Karter knew dinner would be difficult, but he never imagined Father walking away from the celebration. It didn’t bother him much, though, because a lot of tension left the room with him, and all three omegas in attendance visibly relaxed. Dex and Serge excused themselves not long after dessert, and their other friends followed ten minutes later. Jax and Karter exchanged hearty hugs with all their friends as they left.

They stayed and visited with Omegin and his brothers for a while, until it became clear Father wasn’t joining them while Karter and Jax were present. They said their goodbyes, collected Karson, and headed home.

Communicating with Jax in the car was always difficult, and it didn’t help that it was dark out, so Karter played the radio until they were back at the apartment. Serge and Dex were nowhere to be seen, but their bedroom door was shut, and they were playing music. Easy enough hint not to disturb them. Jax put Karson to bed, then joined him on the couch.

“I’m sorry Father treated you like that,” Karter said.

“I’m sorry you had to see him act like that.”

“Are you angry with me?”

Jax frowned. “What for?”

“Offering to let Sloan live with us without asking you first? I realized it as soon as I said it, and I should have gotten your permission before I said anything about university.”

“I’m not mad. He’s your brother. You’re going to put him first.”

Karter’s heart sank. “But I should always put you first. You’re my omega, Jax. You and Karson are my priority. I made a promise to Sloan, and I didn’t think before I spoke, but please don’t ever doubt that you and your son come first.”

Jax stared down at his lap for a beat, before looking up. “Do you even like me?”

“What? Of course, I do.” Karter was so confused by the question that he couldn’t think of anything else to say. He stared at Jax with parted lips, trying to understand.

“Then why don’t you ever reach for me? We’ve barely touched each other since my heat ended. It’s easy to assume you’re simply tolerating me.”

Karter gaped at his omega, shocked to his core by Jax’s assumptions. He angled to face Jax more fully, then took his hands into his own lap. Squeezed them tight, then kissed both in turn. “I care for you so much, Jax Orris Jenks, and I’m sorry I made you think otherwise. I’m falling in love with you. I haven’t made a pass at you because you said you wouldn’t want sex outside of heat, and I’ve been trying to respect that. You have no idea how hard it is not to reach for you at night, or to kiss you every time I’m near you.”

Jax’s frown softened into a tender smile. He freed his hands to touch Karter’s face, then to communicate. “Goddess, we need to learn to hear each other better. I meant penetrative sex. You inside me. It hurts. I don’t like it outside of heat. But that doesn’t mean we can’t kiss and build up to other things.” Jax blushed. “You’re my mate, and one day I’d like to see you come when you aren’t lust-drunk on pheromones.”

“Really?” Karter nearly did cartwheels across the room. “I do need to start hearing you better, don’t I?”

“Yes, you do. But so do I. I need to hear you when you say I’m your priority.”

“We’re a mess.”

“We’re somehow perfect for each other, and I think I’m falling for you, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. Will you kiss me?”

Karter fell a little bit more for his omega. Jax parted his lips and waited.

Oh, how he’d missed this. Karter covered Jax’s mouth with his own in a soft kiss that deepened quickly. He licked into Jax’s mouth, eager for the unique taste of his mate. For the aggressive way Jax returned the kiss and held Karter by the shoulders. Karter carded his fingers through Jax’s hair, tugging out the tie to free those glossy locks. His dick thickened as arousal filled the air around them.

Jax urged him, until Karter was flat on his back on the couch, with Jax on top of him. Still kissing, their erections rubbing together in a way that made Karter see stars. He remembered how amazing it felt to fuck Jax during heat, but somehow this was more special. This wasn’t two men driven to fuck because of pheromones and slick. This was them, making a choice to share their bodies, of their own free will.

He now understood why some alphas said sex outside of heat was the best sex, because of how in control they were. They could think, instead of simply act. Really enjoy each other’s body without the urgent need to finish and knot.

And his orgasm was building too damned quickly. Karter stilled Jax’s humping with a firm grip on his hips, and Jax broke the kiss to stare down at him. “Bedroom,” Karter said.

Jax nod-blinked his agreement. Once they were inside with the door locked, Karter asked, “Do you want to rub off together?”

Jax’s shy smile was followed by, “Yes. No penetration.”

“Absolutely not. You told me you don’t like it, and even if you did, I don’t have any artificial slick. I’d never try without it.” Karter pulled Jax to his chest. “I don’t ever want to hurt you. If it gets too intense, or you go to a bad place, pinch both my ears hard, and I’ll stop. Even if I’m half a second from coming, I will stop for you.”

Jax looked like he wanted to melt into a puddle of happy goo. He caressed Karter’s face with his fingertips, his tender smile the loveliest thing Karter had ever seen. They shared another long, crackling kiss before breaking apart to shed clothes—after Jax draped a blanket over Karson’s crib.

Those small, adorable quirks were helping Karter fall more and more in love with the man.

They slid under the covers and came together in a tangle of arms, legs and lips, wrestling and rubbing against each other as they played. Karter loved seeing Jax so free of worry, so in the moment and enjoying himself, and Karter was giving him this. Eventually, Jax dumped Karter onto his back, and Karter stopped fighting. Jax aligned their erections so they could rub together between their bellies, and he began to thrust.

Karter bit back loud moans as the deliciousness of it spread down his spine from his head to his toes. He’d never imagined something as simple as rubbing off could feel so damned perfect, and he reveled in it. He turned control over to Jax, who seemed content to lead them. Karter drew circles on Jax’s back, teasing his bare skin, wanting to lick Jax all over, but holding back for his mate’s sake. They’d had one bad moment during heat, and Karter didn’t want the past intruding on this beautiful thing they were creating together.

Curious, Karter spread his legs more, then hitched his knees up, giving Jax’s body a better channel in which to settle and rut them both to completion. Jax went harder then, as if spurred on by the position change, and Karter once again wish for Jax’s voice so he could hear his mate climax. To just once hear Karter’s own name fall from those kiss-bruised lips.

He settled for the way Jax’s eyes scrunched shut and his entire body bucked as he came, slicking the way for Karter’s climax soon after. Karter muffled his own sounds with Jax’s throat, huffing against damp skin as he calmed. Jax slid sideways a few inches, taking his full weight off Karter without really letting go. Karter hugged him, loving the way Jax’s big body smothered him into the bed. It made Karter feel protected in return.

Jax tickled Karter’s shoulder with his beard, and then cracked a wide yawn.

“I feel the same way.” Karter tugged on the end of Jax’s beard. “How about we take a quick shower, and then go to bed.”

Nod-blink. Good plan.

They both donned the same day’s underwear for the quick four steps to the bathroom, just in case they ran into their roommates. The music was off and the other bedroom silent, but that didn’t mean a lot. People got up for any number of reasons after going to bed. The shower wasn’t big enough for both of them, so they took turns rinsing off.

By the time they finished, Karson was crying for a diaper change. Karter had mercy on Jax’s drooping form and sent his mate to bed, while he took care of the poop bomb. As gross as it was, Karter genuinely didn’t mind. This little boy, not quite two months old, was a precious creature whom Karter now had the privilege of raising with Jax. They’d mold this boy into a wonderful human being, who’d one day mate with only the very best alpha.

And if the goddess blessed them with more children, Karter would do the same for them. He put Karson back down, then climbed into bed with Jax. Jax reached for him, and Karter willingly pulled Jax closer, into his arms.

Karter Jenks fell asleep that night with his mate in his arms, his son nearby, and he’d never been happier in his life.

* * *

The next morning, Jax was pleasantly surprised to get an invitation to brunch at Tarek and Braun’s house, and he graciously accepted. Probably his friends’ attempt to make him feel better after last night’s interesting mating celebration, and he very much appreciated the gesture. The invite was for eleven, so he and Karter spent time lounging in bed, making out, and swapping hand jobs in between feeding the baby.

Dex and Serge were gone when they finally emerged from the sanctuary of the bedroom, ready for the party, Karson happily settled in his sling. Jax expected for Kell and Ronin to be there. He did not expect to be ushered into the house by Braun and right into a surprise baby shower for him. Kell, Ronin, Branson, Serge, and Dex were, to Jax’s continued shock, joined by Karter’s brothers and omegin.

And the living room coffee table was piled with gifts.

Jax blinked back tears as he accepted hugs from all the guests. He was absolutely stunned by the party, even though Braun had teased him about it last week.

“You deserve something special after last night,” Argo said when he hugged Jax. “I’m so sorry for Lem’s behavior.”

Jax shrugged it off, then turned to glare at Karter. But Karter was as surprised and delighted as Jax, and for once, Jax didn’t mind being the center of attention. They did have brunch prepared, but there was no way they’d all fit in the kitchen, so Tarek set up the food on the counter buffet-style, and folks lounged around the spacious home, mingling as they ate. Jax filled his plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, and a cheesy potato bake. Karson slept away, so Jax was free to eat and enjoy listening to his friends’—no, his new family’s discussions.

At some point, he found himself surrounded by Braun and Kell, both of them wearing identical outraged expressions. For a moment, Jax thought he’d done something wrong.

“I can’t believe Senior Jenks did that to you last night,” Kell said. “He had no right to announce Karson’s gender to the world.”

Jax was dumbfounded by the statement—as well as grateful for the blind allegiance from his fellow omegas. They were still learning, so he used simple signals. “He did not know secret.”

Kell grunted. “Yeah, well, it was still rude.”

“You had your reasons for protecting that information,” Braun added. “Believe me, Kell and I know what some people think of omegas, so we understand. But minds are also changing about omegas and our place in the world. Karson has a great future ahead of him, I know it.”

“Thank you. Friend.”

“Did Karter know?”

“Yes. He knows. Does not care.”

“Good,” Kell said. “Our sire hated that he had two omega sons and he never let us forget it.”

“Karter. Good man. He cares. Protects.”

“Like a good alpha should.”

Now that his omega friends were calm again, Jax took a moment to study them. Braun didn’t have a plate of food, and Kell was hovering in a way that Jax didn’t recall him doing before. His suspicion about Braun being pregnant came back all at once, but the middle of a party wasn’t the place to ask. And Braun would say something when he was ready. The first six weeks were the most volatile for any omega pregnancy, and there was always a chance of an early miscarriage. If Braun and Tarek’s mating had produced a baby, they’d announce it when they were ready.

It didn’t stop Jax from feeling a slight pang of envy for the pair.

After everyone had eaten their fill and coffee refills went around, Jax was settled in an armchair and presented with his gifts. As Jax opened package after package, his gratitude swelled to an overwhelming level. Karson, who’d woken up during the fuss and was playing on a blanket with Branson, wouldn’t want for anything until his next growth spurt. And even then, some of the clothes Jax had been given were several sizes up.

Bottles, diapers, wipes, clothing, formula, toys, a stroller from Argo, and so many other wonderful things. Jax had tears in his eyes when he opened the final box, which was a small care package for Jax that had candy, a gift certificate for a one-hour massage, and a never-expiring coupon from Argo for babysitting.

Jax did start crying at that, and it took several moments for him to explain to Karter that he was happy, overwhelmed, and so damned grateful for everything and everyone he had in his life. After losing everything when Eroch died, Jax had never imagined he’d have such an amazing future ahead of him, with friends, family, and an alpha who treasured him.

He tried to put that gratitude into a blow job later that afternoon, while Karson was down for a nap and they were alone in the apartment. Naked in bed together, Jax took his alpha into his mouth, savoring the taste of the man, the weight of him on his tongue. Karter was stretched out on his back, knees hitched up, so open and exposed for Jax. So Jax took his time and played, rolling Karter’s balls while he licked up his length. Then sucking on those balls until they pulled up tight. He tongued that smooth spot of skin behind Karter’s sac, noting every gasp and jerk his mate made.

Curious and eager, his own dick painfully erect, Jax explored lower, pushing Karter’s thighs back to tilt his ass up just a bit, exposing his puckered opening. Eroch had never let him do this, even though Eroch seemed to enjoy licking him there during heat. Probably the slick, but Jax was curious.

Karter nearly flew off the bed when Jax pressed his tongue against his hole. “Goddess! Do that again.”

Grinning now, Jax repeated the act with a firmer swipe, enjoying the musky taste of his mate and the way he writhed on the mattress. Jax wrapped his arms around Karter’s thighs to hold him still while he licked and sucked at Karter’s hole, no real intent other than giving his mate as much pleasure as possible.

“Oh goddess, so good! Oh!”

When that tight muscle softened a bit, Jax wiggled his tongue past the rim, and Karter cried out. Clamped down. Eager for Karter’s release, Jax spat on his finger, then pressed it inside just as he swallowed down Karter’s cock. Karter thrust once and came, his ass spasming around Jax’s finger, dick spurting down his throat. Jax licked his mate clean, then nuzzled his balls before withdrawing his finger.

Karter’s whole body jerked a few times with aftershocks, so Jax climbed up and pulled him close, his own rock-hard cock rubbing against Karter’s belly. Karter surprised him by kissing Jax thoroughly.

“No one’s ever…I’ve never touched myself…” Karter’s cheeks darkened. “Is it odd that I really, really liked that? You penetrating me?”

“No. Why should only omegas and betas be penetrated? You clearly enjoy it.”

“Good point. I suppose society has programmed us to believe alphas only penetrate. I never gave any thought to reversing positions.”

Jax froze, curious now if Karter meant what Jax thought he meant. “Would you want me to penetrate you?”

Karter gazed up at him, his eyes still a bit dazed from orgasm, but also thoughtful. “I…yes, I think I do. I can much more easily tell you if it hurts, or if I want to stop. But we don’t have slick.”

Jax pointed at the wall they shared with Serge and Dex’s bedroom. “They do. They must.” He wasn’t eager to go through his landlords’ bedroom, but the idea of fucking Karter had Jax so aroused he feared his dick might burst with the need to be buried inside his alpha. Serge was at work, and Dex said he’d be out until dinner, so they had plenty of time. “We can buy them a new bottle.”

“Okay.”

His heart leapt for joy, and Jax streaked into the other room, glad the door was open, so it felt less like breaking in. The obvious place—the bedside tables—provided him with a half-full bottle of artificial slick that Jax dashed back to his room with.

Karter was sitting up, his nervousness betrayed by the way he plucked at the bedding. Jax was nervous, too. He’d never topped a man before, but dear goddess, he wanted to now. He wanted to put his alpha on his knees and fuck him senseless. More than that, he wanted to make love to his mate.

Jax made a twirling gesture; Karter turned onto his hands and knees. With that taut, muscled ass on display and his crease teasing that pucker, Jax couldn’t help himself. He licked and nibbled at Karter’s rim until he was hard again, leaking for Jax, and desperately thrusting back against his tongue. He snapped open the slick and drizzled some onto his fingers, then pushed a finger inside. Being on this end of prep was a new experience that Jax quite liked. He liked the way Karter cried out and wiggled his hips, eager for Jax’s finger. Jax gave him a moment to adjust to the intrusion, before gently thrusting a few times. Working Karter’s muscle and slicking him up.

Even with half a bottle of slick up his ass, Jax had never enjoyed being fucked like this, but Karter seemed desperate for it. He panted and gasped his way through a second finger and more slick, and Jax was so hard he feared he’d come the instant he was inside his mate. He wanted his voice to tell Karter how beautiful he was, how much Jax loved being able to give him this. How much he loved Karter for giving this gift to him.

I do love him. I do.

But Jax didn’t have words, so he used his body. He withdrew his fingers, then sat back on his heels. With a firm grip on Karter’s hips, he pulled Karter backward until his dick aligned with Karter’s slick entrance. Jax’s heart sped up at the first press of tight heat against his cockhead. He’d never felt anything like it. There was nothing in the world as beautiful or pleasurable as watching his cock slowly disappear inside his alpha’s ass.

Karter’s breathing was labored and shallow, but it never sounded pained. Karter sank onto his cock with short thrusts downward, then back up, taking his time until his ass rested against Jax’s groin and thighs. Fully seated. Jax reached around to clasp Karter’s cock and jerk him. Karter cried out and clenched, and Jax saw stars.

He nibbled at Karter’s earlobe, until Karter twisted his neck for a messy, sideways kiss that told Jax everything he needed to know. They sat like that, fully connected and kissing for a while, until Jax was overwhelmed by the need to rut.

“Come inside me, my omega,” Karter whispered. “Please.”

The please broke him. Jax rolled them onto their sides, so he could hold Karter close to his chest and still thrust. He started slow, but was soon overwhelmed by the need to come. His hips smacked against Karter’s ass, a steady beat accompanied by Karter’s gasps and cries and occasional cuss words. Karter reached back to grab Jax’s ass and urge him faster, harder.

“Need you, love you, oh goddess, don’t stop!”

Jax increased pressure on Karter’s cock, and Karter cried out as he came a second time. His ass clamped down hard on Jax’s dick, triggering Jax’s own climax. He bit Karter’s shoulder as he thrust once, twice, his seed filling his alpha’s ass. A tiny part of him wished for the power of an alpha’s knot, to keep that seed inside his mate for as long as possible, but that wasn’t how their bodies worked. So he stayed buried deep inside of Karter for a while and held him close, rejoicing in the way Karter’s body relaxed against him.

“That was amazing, love,” Karter said. “I didn’t expect it to feel so…right. If that makes sense.”

Jax nodded against his shoulder, then kissed the small love-bite he’d left behind.

“I love you, Jax.”

Heart pounding at the declaration, Jax drew the shape of heart over Karter’s own heart, hoping his statement was loud and clear. Karter clasped his hand tight. “Thank you for loving me back.”

Loving Karter Jenks was turning out to be surprisingly easy. They’d both continue to make mistakes, because that’s what two people learning each other’s ins and outs, likes and dislikes, did. It was human nature. But so was forgiveness and understanding, and they both possessed those things in excess. They’d mated before really knowing each other, which was a fairly frequent occurrence. He’d done the same thing with Eroch.

The difference between Jax’s two mates, though, was Karter respected him enough to want to change his ingrained alphahole tendencies. Karter wholly accepted Jax’s omega infant. He’d stuck up to his sire in Jax’s defense, and he did his best to treat Jax like an equal—all things Jax could never thank him enough for.

And now they’d discovered something else that made their relationship unique to them—the omega had taken the alpha, and they’d both loved it.

We are definitely doing this again.

Karter proved himself to be incredibly in-tune with Jax’s thoughts. “Let’s get cleaned up. I need to run out and replace the slick, because we are definitely doing this again in the very near future.” He clenched around Jax’ softening cock. “Oh yes, we are.”

Jax grinned, then nipped his shoulder again.

I really do have the perfect mate.

* * *

They got the house by the end of the week, as promised, and they spent the entire weekend nesting. Furniture was delivered and rearranged multiple times to their liking. Jax tested lots of paint samples on various walls in different rooms, until he decided what he liked best. Karson’s nursery would be a pale yellow, and their master a strong blue. Downstairs, Jax picked a simple cream for the living room, so it didn’t clash with the berry-red sofa and matching curtains.

Their first night, they made love in the living room, while Karson slept upstairs.

Jax still had to keep a low profile, because of his ongoing case, so he couldn’t get a job. Instead, he filled his days by spending them with Kell and Braun, the three of them doting over their two children and sharing diaper duty. They spent most of their time at the cottage, even when Braun had to work a shift at the TV repair shop. Karter usually dropped Jax and Karson off in the morning, and then picked them up after work, so they could go home and cook dinner together.

It pleased Jax all over the place that Karter didn’t expect him to twaddle his thumbs in their home all day long and have supper on the table when Karter came home. He gave Jax agency to create a life for himself and spend time with his friends.

Two more weeks passed, with no break in Jax’s case. Karter’s apartment break-in was declared cold. Sooner or later, though, the constabulary would find the fight ring, Jax had faith in that. And then their happy bubble would burst open, contaminated by the harsh memories Jax worked daily to forget.

But when the bubble broke, they’d get through it. Jax wouldn’t let his old life destroy the one he was building with his mate. He’d do everything in his power to keep and protect Karter.

Always.