Page 22 of All That We Keep
Maceo
The permanent bond with Grayson thrums beneath my skin as I roll over in the nest and press my lips to the fresh wound on his shoulder. He hums beneath the contact but makes no point to move. Luther is settled at the other side of the nest, Blake and Luca wrapped around him, on the verge of passing out. I never thought I’d feel this fulfilled, especially being mated into such a dynamic pack but it feels perfect.
Blake shifts against Luca's side. "How did the meeting go? Luther won't tell me anything except that you both came home in one piece." He shifts forward a little so that he’s in the center of us before switching so that Luca is in the middle. It seems that even now his instincts are warring between Omega and Delta.
“He won’t tell you because there isn’t much to say at the moment without sowing fear where it isn’t needed. That and we were a little busy.” I nibble on the fresh bite on Grayson’sshoulder again, the Alpha humming contentedly. “How are you feeling, genius?”
Blake shrugs, his gaze darting to Luca and then to Grayson before meeting my eyes. "I keep expecting to feel different, you know? Like this Delta thing should make me feel completely changed, but I just feel like me."
"You are just you," I tell him. "And I'm just me. A Gamma.” His brows raise a little as Luca twists toward me. “Quentin tested my blood after you went upstairs, saying something about how designations are fluid and that there’s a name for basically everything. It explains a lot of what I was feeling. That’s not really the point, though. The point is that, our mates don't love us any differently because of what we're called."
Blake tilts his head up to look at me, something vulnerable in his expression. "I thought I would feel more out of place when Luther told me about the designation change. Like I wouldn't fit with the pack anymore."
"Blake, you've never fit into any box people tried to put you in," I say, reaching over our mates to rest a hand on his hip. "CEO Omega who refuses to cook or nest traditionally. Omega who doesn't want to have a regular heat. Omega who built a gaming empire from nothing. You think a designation change is going to make you less you?"
A smile spreads across his lips, the first genuine one I've seen from him since this morning's revelations. "We're like two peas in a pod, aren't we? A Gamma and a Delta."
Silence captures the moment as we slowly shift around in the nest again, Grayson moving to rest behind me, pushing me to curl around Luca. Grayson’s lips find the bond mark on my neck to nurse as I draw closer to them, Luther pressing closer from the other side. When I look down to see Luca’s face twisted up, I fear the worst.
"I'm worried I'm going to bring the babies into the world so soon," Luca says suddenly, his voice cutting through the intimate silence. "I don't know what to do. Everything feels so uncertain right now."
I reach out to place a reassuring hand on his belly. "This house is very secure, sweetheart. Grayson's parents made sure of that. And if you need more pillows or blankets or anything else for nesting, send Luther next time. I clearly don't know the difference between any of these colors."
Luca giggles at that, some of the worry leaving his expression. "You did fine, Maceo. These are exactly what I wanted."
"Besides," I continue, "you've got a pack of mates who are going to make sure you and those babies have everything you need. We're not going anywhere. Now, let’s grab some of that Thai food you love so much, utilize the massive TV Grayson’s parents thought belonged in a house like this and forget the outside world exists for a little bit, how’s that?”
Luca nods but Grayson cuts in. "I get to pick the movie," he announces, stretching out more fully in the nest.
I twist around and raise an eyebrow at him, playing up my mock indignation. "Why do you get to pick?"
Grayson's cheeks flush slightly, but his grin is unrepentant. "Because my hole got stretched wider than all of yours today, and I'll be walking funny tomorrow."
Luther's expression shifts to concern. "I used enough lube."
"Alpha, I love you, but fuck," Grayson says, his blush deepening. "You've got a monster cock, and Maceo fucks like an animal. I'm not complaining, but my ass is definitely going to remind me about today for a while."
The room erupts in laughter, the tension that's been building all day finally breaking. Even Blake is giggling against Luca’s side.
"Don't worry," Grayson continues, still grinning. "I'll pick something with a little action. Nothing too boring."
"Not too much action," Luca says quickly, his hands moving protectively to his belly. "Or these babies will come too soon." Everyone goes quiet at his words, before Luca bursts out laughing. "Tonight was a lot, okay?" he says through his giggles. "They're moving around more than usual, and I just don't think I'm going to last the full two weeks."
Relief floods through the room as we all start laughing again, the moment of tension dissolving completely.
"The babies will come when they're ready," Luther muses. "And we'll be ready for them."
I watch as Luca struggles to sit up and then starts rearranging the pillows around the nest, his movements becoming more purposeful as his nesting instincts take over. Blake seems fascinated by the process, his eyes tracking every adjustment Luca makes to their shared space.
"I never really understood the nesting thing before," Blake admits. "But watching Luca do it makes me want to help. Is that weird?"
"Not weird at all," I tell him. "Deltas often share nesting responsibilities with pack Omegas. It's part of how you support each other."
Blake shifts so he can help Luca position one of the pillows, their movements synchronizing in a way that speaks to their deep connection.
"I should call for the food," Luther says, but he makes no move to leave the nest, watching Blake and Luca the same way Grayson and I am. "In a minute."
14
