Chapter Twenty-One
Jethro
The questioning was grueling but nothing I hadn’t expected. I didn’t bother with lies, and was clear about the actions and motivations behind my bonding with Miles.
They left me alone with my thoughts and I hoped Miles was getting on okay. Questioning like this could be intimidating, to say the least.
The AO Officer returned and took a seat opposite me.
“Miles has confirmed everything you’ve told us. The Southern Ambassador has made the usual stipulations.”
“Which are?”
“That disciplinary procedures be initiated against you as per our military protocol. And a six-month stay in them initiating deportation proceedings on condition that your bond is fruitful.”
“Fruitful?”
“Get him pregnant and they won’t try to take him back.”
Well, that didn’t sound like the worst punishment in the world.
“We won’t be making it easy for you. The usual outcome of the disciplinary procedures is deployment overseas. The South knows that, which is why it’s part of their stipulation.”
“And if I resign my commission?”
“You’ll be court-marshaled and the likely outcome is imprisonment for a minimum of-”
“Six months,” I finished. “I’m beginning to see a pattern.”
The officer smiled. “It’s not an impossible situation but we can’t be seen to condone your actions as much as we might comprehend them.”
“I understand. What now?”
“Now you and your Omega go home and enjoy the first weeks of your new bond. The AO Office will be in touch. We’ve been waiting years for an Alpha Prime in Rathlin. You’re all anyone has spoken about for days. A clan at last. We’re going to be very busy in Rathlin State these next few years.”
“It’s about time.”
They let me out and escorted me to the main entrance. Before we’d passed through the last set of doors, I could hear Miles. Not his voice, though I’d know that anywhere, but his heartbeat. It sounded steady until, without warning, it sped up.
The change alarmed me and I surged forward through the last set of double doors between us, hearing raised voices.
Miles was standing with another Omega, facing an imposing man in uniform who towered over them both. It wasn’t just his appearance that intimidated them, but his voice that rained like thunder down upon them.
“There is no question of you remaining here. You will come with me, you will return to the Intake Center, and you will submit to your Alpha team.”
Pushing past my escort, I ran toward Miles knowing only that he was frightened and I needed protect him.
He was ashen-faced, his eyes staring unseeingly ahead.
“Yes, Father,” I heard him whisper.
“Miles!”
My voice caught his attention and he turned, reaching for me. I tugged him behind me, using my body to shield him from the threat I now recognized as General Benson.
“So, you’re the Alpha mongrel who stole my son,” the man said, glancing at me dismissively.
“I’m Miles’ Alpha. I’m guessing you’re the man who handed him over to be used and abused by your Alpha soldiers.”
“Enough of this nonsense,” the General growled. “Miles, we’re going. There’s a car waiting.”
I felt Miles push closer to me, his whole body shaking.
“Father,” he whispered. “I can’t.”
“Now, Miles. I won’t ask again.”
“You can ask as many times as you want, the answer will be the same. He’s staying here, with me.”
General Benson snarled at me and tried to snatch Miles out from behind me. I edged us both backward, the hairs standing up on the back of my neck.
“This doesn’t concern you,” the General said. “He’s my son.”
“Who legally became an adult at the age of eighteen. And legally became my Omega yesterday. You have no right to take him.”
“I have every right. Miles, this is your duty.”
General Benson wasn’t hearing me and I realized that as much as I would and could protect Miles from him, the only person who could truly banish the demon that was his father, was him.
“Miles,” I murmured gently. “He needs to hear this from you. Remember what I told you?” As I spoke, I ran my hand along his mark, feeling it come alive beneath my palm.
Miles, whose eyes were scrunched closed as tears leaked from them, took a deep, hitched breath and lifted his head. Stepping out from behind me, he tightened his grip on my arm.
“Father.” His voice shook but he persevered. “I’m not going back with you. Jethro is my Alpha. I belong here, with him. My duty is to him and to our clan.”
I saw a flash of movement and caught the General’s hand before it could make contact with Miles’ face. The enhanced reflexes that came with bonding hadn’t been exaggerated.
“That’s enough, General,” a voice said. I turned to see a man I vaguely recognized as the southern Ambassador.
I let go of the General’s hand, shoving him away from us as I pushed Miles protectively behind me again, nudging him back toward the other Omega who put an arm around Miles’ shoulders.
“Why don’t I show you to the door, General,” I said, stepping forward.
“You’re no son of mine,” the General said to Miles before turning on his heel and marching to the door.
I followed at a distance, aware there were officers all around us ready to intervene. They wouldn’t need to. Once the General was gone, the threat would go with him. The ambassador followed him out the door and there was a collective sigh of relief in the lobby.
When I turned back to Miles, he was sitting next to the other Omega who, now that I got a proper look, seemed familiar. As soon as Miles saw me making my way back to them, he sprang to his feet. I strode toward him and took him in my arms.
“I missed you,” he said, clinging tightly to me. I kissed him and he melted into my embrace.
“Did they hurt you? Did he?” I was certain they hadn’t but I still had to hear it.
“No, they were kind. And with Father… he mostly shouted.”
“You were brave Miles, so brave.” I caressed his cheek, staring into his deep blue eyes.
“So were you. Not many people would stand up to my father like that. Is that it? Can we go?”
“Yeah, we can go. Just as soon as we organize some transport.”
“I’ve got that covered,” the other Omega said.
Miles turned in my arms. “Oh, thanks, Jonathan. Um, Jethro, this is Jonathan, my Omega Advocate.”
I didn’t try to shake hands. It wasn’t the done thing with bonded Omegas.
“I think we’ve met before. Grant is your Alpha, right?”
Jonathan grinned. “That’s right. We moved closer to Ashton after we bonded because of the clan there. But officially I’m the Omega Advocate for the border areas, including Rathlin City and the surrounding state.”
“He was really great, there was an Alpha from the South, Commander Tate. He… he was… but Jonathan was there and he spoke up for me when I couldn’t.”
I sighed and tugged Miles closer. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I’m sorry you had to face your father alone like that.”
“You said it yourself, we needed to do this, to get to the other side. And now we’re free.”
Miles was taking the confrontation with his father a lot better than I would have.
Jonathan pulled the keys from his pocket and rattled them.
“Come on, let’s get your guys out of here. You’ve been through more than enough for one week. Newly bonded, all I wanted to do was stay in bed.”
He grinned at us and I had to grin myself when Miles blushed. But I could see from the look on Miles’ face that he agreed with Jonathan’s view.
Miles was taken aback when I told him I lived on the military base. I could see the fear on his face and cupped a hand under his chin.
“There’s nothing to be scared of. You’ll be living with me, in my apartment. And only temporarily.”
I could feel Jonathan’s concerned gaze on us through the rearview mirror.
“I’m sorry, I’m being stupid,” Miles said.
“No, you’re not. But I need you to trust me. To trust that I’ll keep you safe.”
“I do trust you,” Miles insisted.
I stroked my hand across his cheek. “Good, I’m glad.”
Jonathan loaned me his phone so I could make a call. Blaise answered on the second ring.
“Oh, thank God,” he exclaimed on hearing my voice. “I’ve been going out of my mind. Are you okay? Is Miles?”
“We’re both fine. More than fine, we’re bonded.”
“Yes!” Blaise shouted. I could hear the triumph in his voice and could imagine him punching the air.
“I’m glad you’re happy. Because we are too.”
Miles smiled at that, pressing closer to me.
“Good. Well, give it to me straight. How much trouble are you in?”
“They’re going to discipline me, it’ll probably mean an extra posting overseas. But that’s the worst of it.”
I didn’t tell him that they’d put a time line on our starting a family. We could discuss that later, in private, after Miles and I talked it out.
“Where are you now?”
“We’re on our way back to the base.”
“Good. We’ll see you when you get here.”
I ended the call. “That’s one down and a few dozen to go.”
“Will they all be as happy as Blaise?”
I thought of Heath, for whom an active Alpha mark would be more than a little inconvenient. But he was in a vast minority.
“Maybe not as happy. It’s hard to beat Blaise when it comes to pure enthusiasm.”
“I don’t know,” Miles said, raising his eyebrows. “I think we could give him a run for his money.”
“Is that so?” I stole a kiss while Miles was thinking up his reply.
“How long until we arrive?”
“A little less than an hour,” Jonathan said. “You should try to rest if you can.”
Miles edged closer to me, resting his head on my shoulder. I held his hand as he drifted off to sleep beside me.
I was hoping for a quiet arrival at the base but there was a small crowd gathered to greet us. Mostly unbonded Alphas who worked on the base, friends and colleagues of mine. People who’d be directly affected by our bonding.
Miles was sleeping soundly next to me, his head on my shoulder. I was reluctant to wake him, especially with the throng of people, of Alphas, waiting for us. But there was nothing for it.
“Miles, time to wake up.”
I stroked a finger across his jaw. His nose twitched, bringing a smile to my face.
“Come on, we have some people waiting.”
Miles shifted next to me, and yawned, his eyes blinking open.
“Huh?”
“We’re here.”
“Oh, good.” He sat up and glanced around, starting when he caught sight of the group of people waiting for us.
“Who are they?”
“Friends. Mostly Alphas who live here, on the base.”
“Oh.”
“We’ll just say a quick hello and then head on inside.”
“I have to be getting home,” Jonathan said, “so I’ll leave you here. You have my number if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Miles said. “For everything.”
“Don’t mention it. It’s my job, remember?” He twisted around in his seat until he was facing us.
“Thank you from me, as well. I’m very glad there was someone there to have Miles’ back. And maybe we’ll see you and Grant at the clan house when things are settled?”
Jonathan smiled and nodded at me. “We’d like that.”
I got out and reached in to help Miles out. Blaise was at my elbow a moment later.
“You two are a sight for sore eyes.”
Miles looked a little like a deer in headlights, so I kept him close as we walked toward my apartment building. The others didn’t crowd us, but they were keen to catch of glimpse of Miles and a handful stepped forward to shake my hand and say hello.
Miles greeted them quietly but left most of the talking to me. Only Blaise came inside with us.
“I’ve let Cam know things have worked out okay.”
“Thank you. I owe him a beer or three. Are Heath and Sophie okay? We didn’t bring trouble down on their heads, did we?”
“They’re fine. Anxious new parents and this situation was just a little more than they’d bargained for.”
We got to the door and I fished out my key.
“I’ll say goodnight to you here. You two look exhausted.”
“Running from the law isn’t as easy as people say,” Miles piped up and Blaise laughed.
“At least your sense of humor survived intact.”
I guided Miles in through the door, waving goodbye to Blaise. Home, at last.