Page 107 of Slow Heat

“Yes, but they’ll still worry.”

Vale glanced toward the phone on his desk. “Let’s call.”

“No. If they’re talking to each other, or fighting, or anything else, I don’t want to interrupt. I’m nineteen. Legally, I have the right to be here.”

“Technically, we’ve already violated a number of protocols…”

“Fine. You know what I mean.”

Vale nodded and rubbed Jason’s knee. “Drink the tea. It’ll help.”

It was an herbal blend meant to bring calmness and peace. Rosen and Yosef had given it to him for his birthday last year, citing his tendency to worry. He hoped it would ease Jason’s distress. Plus, one of the components of the blend was the active ingredient in alpha quell, and so having Jason drink it made Vale feel it much less likely they’d end up fucking before the night was out. Though that remained to be seen, especially with the tremors of his oncoming heat rumbling beneath his skin.

Nothing about the day was going as he’d imagined when he opened his eyes that morning. He wondered if any day ever would again.

“He’s going to die if he doesn’t find a way to…” he glanced at Vale and then away. “If he doesn’t have a miscarriage or find another way to end the pregnancy.”

“I know you said your pater is allergic to the government condoms, an unfortunate number of omegas are, but surely they could have managed with them anyway?”

Jason shrugged. “Pater said no. He has a reaction internally that makes him bleed and tear during the constant intercourse of heat.”

“I see.” Vale resented that the new laws the government had introduced several years back surrounding condoms had led to a reduction in quality and variety of materials. Obviously, this left Miner with fewer options.

“I know I’m supposed to be strong.” Jason rubbed the back of his hand over his mouth, wiping away his wobbly expression. “I know I’m failing you right now.”

“Youarestrong. This is hard. It’s normal to feel scared when scary things happen.”

“I don’t want to lose him. I love him.”

“I know. I’m sorry, Jason.” Vale rested his cheek against the chair cushion, gazing up at him. “Drink the tea.”

Memories of the moment he’d heard about the accident that claimed his parents’ lives bubbled up to the surface of his mind. He bit down on his lip. Jason needed him to stay calm. But it wasn’t fair—losing a parent never was. He wished he could somehow spare Jason this pain.

“What does the doctor say about his chances?” Vale asked gently.

“I don’t think he’s talked to a doctor yet. I just know he almost died having me and he’s never carried to term any other time. Once when I was three… I think they might have tried again. Pater was in bed for weeks and then I woke in the night to screams. I was scared.” He cleared his throat and went on, “Grandpater came to stay with me. Pater was in the hospital, and Father stayed with him, of course.”

Vale nodded.

“They love each other so much,” Jason said. “I’ve never seen them really fight before. Not like that. Father was angry and scared. And Pater was…flat. Like he didn’t feel anything.”

“He’s got to be scared, too.”

“He says he’s tired.” Jason’s eyes welled with tears again, and he set the tea aside. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“You don’t have to.” Vale rubbed his cheek against the seat cushion as lust whirled inside him, inappropriate and tempting. The beard he was growing scritched against the leather. Jason reached down and stroked Vale’s cheek, running his fingers lightly over it. Vale kissed Jason’s knee.

“I didn’t think I’d have you at my feet so soon,” Jason said, voice gruff and still muffled with his previous tears. “That’s okay. I don’t mind.”

Vale sighed. “It’s comfortable here.”

Jason’s voice was tender as he stroked Vale’s beard and then lifted his chin to meet his gaze. “How many alphas have you been with?”

Vale’s chest tightened and he turned his face, hiding it against Jason’s thigh. Silence pulsed between them, and then Jason slipped his hand into Vale’s hair, tender and calming.

“It doesn’t matter. Forget I asked.”

But it did matter. It was part of why he couldn’t bear children. No matter what bond was growing between them, like glimmering ribbons he could feel tying them together even now, he had a past that determined the only possible future. It broke his heart to admit, but Jason deserved more.