Page 13 of Omega's Breed

“He’s an omega who is no longer nursing and living in proximity to an alpha.”

“A very potent alpha,” Andrea emphasized. “He can go into heat at any time. The only thing perhaps preventing it is his lack of nourishment. But, I would really like it if we have a plan in place for when it does happen. This poor boy is so fragile emotionally, I don’t think he’d do well with an off-the-cuff decision about who is going to breed him. He’d fair better with the certainty of knowing in advance, and ideally by someone who will mate with him. He and Annie need the stability.

“I don’t want another Joey situation,” she added primly. “However well that turned out in the end.” She shot Liam a disarming smile to ease any sting her words might have caused.

“Agreed,” Lorcan said firmly. “Caleb, he already knows you, and you’re not mated. You’d seem to be the perfect choice.”

“No!” The denial popped out before Finn could swallow it back down. Inside, his wolf howled in protest. He looked wide-eyed at the alpha, hardly believing he’d dared to do such a thing, and not understanding why he’d object to an obvious solution. It wasn’t as if he wanted to breed the boy himself. Was it? No, he couldn’t do that. And, yet the idea of someone else taking Will sent an alarming surge of fury through him.

Lorcan eyed him thoughtfully. “Would you all excuse Finn and me, please?”

The question, being really an order, had the desired effect. Chairs scraped back and shifters filed out of the room in quick order. Soon, only Lorcan and Finn remained. He couldn’t bring himself to look the alpha in the eye.

A minute or two ticked by in silence. Finn could feel Lorcan’s gaze on him. Finally, the guy said, “I’ve left this alone because it didn’t seem relevant to your place in the pack. You’ve been a great beta, and I trust you completely.”

“But,” Finn offered, still staring at the table, the floor, the wall, anywhere but in the alpha’s too shrewd eyes.

“But, I noticed that when I teased you about falling for someone and mating, and when I see you sometimes looking at the pups and their sires, there’s more about you than I know. I’ve felt guilty about poking however innocently at what is clearly a painful and deep wound.”

Finn shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does. Now, it does. I need the full story, Finn. Or, at least a fuller one. I know your pack was wiped out by a rival one, that they killed not only the fighting males, but the others as well, including the females, and pups.”

Terrorized whining. Whimpering begs for mercy. Screams. Blood everywhere. “Yes.” Finn’s response was barely a whisper. His stomach roiled.

“You had a mate and lost her or him?”

“Her.” He choked out the word, and Ashley’s lovely face smiled up at him.

“And,” Lorcan prompted.

“Our pup. Our son.”

The alpha swore softly and they sat in more silence for a while. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have put you in the position of taking care of Will if I’d known.”

Finn closed his eyes briefly. “This whole thing was a surprise to all of us. I won’t lie and say it’s been easy bringing Will and Annie back with me.” With a grimace, he added, “It’s been fucking torture, to be frank.”

“You’re off the hook. I’ll speak with Will and Caleb and see if they both can agree on the mating. Caleb seems like a solid, reliable guy, and he’s obviously already fond of Will, so—”

“No!” Shit, what is my problem?

Lorcan sighed again, then chuckled ruefully. “Damn, Finn, what am I supposed to do here? Your wolf keeps taking over your tongue. If you can’t keep it under control…” The alpha shook his head.

Frustrated with himself and pissed off at his wolf, Finn shoved his chair back and stood. He paced around the room, waging an internal battle. In the end, though, the outcome had never been in doubt. Despite the horror of his past and his intention to remain true to his love for Ashley and their pup, he couldn’t stand the idea of anyone else mating with Will. Of another male even mounting and breeding the omega. And, Annie. That sweet pup was already under his skin.

He stopped and placing his hands on his hips, frowned over at Lorcan. “I want him. Them. I hadn’t intended to take another mate or sire more pups. It was enough for me to belong to a pack again. Being your beta has given purpose to my life.”

With a heaving breath, he stared up at the ceiling for a moment. “My wolf has other ideas, it seems. It can’t bear the idea of Caleb or anyone else claiming Will and Annie, and I can’t convince it otherwise, apparently.”

He returned his gaze to his alpha, determined to show the sincerity of his next words. “I want them, and I promise I’ll be good to them. I’ll be the best mate and sire anyone could ever be. You have my word.”

With yet one more sigh, Lorcan stood. “There was never any doubt of that. I’d trust you with my own mate and pup, Finn, if it came to that. Do you think you can handle this?”

“Absolutely. My past won’t affect their lives. I won’t let it.”

“All right, then. The only thing left is to see if Will agrees. If he wants Caleb…”

“Then that’s who he gets. He deserves what he wants for a change.” Even as he said the words, meant them, would honor them, his wolf howled in defiance.

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