Raph grimaced. “About Hazel—I’ll make it up to her. Sorry. I don’t even know what I can do.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Wyatt said. “Take her out to dinner, or something. You’ll need to prove yourself.”
“That works.” Raph gathered Wyatt in his arms, tipping him backward. There was a hard line in his pants where their hips met; Raph had been hard ever since Wyatt left his bonding mark. “This isn’t much of a proposal,” he whispered against Wyatt’s throat. “I’ll get a ring soon. Will you marry me?”
Wyatt chuckled, his heart warming. Things weren’t fixed yet. But Raph was promising to stay by his side, and despite the difficulties ahead, Wyatt knew where he belonged. “Yes, Raph. Yes.”
Raph smiled slowly, the corners of his mouth lifting. Musk rolled off his skin. He pressed a kiss to Wyatt’s scent gland, right over the bonding mark. “Good,” he whispered, his breath hot. “Wanna mark you again. “Think we have time for that?”
Raph sucked on Wyatt’s scent gland, long and slow. A jolt sparked down Wyatt’s spine, made him arch. “Yes,” he hissed. “We have time for a little more.”
“Good,” Raph murmured, scooping Wyatt up into his arms. “Gonna make you mine again.”
In that moment, everything was right with the world again.
30
Raph
Much later, when they were in Wyatt’s bed, the sheets tangled around their calves, Raph pressed a kiss to Wyatt’s damp cheek. “Do you regret this?”
Wyatt sighed. “I don’t know,” he said, draping his arm across Raph’s chest. “There’ll be repercussions if you stay. You should be at work.”
“Fuck work.”
Because Raph had his omega back in his arms. Wyatt had left his bonding mark on Raph’s wrist. He’d forgiven Raph. His belly rested snugly against Raph’s hip, and it was their baby between them, healthy and safe. Raph’s chest had never felt this full in his life.
Wyatt frowned, propping himself up on his elbow. “Grandma will get you for skipping work, won’t she?”
“She doesn’t know I’m leaving yet.”
But even then, leaving Alpha Associates came with a price. Raph still had no idea how he’d pay off the debt.
“I can chip in for the loan,” Wyatt said, as though he’d read Raph’s mind. “I’ll ask around. Maybe Sam or Penny might have some extra they can spare. They’ve lent me money in the past.”
Raph grimaced. It was a lot—Penny hadn’t been working at the lab long, and Raph didn’t know the sorts of liquid assets Wyatt could spare from his drive-in.
Deep down, Raph wanted to turn down the help. He was alpha. He’d gone to the best college in Highton, and he was a damn regional manager. If he had more time... If he and Wyatt had gotten involved later... he could’ve cleared the debt, and walked away from his grandmother’s shackles with fewer repercussions.
“I’m not sure why she’s holding this against you,” Wyatt murmured, burying his face in Raph’s shoulder. “I thought she liked you when we were kids.”
“She also likes having control over everyone.” Raph narrowed his eyes. “Remember when we were there? And she said she’d kick Mom and Dad out if they tried to help?”
Wyatt groaned. “Gods, I don’t want to get them involved.”
“Me neither.”
“We’re old enough not to ask them for help, Raph.” Wyatt buried his face in Raph’s chest, his breath warm on Raph’s skin. “We’ll... we’ll find a way. I’ve got some savings I set aside for Hazel—”
“No, don’t touch that,” Raph said, squeezing his hand. “I don’t want to use the money you saved for the children.”
Wyatt tipped his head back to meet Raph’s eyes, his mouth curving into a fond grin. “Gods, you’re the best, Raph.”
Since when? “I’m far from the best.”
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.” Wyatt pushed himself up, then swung his leg over Raph’s hips, and straddled him.
Wyatt was beautiful in the sunlight. Raph followed the gold of his tousled hair, his fine lashes, the gleam of his mouth. Then he touched his fingers to Wyatt’s throat, and the teeth marks he’d left on Wyatt’s shoulder. Minutes ago, Wyatt had cried out against him, digging his nails into Raph’s back. Raph had bitten him and filled him with seed.
He admired his marks on Wyatt now, his back prickling with Wyatt’s scratches. “I’m not perfect, Wy. I’ve let you down.”
Wyatt looked down at him, his belly round, his legs pale. “I never asked you for help with Max, Raph. That wasn’t your fault.”
Just the sound of that name sent his limbs tensing. Raph growled. Wyatt had been so damn close to that bastard at the store. Raph wanted to punch Max senseless, leave him somewhere to rot. “If I ever see that guy again...”
“I hope there won’t be a reason for you to. I don’t want to think about him.” Wyatt shivered. “Do you think... we should visit Dad? Maybe after he’s cooled off?”
There was that, too. Raph shoved aside his anger, sitting up. Wyatt squirmed to make space for his belly. It was still kind of surreal, watching Wyatt with his belly so round. Growing up, Raph had been used to seeing Wyatt all slender and pale. When they’d met again at the party, Wy had been sleek, graceful. And now his belly pushed against Raph, harboring their baby.
Wyatt wasn’t just his stepbrother, he was Raph’s omega.
Raph ran his wrist over Wyatt’s belly, then along his neck. Over the bonding scar he’d left months ago. “Mine,” he whispered.
Wyatt blushed prettily, looking down. And Raph caught his jaw, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“I’m not leaving you again,” Raph said. “I promise.”
Wyatt’s eyes filled with uncertainty. “Then... do we keep this a secret? Or do we tell someone? Hazel has to know. She’ll smell you here when she gets home.”
Raph stroked Wyatt’s belly, pressing their foreheads together. “I’m gonna apologize to Hazel. See what I need to do before she forgives me. And... is it okay if
