29. Luther

29

Luther

After Grayson guides our Omegas out of the office and downstairs, the Beta plops into the seat the Alpha just emptied, running his hands through his hair, obviously panicked. "I'm so fucking sorry. It just happened."

For as long as I've known him, Maceo's confidence has been through the roof. Nothing has deterred his laidback personality, not even my gruff responses to some of his suggestions—rational as they were. I watch with mild amusement as Maceo starts to jostle his leg, his anxiety growing. "I gave you permission, Mac. That hasn't changed. I'd have more of a problem if you had ill intentions or I didn't know you. As it stands, that's not the case." I'm not sure how I feel about Maceo as part of our pack. I know that things between Maceo and I won't change, that we won't share a mate bond like he will with my Omegas if he chooses to go down that path.

Maceo throws me a tight smile, trying to fall back into his usual demeanor and failing. "Luther-"

"Everything about this is chaotic and fucked up. None of this is how I planned it and you know how much I hate being out of control which is why I need to ask. What are your intentions with my Omegas?" I don't want to push Maceo but we don't have time to be on the fence. With Luca days away from his heat, he's going to ask for everyone he finds safe. One of those is the Beta currently trying to figure out my angle.

Maceo pushes to his feet and starts pacing but I won't let him think I'm trying to trap him. I just need to know where he stands so that when Luca and possibly Blake ask where Maceo is, I can give them the truth. Gently. It's taking everything in me to set my pride aside as I tell myself this is for my Omegas and that my discomfort comes second.

"Mac, listen to me." The Beta stops pacing and faces me as I stand. He swallows nervously and I continue. "Luca had a spike this morning and he'll probably have another one tonight. If it's anything like Blake's heats, he'll last a few more days or he'll go into heat tonight . We don't have a week to figure out things and that order of protection is going to save his life."

"Hudson is waiting for you to slip up. Order of protection or not, this won't protect you from going to jail."

"Right."

Maceo frowns, running a hand down his face. "Luther, what do you need from me? To watch the company for a few days? Lock up your assets?"

"No, let's get back to my first question." I step up to Maceo, making sure that he's giving me his undivided attention. I've never heard of an Alpha asking a Beta to join in on a heat for his Omega but I don't have a choice. Luca needs everyone in his corner and the Omega has made it very clear who he's finding comfortable in his space.

The Beta throws up his hands. "I told you I have no fucking intentions, Luther!"

"And yet you slept in a nest with my Omegas."

"I don't—" His face creases in exasperation. "I… they needed me and I was there. Fuck! I didn't plan on feeling like this for Luca and Blake… it just happened. I promise I wasn't looking for them. This is going to be chaos, Luther. Fucking chaos. "

"And we'll navigate that as it comes, however, there's one thing I have to ask you. Something that may not come easy to you." I blow out a deep breath, catching his eyes again. "Submit to me. I don't need you on your knees but I need to know that you aren't going to try and run this pack." As the words fall from my lips, I know that Maceo will take them wrong. "My instincts tell me that I shouldn't let you anywhere near them and yet in my heart, I know that you are exactly the missing piece that they need. I have no idea how you fit in with them, with us."

"Are you asking me to be there for Luca's heat because I'm not sure I can do that. It feels like betrayal, Luther. Besides, going from a plan to be a one-man show to a pack of five? That's-"

"A lot." I put a few steps between us, sitting on the edge of my desk to give Maceo space. "All I'm asking is that you don't challenge me."

"Done."

"And that if Luca asks, you're either all in or you let him down gently. I don't want him to hurt anymore than he already does."

"Done."

"Hudson is going to try everything he can while I'm in jail so I need to call up a few contacts…"

Maceo snorts and then fixes his expression. "Blake and Luca will never let a foreign scent in that house, helpful or otherwise. Right after Luca's heat, too?"

"I won't leave them alone with Grayson. I love the Alpha but two Omegas are a lot. Are you offering Maceo?"

"No."

"Try again."

"I'm just saying that they don't hate my scent."

"And I want you to have a little more faith in yourself. Think about it." This feels right even if it's not traditional. A pack of five. "Let's figure out the business first and then Luca's heat. Even after Hudson's bite is removed from Luca, he will try to undermine my authority over my pack. This conflict won't stop after the investigation severs his connection from his Omega."

Maceo shakes his head, silent for several moments before he speaks. "Luther, they won't remove the bite from Luca's neck. Not until after the investigation is fully completed, with Luca's testimony. That could be next week or it could be months. Until then, I'm sure Hudson will find a way to keep you locked up and away from your family."

"Maceo, I have no other alternative. Luca is mine to protect as is every other member of my pack. That won't change because of the consequences involved. All I need to know is where you stand."

"I'll protect your family, Luther. I can't promise you that I can give your Omegas everything they want from me but I'll make sure they are safe and that Grayson has everything he needs to provide for them."

That's all I can ask and somehow, I don't think it'll be enough.