Raph’s lips thinned. He glanced between Grandma, Wyatt, and Dad, breathing in, then out.
And Wyatt realized that this couldn’t possibly last. Not their bonding, and certainly not any peace in the family. Grandma would force Raph into a job he hated, or fire him, or sink him further into debt. All because of Wyatt.
“Hazel,” Wyatt said quietly. “Please call Penny or Sam. Texting won’t work right now. Head into the garage and out the front door.”
She frowned at him. “But what about you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
She hesitated, then turned, darting into the house. And Wyatt leaned into his mom, wishing he’d made different choices. That he hadn’t slept with Raph. That he hadn’t decided to come here today. That he’d never told Raph about the baby at all.
Raph stepped forward, meeting Wyatt’s eyes. “Wyatt is my omega,” he said. “That child is ours.”
In front of so many people, his words sounded like a death knell.
Grandma’s face turned ashen. She prowled forward, raising a bony finger at them. “That omega whore isn’t my grandson, Raphael. He doesn’t deserve to be part of this family. Break this off right now. I want that child aborted.”
Wyatt tensed, his pulse thundering in his ears. He wasn’t losing his baby.
Raph narrowed his eyes. “He’s not a whore. He’s my bondmate. We’re not aborting the child.”
Grandma’s mouth twisted into an ugly scowl. “Don’t you dare tarnish my business and my family name, Raphael Fleming. End this, or I’ll see that you’ll never find work on this side of the country. You’ll have three months to pay that debt.”
Three months? Raph had shown Wyatt the calculations. He had two and a half years to pay off his debt. Wyatt glanced at Raph, but Raph wasn’t looking at him.
And that felt like a lie, somehow. Why didn’t you tell me that?
“I’ll pay it,” Raph said.
Grandma’s sneer grew. “You think being a chauffeur pays off your loans? And that other side job you’re doing, the research? You won’t make enough, boy. Grow up. Think about your future, instead of fooling around with your twisted whore brother.”
“He’s not a whore,” Raph snapped, eyes narrowing.
But Grandma’s words spun in Wyatt’s head. Chauffeur? The other side job? Raph hadn’t mentioned those. He’d disappeared, and left Wyatt when Wyatt needed him. Why didn’t you ask me for help? Do you think that little of me?
If Raph was no longer Wyatt’s alpha, he’d be free to pay off the loan at his own pace. He wouldn’t be saddled with two children and Wyatt. He could find a more deserving omega, not an omega who was helpless, who curled up and cried in grocery stores.
“Look, Elizabeth,” Mom said, stepping forward. Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t cast your judgment on Wyatt. He and Raph go a long ways back. They’re stepbrothers. Marriage is legal between them.”
Grandma glanced at her, lips curling. “Are you getting smart now, Tanya? Don’t forget—you still have a loan with Alpha Associates. Half-paid. You’re starting to take my charity for granted, aren’t you? Have you gotten tired of a roof over your head?”
Mom paled. Wyatt gulped, taking a step back. And Grandma looked hard at him. “Carry on with Raph, and I’ll make sure your restaurant closes before the end of next year.”
Wyatt’s stomach dropped. Not the drive-in. Not when he’d spent so much time building it up, seeking comfort in Hazel and his own business, so he wouldn’t have to depend on another alpha again. He needed to keep his job, so he could feed Hazel and the new baby.
And between Raph and Wyatt’s children... Wyatt would choose his children. Raph didn’t need him.
He swallowed hard, stepping back. “I’ll leave,” Wyatt said. “I’ll forfeit my bond with Raph.”
Raph’s gaze snapped to him, horror flickering through his eyes. “Wy—”
In that moment, all Wyatt could feel was Raph’s disappointment, his shock. He couldn’t breathe. Maybe he was always going to let his alpha down, like Grandma and Max had said he would.
Wyatt backed further, putting distance between himself and Raph. He needed an escape. Needed to hide from Grandma’s accusing eyes, and Dad’s disbelieving stare. He carried Raph’s baby. If he left Meadowfall, and no one knew who he was... that would be for the best.
“Starting today, I’m no longer Raphael Fleming’s omega,” he said. “This severs our bond.”
Raph paled, his eyes growing wide. In a few strides, he rounded the car door, crossing the space between them. His shoes clicked on the driveway, and his eyes... Wyatt couldn’t look away from those sea-blue eyes, their breathtaking beauty, and the pain in them.
“Don’t go,” Raph said, stopping in front of him. He smelled like teak, like Raph.
And the world stopped turning, when Raph cradled his face, leaning in, his mouth catching against Wyatt’s.
Raph kissed him hard, stole his breath. Wyatt swayed on his feet. He loved Raph. And if he really wanted Raph to live a better life, he would have to step away. Return Raph his wings so he could fly.
Wyatt flattened his hands against Raph’s chest, and shoved. Raph broke the kiss, his chest heaving, his lips red with a sheen of damp.
“I’m sorry,” Wyatt said, his chest squeezing tight. “This can’t happen. I’m sorry for waiting so long to say it.”
Raph’s gaze fell to his belly. “But the baby—”
“It’s not yours.” Wyatt looked away. “It’s—it’s someone else’s.”
Raph looked at him, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. “You—you said it’s mine.”
“I was lying,” Wyatt croaked, hating every word that left his mouth. “I was using you.”
“I always knew he was a conniving little bastard,” Grandma said, her voice grating in the silence. “He knows I have a weak heart, and what does he do? He tries to give me a heart attack.”
Wyatt ducked his head. He didn’t want to know how Raph saw him, now.
Raph caught his hand, his grip warm, firm, like all the nights he’d held Wyatt in his sleep.
Wyatt swallowed hard, tugging his hand
