“I told you I loved you and you said nothing,” Nic said through the door. He had the little curtain that covered one of the panes pulled to the side, but he refused to open the front door to the little cabin in the woods that separated Marlin from his mate.

“I know.” Marlin tried the knob for what felt like the hundredth time. Still locked like the ninety-nine times he tried it previously. He blew out a frustrated breath. “Can you please let me in? I need to discuss something of importance with you.”

“Like how much you love me?”

Marlin tried his best not to roll his eyes. That certainly would not get him inside the cabin.

“We love our fated mates.” Oh, yes, that was a wonderful place to start, Marlin, direct and to the point. He groaned under his breath.

“And I’m not that.”

“Are you not?”

Marlin couldn’t miss Nic’s brown eyes widening. He smiled when the curtain was quickly dropped and the door was unlocked seconds before Nic flung it open. “I must have misunderstood you through that damn door. You want to repeat that?”

“I’m feeling a bit peckish and it would be wonderful if you’d let your alpha inside and see to his needs.”

“Needs, huh? What kind of needs?” Without waiting for an answer, Nic stepped back, unblocking the doorway. His gaze landed on the driveway. “Is Kenn going to sit out there?”

“He’s going to wait for me.”

“You’re not staying?”

“I’m not,” Marlin confirmed.

Nic pursed his lips as he considered Marlin. “You have so-called needs you want me to take care of, but you aren’t staying. So, which is it?”

“Both.”

Nic tilted his dark head. “A quickie, then?”

“No.”

Nic threw up his hands and moved into the living room. “So, no time to go upstairs?”

Marlin followed him, trying not to smile at Nic’s frustration. “You’re going upstairs.”

Nic narrowed his eyes on Marlin. “For what?’

“To pack. Kenn will assist you.”

“Pack? For what?” Nic’s jaw dropped and the color drained from his face. “I’m not leaving my home, Marlin. I’m not. I love this cabin. I’ve been here forever. I grew up here. I’m not just walking away.”

“You can, and you will.”

Nic slammed his hands on his hips, his brown eyes narrowing dangerously. “I can’t, and I won’t.”

“We need to get something straight, my omega.” Marlin finally let the smile break out on his face and he softened his voice. “When I call you my omega, I mean it, Nic. You are. This isn’t playacting. I don’t think it ever was.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Kai never suspected that you were who you were. I had that suspicion. I felt that draw. I’ve alpha-claimed you again and again—”

“And you’ve also knotted me a million times, yes. Get to the point.”

“I realized something today and I’ve already shared it with my brothers. I should have shared it with you first, but it hit me smack-dab in the face while I was speaking with them. My mind has been foggy, to say the least, since yesterday with all that happened. However, just an hour ago, everything cleared. I play those fateful moments in the Great Sea over and over in my mind.”

“Yeah, you almost died. I don’t want to think about it.”

“Yes, I did, but I didn’t.”

Nic sighed. “Right. You’re standing here so, of course, you didn’t.”

“I’m not sure if a Selkie has ever survived falling into the sea without their skin.”

“You did,” Nic claimed.

“Yes, because of you.”

He shrugged. “I got your skin and gave it to you.”

“No.”

“Yes, Marlin.”

“Okay, that part is true, but that was no guarantee I’d live. I thought I was already gone.”

Nic sucked in an audible breath, then whispered, “So did I.”

“But I wasn’t.”

Nic shook his head, clearly confused. “I know.”

“Because of you.”

Nic blew out an even louder breath.

“Do you want to know why?”

Nic shot him a frown. “What the hell do you think I’ve been waiting for?”

Marlin’s lips twitched as he went toe to toe with Nic, cupping his face, tilting it up. He dropped a light kiss on his lips and then murmured against them, “You’ve been waiting for me. And I you.”

Nic stilled, slowly blinking, but didn’t pull away. “What are you saying?” he whispered.

“I think we bonded at that moment underwater when I woke up.”

Nic’s heart thumped heavily in his chest. He stared into his alpha’s sapphire eyes the same way he’d done the day before. Now that he thought about it, Marlin was right. Something had gone through him at that exact moment. That strange energy he felt. He thought it was just the exhilaration of Marlin being alive. But was it something more?

“It means, my omega, since I’m your alpha you have to listen to me.”

His brows shot up and he shook his head. “Oh no, that’s not what it means. Don’t pull that crap on me.”

Marlin sighed. “Actually, it does, Nic. But maybe I’m wrong, maybe we aren’t fated mates. Maybe I just hoped what I imagined was true.”

Not only was Nic’s heart thumping furiously, but now his head was spinning at what Marlin just indicated. “Fated mates?”

“Yes.”

“Impossible. I’m a hybrid.”

“You’re also an omega. Just because hybrids aren’t presented to full-blooded Selkies doesn’t mean they can’t be fated mates.”

Could it be possible? “You know that for sure?’

“No. Because if it’s ever happened in the past, we’ve never heard of it. I’d assume because it had to remain a secret.”

“We’ll have to remain a secret,” Nic repeated, flatly. That didn’t sound promising.

“Not us as mates. But maybe the fact that you’re a hybrid.”

How could they possibly hide it when... “Marlin, there’s no record of my whelp at any of the colonies.”

“I know that. That doesn’t mean we can’t fudge the records in the meantime. I mean, now that Father’s gone... Kai will be king...”

“Kai would do that for me?”

“For his nephew.”

“Of course.” He pinned his lips together in disappointment. Kai wouldn’t care about him, but he’d care about Marlin’s son.

“For us, too, Nic.”

“Right,” he muttered.

“Caol also brought up a good point about petitioning the Royal Council to start accepting hybrids who shift.”

“But not hybrids who don’t.”

“We need to start somewhere.”

“Until then we will lie,” Nic said flatly, not liking the sound of any of this. He didn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize his unborn son.

Marlin nodded. “It’s for the best.”

The prince was studying Nic’s face so he kept his expression blank when he said, “And you want me to move into the colony.”

“Again, for the best.”

The best for who? Certainly not Nic. He glanced around the cabin. “I love this place, Marlin. It’s mine. No one can take it from me no matter who or what I am. And I love fishing. I’m not rich, but I’m not suffering, either. I work hard, and I enjoy it.”

Marlin didn’t say anything for the longest time. But Nic could see his alpha’s wheels turning. Was he willing to compromise?

“We could keep this place and use it as a getaway. Keep your boat for recreational fishing. You won’t need the money you earn from selling your lobsters and your fresh catch of the day.”

Still, he’d lose his freedom. “My Jeep.”

“We’ll keep that, so you can teach me to drive.”

“You’ve thought this through.”

“Not really. I actually thought I’d have to force you.”

While Marlin’s proposal made him feel a little better, he wasn’t sure he wanted to give up so much of his independence. “I want to be with you, Marlin. I do, but...”

“Answer me this, my omega,” Marlin murmured against Nic’s lips. “After I left earlier today, how did you feel?”

Nic thought back on how he’d felt all day after escaping the limo and Marlin. “Restless and anxious. I just figured it was due to finding out I was definitely pregnant.”

“It wasn’t. Our connection was sealed yesterday. And while I was home, I could hardly bear to be apart from you. How did you feel when I returned a few minutes ago?”

“Calm. Relieved. Happy to see you.”

Marlin’s lips twitched against his. “But not happy enough to let me inside right away.”

Nic shrugged and grinned. “I’m not easy.”

“No, you’re not. I’m sure you’ll keep me on my toes. You’re no submissive omega.”

“Would you rather have that?”

“Not at all.”

Nic pulled back a little, his erection twitching in his jeans. “So, you’ll let me top you?”

Marlin’s growl just made his cock harden even more and he felt a trickle of slick escape.

Nic’s voice was breathless when he asked, “Just once?”

“No, Omega.”

“Can we negotiate? I’ll move in with you without a fight if you let me.”

“How about this? You’ll move in with me because you love me and are pregnant with my pup.”

Nic hated to admit it, but... “That might be a good reason.”

“But is it good enough?”

Nic shrugged. “Can I think about it?”

“No.”

“So, I don’t have a choice.”

“No.” Marlin kissed his lips again and then moved his mouth to Nic’s ear. “Maybe this will make it easier... I love you, Nic. I want no other.”

A shiver skittered down Nic’s spine. “Can Kenn wait while we go upstairs and fut real quick-like?”

“No. We’ll get you packed up and moved in. Then, after that’s done, we’ll be able to take our time.”

“That sounds like a plan, too.”

“However, the longer we stand here, the longer it’ll be before that happens.”

“You can’t wait,” Nic said, sliding his hand between them and finding Marlin’s erection.

“Bet you can’t, either,” Marlin whispered, brushing fingers over Nic’s throbbing cock, too.

“You caught me.”

“I certainly did.”

To say he was uncomfortable with this whole moving into the castle thing was an understatement. To celebrate, Marlin’s brothers were coming to his wing with their omegas to break the fast.

Joy.

Nic couldn’t wait to sit across from the future king and his former lover’s mate. He had nothing against Luca, but still...

Nic needed to let that bitterness finally go. Especially now that he found his own mate and was carrying his alpha’s son. Which was why he was standing at that very moment in the kitchen with his prince’s beta. The two of them also needed to bury the hatchet if they were going to live harmoniously.

After moving into the castle late last night, Kenn had made himself scarce and both Marlin and Nic couldn’t wait for their “alone time,” especially after admitting they loved each other earlier that evening.

This morning, they woke up more exhausted than before they went to bed. Which most likely had to do with not getting much sleep while being in that bed. That large bed fit for a prince.

“The only reason you’re now accepting me is because I’m pregnant,” Nic said quietly so no one at the table in the other room could hear him.

“That’s not true,” Kenn answered as he buzzed around the kitchen preparing their meal.

“Really,” Nic muttered.

Kenn paused what he was doing and turned to face Nic. “I’ll admit I wasn’t so accepting—”

“No shit.”

“The prince is my only family, so you have to understand I’m protective of him.”

“No shit,” Nic muttered again. “But now that I’ll be providing you with a pup to take care of...”

Kenn’s brown eyes lit up and Nic swore the beta bounced on his toes. “Yes, it’s an exciting time!” He suddenly sobered and dipped his head. “I’m sorry for how I acted previously, Nic. I beg for your forgiveness. It’ll never happen again, I can assure you that.”

No, it wouldn’t. “I’ll accept your forgiveness only if you accept mine. I’m sorry I acted like an asshole, too.”

Kenn’s face became serious. “You saved my prince,” he whispered.

“So he says.”

“Pup or not, that alone makes me very thankful that you are now permanently in his life. Truth is, I thought you were trying to take advantage of him.”

You thought I wasn’t good enough, either, but I bet you won’t admit that. “And you didn’t think he was trying to take advantage of me? He thought I was human. He only came to my house to f—... err... fut with me.”

“Now we know it wasn’t only that,” Kenn quickly said, color rising into his pale cheeks.

A clearing of a throat pulled their attention to the entryway between the kitchen and dining room.

Nic’s heart skipped a beat when he saw who it was.

“Kenn, can I have a moment with Nic, please?” Kai’s deep voice was more authoritative than ever now that he was going to be king. Either that, or Nic forgot just how deep and rich the reigning prince’s voice really was.

Kenn nodded, grabbed a pot of coffee, snagged a few breakfast items from the counter and rushed out of the room.

Then began the uncomfortable silence.

Nic crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back against the counter and, staring at Kai, waited. If he was going to feel uncomfortable then so was the alpha.

“Does Marlin know you’re in here alone with me?” Nic asked, tilting his head as he eyeballed his former lover.

“Yes.”

Nic lifted a brow. “Does Luca?”

“It was his suggestion.”

“So, if it wasn’t for Luca you wouldn’t be in here making nice?’”

Kai’s lips flattened out. “I want things to go smoothly for you and Marlin. I don’t want tension between us, or between you and Luca.”

“There wouldn’t have been a problem at all if you hadn’t done what you did,” Nic suggested.

Kai’s nostrils flared, and he moved deeper into the kitchen. He didn’t stop until he was directly in front of Nic. “I apologize if you thought our affair was anything but what it was. I didn’t mean to mislead you.”

“I loved you, Kai.” Nic let his gaze roam from the top of Kai’s dark hair all the way down his long, lean legs. Funny, Nic expected his heart to race being so close to him and to have some sort of sexual reaction like he’d had in the past. He felt nothing. No desire. No regret. Nothing. Kai was simply another male.

“I know.”

Nic shrugged. “You didn’t feel the same for me.”

Kai said nothing.

“You love Luca.”

“Yes.”

“He’s given you two strong alpha-born sons.”

“Yes, he has.”

“I’m happy for you.” And that wasn’t a lie. He truly was. Nic actually was happy for him.

Huh.

Kai’s brows rose. “Are you? I won’t blame you if you aren’t, Nic. I understand now that I handled things badly between us. I’m sorry for that.”

“Because Luca told you that you did? Or because you finally realized it on your own?”

“The truth? Both. Luca has helped me see a lot of things I couldn’t see so clearly before. Luca bringing my pups into the world has helped me focus on what’s important.”

“Like becoming king.”

Kai nodded. “Yes. I never wanted it.”

“I know. That’s one of the few things you would talk about.” Not that Kai hung around to chit-chat after his “visits.”

“Right,” Kai murmured. “But now I realize how important it is that I be crowned.”

“Adrian would have easily accepted the throne.”

“While that’s true, my sons would actually be next in line after me. But they are both too young. I’m not sure Rian should ever have that power.”

“He’s not so pompous now.”

Kai smiled gently. “No, Del has softened him up, for sure. And so have his sons.”

Nic smiled back. A genuine, unforced smile. Was pregnancy softening him up, as well? “You’ll make a great king.”

Kai’s smile went flat. “I hope so.”

“You will. You’re a great male, Kai. That’s why I fell in love with you, despite you keeping yourself closed off from me.”

His Caribbean blue eyes pinned Nic in place. “And now you love Marlin.”

“Yes, does that make me fickle?”

Surprisingly, Kai shook his head. “Not if he’s your true fated mate. Do you think he is?”

“Does Marlin?”

“Yes, he does.”

Nic shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not sure. There’s definitely a connection between us. And I’m giving up a lot to be with my alpha. So, I hope it’s true. If I’m not his fated mate, that means that someone else out there is. And, I’ll confess, that scares me, Kai.”

“You think you’d lose him if he ever comes across his fated mate?”

Nic’s chest hollowed out and his stomach churned at that thought. “Yes,” he whispered. “I fear that. I love him, Kai. I don’t know if I could live without him.”

“You said you loved me, but you survived.”

Nic shook his head. “I love him more. It’s deeper. Purer. I can’t explain it. I loved you but not like this. I feel like I would wither up and die if he left me.”

“Should I be insulted?”

Nic chuckled. “No. There’s something more than just love and affection at play here.”

“Then maybe he’s right, Nic. Have you thought of that? Maybe you are fated mates and you two truly bonded when you saved him from drowning.”

“I thought of that and I do hope it’s true. You knew the minute you saw Luca he was your fated mate, Kai. Maybe it’s because my Selkie blood is diluted that it’s not as strong between us.”

“Last night he was jumping out of his skin to get back to you. That right there is a sign.”

Nic considered what Kai said. “You can’t bear to be apart from Luca?”

“No, not for any length of time. When I travel, he accompanies me. But now I won’t have to do that. I can send Caol until he finds his own mate.”

“Is it the same for Rian and Zale?”

“It is.”

“What about omegas who bond with an alpha who’s not their fated mate?”

“I don’t think so. Yes, they can love each other and, of course, there’s attraction between them, but that deep down need to be near your mate, to protect him... I don’t think it’s as intense like that. It’s more like a human marriage. Fated mates are so much stronger than that. We’re unbreakable.”

Unbreakable.

A noise to Nic’s left had him turning his head. Luca stood in the doorway, uncertainty on his face. “I’m sorry to interrupt, my prince.” Kai’s omega gave Nic a small smile.

“You’re not, my love. Come in.”

Luca moved to them.

“You don’t trust me with your alpha?” Nic asked in a half-teasing manner.

“No, that’s not it at all. I only wanted to welcome you to the family, Nic. I’m happy for you and Marlin.”

Nic could hold nothing against Luca. It wasn’t his fault that he was destined to be Kai’s fated mate. He couldn’t be a more pleasant male. And the look in Kai’s eyes when he regarded his omega... Did Marlin look at him that way? It had only been a couple of days since Marlin insisted they “bonded.” So maybe not. He would have to pay better attention in the future.

Luca lowered his voice to a whisper. “While I did come in here to welcome you home, I also came in to say that Marlin’s almost out of his mind with you being alone in here with an alpha.” He smirked. “Even though that alpha is bonded and his brother. Not to mention, his future king!” The omega chuckled softly. “So, I told him I’d retrieve my alpha.”

Kai’s deep voice washed over Nic. “That’s another sign, Nic. Marlin will never want you to be touched or even alone with another alpha. He’s probably fighting the urge to run in here, drag you back upstairs and mark you once again as his.”

Almost like a dog pissing on a fire hydrant, Nic thought, marking his territory. He glanced toward the doorway. “You think so?”

Kai glanced down at Luca who was now stuck to his alpha’s side in an embrace and said, “I know so.”

Nic looked from Kai to Luca, who gave him a nod and a knowing smile. “Hmm. Maybe you should go back out, Luca, and tell Marlin that Kai and I need more time alone.”

Luca laughed. “You’re bad. I’m sure all you have to do is ask him to go upstairs and he’ll run up those steps two at a time.” He looked up at Kai. “Right, my alpha?”

Kai smiled warmly down at his mate. “Yes, you just crook your finger and I do whatever you want.”

Nic glanced back at the kitchen’s doorway again. “Really,” he murmured.

“The alphas think they’re the boss, but we omegas know who’s truly in charge.”

“Okay, now. Let’s not get carried away,” Kai said. He steered Luca through the kitchen with an arm around his omega’s shoulder. “Kenn needs to get back in here and finish breakfast or we’ll all waste away. Nic needs to eat for two now.”

Nic was definitely not thinking about food. No. He was thinking about Marlin dragging him upstairs all alpha-like and marking Nic as his.

Yes, that sounded like a plan.