ears burn. “Yes, well, then I’ll be going too.”

“I think we just cinched our invite,” Jason stage whispered in Vale’s ear, eyes dancing.

Urho cleared his throat and looked at his hands. His heart beat rapidly. Soon he’d finally see Xan again. He clamped down on the squirmy feeling inside. He was terrified and yet he couldn’t wait.

“Caleb!” Xan shouted,racing over the dunes and down to the beach. His right ankle nearly twisted on the uneven ground but he righted himself. The cold wind off the ocean stung his eyes and cheeks. “Caleb!”

Caleb stood by the water with an easel and canvas. He’d taken up painting while waiting for his printing materials to arrive from the city. Xan didn’t know what was taking them so long, but apparently the printing mechanism itself was heavy and needed special equipment to move. Plus the beta servants had trouble boxing it all up because there was so much of it.

Xan had offered to buy whatever Caleb needed in the meantime, but the proposal had been brushed aside in the hustle of redecorating the house, arranging for lonely, awkward Autumn Nights feasts with local business invitees, and keeping out of Janus’s way.

“Caleb!” he cried again as he ran.