“No, that’s fine with me,” Natalie said, cracking a smile. Relief darted through the brothers’ eyes. Then Natalie pulled them into a tight hug, and Spike sniffled. Kai blinked hard.
“I love you, Mom,” Spike said thickly.
“Best mom ever,” Kai added.
Micah’s heart warmed, watching them.
Before Kai or Spike could say another word, Natalie released them and took Micah’s hand, leading him to the kitchen. “I want a private word with Micah,” she said. “The two of you can wait outside.”
Micah’s pulse kicked into a staccato. There were so many things wrong about his relationship with Kai and Spike, his job as their professor, and even his entire body. What did Natalie disagree with?
The kitchen was simply furnished, the fridge an older model and the retractable faucet perched off-center on its stand. Natalie waved for Micah to sit at the kitchen table. “Tea?”
“Yes, please.”
Micah fidgeted while Natalie poured some hot water from a kettle into two mugs. Then she sat across the table from Micah, pushing a mug of steaming tea over. “How far along are you?”
“Sixteen weeks.” Micah touched his belly.
Natalie raised her eyebrows, glancing at the kitchen doorway. “They’ve stayed around for that long, huh?”
“I guess they have.” Warmth crept up Micah’s cheeks. “I really wasn’t expecting them to.”
Natalie chuckled. “Spike told me about you. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if it’d be a good match—” Micah flinched “—really because Spike tends to get crazy ideas and jumps in before he thinks.”
At that, Micah laughed. “He does. He’s different from me that way, but... I appreciate that about him.”
Natalie smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I’m surprised you don’t mind.” Micah covered his right hand, so less of the scars showed. “Most parents want a better match for their children.”
Natalie reached over, setting her hand over Micah’s gnarly fingers. “I don’t know if you’re all that bad,” she said simply.
“Even if I’m forty-one, and I look like this?” Micah smiled crookedly.
“You know that’s not all of who you are.” Natalie looked into his eyes. “There’s flesh and blood under your skin, just like the rest of us. You took my sons in when they had trouble with Kai’s scholarship. I can’t be there for them all the time, and having someone intelligent and mature like you... I think you might be what they need.”
Micah bowed his head, his cheeks warming. “That’s high praise.”
“I told you my mom is awesome,” Spike said.
Natalie narrowed her eyes. Micah peeked over his shoulder.
Spike and Kai were on either side of the kitchen doorway, both of them with their ears turned toward the kitchen. Under Natalie’s stare, they slid out of view. But they were still there, and Micah’s heart thumped for them both.
“Those boys. I just wanted to meet the omega Spike’s been going on and on about.” Natalie smiled. “And I see why he likes you. Kai, too.”
Micah blushed further. “That’s very kind of you.”
“The world needs more kindness, doesn’t it?” Natalie smiled, getting up. “It’s almost lunchtime. Would you like a bite to eat? I have eggs...”
She set a pan on the stove. Before Micah could answer, Natalie grabbed a lighter, clicking it under the pan.
Flames burst to life on the stove, a circle of translucent blue. Micah’s heart stopped.
Logically, he knew it was a controlled burn, that those blue flames were nothing like the yellow, flickering ones that had surrounded him. But blind panic jammed up his throat, and Micah sucked in a trembling breath, unable to tear his eyes away.
Those flames would grow. They’d consume the walls around him, they’d devour his skin, and there would be so much pain.
“Micah?” Natalie asked, following his gaze. “Oh, no.”
She shut off the burner in a hurry, putting herself between Micah and the stove, so at least he couldn’t see the burners again. “I’m really sorry,” Natalie said worriedly, leaning in to take Micah’s hands. “Spike told me. I hadn’t made the connection—I’m sorry.”
Micah breathed through his panic. “It’s fine.”
But he was trembling now, remembering the fire that had torn through his bedroom, the wall beside him blazing and alive, like a monster. He’d drifted in and out of consciousness, and every time he’d opened his eyes, more of his body had been in agony.
“I’ll get you something else to eat,” Natalie said.
“No, no. I’ll be fine.” Micah hauled himself to his feet, his hands still shaking. Usually, if he was prepared to see some fire, his reaction wouldn’t be so bad. But because this was a surprise... it made his palms sweat and his ears ring. “I’ll step outside for a moment. Don’t worry about me.”
He left Natalie with worry scrawled through her face. Outside, low voices clashed in the living room. A third one that Micah didn’t recognize.
When he stepped out, he found Spike and Kai facing off an older alpha—salt-and-pepper hair, broad shoulders, his face twisted into a scowl. There was an underlying alpha scent of birch, but the dominant smell—that was all liquor. “Don’t tell me you weren’t doing nothing,” Terence Ventura snapped. “Groping your brother like he’s a fucking omega.”
“I’m not an omega, and I don’t care if Kai touches me,” Spike retorted. “What if I wanted it?”
Kai straightened his shoulders, his eyes narrowed. “He and I are adults now. What I do with him is none of your business.”
“Damn right it’s my business,” Terence growled. “I raised you and fed you. I don’t tolerate filth under my roof. Do that again, and you’ll be disowned.”
Micah stared. You dare say you raised him? He remembered Kai talking about fevers and infections, learning to fend for himself when he was a few years old. Kai burning his fingers on the stove, falling from counters trying to reach the plates.
Somehow, fury overpowered Micah’s fear. His blood snarled through his veins, and Micah prowled forward, all the thoughts he’d harbored toward Terence Ventura, all the disgust and contempt for this alpha surging into his chest.
“Don’t you call yourself Kai’s
