26. Changing Fate

The bullet hitone of Rex’s captors in the chest.

At the sound of gunfire, Rex and his other captor jerked around. Rex looked to Olson first, his forehead furrowed.

“Get away,” Olson yelled.

A look of understanding flashed through Rex’s face. He elbowed off the man he’d been struggling with, putting distance between them.

The moment there was an opening, Olson fired.

His bullet struck the man’s shoulder. Incensed, the alpha raised his own gun with his uninjured arm, pointing it at Olson.

Before he could fire, Rex body-slammed the man against the car and bit into his nose, ripping it off with his teeth. The man screamed and raised his gun.

He was going to shoot Rex.

A cold chill slithered down Olson’s spine. He scrambled to his feet. “Rex, get away!”

Rex threw himself to the side just as a gunshot cracked through the air.

For a moment, Olson couldn’t breathe.

Rex remained upright, his eyes alert, no pain on his face.

Olson sucked down some air. Then he was moving, running. He had to stop that alpha somehow. He had to save Rex.

The alpha pointed his gun at Rex again.

Olson took aim and fired. This time, his bullet landed in the alpha’s chest.

The man collapsed. Olson grabbed Rex and dragged him away.

Somehow, Rex’s captor wasn’t dead yet. He raised his head with a groan, his hand twitching around his gun.

Rex squirmed out of Olson’s grip and lunged for the alpha, his arms still shackled behind his back. “No hurt Olson,” he snarled.

He brought his foot down hard on the man’s head, and there was a sickening crack.

Olson grabbed Rex again, dragging him to safety between some cars just as a motorcycle came roaring into the parking lot.

They couldn’t identify the rider—the newcomer wore a helmet with a reflective visor.

“Oh, gods!” Olson pulled Rex down behind a car, looking desperately for an escape route as the engine noise grew louder. How many bullets did he have left?

Rex exchanged a worried look with him. Then he pressed closer, shielding Olson with his body.

“No! Don’t put yourself in danger again,” Olson hissed.

The motorcycle engine cut off. Olson craned his neck, trying to see where the person was.

“It’s me,” Storm yelled. “Fuck, is all the action over already?”

Relief flooded Olson’s chest. He sagged against Rex, his limbs turning into jelly. “Oh, gods.”

Rex leaned in and nuzzled Olson’s forehead. “Safe,” Rex whispered. “Storm good.”

“We still don’t know if it’s safe. Stay behind me,” Olson whispered back.

He carefully peeked over the top of the car they were sheltering behind, finding Storm with his helmet visor up.

“They’re over there.” Olson pointed. “I shot them both in the chest. Rex kicked one of them. They may still be alive.”

“All right.” Storm rolled his shoulders and headed over, prodding their limp bodies with his boot. “They seem to be unconscious.”

“I’m going to call my brother,” Olson said. “Varrick’s a policeman. And... And I also need to call Nate.”

Storm smirked over his shoulder. “Are you saying I shouldn’t take their money?”

Rex scowled. “Take. Take all.”

“Their wallets might be used as evidence.” Olson crept closer, Rex sticking close by his side. “Nate might want their phones to track down whoever sent them.”

“What I’m hearing is, I can have the cash as long as I leave no fingerprints.” Storm slipped his gloved fingers into the men’s pockets, pulling out their wallets.

One of the men groaned. Storm kicked him in the head, and he fell silent.

Only then did Olson feel safe enough to click the safety back on his gun. He set it down, pulling out his phone to call Varrick first. He told Varrick about the attempted kidnapping, then called Nate, who said he was on his way.

When that was done, Olson breathed out the worry in his chest and leaned into Rex. Rex had been pressed up against him the whole time, his hands behind his back.

With a stab of guilt, Olson remembered the manacles around Rex’s wrists. “Fuck! Your hands! I’ll get the keys off those guys so you won’t have to be shackled anymore.”

Storm made a noncommittal sound. “Eh. Rex should still be cuffed when the police get here. It’s part of the evidence—Whoa, friend. Where’re your clothes?”

Only then did Olson remember that Rex was completely naked. “Oh, gods.”

“It’s okay. I gotchu.” Storm tugged off his boots, then his pants, handing the pants over.

“Thanks.” Ever so slightly, Olson calmed down. Things were going right. He made Rex lean back against the car, crouching to help Rex step into the pants. They were tight on him, but they fit, and he was no longer indecent. “Sorry about the manacles. We’ll just have to wait a bit longer.”

Rex shrugged, rumbling when Olson reached around to massage his wrists. The heavy iron bands dug into Rex’s skin; Olson smoothed his thumbs over the indents, and Rex rubbed his cheek against Olson’s head like a giant cat.

He felt so alive.

Rex kissed Olson’s ear. “Olson hurt?”

“I’m fine.” Olson sighed heavily. “Just—a little shaky. My ears are still ringing from the gunshots. But fuck, Rex. I thought I was going to lose you again.” His voice broke as he remembered the kidnapper pointing a gun at his alpha. The gut-freezing horror of it. “I can’t lose you a second time.”

Rex dropped kisses all over Olson’s face, nuzzling his cheek. “I fine. Safe. Olson safe.”

“I want you to be safe,” Olson muttered.

Now that the danger was gone, Olson noticed Rex’s bloody nose, the trails of blood dripping down his neck. But Rex’s gaze seemed alert, and he was moving around steadily. Olson would have to monitor him through the night in case he had a concussion, but at least the worst of the danger was over.

“You’ve faced enough crap to last several lifetimes,” Olson whispered, rubbing Rex’s arms. “I just want you to have a good life, damn it.”

Rex smiled. “Good life with Olllsonnnnn.”

“I’d hope so.” Olson cupped Rex’s jaw, pulling him close to kiss him softly on the lips. Rex’s eyelids fluttered shut; he slid his tongue into Olson’s mouth, claiming him unabashedly.

None of this could be taken for granted. Olson had spent his early years with George thinking they had forever. Now, he knew better. He knew to cherish every moment, he knew to hold Rex close and tell him how amazing he was. With a life like theirs, nothing was guaranteed.

Olson brushed his fingers through Rex’s hair. He trailed kisses along Rex’s jaw and looked into his eyes, finding the sheer adoration that had never once wavered.

“I love you, you know,” Olson murmured. “I’ve never stopped.”

Rex rumbled, his smile soft and fond. “Love Olson. Love much. Mate.”

Olson had known it, but to hear it from Rex’s lips—his heart swelled, feeling too big for his chest. “Even when you were six-year-old Rex?”

“Mate mark.” Rex looked pointedly at Olson’s wrist. So Olson lifted his hand, showing Rex the smaller set of teeth marks. The one from the fast food restaurant, years ago.

“You were just a child then,” Olson murmured.

Rex shrugged. “Love. George love.”

Olson swallowed, bowing his head under the implication of Rex’s words. “Are you saying it’s the same love that’s kept you going this whole time?”

Rex nodded. “Olllsonnnnn.”

The sheer magnitude of Rex’s feelings humbled him. He hugged Rex tightly, needing to be as close to his alpha as he could. “Thank you for loving me. Thank you for everything.”

Rex nuzzled his hair. “Mine.”

Olson snuggled into his alpha, until he suddenly remembered Hunter. His stomach clenched. “Oh, fuck!”

Rex and Storm looked at him in alarm.

“What’s wrong?” Storm shoved the wallets back into the kidnappers’ pockets, tucking a wad of cash into his jacket.

“My—My nephew’s back at the apartment.” Olson cringed. “I had to leave him behind to save Rex. He probably thinks we abandoned him.”

That was really not something he wanted to do to a baby. Olson groaned, covering his face with his hands.

“I’ll go get him,” Storm said, just as more cars pulled into the parking lot.

“Wait. There’s Varrick and Emmy,” Olson said, his insides squeezing with more guilt. “Hunter’s parents. Emmy knows where he is.”

Storm nodded. “I’ll follow him. Just to double check that it’s safe.”

“Thanks,” Olson breathed.

He cringed even more when Storm talked briefly with Emmy and Varrick, and left with Emmy.

Varrick jogged over, followed by Jag, Fury, and Hades.

“Sorry, V,” Olson groaned. “Hunter’s in the apartment by himself. It was an emergency.”

Varrick glanced at Rex, and the two bodies on the ground. “It’s not your fault. This is a crappy situation all around. Em’s on his way upstairs to get him. You okay, Gum Bucket?”

“Yeah.” Olson sagged, unable to ignore the feeling that he was going to be a horrible dad. No one should forget that they’d left a baby behind.

“Olsonnn.” Rex seemed to sense Olson’s guilt. He crowded close, rubbing his cheek against the side of Olson’s head. “Open,” he said to Varrick, turning around to show him his shackles. “Want hug Olson.”

“Let me grab photo evidence first.” Varrick took some quick pictures of Rex’s shackles and injuries, then unlocked the shackles himself.

The moment he was free, Rex wrapped his arms tight around Olson, rubbing his palm over Olson’s chest and belly. Olson hadn’t realized how much he needed a hug, until he was enveloped in the safety of his alpha’s embrace. He sagged bonelessly into Rex’s chest.

“Baby hurt?” Rex murmured.

Olson shook his head. “No, neither of us are hurt.”

Rex rumbled, pleased. He dragged his wrists all over Olson, back and forth until he smelled entirely like maplewood.

Storm returned with Emmy, Hunter cradled in Emmy’s arms. To Olson’s relief, Hunter looked none the worse for wear.

“Show’s over,” Storm said with a wave. “Olson and Rex took them down before I got here.”

Jag raised an eyebrow, looking impressed.

“Is anyone still in need of beating up?” Hades grumbled. “I dropped everything to drive here.”

“At least one of those fuckers is still alive.” Storm jerked his chin at the bodies.

Hades went over to kick them, too.

Olson exchanged a look with Varrick. “You’re not going to stop him?”

“When they beat up my future brother-in-law? Nah.” Varrick shrugged.

Olson flushed self-consciously. “We haven’t discussed—”

Rex turned to him. “What... brother-in-law?”

Olson blushed. “I’ll tell you later.”

Varrick and the Danger Alphas smirked.

Emmy gasped, his eyes round. “I should make you a butt blessing for—”

“No,” Olson said firmly.

“But your reception! Everyone can take home a butt blessing!” Emmy was growing more and more excited by the second. “And they can have some pickup lines, too!”

“No. Please.”

Except Rex gave Olson a bright smile. “Olson make—make butt blessing? With I?”

“‘With me,’ not ‘With I.’” Olson had the sudden vision of him and Rex sitting together with countless squares of paper, dick drawings surrounding them like an infestation. And Olson couldn’t say no to his alpha. He gave a huge sigh. “All right.”

“Yay!” Emmy bounced on his heels. “Butt blessings for everybody!”

Rex beamed, even though he probably didn’t know what he’d just made Olson commit to. He cupped Olson’s face in his large hands and kissed him sweetly on the lips, and Olson couldn’t regret any of it.

He was in danger, if he forgave Rex so easily for everything.

“All right, this is getting a bit too sappy for my taste,” Fury said. “If I’m not needed around here, I’m out.”

“You’re just jealous,” Storm quipped.

Fury gave a two-fingered salute and left.

“So, these ‘butt blessings’,” Storm said slowly to Emmy. “Rex tells me they work.”

Emmy’s eyes grew wide. Olson winced and buried his face in Rex’s chest, because he just knew where this was going.

“You’ll come to the Wine Shack tomorrow,” Emmy declared. “I will enlighten you about butt blessings and tentacles.”

“Great.” Storm held up his fist; Emmy gave him a fist bump. When Olson lifted his head, he found Jag looking resigned.

“There’s no stopping them, is there?” Olson asked.

Jag sighed.

It took the police some time to record their statements. By then, Nate had shown up, and he’d somehow gotten ahold of the kidnappers’ phones.

“Taylor and I will investigate this,” Nate said with a lopsided smile. “Mostly Taylor, really. He’s the one handling the investigations. I just provide backup when he needs it. We used to be partners on field missions.”

“Taylor omega?” Rex asked curiously.

Nate’s chest puffed up. “Yeah. Tay’s my omega. He’s brilliant at what he does.”

“Like Olson,” Rex said just as proudly.

Olson blushed and nudged Rex in the side. “Oh, hush.”

“No hush. Olson gooood.”

Nate grinned at Olson. “Got you a good alpha.”

Olson snuggled into Rex’s side with a fond smile. “I did.”

By the timethey got home, Olson was exhausted. “I just want a shower.”

“I help.” Rex brought Olson into the bathroom, helping him out of his sweatpants. Rex had since returned Storm’s pants and changed into his own; those came off, too.

When Rex was satisfied with the water temperature, he scooped Olson into the shower and sat them both on the floor, Olson arranged in his lap. Olson snuggled into his chest with a sigh.

Over the past few weeks, he’d mostly dozed while Rex bathed him. He savored Rex shampooing his hair now, the stroking pressure of Rex’s fingertips drawing soft moans from his lips. When Rex was done with Olson’s hair, he moved on to soaping up Olson’s body, soft rumbles vibrating from his chest into Olson.

It was only when Olson was thoroughly soaped that Rex washed himself. Then he stood them both up, and let the shower rinse their suds off.

“Thank you,” Olson murmured when Rex was drying them off in the bedroom. “You really did a lot while I was sleeping all the time.”

Rex laid him down on the bed and wrapped himself around Olson, dropping kisses all over his face. “Want care. My mate.”

“Yours,” Olson sleepily agreed.

Rex kissed his nose. “What... brother-in-law?”

“Oh. ‘In-law’ means your husband’s family. For example, Varrick is my brother. When you—” Olson blushed. “When you marry me, Varrick will become your brother-in-law. My dads, too—they’ll become your fathers-in-law.”

“Papa-in-law?” Rex tilted his head.

Olson grinned. “Yeah.”

Rex smiled back, growing hesitant. Slowly, he picked up the locket hanging from Olson’s necklace.

He opened it. And he plucked out the ring within, white gold inlaid with turquoise, rubbing his thumb over it.

Rex wet his lips nervously. He sat up to face Olson; he straightened his shoulders.

There could only be one reason why he was this anxious.

Olson’s heart thumped. He sat up to mirror Rex, cupping Rex’s large hands with his own.

“Olson,” Rex murmured. “I... I no speak good. But much love. Love for Olson. Want Olson. Husband.” He gulped. “Marry?”

Rex looked so hopeful, so nervous, that Olson’s chest squeezed tight.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” Olson whispered, cradling his jaw. He pressed their mouths together in the softest kiss. “I’ve only ever wanted to marry you. No one else.”

Rex’s lower lip trembled. He smiled, relieved and happy, and he swiped at his eyes. Then he tumbled Olson against the mattress, caging Olson with his body. “Mine,” Rex growled, giving Olson a messy, excited kiss. “Mine, mine, mine.”

“Yours.” Olson opened himself to his alpha, his heart skipping.

Rex kissed him breathless. Then he sat back and took Olson’s hand, slipping the ring onto his finger.

It still fit. Just like how their souls still meshed perfectly after so long apart.

“It looks good there,” Olson said, his voice stuck in his throat. “You’re supposed to get a ring, too.”

“Me?” Rex lit up.

“Yes. For your finger, so we match.” Olson rubbed Rex’s ring finger, where an identical ring was supposed to go. “We found the receipt for the ring, you know. George’s parents. They gave it to me. I think the jewelers are still in business. We can go make a ring for you.”

Rex beamed, and it was the best sight in the world. “Marry. Mine.”

“We should probably tell our parents,” Olson said dryly. “They’ll all want to attend the wedding.”

“Mate?” Rex looked even more excited.

“Not during the wedding ceremony. Not in front of everyone,” Olson said dryly. “Mating is something we do without anyone else looking. At least, I prefer it that way.”

“Mate now,” Rex growled, pressing Olson against the bed as he buried his face against Olson’s neck. “Give baby. Mine, mine, mine.”

A soft laugh escaped Olson as he let Rex manhandle him, spreading him open and touching him in the very best places. “I doubt you can put a second child into me right now. But I’ll take what you’ll give, Rex. Anything at all.”