39. Grayson

39

Grayson

Two days later, Luca's heat finally breaks. We're worn out, tired, and hungry, having blown through the prepared foods. Having an extra body here wasn't something I'd prepared for, although I should have. And as wonderful as this experience was, I'll be glad for the three-month reprieve we'll get between heats. I pull out a few eggs and leftover bacon from the freezer, Luther fumbling with the coffee machine. Neither one of us has showered or even bothered to put on clothes, Luca and Blake's marks covering our entire body.

They're vicious little fiends but I'd want nothing less.

Even Maceo gave as good as he got, the Beta falling asleep between them. I'm almost jealous except for the way they both kept playing with his cock but not letting him come. Eventually, he just growled at them and they gave in, falling asleep curled up against him. I'm thankful for him because he didn't succumb to Luca's heat the way Luther and I did. He's the missing link we needed and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank him enough for removing Blake when he did.

My knot swells as I push into Luca, sighing with relief when the Omega stops squirming. Having him completely relax every time we knot him is a fucking magical thing. I'm not sure what would happen if he was still whining for more. Luther is passed out beside me, both of us at our wit's end as I glance over to see Blake trying to breathe. He gasps for air and then whines when it doesn't work, my Omega clutching at his chest for a reprieve.

Luther sits up, Luca snarling at him not to move. "Sweetheart, I have to take care of him." He strokes Luca's hair back, kissing his forehead but Luca just grabs onto his hair, not allowing either of us to move. We knew there would be a point where Blake would have to be removed from the nest but we didn't think it would happen at the same time Luca's territorial instincts kicked in. He needs his Alphas and Maceo is far enough away, that he isn't caught up in this.

I've watched Luca treat Maceo as both an Alpha and a Beta in the last few hours and it's been intriguing. I know it'll be a conversation later as Maceo tells us how he identifies but it's precisely that he is a Beta that will help.

Maceo moves in from the kitchen, carrying fruits and water, his attention falling on Blake who's struggling to breathe. The tray is discarded as the Beta gathers Blake up in his arms and removes him from the nest. He lays our Omega on the ground, flattening him out as he tells him to breathe. I hold my breath, watching for several moments as Blake just clings to the Beta, eyes wide. And then he takes that sweet next breath, my entire body sagging with relief.

Luca is still snarling between us, Maceo waving at us to take care of Luca while he cares for Blake. If I wasn't already attracted to Maceo before, I doubly am now, especially with the way he lays beside Blake and begins running his nose along the Omega's cheek. Blake further calms, his fingers digging into Maceo's chest as he curls into the man for comfort.

"Let them sleep, Gray," Luther mumbles in my ear as he comes up behind me. He rocks his hips against mine and I moan, shaking my head. As much as I would enjoy his thick cock in my ass, I'm barely standing. He just chuckles and I have no idea how he has as much energy as he does. When I turn around to catch his expression, I realize he's putting up a front. He has to. We let Detective Ward know that we would be unavailable for several days but this morning is the deadline. We have to show up at the station or someone will be sent to the condo and that can't happen. No one can step inside of here now that we have two Omegas to protect. It was bad enough with just Blake, but with Luca as well? I refuse to have anyone other than the pack inside of these walls.

"Did they call yet?" I ask Luther as I crack a few eggs into a bowl and start whisking.

"An hour ago. I have to be down at the station by noon. We have a few hours, but the longer I stay here, the harder it's going to be to leave."

I snort. "And yet, they're going to see you leave."

"Let me be selfish just this once, Gray. I need to see that they're both okay. I need their kisses and their hugs and their touch. Don't look at me like that. I know you'll do a fantastic job taking care of them because I have no idea when I'm coming back. Tonight? Tomorrow? Next week? This shit is messy and we knew that before we started it. But I can't leave them without feeling them against me, Gray." He runs a hand through his hair before letting out a guttural groan.

I know how he feels because I felt the same way when Luca left school. I needed that last hug, that last kiss, that last everything to feel complete. It would feel like there was just time between us rather than an end.

My attention flits back to Maceo and our Omegas, Luca slowly sitting up as he wipes his eyes. I can tell he's sore from how flushed his body is, the Omega leaning down to kiss Maceo's cheek before he comes to us. He falls into my arms, rubbing his face all over my chest, coating me in his scent all over again. "Did you sleep well?"

"Mmm, everything hurts."

"That's what a good bath is for and food. Lots of food. Go say hi to your Alpha. He's been waiting for you." Luther will never admit to it, but he keeps checking to see if Luca is awake so that he can nurse his newest bite. It's an Alpha's greatest honor to do so but we must tread carefully with Luca. He's still a little jumpy and unsure. Luca presses a kiss to my chest and then moves to Luther, standing in front of our Alpha.

I don't understand what he's waiting for until Luther pulls him into the embrace, Luca reciprocating. My Alpha presses his lips to Luca's bite, one arm winding around the Omega's back and the other moving lower so that his hand grabs Luca's thigh to pull him closer. It's an all-consuming embrace, Luca trembling in Luther's hold as he shows off his new claim.

The bond thrums with energy and then fear as Luca flinches. Luther immediately releases him, worry settling in his expression. "I have to nurse it, sweetheart. It'll be sore for a little while."

"No, I know. I just… does it always feel like this? This good?"

My heart constricts at the idea that it never felt good for Luca, that Hudson never doted on his Omega or gave him the pleasure he so deserved. Luther chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest until it becomes a purr, Luca settling again. "It's supposed to feel like this," he murmurs.

"Keep doing it, please."

I'll never get tired of his ‘please'.

Giving them some space, I move into the living room to check on Blake. He was doing fine last night when we went to bed after a little medicine, adamant that he was okay to stay in the nest. I nearly fought him on that before Maceo promised to remove him if things got worse. God, I could kiss the man. Maceo slowly stirs, curling Blake into his chest before realizing it's me.

"Morning," he mumbles, the rumble of his sleep voice doing things to me that it shouldn't. He glances down at Blake, pressing a soft kiss to the Omega's head. "He's breathing better. Slept through the whole night."

"You didn't have to, Maceo. I could have-"

He shakes his head, rubbing his cheek against the top of Blake's head. "Is it weird that I feel protective of Blake? I don't know why but seeing him like that, my heart felt like it was suffocating. With Luca, I want to give him the entire fucking world. With Blake, I want him to survive it. It doesn't make any sense. I just-"

"No need to explain. You stepped up when most men wouldn't have. You're protecting us from an impossible fate and you'll be here when everything falls apart because it will. Luther got the call an hour ago. You need showers and new clothes. Luca is going to pitch a fit when you both no longer smell like him so soon after his heat."

I'm only happy that Luca's bite is mostly healed so that he doesn't suffer the same fate as he did from Hudson's bite. Blake jostles away, those pretty eyes landing on me before he realizes whose lap he's in. His cheeks turn a beautiful pink, my Omega chewing on his bottom lip in embarrassment. "Hello, babe. Did you sleep okay?"

He nods. "Maceo's scent is like a lullaby. Like the best drug. It's perfect." It's only a matter of time before Maceo becomes a permanent part of our little family but time is of the essence. Blake tilts his head to the side, his scent souring. "It's today, isn't it? Luther has to leave, doesn't he?" I nod, feeling like I've betrayed my own family and knowing that our own choice is to see this through.