Page 28

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Z ack didn’t know how he felt. He supposed he was shocked, but he was having trouble believing everything that had happened, or maybe he was just having trouble believing he was an omega. Not that he didn’t love kids. He adored Mattie and couldn’t wait until he and the others got home. He just…he didn’t know. In his head, he still felt like he should be an alpha, and even though he was ecstatic about the baby, somehow he still felt less. Like he’d let both Victor and Mo down. Victor had left him at the house to protect Mo and he’d failed. What if they both got sick of him? What if they just felt guilty he’d gotten hurt?

He was staring out the window when Victor walked in with a tray. "I brought lunch," he announced, setting it down on the bedside table. "You’re still not eating enough."

Zack nodded, forcing a smile he didn't quite feel. "Thanks."

Victor's eyes narrowed, studying Zack's face with the intensity that always made Zack feel like his mate could see straight through him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Zack said automatically, then sighed when Victor gave him a look that clearly said he wasn't buying it. "I just... I'm processing."

Victor sat on the edge of the bed, taking Zack's hand in his. "Talk to me."

Zack stared at their joined hands, struggling to put his jumbled thoughts into words. "I always thought I knew who I was," he finally said. "A bear shifter. Strong. Protective. And now I find out I'm..." he trailed off.

"A strong omega?" Victor finished gently.

Zack looked at him, nonplussed, swallowing hard. "It feels like everything I believed about myself was wrong."

"Zack," Victor said, his voice unusually soft, "being an omega doesn't change who you are. You're still the same person—still strong, still protective. Look at how hard you fought to keep our baby safe."

"But I failed," Zack whispered, the words he'd been holding back finally breaking free. "You left me to protect Mo, and I couldn't even protect myself. What kind of mate does that make me?"

Victor's eyes flashed, not with anger but with fierce protectiveness. "It makes you a mate who was drugged and outnumbered by people who specifically targeted you because of how special you are." His grip on Zack's hand tightened. "No one could have fought them off alone."

Zack looked away, unable to meet Victor's intense gaze. "What if...what if this changes things between us? What if being an omega makes me..."

"Makes you what?" Victor prompted when Zack trailed off.

"Less," Zack admitted in a whisper. "Less than what you and Mo need."

Victor made a sound somewhere between a growl and a sigh. He shifted position, moving to cup Zack's face between his palms, forcing him to meet his eyes.

"Listen to me," Victor said, his voice low and fierce. "There is nothing— nothing —about you that could ever make you less in my eyes or Mo's. You being an omega doesn't diminish your strength or your worth. If anything, it makes you even more remarkable."

Tears pricked at the corners of Zack's eyes. "But I'm supposed to be the protector, not the one who needs protecting."

"We protect each other," Victor said firmly. "That's what being mates means. Sometimes you'll be the one doing the protecting, sometimes it will be me or Mo.” He fell silent but kept his eyes on Zack. “When Mama and Cecily died, don’t you think I felt the same thing? Helpless? If I hadn’t gotten caught by the gamma doing unsanctioned hunting, I would have been at home to protect them. They would still be alive.”

Zack shook his head. “You were twelve. It’s not the same thing.”

Victor reached over and cupped Zack’s cheek. “It’s my fault you got taken.”

Zack’s eyes widened. “Of course it wasn’t,” but he could see the glittering moisture in his alpha’s eyes, and that made him pause. “Why do you say that?”

Victor swallowed heavily. “Because I didn’t want you to stay here just to protect Mo. I made you stay because I couldn’t put either of you at risk, and I failed spectacularly. I thought the wolves from the pack would be enough to keep you safe because I trained them. I knew every one of them.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips over Zack’s. “That’s my failure, and I don’t know how I’m going to live with that.”

“Baby,” Zack murmured, reaching out and drawing Victor into his arms. “What a pair we make.”

Victor pressed his forehead against Zack's, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the room. "I love you," he said, the words he'd been holding back now flowing freely. "All of you—the bear, the omega, the man. Every part of you is precious to me."

The door opened, and Mo appeared with a tray of his own, stopping short when he saw the emotional scene before him. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," Zack said, extending his hand toward Mo. "I think I am. We were just talking about...well, about me being an omega."

Mo set his tray down and climbed onto the bed, completing their circle. "And how do you feel about that?" he asked gently.

Zack glanced between his two mates, drawing strength from their presence. "Confused. Scared. But...maybe a little relieved too."

"Relieved?" Victor questioned.

"Yeah," Zack admitted. "It explains things I never understood about myself. The way I've always felt around you both. How right it felt to accept the mating bite when everything I thought I knew said alphas didn't do that."

Mo snuggled into Zack’s arms and looked at Victor. “I was just coming to tell you Raschid’s here.” He reached out and caught Victor’s hand. “You know anything you decide is okay with us both, don’t you?”

Victor nodded and smiled, but he knew he wasn’t fooling either of them. He pressed a kiss to both their lips, then left. He was going to have to resign. There was no way he could be Raschid’s beta commander and give both his mates the attention they deserved, and he couldn’t take either of them away from here, even if the pack was close. He wanted to be a good mate, and he wanted to be a good father to Mattie and their unborn child. Something had to give.

But guilt clawed at him. Raschid had just about saved his life. Given him purpose. And this was how he was repaying him?

"Victor?"

He glanced over at Riley, who was just coming out of their office. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, before you get the urge to rip me apart," Riley grinned, his smile wide. "I just wanted to let you know that I examined Zack again earlier, and the baby's development hasn't slowed down."

Victor's pulse picked up. "What does that mean?"

"He's fine, they both are, but more importantly, the baby could survive now on his own, should Zack go into labor." Victor breathed a huge sigh of relief. Miscarriage had still been a huge concern after what Zack had gone through, which was why Riley wasn't so much as leaving the house to go into the woods to shift. He'd told Victor privately about his concerns and agreed not to share it with Mo or Zack. Victor thanked Riley and carried on to see Raschid.

Raschid was in the kitchen with Alex. They were on their own, which surprised him. He bared his neck for his alpha briefly as a sign of respect, then wondered what to say. How to start.

“Victor, how’s Zack?”

That brought a smile to his face. “Better. But Riley says no shifting. The baby has developed at such an alarming rate, Riley’s worried a shift might hurt him.”

“Him?”

“No idea, and I really don’t care,” Victor replied, then helped himself to a coffee and at Raschid’s nod, sat down.

“I was coming to confirm that Pearson’s lab and all the associated experiments have been destroyed. Asher and Riley have been able to go through the computers and do the same. Both doctors have lost their licenses, and have agree to no jail time in exchange for a gag order. I have no idea how Riley and Daniel managed that, but they won’t be able to practice anymore.”

Victor blew out a relieved breath. He didn’t want it to ever happen again. His alpha glanced at Alex and then back at Victor. “We have an interesting development.”

Victor guessed it was about Alex, but not what. They hadn’t had much time to talk about Alex’s developing alpha abilities.

“I have a new command for you.”

Victor gazed at Raschid. A new command? He glanced at Alex, who met his gaze unflinchingly, then back to Raschid. “My alpha?” Victor prompted.

“You have stood by me every moment since we were both teenagers. You’re an alpha yourself, yet you chose to submit to me, and that takes a special kind of strength.” Raschid nodded to Alex. “Alex will be a very strong alpha, but he needs the sort of steadying hand I was lucky enough to get in you. We have talked and Alex would very much like you to be his right hand. He needs someone with your experience to teach him to grow.” Victor’s lips parted in astonishment.

“I know I’m young,” Alex said, “and as such, you may feel it isn’t appropriate for you…” Alex squirmed a little and Victor’s eyebrows shot up. He’d never seen Alex look uncomfortable, but he knew what he was asking.

“You mean,” he glanced at them both, “for me to submit to Alex. For him to become my new alpha?”

Raschid inclined his head and then looked at Alex. So did Victor. This was a test of sorts. Alex swallowed but put his shoulders back. “Yes. I would be your alpha, but I desperately need a mentor. Everyone here has taught me and continues to teach me to be a better person, but I need someone to teach me to be a better alpha.”

Victor met Alex’s unflinching gaze. And Victor knew Alex could never submit to Raschid, so that sort of relationship was a non-starter.

“I haven’t decided about college or anything. I thought I knew what I wanted, but since feeling the call for pack, and with Noah, it’s become way more complicated.”

“And if he had a steadying hand here,” Raschid continued, “he could still pursue those goals. Alex has shared he is reluctant to leave his family without knowing they are protected.”

Victor transferred his attention to Raschid. “This is your will?”

Raschid chuckled. “I like the idea of having my neighbors secure. Until the time comes for Alex to build his own pack, I am going to send a contingent of wolves here. There’s enough space for housing, but they will need organizing.”

Victor drew in a delighted breath. It was perfect. He could stay here, mentor Alex, and keep his family safe. Raschid stood. “I’m going to leave you two to discuss things.”

Victor stood as well. “Raschid, I—” But he didn’t finish whatever he was going to say, because his alpha drew him in for a firm but brief hug. “Making sure the next generation of wolves is secure is the most important thing you can do for either pack.” He slapped Victor on the back and nodded to Alex, then left.

Victor sat, stunned, but then he realized Alex hadn’t spoken, and focused on him. “My alpha, I would be honored to be your beta commander.”

Alex flushed, but his eyes sparkled. “I know I’m going to make lots of mistakes.”

“As will I,” Victor said, but then because Victor was a wolf submitting to his new alpha, he slowly bared his neck.

Alex's eyes flashed red, and his hand came up to gently touch Victor's throat, accepting the submission. The moment felt significant, like a torch being passed, though both wolves knew the real work lay ahead of them.

"Thank you," Alex said, his voice steadier than Victor expected. "I accept your submission, and I'll do my best to be worthy of your trust."

Victor straightened, studying the young alpha before him. He saw so much potential there—strength tempered with compassion, confidence balanced with humility. Raschid was right. The next generation of pack would be in good hands. Victor felt the subtle shift in their bond, the acknowledgment of a new hierarchy. It was strange but not uncomfortable—Alex had earned his respect through his actions, not just his potential.

"We'll start tomorrow," Victor said. "There's a lot to discuss, including how to integrate Raschid's wolves with the existing household."

Alex nodded eagerly. "I've been thinking about that. We'll need to establish clear boundaries, especially with the kids here. And with Zack's pregnancy—"

Victor felt a surge of pride at how quickly Alex was thinking of the practical considerations. "Exactly. But first—" He smiled, something he'd been doing more of lately. "I need to tell my mates about this new arrangement."

When Victor returned to their bedroom, he found Mo sitting on the bed beside Zack, reading aloud from a dog-eared paperback while Zack rested with his eyes closed, though Victor could tell he wasn't sleeping.

"How did it go with Raschid?" Mo asked, setting the book aside.

Victor leaned against the doorframe, taking in the sight of his two mates safe and together. The relief of it still hit him anew each time.

"It went...unexpectedly well," Victor replied, moving to sit on Zack's other side. The bed dipped under his weight. "I have news."

Zack's eyes opened fully, alert despite his lingering fatigue. "What kind of news?"

Victor took both their hands in his. "I've accepted a new position. As Alex's beta commander."

Mo's eyebrows shot up. "Alex? As in, our Alex?"

Victor nodded, a small smile playing at his lips. "Raschid suggested it. He's sending a contingent of wolves to strengthen the security here, and he wants me to mentor Alex as he grows into his alpha role."

"So, you're staying," Zack said, his voice thick with emotion. "Here. With us."

"Always," Victor promised, squeezing Zack's hand. "I was going to resign, but instead I've submitted to Alex as my alpha."

Mo looked momentarily confused. " But he's just—"

"A young alpha who needs guidance," Victor finished. "Raschid believes, and I agree, that Alex has the potential to become an exceptional leader. But he needs someone with experience to help him develop those skills."

Zack covered Victor's hand with his own, tears welling in his eyes. "Are you sure? I know how important your position with Raschid is to you."

"It is," Victor assured him. "But this is more important. Being here, with both of you, with our family." His hand drifted to the small swell of Zack's abdomen. "With our children."

Mo's eyes shimmered with tears as he leaned across to kiss Victor softly. "I'm so proud of you."

"Besides," Victor added with a wry smile, "it's not as if we're going far. Raschid's territory borders ours, and this way, I can ensure our home remains protected."

"What about Alex?" Zack asked. "How did he take it?"

"Like an alpha," Victor replied, respect evident in his voice. "He understands the responsibility. He's young, but he has good instincts."

Mo laughed suddenly, the sound bright in the quiet room. "Our little family just keeps growing, doesn't it? First Noah and Jacob, then Khloe and Honey, now a contingent of wolves, and soon a baby."

Victor smiled. It was utterly perfect.