Raph couldn’t do that to any of them. What kind of alpha left burdens on all his family?
He sank into his seat, glancing at his sprawling desk, his sleek computer, the wide windows that looked down on the rest of Highton.
Maybe it was better to leave Wyatt, pay off his own debt, than to have Wyatt shoulder what Raph was unable to pay.
Dad cried when he saw the hospital bills, Hazel had told him.
“I’ll withdraw my transfer request,” Raph said, the words bitter on his tongue.
“Very well. My weak heart thanks you for that, Raphael.” Grandma smiled, satisfied. Then she turned and left, the lemon of her scent sharp in the air.
It felt like betrayal. And Raph remembered that evening at Wy’s Drive-In, when Hazel had looked seriously at him and said, Don’t ever lie to Dad.
Raph had told him he’d transfer to Meadowfall. If he told Wyatt the request was rejected, it would feel as though Raph had lied to him. But that was better than burdening Wyatt with his debt. Raph wasn’t about to make Wyatt cry. Especially not with something he was supposed to have solved, a long time ago.
Why can’t I get any of this right? I’m an alpha, damn it!
While he was still in Highton, he would take on a second job, maybe a third. Get his ass in gear. Then maybe he could show his face to his omega, when all the debt was paid for.
25
Wyatt
”Can’t believe it’s already 1 AM,” Raph said, his tinny voice dissolving into a yawn. ”Work’s been godawful lately. I’ve been taking on more stuff, a few hours of OT every... every day. Been gettin’ home at... at midnight...”
His voice faded, and there was a dull thump, like the phone had fallen onto the bed. Then came the sound of soft snoring, all the way until the voicemail cut off, and the dial tone sounded.
Wyatt would’ve found this endearing, except Raph had been doing this for a month, now. He’d visit for half a day on the weekend, and then disappear back to Highton, answering none of Wyatt’s calls.
A bad time to be ignoring Wyatt, when Wyatt needed his alpha’s presence. He’d been sniffing at Raph discreetly during his visits, trying to see if Raph had been distracted by other omegas. But all he smelled was old sweat, like Raph had forgotten to shower before he drove down to Meadowfall.
What have you been doing, Raph? Wyatt stared down at his phone, tempted to hit Call on Raph’s voice message. See if he could catch Raph, if Raph happened to be awake right now.
Or maybe Raph had finally realized that Wyatt wasn’t the best omega he could have.
Wyatt gulped, rubbing the scent gland on his neck.
“Are you ready to go to the store?” Hazel poked her head into his bedroom. “We’re completely out of milk. I checked every shelf in the fridge. There’s no evaporated milk, either.”
He sighed. “Do you think Uncle Raph will be here today? He left me a voicemail at 1 AM. That’s late for him.”
“Maybe not. He’s been coming over later and later every week.” Hazel stepped into the bedroom, and Wyatt patted the mattress next to him. Hazel sat, looking down at his round belly. “How’s the baby?”
“Kicking. He might kick if you hold him very carefully,” Wyatt said, pressing his fingers to his belly to demonstrate. “Like that.”
Gingerly, Hazel set her small hand on his abdomen. “I don’t feel anything.”
“You’ve got to be patient, hon.”
She frowned, looking down.
“While you wait, I’ll leave Raph a voicemail,” Wyatt said, pulling her into a hug. Her hair smelled like shampoo. “Then we’ll go to the store.”
“Okay.” Hazel wriggled out of the hug, pressing her ear to Wyatt’s belly.
Wyatt hit the Call button, holding the phone to his ear. The dial tone rang. He held his breath as the tone continued, on and on for long seconds. Then the phone clicked, and the answering machine greeted him.
”I’m sorry, the number you’re calling is currently unavailable. At the tone, please record your message.”
He sagged. Still busy, huh?
“Hey, it’s me,” Wyatt said, stroking Hazel’s hair. “Just wanted to say hi. I haven’t seen you in ages, Raph. I miss you. I think the baby misses you, too.”
“I miss him, too,” Hazel said. “He said he’d make me lunch, but he’s been visiting later and later. You owe me mac and cheese, Uncle Raph!”
Wyatt couldn’t help snorting, then. “Everything is all about the food to you, hon.”
“Not everything,” she said. “Coloring books are important, too.”
“They should be,” Wyatt said. Then he looked back at the phone, smiling to himself. “Anyway, I hope you’re listening to this, Raph. I’ve been trying to catch you awake, but you’re either at work, or asleep. And it sucks. I thought you wanted to spend time with me.”
It always felt weird, talking to a silent line. Wyatt paused, watching as Hazel dragged her finger in a swirling line across his belly.
She perked up suddenly. “I felt the baby kick!”
Wyatt had felt it, too. “Did you really?”
Hazel nodded, wide-eyed. “It was right here. If you put your hand down, you might feel it again.”
Wyatt let her guide his hand onto his belly, smiling. “Tell Uncle Raph he’s missing out.”
“You’re missing out,” Hazel said. “And Dad has been upset that you’re not visiting for longer. He wants to do the sex thing.”
“I did not say that!” Wyatt spluttered, his face burning. “What in the heavens, Hazel?”
She grinned up at him. “Aunt Penny said it when you were out on your date. I asked why I couldn’t be around when Uncle Raph visits. She said you’re probably doing the sex thing.”
Wyatt covered his face, groaning. Penny wasn’t exactly wrong. “Raph, I’m holding you responsible for this,” he said. “Your turn to babysit Hazel the next
