Page 41 of In Their Arms

We’re not even halfway out to the car before Luther is pulling me in, his arms wrapping around me, his purr starting up like he already knows I need it. My body melts into him before I even think about it, my forehead dropping against his chest, my breathing slowing as the vibrations work their way through me. “Breathe, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his lips pressing against my hair. “One thing at a time.”

I nod, exhaling against his shirt, taking a moment to just exist in his arms. Then, reluctantly, I pull back, letting him keep a hand on the small of my back as we make the rest of the way to the car.

Grayson is already in the driver’s seat, Maceo sliding into the passenger side, Luther pulling me into the back with him. Blake immediately curls into his side, draping himself over Luther like it’s instinct, like he’s always meant to be there. I settle against Luther’s other side, reaching out without thinking, my fingers finding Blake’s and squeezing.

He squeezes back and I tilt my head, watching him, framing my question as softly as I can. “Have you decided what you want to do?”

Blake hesitates, his fingers twitching in mine. I can see the way his brows pull together, the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He knows exactly what I’m talking about too—his heat. “It’s… disconcerting,” he admits. “All the changes, my instincts riding me high. I never noticed how much had been suppressed before.” He shifts, pressing his cheek against Luther’s chest, his voice a little quieter now. “I’m not sure I really like it.”

I hum in understanding, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles. “You don’t have to figure it all out now. I was just wondering.”

His lips curve up slightly, just barely, before he turns his face toward mine, his glasses sliding down again. “Yeah?”

I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, lingering for a second before pulling back. “Yeah.”

He sighs, tilting his head against Luther again. “I’m not as terrified of my heat anymore. But I’m glad I don’t have to think about it for at least another three months.”

I let out a small laugh, nodding. “You and me both.”

27

Blake

The car ride to the station is quiet, but my mind is spinning, running numbers, calculating timelines, mapping out what the next few months are going to look like. Luca is about three weeks along. Three months, maybe four, and we’ll have a baby in our nest. Right around the time my next heat is due.

The realization slams into me like a train, sending a shudder down my spine, something electric curling low in my stomach. I shift in my seat, staring out the window, but my thoughts don’t stop. What would that even be like?

I picture Luca, heavily pregnant, his belly round and full, his body soft, glowing, wrecked in the best way. Would he still let me fuck him? Would he still let me press him into the nest, hold him down, ruin him until he’s crying for me? The image comes too easily, his hands gripping at my wrists, his lips swollen, his body taking and taking, desperate and wanting.

I swallow hard, pressing my thighs together, heat licking up my spine like my instincts are already gearing up for something I can’t control. Then Grayson’s voice is in my ear as he swings open my door. “Stop thinking about it, babe,” he murmurs, his breath warm against the shell of my ear. “The entire station will be able to smell you.”

I startle, a little laugh slipping past my lips before I can stop it. Luther huffs beside me, reaching out to flick me on the forehead. “Keep it together,” he mutters, shaking his head.

I roll my eyes, but I can still feel the warmth in my cheeks, the way my scent has thickened in the enclosed space of the car. Whatever. They should be used to it by now. By the time we get inside and step into the interrogation room, I’ve settled enough to tamper down my scent. Luca is already sitting at the table, his hands folded neatly in his lap, but I can tell he’s nervous. I drop into the seat beside him without hesitation, reaching out to lace my fingers through his, rubbing my thumb along his knuckles.

Detective Ward steps inside, his gaze sweeping over the entire Keller pack. He’s holding a thick folder in his hand and I don’t miss the way his grip tightens around it as he drops it onto the table. “I guess we’re ready, then.” He gives us a small smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “As of today, the investigation has been closed and the charges against Luther dropped. It has been determined that he acted in the safety of a battered Omega and therefore, no charges will be on his record.”

A snarl rips from my throat before I can stop it. “The investigation was into Hudson for abusing Luca in the first place,” I snap, my voice sharp, biting. “Not for Luther biting him during a heat.”

Ward sighs, already looking exhausted, like he’s had this conversation in his head before he even walked into the room. He holds up a hand, irritation flickering across his face. “Blake, I get that you’re protective of your family, but I can only do so much. Hudson has connections that go far beyond my capabilities. Just be glad that Luther isn’t in jail.”

I just stare at him, heat crawling up my spine, my jaw locking tight. It doesn’t sit right with me. None of this sits right. But before I can push it, before I can demand more answers, Ward shifts his focus. His gaze lands on Luca and the way his expression smooths over, makes my stomach turn.

“As for your case,” he continues, fingers tapping against the folder again, a slight hesitation before he speaks. “The chief agreed with the charges to bring against you. Peyton submitted them after you left the station a few days ago.”

Luca stiffens beside me, his fingers going rigid in mine. “What does that mean for me?”

Ward opens the folder, flipping through a few pages before glancing back up at Luca. “Omega endangerment, possession of a Schedule I drug, and participation in an illegal medical procedure were the pending charges,” he lists off, each charge heavier than the last. “While I argued that your actions were out of desperation, the judge wasn’t as sympathetic.”

Luca swallows hard, but he doesn’t look away. “What happens now?”

Ward leans forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. “Usually, you’d need to appear in court in the next few weeks. However, this went straight to the judge and they bypassed the usual channels. As unethical as it is, it’s not illegal for them to actually convict when it comes to something as serious as this. You’ll have a chance to protest your case but as of now, you’ll lose your ability to hold any kind of job or financial independence. You’ll be required to have an Alpha with you at all times in public, and you’ll be given a special Omega license that restricts your rights.” He pauses, his gaze flicking toward Luther and Grayson before settling back on Luca. “You would also be prohibited from traveling outside of designated Omega-safe areas without clearance regardless of who is with you.”

Luca’s breath hitches, his hand tightening around mine. I can feel the tremor in his fingers now, small but noticeable. My own heartbeat is hammering in my chest, but I keep my grip steady, keep my touch firm because he needs me.

“This is bullshit,” I bite out, my free hand curling into a fist against the table. “Hudson should be the one getting locked up, not Luca with all these charges.”

Ward sighs again, rubbing his temples like he’s just as frustrated as we are. “I don’t disagree but Hudson’s connections run deep. Peyton made sure this got filed before we could argue it. Right now, the best thing we can do is prepare for court.”

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