His words weren’t condemning. They weren’t Grandma’s staccato accusations, sharp and poisonous. They weren’t Raph’s low growl, seething at the interruption.
“Thank you,” Wyatt said, his throat tight.
Slowly, he allowed himself to relax. Sam’s words were honest, and Wyatt appreciated them. But deep down, Wyatt wanted to be enveloped in the strong arms of an alpha, wanted to be held, and protected, so he could forget about everything for a while.
For nine years, he’d been the strong one, raising Hazel, making the decisions for his daughter and business.
Right now, his heat thrummed in his body. He wanted an alpha.
Except which alpha would have him, when Wyatt was sick and twisted? He’d almost seduced his brother. He’d been abandoned by his first alpha, Max, when he was pregnant. Wyatt was used goods that no one wanted in the first place, especially when he couldn’t be an alpha’s everything. He had a daughter to consider.
“So you’ll be seeing Raph later,” Sam said.
Wyatt’s stomach swooped. “Oh, gods. He won’t really be there, will he?”
“Beats me. You could skip the party.”
“I can’t.” Wyatt winced, prying himself out of Sam’s hug. He looked at the printed swimming trunks in his hands, palm fronds edged around its waistband. “It’s my dad’s party. I promised him and Mom I’d show up. I even got the kitchen to pack some ramen.”
Wy’s Drive-In was popular enough in Meadowfall that he didn’t need the extra advertising. But people knew Wyatt was Chief Fleming’s son, and Wyatt should show his face, so his parents didn’t get concerned neighbors asking about his absence. Asking if anything had happened between him and Raph. The thought curdled his blood.
If anyone found out, Grandma would hear. Wyatt’s parents were still living with Grandma in her mansion, and if she heard... she might evict them.
Wyatt couldn’t do that to his parents. Not when Dad had carried him on his shoulders, had cheered when he’d presented as omega. Mom had taught Wyatt and Penny and Raph to bake cookies, had lined them up in a row at the kitchen counter, and taught them to decorate the cookies.
He shoved those thoughts away. Not like I’ll be doing anything with Raph tonight.
But Wyatt had thought about Raph, on and off through the years. He’d thought about Raph on lonely nights, when Hazel was sleeping in the next room. He’d thought about Raph cuddling with him, holding him, touching his skin.
After Max, Wyatt hadn’t dared trust another alpha. Not when Max had seemed so kind at first. So his thoughts had gone back to Raph, and the soft, sweet words Raph had whispered in his ear, so many years ago.
He could imagine Raph pressing him down, his broad body hot against Wyatt’s thighs. Raph would nudge his legs apart with his knees, fit his cock up against Wyatt’s ass. Wyatt still remembered the warm drag of Raph’s fingers down his belly, the whisper of Raph’s fingertips against his cock.
Blood surged between Wyatt’s legs. He held the swimming trunks over his hips.
“Dude, maybe you shouldn’t go,” Sam said, giving him a dubious look. “You smell like sex.”
Wyatt gulped, wishing he didn’t spew musk every time his arousal spiked. “Pinch your nose. That might help.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “So, what’s Raph like? Should I get Hazel and we’ll come crash your party? That should be a boner-killer.”
That would almost be a good idea... except he was in heat. And his heat didn’t care who was around, daughter or best friend or whatever. Wyatt didn’t need his daughter seeing him react to Raph. Raph was his brother. Her uncle. He needed to stop thinking about this train wreck of a party. “Nothing’s going to happen. I promise.”
“Sure.” Sam raised his eyebrows.
“Everyone will love Raph,” Wyatt mumbled. “He’s the perfect son. First class honors from Highton Stars College. Regional manager at the Alpha Associates Bank. Pecs, biceps, you name it. He walks into a room, and every omega will drop their clothes.”
Including me.
Maybe Raph was married now. Maybe he’d found a bondmate. Maybe he had a full life and children over in Highton, and Wyatt would mean as much to him as a forgotten piano.
Maybe the dinner party would go okay, even if Wyatt was in heat.
“I’ll pop more suppressants,” he said, his ass damp at the thought of Raph. All he wanted was for Raph to look at him. Hold him. And maybe—hopefully—that would be enough. “Thanks for staying with Hazel tonight.”
“I promised her a coloring contest,” Sam said, patting Wyatt’s shoulder. “She’s working on one of those new complex coloring books right now. The one with the cottages.”
“I love the cottage one,” Wyatt said, looking at his swimming trunks again.
“Those are huge. They might be a little loose on you.”
“I’ll tie them on tight.” Wyatt swallowed, his heat throbbing down his thighs. He’d make sure the noodles were all in place for the party. Then he’d say hi to his parents, and jump in the pool. Raph wouldn’t look there twice, would he?
2
Raph
Raph wasn’t made for parties.
He wove through the crowded backyard of the Fleming mansion—through the townsfolk by the sprawling pool, past the meandering couples in the garden, to the suited alphas by the outdoor grill. Beneath the smoky scents of barbecued meat and charcoal, Raph smelled the woodsy scent of alphas, the grassy hint of betas, and the floral sweetness of omegas.
Next to the grilling pit, caterers had set up a long table of dinner choices—succulent steaks, fluffy mashed potatoes, and juicy green peas. Noodles in yellow boxes on one end, pastries and cakes on the other.
His parents were speaking with a small group of townsfolk at the grill—their neighbors. Raph recognized the mayor, and the president of the Meadowfall College.
They weren’t who Raph was looking for tonight, though. And maybe he should’ve known better than to hope for a glimpse of his stepbrother.
Wyatt hadn’t shown up in Raph’s presence for nine years. Every time Raph
