Page 8 of The Beta: Part Three
“It's only been a few months, Devon. We can't expect her to have kids with alphas she's only known for a few months.”
“She's known Corso for years.”
Devon's right. Corso's pack was the first one she was ever with. “But she's only been an omega for a few weeks.”
“Doesn't matter. If Talia wants babies she can have them. She wants a baby with Jasper first. They talked about it. Jasper first, then Corso. Then, I believe she said the rest of us could draw straws to see who went next.” Alex says as he walks out onto the porch and sits on the swing. “I don't care. I can't wait to see her pregnant. She's going to be so fucking hateful. It's going to be amazing.”
“Your idea of amazing and mine are very different,” I argue. “Still, it feels wrong to just let her start cranking out kids.”
Alex laughs. “Firstly, we don'tletTalia do anything. If she wants me to knock her up I'll gladly do it, and you'd be stupid to turn down that offer if she gives it to you. Secondly, buddy boy here is right.” He motions to Trent sitting on the porch rail. “Talia hates the entire concept of going into heat. Maybe hate is a strong word, but she doesn't look forward to it. In her mind it is a job and a duty that she can’t get out of, not something enjoyable. If she'd be happier having one kid after another, instead of having one heat after another then that's what we're going to do. Talia deserves to be happy, whatever that looks like for her. I'm sure she'll talk to us about it when she's ready. Don't fret buttercup, you're probably closer to the end of the line for that, right in front of Mister Poor Choices,” he motions toward Devon this time.
“So, we just pretend like we didn't hear her saying any of that until she brings it up?” That shouldn't stay in the back of my mind every minute of the day at all.
“Pretty much,” Alex smiles. He knows exactly how we'll be on edge waiting for her to say something.
“She might not even remember saying anything. She isn't exactly herself right now,” Devon suggests.
How very optimistic. If she doesn't remember at least a portion of her diatribe regarding her heat I will be completely shocked.
Chapter three
Devon
Talia's heat lasted for six miserable, torturous, long, fucking days. She and Jasper have been asleep for ten solid hours. Kaleb and Alex look like they've been hit by a truck full of pissed off wildcats. Reid and Nathan are well enough, only a little scratched up; and Trent is sulking while he adds to his list of grievances. I slept in Jasper's bed with him and Talia for the first few hours when she came out of it, but I got a phone call that needed attention so Corso took my place.
He was trapped under a tangle of arms and legs when I last checked in on them. I hope he gets the rest he needs, he looks every bit as rough as Alex and Kaleb, but he carries it differently. I know he's exhausted. I'm honestly shocked that it hasn't occurred to me to be jealous. It's amazing. I'mhappythat Jasper can sleep next to Corso, even if it's platonic. It feels good in the same way that it feels good to know that he sleeps next to Kaleb, Nathan, or Trent. I'm not bothered by Jasper's bond with Reid, either. I'm so fucking grateful for it. Even in the condition I was in at the hospital, I could feel Jasper slipping away.
Corso looks well enough the next morning. He looks positively perky.
“Good morning, fratello.” Yes. Corso is definitely perky. And I don't know what a fratello is. Hopefully it isn't awful.
“Morning. You feeling okay?”
“More than okay. Do you have plans for the day?”
“What do you need me to do?” I don't have plans, but even if I did I would put them off. If Corso needs me to do something for him, it's something for the good of the pack, and that takes priority over anything else.
“You're good with machines. There is an issue with one of the stills. I can usually take care of it on my own, but this one's got me puzzled. Would you mind coming in with me and taking a look?”
I don't know anything about stills, but Corso's right. I am good with machines, and a still is just a machine. “No problem. I'm ready whenever you are.”
“Let me get my shoes on. Meet you on the porch.”
The days are starting to get cooler. I love summer, but this summer was horrible. It was way hotter than it usually is, and so many terrible things happened. The only good thing that came of it was Talia, and we almost lost her. Mostly to my own short-sighted stupidity.
Corso steps out onto the porch and I ask him which vehicle he wants to take.
“I thought we'd walk, if you're feeling up to it.”
“I'm good. I really am capable of much more than they're letting me do.”
He hums at me and gives me that crooked smile of his. “They, being our omegas?”
I nod. Jasper would let me get by with a whole lot more, but Talia is strict. “I don't know if she's ever going to be satisfied that I'm fine.”
“Then let's get going before she discovers that I'm letting you walk to the distillery.”
I can smell the season changing from summer to fall. I can't remember the last time I took an actual walk. When I was younger, my favorite time to be outside was fall. I liked the way the leaves smell when they cover the ground. That's one of the reasons I find Nathan so soothing, he smells like the woods on a fall day. Floating on top of the scent of seasonal change is the sweet, smokey oak of the distillery. The closer we get, the stronger the scent of superb bourbon becomes. I'm pretty sure I love it.
