Page 72 of Undone
Anthony stared at the baby sleeping peacefully in his arms. The odds had been much higher for Viola to be an omega or beta. Born female alphas were extremely rare, after all.
His mother had been one.
“Stop freaking out,” Michael said, taking the seat beside him. The doctor must have left, then.
“I’m not freaking out,” Anthony lied.
Sighing, Michael took their daughter from him and gently set her down in the cradle before turning back and taking Anthony’s hands into his.
Parenthood suited Michael. He was glowing with it, his features even lovelier than they used to be, his scent exquisite. Anthony had thought Michael might struggle with pregnancy,that it would feel like something alien to someone who used to be an alpha, but Michael had thrived, handling his pregnancy better than most born omegas—he remained good-natured and clear-headed, with no strange cravings or bouts of hysteria. He lookedgoodwith Anthony’s child in him. He had glowed through his pregnancy, and he was radiant now. Anthony struggled to look away from him sometimes. He found himself distracted again, leaning in to nuzzle against Michael’s cheek. He smelled like home. He smelled like his.
“Babe,” Michael said, running his hands through Anthony’s hair. “Look at me.”
Pulling back a little, Anthony looked at him.
Michael’s expression was soft but steady. “I know what you’re freaking out about, and I think it’s bullshit. You’re going to be an amazing dad, whether Vi is an alpha or an omega or a beta.”
Anthony grimaced.You don’t know that.
Michael sighed, as though he were reading his thoughts. Sometimes, it truly felt like he did. Maybe hedid—their mating bond was strong, giving them a deep sense of each other’s emotions. “I know your relationship with your mother turned horrible as you approached your presentation, but it was her fault as much as yours.”
“How would you know? You didn’t know me back then.” Anthony laughed harshly. “Maybe it was my fault. Maybe I just can’t get along with other alphas. Some alphasarelike that.” It was well known that some alphas were less tolerant of other alphas than most.
“Your best friend is an alpha,” Michael said, threading his fingers through Anthony’s hair.
It was calming. It felt wonderful. Part of him wanted to just lean into the touch and allow himself to believe his mate’s words.
“My best friend is you,” Anthony said. After five years of marriage, it was most certainly true.
Michael smiled but shook his head. “You know what I mean. You’ve been friends with Jon forever.”
“You know it’s different,” Anthony said, pulling a face. “I didn’t have to live with Jon under the same roof. And we were on government-grade suppressants because of the nature of our work, so our alpha instincts were rarely an issue.”
“You got along fine with me,” Michael said. “When I was an alpha, I mean.”
“You’ve always been the exception for me,” Anthony said, taking Michael’s hand and stroking his strong, elegant fingers. “You’ve always been special.”
Michael smiled. “She’s special, too. You love her.”
“I do,” Anthony said, glancing at their sleeping daughter. She was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. She looked so much like Michael, except for her eyes. It was easy to love her. He would die for her—for her and Michael. “But I remember my mother loving me too when I was a kid. Didn’t stop her from turning into a toxic asshole when I started producing alpha pheromones.”
Michael frowned, looking thoughtful.
Anthony loved that about him—loved that he never dismissed his concerns, always willing to see things fromanother person’s point of view. It wasn’t about him being an omega; Michael had been like that as an alpha too. Some people were simply more empathetic. Some people were just assholes. Anthony knew he wasn’t the former.
“If you start behaving like a toxic asshole, I’ll put a stop to that,” Michael said. He grinned. “I’ll kick your ass.”
Anthony laughed. “Right. Like you ever could.”
Michael glowered at him playfully, pretending to be offended, before laughing easily. “Fine, I’ll banish you to the couch.”
“That’s a far more effective threat,” Anthony said, winking at him. “Not that you’ll last more than a day without my cock.”
Flushing, Michael shoved at him with a laugh. “Oh, shut up, like you’re any better.”
Laughing, Anthony pulled him into a kiss. “I’m not. That’s why it’s the most effective threat you could come up with.”
Michael was grinning as he kissed back, wrapping his arms around Anthony’s neck and all but climbing into his lap.
