Page 44 of Where the Current Takes Him (Mermate #1)

Loriun

W ithout fury roaring in his ears, the ocean’s silence was creating a perfect environment for anxiety to set in.

Loriun had physically attacked a prominent human politician.

Not only that, but he had left his grieving, pregnant mate to do it.

Had Beau woken up to discover Loriun was gone? Would he be upset?

Of course he would be upset. This was probably the time Beau needed his mate the most, and Loriun was off blackmailing his father.

He hoped that Beau would understand after he’d had some time to explain.

At least he would be able to attend his mother’s funeral, even if he was angry at Loriun while he did it.

And at least their precious photos would no longer be used to foster hate and rage. Regardless of the morality of Loriun’s actions, he had done it all for Beau.

A voice rang out through the water. Loriun slowed, cocking his head to listen.

“Loriun!”

It was Vuos. Fear flooded Loriun’s mind. Had something happened to Beau?

“Loriun!”

He struck out in the direction of the call, swimming with such speed that he nearly collided head on with the dark-scaled Mer.

“Vuos,” he panted. “What? What’s happened?”

There was a wild look in the other Alpha’s eye. “Beau is in labor. He’s at the birthing center with Jaime now. Come on, we’ve got to move .”

Loriun didn’t swim back to Miami—he flew .

∞∞∞

Their son came with the sunrise. As pink clouds scored the indigo sky, Makai Koery took his first breath.

His face was scrunched and red, his eyes screwed shut with shrieks of indignation.

Along his tiny arms were peppered scales of champagne pink and wisps of pale gold fins.

His tail was tightly curled along his left side, still in the position it was in the womb.

There, too, were golden-pink scales, framed with the flare of his tail fin.

The strawberry blond fuzz on his head formed a perfect accent to the beauty of his scales and fins. But when he opened his wrinkled eyes, Loriun saw that they were a familiar shade of warm brown.

Loriun couldn’t tear his eyes away from his nymph, nor from his exhausted mate. Beau’s face was drawn and pale, but a smile danced along his lips as he held his son in his arms.

“ Mamá was right,” he said softly. “A boy.”

Loriun leaned over and pressed his forehead to Beau’s.

“She would have been so proud of you.”

The Omega’s eyes shone with tears. “I know she would.” He sniffled. “Your riue was right too. She was sure I was having an Alpha.”

“But I was the most right,” said a voice from the doorway. “I called it. Alpha boy.”

“Jaime.” Loriun stood to shake the man’s hand. “I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my family.”

Jaime waved the gratitude away. “It was nothing. And now, I can count on you to babysit anytime.”

“Seriously, Jaime, and you too, Vuos,” Beau called. The dark Mer was hovering in the doorway, looking unsure about adding to the small crowd. “I would have freaked out if that happened when I was alone.”

Beau eyed his mate. “Speaking of…”

Loriun’s stomach sank. He’d been so lost in the joy of meeting his son that he’d forgotten he still owed Beau an explanation.

“You know what?” Jaime said, turning back to look at Vuos. “I think we might grab breakfast before we say our proper hello. Say, maybe, thirty minutes?”

“Better make it forty-five,” Vuos muttered. The pair made a swift exit.

“So,” Beau said. “You left.”

Loriun winced. “I did, but I assure you I would not have done so unless absolutely necessary.”

“And where exactly were you?”

He hesitated. How much do I tell him?

“I was… in Gainesville.”

Beau’s eyes widened slightly. “What did you do?”

“I…” Loriun swallowed. “I ensured that your father would never hurt you again.”

His mate gaped back at him. “Loriun. Did you kill my dad?”

“What? No!”

Makai started wailing at the sudden noise.

“Shhh,” Beau said, patting the screeching bundle.

“Sorry,” Loriun whispered. “No, I did not kill your father. I talked to him. He has agreed to certain terms in exchange for certain information being kept quiet.”

A slow smile curled Beau’s lips. “Are you saying you blackmailed my dad?”

“That seems harsh.”

“You did. You blackmailed the king of blackmail.” Beau then did something Loriun could not have predicted. He started laughing.

Loriun tilted his head. “What is funny? This situation does not seem amusing.”

“My dad, the Mer-hater, the man who got everything he has with secrets and threats, my dad lost at his own game to his Omega son’s Mer mate.” Beau dissolved back into giggles. “God, it must be something really good.”

“It was quite shocking. Are you feeling okay? Should I call the nurse?”

“No, no.” Beau wiped his eyes. “It’s hard to explain, but he deserved it. That’s why I’m laughing.”

“If you say so.” Loriun remained unconvinced. Too many painkillers perhaps. “The other condition he agreed to is holding a proper funeral for your mother on a day you are able to attend.”

Beau’s smile turned watery. “Come here.”

Loriun leaned down and kissed his mate, trying to press all the unspoken words into his lips.

“Yai aenwe,” Loriun murmured.

“I love you too, Loriun Kolhn.”

A quiet knock at the door pulled them apart. A shy, quiet, human nurse stepped in.

“Sorry to bother you, Beau, but I need to run a few quick checks on you and Makai.”

“Is something wrong?” Loriun demanded. The nurse flinched. He seemed very new to this job. “No, sir, this is all routine.”

Loriun grunted and dropped into a nearby chair. Beau noted the way his new nurse’s eyes flitted to the Mer. He was the very picture of discomfort.

“Actually, Loriun,” Beau said. “Could you go out to the cafeteria and get me some chocolate milk? That’s all I can think about right now.”

Loriun wrinkled his nose. “How can you want sugared cow secretions at a time like this?”

“Oh, shut up and get me my damn secretions.”

The Alpha snorted a laugh and left the room.

The nurse visibly relaxed, cornsilk blond hair falling in his eyes. Every visible bit of skin was dotted with freckles. A sweet scent like candied violets emanated from his scent glands.

“You’re new here, right?” Beau asked kindly. The other Omega wrapped a blood pressure cuff around Beau’s upper arm.

“Is it that obvious?” he asked dully. “I just transferred to the Mermades last week, from the same small town I was born and raised in. The first Mer I ever met was a gigantic Alpha at the docks when I landed.”

“Green scales, black fins, and unreasonably low voice?” Buea guessed.

The nurse blinked. “How did you know?”

Beau laughed. “His human mate, Jaime, runs a lot of the transport between the mainland and Miami. He likes to tag along and do the heavy lifting. His name’s Vuos, and they’ve been together since before the first Omega program.” Beau lowered his voice in a stage whisper. “They’ve got four kids.”

“Four? Damn.” The nurse was now scribbling something on Beau’s clipboard. “Um. Can I ask… What’s it like? Is it anything like the Natural Order people say?”

Beau shook his head with a smile. “It’s amazing.

I know the Alphas look big and scary, but it’s all for show.

Don’t get me wrong, Loriun would do anything to keep me safe, but no more than any human spouse would.

Actually, I’ve never met an Omega that wasn’t head over heels in love with their partner.

Don’t let those speciesist bastards get to you. ”

The nurse smiled back at him. “That’s a huge relief. Thank you. May I?” He held his willowy arms out for Makai. Beau begrudgingly handed his baby over.

“What’s your name, by the way?” Beau asked.

“Grayson Miller.”

“Nice to meet you.” Beau watched him press a pre-warmed stethoscope to his son’s chest. “You know… If you’re looking for a nice Alpha, I think I can hook you up.”

Jameson looked up from the infant in his arms. “You can?”

Beau grinned. “How do you feel about the color gold?”