Mikel did not expect to wake the next morning with sunlight streaming onto his face and Brogan nestled safely in his arms…but that’s what happened. Someone had draped a blanket over them, because they’d fallen asleep on top of the covers, and he sent a silent “thank you” whichever of Brogan’s guardians had kindly let them sleep—shirtless but with pants on.

Brogan was still under, his face relaxed with a half-smile as he slept. Mikel stared at him for a while, still amazed that such an amazing, precious human being had chosen him. And that little Peyton seemed equally as enamored with Mikel as Mikel was with Peyton. He had the perfect little family here, and he’d do anything to keep them safe.

“I love you,” Mikel whispered, almost too soft to hear. “Both of you. I’d die for you two.” He’d never felt such an oath so deeply in his bones before, and he tightened his hold on Brogan’s waist. “My family.”

Brogan snuffled and tried to burrow deeper into Mikel’s body. Mikel draped himself over Brogan, eager to be a human blanket for a little while and give his mate all the comfort he needed. He loved the way Brogan’s slightly slimmer form fit so perfectly against his broader one. Brogan wasn’t much shorter, only more slender, and he still had muscle tone from…well, his past. Mikel didn’t want to think about all the ways his beautiful, wonderful Brogan had been abused.

They did share that one common thing: betrayal by men who were meant to protect them and instead, chose to hurt them. Mikel’s monster was his sire, but Brogan’s were now-dead men named Fynn Lawry and Francis Hamilton. Lawry had ruined so many omega’s lives, Francis had raped Mikel’s bondmate, and he hoped the men burned in the worst, most fiery parts of the neverlife.

But Brogan’s pain had also given him a wonderful, unique gift in Peyton. Mikel adored that little boy, and his promises to Brogan hadn’t been lip service. He would do everything in his power to make sure Peyton lived a long, happy, prosperous life. Period. Mikel wasn’t smart enough to actually graduate medical school, but there were other options. Even though he hadn’t touched it beyond making sure Omegin had enough, Mikel had control of his sire’s finances. He’d contribute every spare credit he had toward finding a cure for Donal Syndrome.

Curious about the time, Mikel glanced at the alarm clock. After eight. One of the Li’s must be taking care of Peyton, because Mikel hadn’t heard the boy cry once since putting him down for the night. And Mikel’s own schedule put him at the library in an hour. But as much as Mikel liked his routines, he liked cuddling Brogan more.

Except Mikel’s bladder gave a mighty kick, and he gently eased himself out of bed. Brogan grumbled and curled around the pillow, still asleep. Happy to see his omega so relaxed, Mikel slipped out of the room and across the hall to the bathroom. Business done, he peeked into Peyton’s room. The crib was empty and the faintest sound of the television in the living room clued him in that someone was home.

“Dada?” The soft voice preceded Peyton sailing down the hall and launching himself at Mikel’s legs.

“Hey, big guy.” Mikel scooped him into a hug, then settled the laughing toddler on his hip. Daiya appeared in the hallway entry. “Morning.”

“I take it your date went well,” Daiya whispered.

Too late, Mikel realized he hadn’t put his shirt back on, but Daiya didn’t say a word about his visible scars. And that Mikel hadn’t even thought about it spoke to how comfortable he was around the Li’s. “Um, yes, it did. Thank you for taking care of Peyton this morning.”

“It’s never a hardship, but I should get to work.”

“Of course.”

Daiya winked, then disappeared. Mikel carried Peyton back to Brogan’s room and put the baby on the bed. Peyton crawled up to the pillow and sat on Brogan’s head. Brogan came awake with a startled yelp; Peyton fell over laughing. Mikel chuckled at the kid’s antics, amused at both omegin and child.

“You little scamp.” Brogan snatched Peyton into his arms and dropped kisses all over his boy’s face, until Peyton squealed for freedom. Then he noticed Mikel at the foot of the bed. “Morning. Morning?”

“Yeah, it’s morning. Daiya just left for work. I didn’t mean to sleep over.”

“It’s okay, this was a fun surprise.”

“Are you still okay with everything we did last night?”

Brogan’s easy smile shifted into a seductive smirk. “Definitely. I’d ask if you want to do it again, but there’s a thirty-five-inch cock-block on the bed.”

“What’s a cock block?” Peyton asked.

“Oh no, he’s pulling a Branson.”

Mikel laughed as he slid onto the foot of the bed. “He’s a kid, he’ll forget it soon enough.”

“Don’t count on it. We’re all doomed.”

The mental image of Peyton and Branson running around yelling, “Oh shit, it’s a cock block!” in their pipsqueak voices had Mikel giggling. Yes, giggling. He wasn’t too alpha to admit that was definitely the noise he was making. Brogan watched him with a mix of annoyance and amusement, and it only made Mikel laugh more.

“Want juice, Omi,” Peyton said.

“Don’t be rude,” Mikel replied gently.

Peyton stared a beat. “Can I have juice?”

“Better, and yes you may. Come on, big guy.” He hoisted Peyton into his arms, then leaned down to kiss Brogan. “Join us when you’re ready. Tea?”

“Please,” Brogan replied.

Mikel took Peyton into kitchen. Daiya had left a note that Peyton ate breakfast, so he poured juice into a sippy cup and handed it off to the boy. Then he got eggs and milk out of the fridge to throw together some fried cinnamon toast. It was an easy recipe Omegin had made for special treats when they had the extra money for eggs, and after the stress of the last few weeks, Brogan deserved a little spoiling.

The house was small enough that Mikel heard the shower run, so he left the bread to soak in the spiced custard and didn’t start cooking until the water shut off again. Brogan joined him at the same time Mikel was adding the final touches to the table.

“Wow,” Brogan said. He sniffed the air, which had a pleasant cinnamon scent. “You didn’t have to do all this for me.”

“Sure, I did. It was my pleasure.” Mikel pulled a chair out for Brogan, stealing a quick kiss as he sat. Brogan tasted like mint toothpaste.

Peyton entertained himself with his toys while they ate. Mikel slathered his toast in butter and berry jam, and it reminded him of that amazing bacon jam Brogan had made that long-ago brunch morning.

“This is so good,” Brogan said after devouring his first piece of toast. “Seriously, I’m not sure I’ve had this before.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You’ll have to show me how you made it.”

“It’s super easy, but it is a little different this time.” Mikel cut another piece and chewed. “Maybe because I let the bread soak for longer than usual. I put it all together just as you got in the shower.”

“That could be it. Yum.” Brogan speared a second piece and poured syrup over it. “So what do you usually do first of the week? I’ve got a play date with Jax and his kids this afternoon, but nothing this morning.”

“Actually, this is when I go to the library, return my read books and pick up news ones.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun.”

Mikel squeezed his fork. “You want to come with me?”

“I mean, if that’s okay.” Brogan’s expression was mild, no pressure for Mikel to say yes.

But he kind of wanted to say yes. He liked the idea of integrating Brogan into more parts of his life. They were building a shared life, after all, and Mikel couldn’t keep it segmented forever. “Okay, yes. Let’s go to the library together. Maybe Peyton will find some new storybooks for bedtime.”

And that’s exactly what they did. After swinging by Mikel’s place for his canvas tote of books to return, they walked to the library. It was chilly, but not unbearable. Even so, Mikel made a mental note to look into getting his sire’s car out of storage to use for his family.

Theon was ecstatic to meet Mikel’s “new friend” Brogan, and he was equally excited to know Brogan was also Mikel’s bondmate. He cooed over Peyton, who toddled right over to the small children’s play area where two other young kids were hanging out.

“You aren’t the first one here this morning,” Theon teased. “This young one getting you out of your routines?”

“A little,” Mikel replied. The ‘young one’ remark was kind of funny, since Brogan was actually older than Mikel by over a year. Theon also didn’t make a fuss over Brogan’s voice or his minor celebrity in the province.

They browsed the stacks together, while also keeping their eyes on Peyton. The boy was perfectly safe in a library, and the main desk looked directly at the play area, so Theon could watch the kids while their parents looked for books. Brogan picked up a few cookbooks for himself, as well as a volume on small business management.

“Would you have wanted to go to university if you were able?” Mikel asked.

“Probably.” Brogan traced his fingertips over a row of book spines. “I loved school, and I hated having to drop out. But my parents still educated me at home, so I did get my secondary certification. I love learning new things. Why?”

“Curious, is all. The world is a funny place. You’re super-smart and you want to keep furthering your education, but because you’re omega, laws forbid it. And then there’s me, who’s pretty dumb, but I got into university simply for being alpha.”

“You’re not dumb. You’re just…we all learn differently, Mikel. Maybe you’re simply more of a work-with-your-hands kind of person than a book learner.”

Mikel adored his bondmate for trying to make him feel better about his stupidity.

“Besides,” Brogan continued, “we’ve already got a grassroots movement focused on a small, omega-only branch of university, for those of us who want to keep learning. The trick there is admission and acceptance, which is tied into the whole ‘omegas need an alpha’s permission to do everything except breathe air’ mindset of so many people in positions of power. And also, would it only be mate-less omegas? Would they allow omegins who are older? Still so many questions, but it’s a start.”

“I’m genuinely impressed. So much change has come to Sansbury in only two years, and it’s all because of your omega friends.”

“And their mates. We’re all lucky to have mates who believe in us.” Brogan leaned up for a kiss. “Just like I do.”

“I do believe in you. I believe you can do anything you set your mind to, and I will support you. You can learn to drive, you can get a job if we’re able to afford it. If you want a job, of course. We’ve never really talked about that.”

Brogan glanced around but they were alone in this particular aisle. “I’m not sure. I love spending my days with Peyton and our friends, and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. But sometimes I think about cooking for other people. Maybe even having a small business, like in-home catering or something. Cooking is something I genuinely love to do.”

Pride warmed Mikel all the way through, and he kissed Brogan again. “Then keep reading business books and learning. Once we’re in a comfortable, solid place, we’ll look into your options.”

“Really?” Brogan launched himself into Mikel’s arms. “You’re amazing.”

“I’ll do anything to make you happy, I swear.” He pulled back, a tad nervous over his next request. “There’s something I’d like you to do with me this week that would make me happy in return.”

“Oh yeah?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Do tell.”

“Not that, not yet.” Not that Mikel didn’t fantasize about them having sex; he simply wasn’t ready to go all the way. “Will you come with me to my therapy appointment this week?”

Brogan blinked hard. “Really?”

“Yes. Dr. Callis has always been open about me sharing my appointments with my family members, especially if I wanted to talk to them directly about…things.”

“Have you?”

“Not yet. I know I should, but I need you to be the first.” An odd thought occurred to Mikel. “Did you ever do therapy?”

“Yes. We were all evaluated in the hospital before we were released to our guardians, and while we weren’t required to have more sessions, they were made available. I went to a few, but I honestly got more out of our in-home support group meetings. Beta therapists mean well, but no one understands the trauma omegas go through better than a fellow omega.”

“That makes sense. I kind of wish alphas talked to each other about abuse and stuff more, because it does happen. But we aren’t supposed to let it affect us, because getting hit is supposed to toughen us up. Make us be better, stronger alphas.”

Brogan hugged him. “I know, and I hate that mindset. Ugh.”

“Thanks.” Mikel nuzzled his hair, aware of how simply holding Brogan kept his temper on an even keel, because he usually got upset when his sire’s abuse came up.

“You know, it might not be my place,” Brogan whispered, “but Morris has a pretty similar background. Maybe you guys could talk.”

“Morris hates me. He won’t even look at me when we’re in the same room, and he knows all about my history, because he and Jaysan were at my court hearings this spring.”

“Sorry.” Brogan took a step back, arms wrapped around his middle. “You’re right, I shouldn’t meddle.”

“You aren’t meddling, love, you’re trying to help me, and I adore you for it.”

“Thank you.”

“So…therapy?”

“I’ll go with you, definitely. I’m sure Liam or Braun can watch Peyton for a few hours that day.”

“Great.” Mikel did have a somewhat ulterior motive in inviting Brogan this week. He wanted them to talk about mating and Brogan’s next heat, and he wanted to do it with a third, more neutral party around. It would be too easy for Mikel to give in and do whatever his bondmate wanted, but with Dr. Callis there, Mikel would be able to state what he needed and why.

They finished selecting books, then signed them out and collected Peyton, who was not happy about leaving his two new friends behind. Mikel loved how sociable Peyton was, and it probably had everything to do with growing up around so many other kids his age. Kids with supportive, loving parents who doted on their children as parents should.

Mikel’s place was closer, so they went back there and hung out, playing with Peyton, watching television, and kissing on the couch until it was time for their playdate. Mikel hated watching them leave, but they’d see each other again soon. Of that, he had no doubt.

Liam and Layne were already at the Jenks house when Brogan arrived, and Peyton squawked his delight at seeing his unexpected friend. Both boys went off to play with Karson, and since Jaxson was napping, their trio of omegins settled at the kitchen table with coffee and tea.

“Jaysan is up and about,” Liam reported. “He said Morgyn is being a little fussy about breastfeeding, but they’re getting the hang of it.”

“I’m glad they can share that,” Brogan replied, “since Jaysan didn’t have it with Aeron.”

“It’s a great way to bond,” Jax signaled. “I was so upset when my milk dried up early. But it couldn’t be helped.”

After escaping the fight ring with a two-week-old newborn, Jax had lived as a vagrant for a month, stealing formula and diapers from other homes, subsisting on cookies and dumpster food himself. Brogan couldn’t imagine the kind of strength it took to do something like that, but Jax had had very good reasons not to trust the authorities.

The authorities had unknowingly given them all to a criminal.

Fortunately, Jax had been able to nurse Jaxson post-birth until his next heat had arrived, and Brogan looked forward to doing it with any future children he had with Mikel. The window an omegin had for nursing was so damned brief.

They chatted about everything from their kids to what they had for breakfast. “The fried cinnamon toast was amazing,” Brogan said smugly. “Crisp outside but soft inside. Mikel doesn’t cook much, but when he tries it’s wonderful.”

“That’s an unusual but handy skill for an alpha,” Liam replied. “I love that Isa is a good cook, and Demir has been learning, too. Cooking dinner with me if he’s home in the evening.”

“Is he doing a winter sport after school?”

“No, extra study groups. He’s taken a sudden new interest in science, and it isn’t his best subject, so he’s getting help.”

“Why the sudden interest in science? I remember him struggling with math last year,” Jax said.

“I’m not sure. Whenever I or Isa ask, he just gets this mysterious look on his face.”

“Demir is a great kid,” Brogan said.

“He’s the best.”

“He’ll make a fantastic big brother to the new baby.”

Liam squeaked. “I haven’t taken the test yet. I can’t until the end of the week.”

Jax made an excited raspy sound and clapped his hands in delight. Brogan mentally flailed at his guess. “So you guys tried during your heat?” he asked.

“We did. We talked about it, not only between me and Isa, but also with the boys. Everyone is excited by the idea of a new Higgs sibling, and I’d love nothing more than a baby who’s half me, half Isa. I mean, Layne is Isa’s in every way except DNA. He was by my side when Layne was born. But…you know…”

“We both understand. Karter loves Karson as his own, but I love seeing Karter in Jaxson, too.”

“What about you and Mikel?” Liam asked.

Brogan shrugged. “We haven’t really had a serious discussion about mating yet, but Mikel doesn’t seem opposed to more kids. He’s just not in the right place. You know, he asked me to go to his therapy appointment with him this week.”

“Why?”

“He wasn’t very specific about why, only that he wanted to talk to family with his doctor around, and he wanted me to be the first.”

“That’s sweet.”

“Mikel’s amazing. Some days, it’s impossible to believe he’s the same man who hurt Jaysan, and in some ways, he’s not. Same skin, same voice, same blood in his veins, but up here.” Brogan tapped his own temple, then his chest over his heart. “And down here? Completely new man. He’s so careful with me. I mean, he gave me a blow job last night and didn’t even want one in return.”

Liam pressed a hand over his chest and feigned shock. “Seriously? An alpha turned down head?”

“I’m glad you found your bondmate and that he treats you how you deserve. Truly.” Jax’s gentle smile punctuated his gestures as truth.

“Thank you.” Maybe Brogan had been the last of the fight ring omegas to find his bondmate, but now that he had Mikel, Brogan would fight like hell to keep him in his life. For himself and for Peyton.

“Cock block!” Layne screeched from the other room.

“What the hell?” Liam said as he stood.

Brogan covered his face with his hands and sighed.

Kids.

Mikel was a twitchy anxiety ball when he knocked and let himself into the Li house to pick up Brogan. The therapy appointment was in an hour, and Mikel had needed a little alone time with Brogan first, simply to right himself again. Today was a big day, and Mikel didn’t want to screw it up.

“Hey, you’re early,” Brogan said from the living room where he was reading on the couch. “Liam just picked up Peyton.”

“Oh good.” Mikel slid onto the couch next to Brogan and kissed him. “Missed you this morning.”

“Same. But you’re here now.” Brogan wasted no time tugging Mikel down on top of him, so they could make out.

This was definitely one of Mikel’s favorite things to do with Brogan, because Brogan loved it. They could lose themselves for hours in each other like this. Always hard, they didn’t always get off after, because Mikel was still nervous about that—which was stupid, since he’d blown Brogan again yesterday. He wouldn’t mind doing it again today, before the appointment, but Brogan seemed in no hurry with the kissing.

Mikel reluctantly broke away to check the clock. “We should leave soon, so we aren’t late.”

“Can we come back and pick up where we left off?”

“We’ll see.” He rubbed his nose against Brogan’s. “I have a surprise outside.”

“Oh? Let me up!”

Mikel rose enough for Brogan to scramble off the couch, and he took his time joining Brogan in the open doorway. Cold air bit into his cheeks, but it was worth it for Brogan’s wide-eyed expression. “I got my father’s car released to me this morning,” Mikel said. “It was much easier than I expected.”

In Sansbury, anyone who wanted to drive a car had to be on the official registration, and while Sire had allowed Mikel to learn how to drive, he’d punished his “idiot of an offspring” for his bad grades by not registering Mikel to use the family car. With Mikel in charge of Lew Tovey’s assets, putting his own name on the registration had taken all of five minutes.

“That’s awesome,” Brogan said. “Now you have more freedom to get around without relying on taxis or the bus.”

“Us, too. The only thing I don’t have yet is a car seat for Peyton.”

“You really are the best.” Brogan shut the door against the winter chill. “I’m curious, though. If you had access to a car, why wait so long to claim it?”

“A lot of reasons. The car reminds me of my sire, so I didn’t want it. I also haven’t touched much of his money or other assets, only what my family needs to get by.”

“What assets? I thought you guys were kind of poor growing up?”

“We were, but when my sire went to prison, I put the house up for sale. It hasn’t sold, but we have renters right now, so there is a small monthly income. And with my brothers all still in secondary school, Omegin gets his monthly stipend again to support the family. I’d love to finally sell the house and be done with it, but so far no offers.”

“Have you considered trading in the car? If it’s full of bad memories, you don’t have to keep it, right?”

Mikel hadn’t even considered trading in the car, maybe for something older and cheaper, so he’d have some extra credit to spoil his bondmate. But it still had to be a safe car, if it was going to shuttle his family around. “I’ll look into that, thank you. Trading it in. No time right now, though, so grab your coat.”

Brogan grinned and did as asked.

The interior of the car was freshly cleaned and deodorized, ridding it of the odors of tobacco and his sire’s cologne. Driving it to the detailer had been hell for Mikel and was part of the reason for today’s anxiety attack. The familiar scents had reminded him of a man he hated and feared, and he’d been glad to get it back smelling like a brand-new car.

His appointment was at Dr. Callis’s main office near the hospital campus, and too soon he was parking in the underground lot.

“Are you sure about me coming with you?” Brogan asked. “Because you seem nervous.”

“I am a little nervous, but yes, I’m sure.” Mikel leaned over to brush their noses together, a gesture that was as dear to him as any kiss. “I’ll always want you with me.”

“Good answers.”

They walked the maze of corridors hand-in-hand, mostly to stay in contact with Brogan, but also partly to warn off any interested alphas from sniffing his bondmate. While bonding had mingled their scents a little bit, Brogan wouldn’t be completely safe until they properly mated and their different scents completely joined.

Dr. Callis welcomed Brogan with a warm smile and firm handshake, and the pair made pleasant small talk for a few minutes, with Brogan showing off a picture of Peyton, and Dr. Callis his two adopted kids. Mikel had seen the framed photo on the desk before, but he’d never asked about it.

Mikel and Brogan sat in chairs next to each other, and Dr. Callis settled across from them. “I’m pleased Mikel chose to include a family member this week,” Dr. Callis said. “Especially someone who’s so important to his future.”

“I want the best of everything for Mikel,” Brogan replied. “He’s an amazing, attentive alpha, and I can’t wait for us to officially be mates.”

Dr. Callis briefly glanced at Mikel. “Have you discussed this yet? When to mate?”

“Not really.” Brogan shrugged. “We’ve got about a month before it’s even an option.”

“I actually want to talk about it today,” Mikel spoke up. “Here.”

Brogan’s startled look melted into confusion. “Why here?”

“Because it’s the biggest decision we’ll ever make, and I…I feel comfortable here, in this room. I know I can speak my mind here and be heard.”

“I’ll always listen to you.” Now Brogan looked hurt, and that simply wouldn’t do.

Mikel slid to his knees in front of Brogan’s chair and squeezed his bondmate’s hands. “I know you will. But the part of me that wants to give you everything you ever ask for is tempered here, so I can think more clearly about what I need, too. I’d hate to do anything to jeopardize my recovery and our future.”

Hurt melted into a tender smile. “I understand. Tell me what you want, Mikel.”

“What I want and what I need are two different things right now, my love.” Mikel moved back to his chair, but didn’t let go of one of Brogan’s hands. “I want to mate and claim you and build a life with you and Peyton.”

“But that’s not what you need?”

“It isn’t. Love, if we mate you lose your monthly stipend. And if you get pregnant, I am in no position to support a mate and two children. I don’t even have a job, and the stipend I receive barely covers my food and essentials, much less four people. When we mate, I want to do it right. I want to have a place for our family to live, an income that won’t see the two of us starving so our kids can eat. I don’t want to risk becoming the angry, resentful sire my own became. I’d sooner chop off my own arm than hurt you or Peyton, or any child we might create together.”

Brogan’s eyes gleamed with tears. He leaned across the arms of their chairs and pressed his forehead to Mikel’s. “You could have told me all that anywhere, my alpha. And I hear you. You’re right.”

“I am?”

“You are.” Brogan pulled back, and Mikel wiped a tear track off his cheek. “Everything you said is so logical that I’m ashamed it didn’t occur to me. I’ve dreamed of meeting and mating with my bondmate since I was a boy, and after my kidnapping I never thought I’d get that future. Even as I watched my fellow rescues find their mates, I worried, and I’d almost given up when I met you. And now that I have you, I won’t lose you. If I have to wait three or six months, or a year to claim you, I will. You’re my future, Mikel Tovey.”

His own eyes stinging with grateful tears, Mikel stood and hauled Brogan into a tight hug. “Thank you. Thank you, my omega.”

They held each other until Mikel’s leg cramped, and when they sat again, he held Brogan on his lap. Brogan gazed at him as if he’d forgotten they weren’t alone, and he said, “I hear you about mating, and I agree with you. But what about my upcoming heat? Would you be willing to help me through it? Knot me with condoms?”

Mikel’s cock gave an exited twitch at the idea, which hadn’t honestly occurred to him. “You want me to do that?”

“Absolutely. As long as you wear a rubber, we won’t mate, so our financial situations remain unchanged. I’d rather be with you than enlist a beta service, but I’ll understand if you’d rather not.”

A tiny hint of challenge lay in Brogan’s words. A challenge for Mikel to be able to fuck and knot his bondmate during heat, while remembering to use condoms, instead of allowing nature to overwhelm him and drive him to knot Brogan bare. Instead of mating him without express permission, as some alphaholes did.

“Mikel?” Dr. Callis said, inserting himself into the conversation for the first time. Then again, Mikel had been silent for a while. “How do you feel about Brogan’s suggestion?”

“Nervous,” Mikel said. “I’ve never been with an omega during heat.”

“Are you nervous about hurting him?”

“No, about not being able to control myself. I’d never forgive myself if I knotted him without a condom, because I’d lost myself to the pheromones. I’ve heard they’re intense, especially with a bondmate.”

“How did your sire act during your omegin’s heats?”

“I’m not sure.” Mikel thought back to so many years of quarterly heats, especially after Naya was born and his parents didn’t have any more pregnancies. “Sire used to make us sleep downstairs in the living room when Omegin was in heat. No one could go upstairs. I took care of the younger ones until we were all old enough to take care of ourselves. I loved heats, because it meant Sire’s attention wasn’t on me or my brothers, but I honestly don’t know how he treated our omegin. Omegin never complained, but he complained about very few things.”

“Are you aware if they ever used condoms?”

“I don’t recall ever seeing one in the house, but I also never went searching. Alphas knot their omega during heat, as often as possible, bare skin only, that’s what I was taught.”

“Oh, Mikel.” Brogan pressed his forehead into Mikel’s neck. “The things that monster told you. You are absolutely allowed to knot your omega with a condom. All my friends’ alphas do it. And sometimes that one bare deposit makes a baby, like with Braun and Jaysan, but not always. I trust you to keep your wits and use a condom. Please, won’t you trust in yourself?”

The strength in Brogan’s voice drove his words home, and Mikel smiled. “You really want me to help you with your next heat?”

“Absolutely, I do. Please?”

Mikel looked at Dr. Callis, because this was why he’d wanted to have the heat conversation here. A neutral party. Dr. Callis was smiling, and he nodded when he caught Mikel’s eye. The nod seemed to say, “You can do this,” as much as, “Do what you think is best for you.” Nervous but determined, and still with a few weeks to prepare, Mikel decided to trust in himself and in his bondmate.

“Okay,” Mikel said to Brogan. “We’ll get through your heat together, condoms always. Mating can wait.”

The unspoken love in Brogan’s smile was everything Mikel needed in that moment. He kissed Mikel on the mouth and dropped little kisses all over his face. Mikel laughed, his nerves gone now that he’d committed—not only to helping Brogan through his next heat, but to hold off on officially mating. They’d found each other, they were falling in love with each other, and that’s what mattered most.

They’d handle the details as they came. Together.