Sam’s eyes widened. “Even if... I sent you away?”
“I’d do anything to keep you,” Valen said, his voice husky. “You know that, right?”
Sam swallowed hard. “I thought you would’ve been happy with Harris.”
Harris held his breath. Valen chuckled, his lips pulling into a wry smile. “Once upon a time, I would’ve been happy with just Harris. But now? I don’t think I could go back to that time, and still be happy.”
Oh, Harris thought, forgetting to breathe.
Sam grimaced. “No?”
“Not without you.” Valen brought Sam’s hand to his lips, kissing his knuckles. “I need you both in my life. And in my bed.”
Harris fought down a chuckle, the tightness in his chest easing. “What V said. But maybe we don’t have to talk about sex all the time.”
Valen rolled his eyes, sliding his arms and legs possessively around Sam. “Easy for you to say.”
Harris felt the same, though. After the attack on Sam, after staying apart from Sam and Valen for two weeks... He could no longer return to a relationship with only Valen, or take Sam for himself. He’d realized he didn’t want a life without his alpha and omega, even if it meant risking his heart.
“I’m sorry, too,” Harris said, bowing his head. “V, I’m sorry I didn’t stand up against your dad. I should’ve.”
Valen shrugged, his smile lopsided. “You did what you had to do, even if you were a bastard.”
“It was the wrong choice,” Harris said. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m just glad you’re back, Big H.” Valen squeezed Harris’ hand. “But I’ll forgive you.”
Harris breathed out, relieved. Then he met Sam’s eyes and quailed. Despite all that they’d done together, Harris had left his omega, when he’d promised his protection. That was the most terrible way he could’ve failed Sam, and he’d gone and done it. “And Sam—I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone back on my word.”
Sam slipped his fingers into Harris’ hand, his lips twitching upward. “I thought I’d angered you. I’m sorry, Harris.”
Harris winced. He hadn’t meant to make Sam feel bad. “It wasn’t your fault at all.”
Sam smiled, shaking his head. “You’re forgiven, Harris. And Valen...” He met Valen’s eyes, wincing. “I’m sorry for sending you away. I shouldn’t have.”
Valen beamed, his eyes shining so bright they almost hurt to look at. “I love you, Sam.”
He slid his hand down Sam’s thigh, caressing Sam’s calf. Sam purred, his eyes fluttering shut. He was beautiful, all lean muscle and pale skin, his belly swollen with their baby.
He’s ours, Harris thought. He needed Landon to be born safe, needed Sam to be okay. There was just over a month to the birth, now. Nicholas’ death had been a decade ago, and gods, Harris was so old.
“I’m surprised you want me back,” Harris said, smiling wryly. “After everything.”
Valen narrowed his eyes. “You aren’t still going on about that ‘too old’ thing, are you?”
“Maybe I’ll always be.” Harris shrugged. “I’ll be sixty when Landon’s ten, Valen. By the time he’s twenty, I’ll be seventy. That’s if I live—”
“Gods, Big H, stop talking about that.” Valen winced. “I can’t—can’t think about you dying.”
“It’s a fact of life, V.” Harris reached over, curling his fingers around Valen’s arm. Stroked down solid muscle. “If I live to sixty-five—”
“Harris!” Valen looked pained.
“—then I’ll still have fifteen years with you.” Harris raised his eyebrows. “That’s a long time, isn’t it?”
Valen looked dismayed. “I’d rather have thirty.”
Harris chuckled, glancing at Sam. “Always greedy, that one.”
Sam gave a wistful smile, linking his fingers with Harris’. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, Harris,” Sam said. “Most days, I don’t even think about your age.”
“Same here,” Valen said.
That was new, when Harris had always thought about Valen and Sam as younger than him. He felt his age in the creak of his joints, in the way he was tired sometimes, when he hadn’t been decades ago. “I’m past my prime.”
“You’re the perfect daddy age,” Valen said, easing into a smile. Then he raked his gaze over Harris’ body, and smirked. “And perfect for being the next baby’s daddy.”
Harris’ cock stirred. He could live with that.
“Papa,” Sam said. “Fixed that for you.”
And maybe it wasn’t so bad, being older. Sam and Valen... weren’t bothered by it. And maybe it wasn’t so bad if he was older than them. Maybe it had truly never mattered at all. Harris wasn’t sure he’d ever get over their age difference, but he’d try.
Seemed like he was one of those alphas now, but it didn’t matter. He was happy.
He smiled and reached over, hugging them both. His stitches pulled and his wounds stung. Worth it, to have both his alpha and omega next to him. “So I’m welcome here?” he asked.
Valen nudged him in the chest. “Only on the full moons.”
Harris slapped him on the thigh.
Sam grinned, his eyes glowing with warmth. “You’re always welcome, Harris.”
“But seriously,” Valen said, pressing a kiss to Harris’ shoulder. “I thought I was gonna lose you back there, Sam. When we pulled up and I saw those two bastards around you, my heart stopped.”
Harris had thought Valen might mow the robbers down with his truck, but he’d jumped out and sprinted toward Sam. Couldn’t let those bastards hurt their omega.
“I was worried about you too, Big H,” Valen said, his gaze lingering on Harris’ stitches. “All that blood... Gods.”
“You’re pretty beat-up yourself,” Harris murmured, stroking Valen’s face. Probably a rare thing, him showing Valen any softness. But Valen leaned into him, pressing his face into Harris’ hand. And maybe Harris should be more generous with his touches, show Valen he cared.
He cradled Valen’s neck, and Valen’s smile grew. Harris swallowed. Didn’t know you wanted that, too. How did I not notice?
Valen flicked his tongue over his broken lip. Sam winced. “That looks deep.”
“I gave him that,” Harris said. “He’d punched me a couple times. “Was only fair that I bit him back.”
Sam frowned, and Valen
