Page 88 of Slow Heat

“There were health concerns,” Father whispered. “And Miner did bear one child as his contract required.”

“We all know the reasons for Jason being the only one left in the Sabel line,” Vale said, sympathy swirling in his voice alongside the tight control he was wielding. “We’ve all seen the medical write up and know the history. But you’ve also seen my medical charts. You know this is a matter of life or death for me. Yet you’d have me risk the same—either my own death, or the death of a child, or both?” He sneered. “I wish I could say I’m surprised by that, but given everything I know about you, I’m not.”

Jason blinked, wondering where Vale’s animosity toward his father was coming from. Surely he wouldn’t have been shocked by the live birth clause in the contract, and Jason understood why he’d refuse it, but why was he soangryin doing it? Sneering at Father wouldn’t get them anywhere good.

“You think you can speak to me like that?” Father said, his voice low and ominous.

Jason’s fists curled up, his body tensing, and he shoved his chair back from the table slightly.

“You have no right to address me in that manner,” Father went on. “This contract isn’t necessary, you realize. We can pay you an allowance for your entire life and not feel it touch us. We’re doing you a favor by acting like this is a match that could work. But one more disrespectful comment from you and—”

“Stop, Yule.” Pater spoke quietly, smoke ringing his head and drifting up to the ceiling. “Don’t say another word.”

Father turned to him, eyes wide in surprise. Pater met his gaze firmly.

Father’s neck flushed, and he cleared his throat as he looked away.

Pater turned to Vale then and spoke calmly, his voice steady with his promise. “We understand your reluctance to contract for a birth. Believe me, I sympathize. I nearly died with Jason, and I’ve lost too many now to count. If it wasn’t for Jason needing me, and knowing how adrift Yule would be, I might have given up and gone to the other side years ago.”

“Miner,” Father said Pater’s name with fear tingeing his voice, but Pater just placed his hand over his and went on.

“So I understand. Birth is no laughing matter. It’s serious. It has the potential to be deadly for us, especially as we get older, especially if we aren’t formed right or have scar tissue as you do. A first live birth at your age would be exceedingly difficult, and, with the scar tissue, potentially deadly. We won’t risk your life for a chance at a grandchild—not when there are other options.”

Father paled and gritted his teeth together.

The word ‘surrogate’ hung in the air so clearly Jason could almost see it. He snarled at the idea he’d ever take any omega other than Vale. He’d never impregnate some other man simply to carry on the family line. He’d rather die than breed with someone he didn’t feel this pull for.

Pater went on, “However, should you come to care for our son as a life partner, truly bonded as his omega, and if, at that time, you discover you’re medically capable and want to try for yourself, then we would be honored to have a grandchild from your womb.”

Father deflated, seeing that Pater had made up his mind. He covered his face with his hand. Pater sucked his cigarette and blew out the smoke before offering Vale a smile. “We’ll strike the requirement from the contract.”

“I don’t want a child anyway,” Jason said, lifting his chin.

That wasn’t entirely true, but if Vale didn’t want to bear one, or couldn’t, then Jason was all right with that. Betas lived childless forever and had happy, even enviously wonderful lives. Still, the idea of Vale never growing large with his child made his throat ache with all the tears he’d refused to shed since presenting as an alpha. But that didn’t matter. Keeping Vale safe was more important.

He forced a smile. “So this is good. Vale and I are on the same page.”

“Quiet, Jason,” Father said gently. “We’ll handle this.”

“Actually, I’d like to know his thoughts,” Vale countered.

The desire for Vale’s approval pulsed through him hungrily, almost angrily. “It’s only that…it’s more important that you’re safe and healthy. I don’t need a child.”

“You don’t? Who will inherit when you’re gone?” Vale asked, a needle in his tone. “Are you content to see all that your family worked for and accomplished go to charity on our deaths?”

Jason shrugged. “I don’t know. I suppose so.”

“You suppose so?”

“You’ve been so unhappy since we sat down,” Jason pleaded. “If this is why you’re upset then let’s set it aside. I don’t like seeing you this way.”

Vale gazed at him hard. “You’re nineteen. Of course you’ve never considered the implications of being childless. Before we make any decisions, you need to consider the reality of it, Jason. What it would mean for your family.”

“You make it sound like you think I should take a surrogate!”

“It’s not a terrible idea.”

Jason gritted his teeth. “I don’t want that.”