Page 9 of All That We Keep
Both the Alpha and Beta indicators light up simultaneously, creating a pattern similar to what we saw with Blake but in different categories. Quentin stares at the screen for a long moment, his expression shifting from professional interest to something approaching awe.
"I've never fucking met a Gamma before," he murmurs, his voice filled with wonder. "Jesus Christ, you're a golden pack."
Maceo scrunches up his nose at the terminology. I can't help but laugh at his confused expression, though I have to admit that I don't fully understand the implications either.
Quentin realizes that we're all looking at him expectantly and shakes his head as if clearing his thoughts. "I'll send you some comprehensive information about all of this - Blake's condition, Maceo's designation, what it means for your pack dynamics." Hestarts cleaning up again. "You'll need time to process everything and make decisions about how to talk to Blake about his situation. Call me if Blake's symptoms worsen or if you need clarification on anything I've explained today."
After the front door closes behind him, we just kind of stare at each other, unsure of how to progress. Never once did I think about newer designations, in-betweens, or having to have the hard conversations with one of my lovers.
Grayson breaks the silence first, a soft sigh falling from his lips. "I know Maceo was going to but let me make sure our Omegas didn’t get lost upstairs.” He looks between Maceo and me with a small smile. "You guys come up when you're ready."
"I can handle them for a while." Maceo starts to follow him, but Grayson holds up a hand to his chest to stop him.
Watching them together warms my heart, a different dynamic I’ve always craved and could never put into words. Maceo was always family in some part and Grayson has thrived under the added attention. And our Beta, well,Gamma, has become the protector I never thought possible.
Grayson pushes out a whispered laugh before moving closer to Maceo, and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "I know that you need someone to talk to, and Luther is a great listener." He pulls back slightly, his expression warm with affection. "Besides, there's probably a lot more legal jargon that you two need to discuss, and those technical words hurt my ears."
Maceo chuckles at that, some of the tension leaving his shoulders at Grayson's gentle teasing.
"You've also been hogging Blake all day," Grayson continues with a playful edge to his words. "So, this is my turn to take care of him." Grayson then moves over to me, and I can see the shift in his demeanor as he approaches. Where his kiss with Maceo was gentle and comforting, the one he gives me is passionate and claiming, a reminder of the bond between us that predates ourpack formation. "See you later, Alpha," he murmurs against my lips before heading toward the staircase.
6
Maceo
Gamma.
Not one person has ever mentioned another designation before. No one has ever told me anything other than the fact that I’m not enough. My previous partners are either disgusted or turned on because I can give them what they need without commitment or because I’m a freak of nature. It’s all twisted up in a locked down compartment of my subconscious. It was just part of life for me.
And now it’s not.
I swipe a few plates from the table and stack them into the sink when I hear Luther's voice cut through my thoughts. The simple domestic task gives my hands something to do while my mind tries to process everything Quentin just told us.
"Are we going to talk about it?"
I switch on the faucet to start rinsing them, working through my own emotions or at least trying to as I find myself staring out the window above the sink toward the back garden of Grayson's family property. The late afternoon light filtering through the trees reminds me how much our world has changed in just a few short hours.
"Come sit down, Maceo," Luther says from behind me, his voice carrying a note of authority that I've learned not to ignore. Even when I was just a friend and his lawyer, he was still my Alpha. "You're making me anxious with all that restless energy." I do as I'm told, settling back into my chair at the dining table across from Luther as he studies my face. "I want to know what's going on in your head. A lot of shit has happened over the past few weeks, and we haven't really had a moment to breathe or process any of it properly."
I can't help but laugh, though there's no real humor in the sound. "We still don't have time to breathe."
Luther's expression grows more serious, his response a gruff laugh tinged with regret. "I know we don't have the luxury of taking our time with this, which is exactly why I'm asking you right now, at this moment, how you're doing before we go upstairs to give our Omegas what they need."
"Honestly?" I pause, trying to find the right words for feelings I haven't fully examined myself. "I'm relieved." The admission feels strange to voice out loud, but it's true. "It's been fine the way things have been structured. I mean, I’ve gotten used to it, but not really having a clear place to fit in has been difficult sometimes. You and Grayson are the Alphas, Blake and Luca are the Omegas, and I've been... what? The in-between person who helps with everything but doesn't quite belong in any specific category?" I run a hand across my head, feeling the weight of months of uncertainty about my role in life and now in the pack I chose. "Having a designation that actually explains why I feelpulled in different directions makes things make sense for the first time even if I have no idea what a Gamma is."
"But?" Luther prompts, clearly hearing the hesitation in my voice.
"But it's also a little bit too much right now," I admit. "Learning that I'm apparently some rare designation while Blake is going through biological changes and Hudson is out there planning god knows what... it feels overwhelming." I look toward the staircase again, unable to shake my worry about our Omegas. "I just want them to be safe and for all of us to be out of this legal and criminal mess we've found ourselves in."
Luther huffs out a laugh, though his expression remains serious. He stands from his chair and moves to look out the front window. "It's going to be a while before all of this fully dies down, especially since Hearthstone is trying to cover up their bullshit and pretend they're just an innocent charity organization."
Something in his tone makes my instincts prick with attention. "Why does it sound like you have a plan brewing?"
Luther turns back from the window, and I can see the calculating look in his eyes. Matched with the powerful energy rolling off of him, I know there’s nothing going to stand in Luther Keller’s way at this point. "Hudson has friends in high places, people with money and influence who've been protecting his operation for years." His voice carries an edge of cold determination. "But I didn't get to where I am in this business without making a few friends myself."
I feel a chill run down my spine at the implications of what he's suggesting. "What kind of friends?"
"The kind who can start their own investigations from anonymous tip-offs," Luther says quietly. "The kind who have resources and authority that go beyond what local law enforcement can access." He moves back to the table. "I thoughtthe local police would have done their job to keep my family safe but it seems I put my trust in the wrong people. I'm going to reach out to my contacts and see if they can't put some pressure on the right people to shut down Hearthstone permanently. And then," Luther continues, his voice growing darker, "I'm going to find out what Hudson's real purpose was for Luca. What his end game looked like before we interfered."
