“I’m not, but Kai is,” Spike said.
With utmost trepidation, Micah searched out Kai. Kai was far closer this time—next to Spike, and Micah couldn’t help feeling a jolt of panic.
But the anger had melted away from Kai’s expression, leaving confusion, and... concern?
“Sorry,” Kai said, leaning in. “I didn’t think... I didn’t mean for you to panic like that.”
Micah held his breath when Kai reached out for him, expecting pain. But Kai closed strong, sturdy fingers around Micah’s hand, and... there was no hurt. Just warmth.
Kai knelt in front of Micah then, his forehead creased, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper. It’s... not the best.”
Micah blinked, surprised. He’s... kneeling? In front of me?
Kai had full lips, a shock of dark hair, and his gaze was honest, warm. Not judgmental anymore.
A tiny, relieved laugh bubbled out of Micah. How is this even happening? “I always thought you found me lacking.”
Kai’s eyebrows crawled up his forehead. “Lacking? How...?”
“You’ve been watching me the past few months,” Micah said.
“I was just... wondering why Spike liked you so much.” And then Kai looked sheepish.
Micah stared. “Oh.” He wasn’t judging me. And that took a while to digest. Kai didn’t actually dislike Micah.
Spike blushed again. “I told you, Kai,” he mumbled. “Micah’s pure and precious.”
“Pure...?” Micah repeated. That... was not what happened last week. He looked at his hands, pulling his scarred fingers out of Kai’s grasp. I need to stop blushing.
“With the exception of last week,” Spike grinned. “Last week was just plain hot.”
“Yeah, I can see why you like him,” Kai said, his gaze turning warmer.
Micah looked at his desk, at a loss for words. This wasn’t what he’d expected. Two alphas just... touching him. Of their own accord. And it wasn’t even for sex.
His phone alarm rang then, loud and jangling. Micah’s heart lodged in his throat.
The pregnancy test. Micah yelped, lurching onto his feet.
He hurried to his desk, glancing at the kit he’d tucked away just next to his laptop.
Two blue lines.
Micah stared. How...? He’d taken the pill. He’d vomited his guts out. He’d done everything, and... there was still a baby in his belly?
He pressed his hand to his abdomen, staring at the pregnancy test in disbelief. Surely it was a false positive. He needed to get another test done.
“What’s wrong—Oh.” Spike paused next to Micah, his gaze locking on the stick, too. “Shit, Kai, you need to see—”
Kai stepped up close behind Micah, not touching him. But he breathed out slowly, and said, “Fuck.”
“No, I need to take another test,” Micah said, snatching up the kit. “It might be wrong.”
Warm hands grasped his arms, holding him in place. Behind, Kai leaned in, pressing his nose into Micah’s hair. Then he breathed in deep, and when he next spoke, his breath puffed against Micah’s skin. “No, you smell sweet.”
Micah closed his eyes, swaying on his feet. I can’t be pregnant. I don’t want my hopes to crash again.
But Spike eased between Micah and the desk, sandwiching Micah between Kai and himself. Then he sniffed at Micah, too, his nose brushing down Micah’s cheek, to his jaw, pressing against his scent gland.
“Yeah,” Spike said. “Smells like honey here. It’s our baby, isn’t it?”
Our baby.
Micah’s heart stumbled. He knew he’d been feeling unwell, with his sensitivity to light and sound. But discovering it here, with these alphas next to him, both of them all but strangers...
I should’ve known I was pregnant. Micah closed his eyes, leaning lightly into Spike’s shoulder, afraid of getting too close. What have I done?
And yet, deep down, relief blossomed through his body. He still had his baby. Even if Spike and Kai and York left... Micah wouldn’t be alone.
He pressed his hand against his belly, a soft whimper escaping his lips. I’m so happy to have you, little one.
“We’ll protect you,” Spike said, kissing Micah’s forehead. “If—If you want to keep the baby, I promise Kai and I will stay with you no matter what.”
7
Kai
What the fuck, Kai wanted to say. This was your idea.
Kai couldn’t stay in Meadowfall. He was on a basketball scholarship, and sooner than later, he’d be out of this place, playing his way into the big leagues. I can’t be a dad.
He still remembered the pain cracking through his face, Zac’s fist in his hair, Zac snarling, You’re a miserable little twerp with no future. Just like your father.
Over Micah’s brown hair, Spike looked challengingly at him. Kai scowled back.
“I can pay for the baby,” Kai said. “But I can’t hang around in this town.”
“What if the sperm came from you, then?” Spike asked, lifting his chin defiantly. “You gonna ditch him and run?”
Kai hesitated. Spike knew exactly what made him pause, and maybe Kai hated his stepbrother a little bit. “It’s not ditching if I help with the expenses.”
Micah Davis eased out from between them, hugging himself. “Look, neither of you have to be responsible,” he said. “You’re too young to pay child support, anyway. I’ll be fine.”
Spike turned, incredulous. “I want to be responsible.”
Davis looked doubtful. “You’re nineteen. You really are too young to be a father.”
“I don’t care,” Spike said, almost desperate. “I want visitation rights. I want to see you.”
Micah Davis stared openly at him. Kai felt out of place. This... wasn’t really his mess. Spike had crushed on his teacher for ages, he’d dragged Kai along, and now one of them had gotten the professor pregnant.
After spending all his ruts with Spike to avoid this very situation, this was just fucked up.
And yet... what if that baby in Davis’ belly was Kai’s child? His own flesh and blood? Over the years, Kai had sworn to himself, If I ever had my own baby, I won’t let anyone hurt it. I won’t make the mistakes my dad did.
He didn’t want the baby. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t protect it.
And seeing the way Davis’ shirt hung off
