Six weeks after that first lovely brunch, Liam was impatiently pacing as much as he could—given the size of his belly—across the floor of the delivery waiting area while Laine gave birth. Brogan and Braun were there with him, as well as Laine’s fostering beta couple. One of the betas was waiting with them, while the other was in the delivery room with Laine. Everyone else seemed excited and eager to meet the new addition, but Liam couldn’t stop worrying.

And not just because Brogan had had a bad delivery. Jaysan had given birth two weeks ago without a single issue, and while Jaysan had given up his baby to the adoption center, he’d recovered quickly. He also wasn’t here, waiting for news on Laine, which kind of annoyed Liam.

Since achieving their freedom, their group of omegas had begun meeting regularly, usually once a week, simply to check in and vent anything they needed to vent. And it wasn’t just the five of them who’d been rescued from the fight ring. Jax, Braun and Kell also attended, because they shared common experiences: rape and abuse. And while they weren’t an official support group, Liam liked to think they helped each other cope a little bit better with their respective past experiences.

But as most of them grew closer, Jaysan and Reid seemed to stay distanced, sheltered from the camaraderie the rest of them shared. It also frustrated Liam sometimes, because they’d all been there when Jaysan gave birth, but Jaysan and Reid couldn’t be arsed to show today for Laine?

Liam paused in his pacing as a slight pain winged through his abdomen. He still had a month left before he was due, but goddess, some days he wanted this baby out. He felt as if he’d doubled in size recently, and he wasn’t sure if that was simply the baby growing, or because Liam was overeating all the wonderful things he made in Isa’s kitchen.

“Liam?” Brogan asked.

“I’m fine,” Liam replied. “Growing pains. This one’s been pretty active lately.”

“I remember when I got close with Peyton. He kicked nonstop for what felt like weeks, and then nothing. After one fight, I swore I’d lost him, but the next day he was kicking like a rock star again.”

He glanced at Brogan, who didn’t seem overly emotional about sharing that memory. The more they talked openly about their captivity, the less power it held over their lives and emotions. Braun, who was fourteen weeks along, sat with his hands clasped protectively over his barely rounded belly.

“I’ll just be glad when it’s me in delivery,” Liam said with more cheer than he felt. He was flat-out terrified of giving birth, but he was also sick to death of being pregnant. He also wished Isa was there to comfort him, but he was working on a new case that had dragged him into the constabulary on what should have been a day off.

In the seven weeks they’d been living together, Liam and Isa had created an interesting dynamic between them that was both couple-y and not. Liam continued to cook every night, because he enjoyed it. Demir was there almost every evening, and Tarius stopped over several nights a week. Aven only visited once in a while, and that was okay. From listening to the way the three sons talked to each other, Liam suspected Aven was seeing someone.

In the evenings, Liam, Isa and Demir had established a ritual of watching the evening newscasts after dinner, and then often watching a movie or current TV show together, until bedtime. It was so domestic that Liam wanted to cry for how good it felt, but it also left him flailing. He simply couldn’t decide if Isa saw Liam as a partner or another kid.

And that was driving him nuts.

“They’ve been in there a long time,” the fostering beta said.

“First births can take a while,” Braun replied. “My brother was in labor for hours.”

That seemed to mollify the beta for now, but Liam couldn’t stop worrying—and then several things happened at once. The door to the delivery room flew open, and Laine was wheeled out on a bloody gurney, Dr. Troi shouting orders at various nurses. Braun shot to his feet, and Liam lurched toward them.

“What’s wrong?” Liam shouted as best as he could.

“He’s hemorrhaging,” Dr. Troi replied. “We’re taking him directly to surgery.”

“Fuck.”

Braun grabbed Liam’s hand and held him back. “Dr. Troi’s the best, he’ll be okay.”

“You can’t know that.” Liam yanked his hand away, but Laine was lost to the swinging doors of the floor’s surgical ward. “Shit.”

The other beta came out of the room with a wrapped bundle in his arms, his face twisted in pain. “The baby’s okay,” he said to his husband. The beta couple surrounded the baby, cooing over him.

Liam glared at them, grateful Laine’s son was healthy, but goddess, didn’t they care Laine was in trouble?

“He’s strong,” Brogan said, joining him and Braun. “I had complications, too, and I survived. Laine will be okay.”

Liam hoped so, but so far, of the omegas he knew who’d given birth after participating in the fight ring, only Jax and Jaysan had normal, uncomplicated births. Reid lost his son and got sepsis, Brogan had a placental abruption, and now Laine was in surgery.

Goddess, will I die giving birth to a child I never asked for? Will Laine?

Tarek arrived ten minutes later, and Liam envied Braun the safety of his alpha’s embrace. He had no expectations of Isa showing up to comfort him and that kind of sucked. But Brogan was also mate-less, so they comforted each other while they waited for news.

Time slowed to a crawl, and an eternity later, Dr. Troi approached them in blood-stained scrubs, his expression grave. Liam’s heart dropped to his feet.

“I’m so sorry,” Dr. Troi told their small group. “We did our best, but Laine passed away.”

“No.” Liam didn’t want to believe it. He stormed toward the surgical doors as quickly as he could manage, desperate for Dr. Troi to be lying. His friend wasn’t dead, he couldn’t be. Maybe Laine had made the choice to give his baby up for adoption, but he was only nineteen. Too young to be dead.

A nurse was in the first room, which had a person on a gurney, a white sheet drawn up to his chest. Liam cried out at the sight of Laine’s still, pale face, almost as white as the sheet. He didn’t think he had any tears left inside his body, but more rose as he drew closer. He kissed Laine’s cool forehead and touched his cheek.

“Goddess, no,” Liam sobbed. “No.”

Someone hugged him from behind, and he caught Braun’s familiar scent. Then Brogan’s. Liam turned to hold his friends, and they mourned Laine together. Mourned all the possibilities and opportunities lost. Mourned the newborn who would never know his omegin’s touch or hear his voice.

Liam was only vaguely aware of leaving the hospital later with Tarek and Braun, and of being delivered home to Isa’s empty house. They asked if he needed anything, but Liam somehow reassured them he was fine, because they left. Liam wandered into the living room and sank into the sofa, exhausted and wrung out, his eyes still occasionally leaking tears.

Goddess, he’d cried so much these past few months. It was impossible to believe that only yesterday, Laine had been excited to feel the first, vaguest signs of labor. When he’d called Liam early this morning to say they were on their way to the hospital, he’d sounded happy to be finally delivering his baby. He’d been ready to make some other beta couple happy parents to his son.

Now he was gone, and Liam didn’t know how to wrap his mind around that. Just as he hadn’t been able to process it when a constable told him his parents and siblings were all dead. It hadn’t made any sense. How could they be dead, when he’d been laughing with them in the car only a few minutes ago?

The front door opened and shut. “Liam?”

Isa’s voice barely made it through his haze of grief, and then Isa was all around him. Holding him, folding him against his chest and surrounding him with his scent. Liam let it all out then, in great, wrenching sobs. Not only grief for Laine, but for his own family, who’d been torn from his life so violently. For so many young lives cut short, their potential in this world lost forever. And he grieved his own uncertain future—not only giving birth, but in ever finding a mate of his own, knowing the alpha he wanted didn’t want him back.

He cried himself sick, and Isa held him the whole time. As he finally calmed and got his wits together, Liam realized he was sitting on Isa’s lap with a throw blanket wrapped around them both. A perfect cocoon of warmth and protection that Liam melted into. He looked up and shock rolled down his spine at the sight of tears on Isa’s own cheeks.

“I’m so sorry, little one,” Isa whispered. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“He was so young.” Liam hiccupped. “It’s not fair.”

“No, it isn’t.” He wiped a streak of tears from Liam’s cheek with his thumb. “I hate that you’re in so much pain.”

“What if I die, too? I never fought, but they still had me.”

“Shush, don’t think like that. You’ll be fine. You have to be fine.” The ferocity of those words gave Liam a tiny bubble of hope. “We need you.”

We. Not I. We.

“What if I’m not fine? Laine didn’t ask to be pregnant any more than he asked to be kidnapped, and he certainly didn’t want to die. None of us asked for any of this!” And goddess-dammit, he wanted his old ability to shout. To scream his anger and grief at the sky, but that had been taken from him, too.

“No, you didn’t ask for this,” Isa said, “but you are showing remarkable strength and courage, Liam. I’m in awe of you.”

“I’m not courageous. Fuck, the day you rescued me, I hoped those cramps were the start of a miscarriage.”

Instead of surprise or anger, Isa’s expression only gentled further. “How can I possibly judge you for that, when the entire situation had been forced on you?”

“But I still thought it. How can I keep this child knowing I hoped he would die?”

“Please, stop this, little one. You’re upset and grieving your friend. Don’t punish yourself for natural thoughts that happened during a time of extreme stress.”

“I just want none of this to have happened. I want to go home and be with my family again. I want my family back.” Another sob ripped from his throat, but his body had no tears left to shed.

Isa’s expression was so raw in that moment, Liam half-expected him to burst into tears of his own. Instead, Isa pressed a finger beneath Liam’s chin and tilted his face up. He lowered his own so slowly Liam could have easily avoided the kiss, but he didn’t want to. Liam parted his lips and allowed the warm, gentle pressure against his own. It was soft, brief, and almost non-existent, but it sent a jolt of awareness and arousal through Liam’s body.

Goddess, yes, he’s mine. I need him.

“Hush, now, I’ve got you,” Isa whispered, then tucked Liam’s head under his chin. Liam clung to him, confused by the kiss that seemed cursory to Isa, when it had meant the world and more to Liam.

But if this was all Isa could give him right now, he’d take it. It wasn’t as if any other alpha out there wanted him, even if Isa only wanted him as a friend.

Isa held Liam close, his body keenly aware of every single inch of skin he touched. Kissing Liam hadn’t been the smartest move in the world, but in that moment, he couldn’t think of a single other way to reassure his shaking, grieving omega. Every instinct in his body insisted he fix this somehow, dry Liam’s tears, make it all right again.

Now, he hoped he hadn’t made it worse.

But Liam relaxed by degrees, as they sat together on the couch, tension falling away and his breathing evening out, until Liam was asleep. Isa carefully lifted him into his arms—not an easy feat anymore, given his advanced pregnancy—but he still carried his omega down the hall to Liam’s bedroom.

It was silly to deny what he felt now. The mating bond grew stronger with each passing week, rising past the connection to Isa’s previous mate, and past the knowledge that another man had inseminated Liam. None of that mattered anymore, because Isa had accepted he’d been blessed with a second mate.

The problem was what to do about it.

He put Liam to bed and drew up the covers, then sat to watch his omega sleep, troubled even when not awake. The biggest challenge going forward would be keeping Liam positive about his own upcoming birth and taking every precaution so things went smoothly. That was the most important thing right now, period. Isa’s feelings took a distant third or fourth to other things. Liam was his only priority.

Liam, whom he wanted to kiss senseless and take to Isa’s own bed for safekeeping. But that was too much, far too soon. Maybe once Liam gave birth and made a decision about his unborn child, they could address this thing growing between them. Until then, it was hands off.

Convinced Liam would sleep for a while, Isa trudged into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator, uncertain what he wanted. Nothing, really, but he grabbed a can of beer, anyway, and popped the tab. Drank it without really tasting it.

The front door banged open and shut, and moments later Demir entered the kitchen with a big smile on his face. A smile that dropped the instant he spotted his father. “Shit, what’s wrong?”

“Liam’s friend Laine died giving birth today,” Isa replied. His throat was hoarse, and as he remembered crying for Liam’s pain, he realized he probably looked like a wreck himself.

“Seriously? Fuck, that sucks. Where’s Liam?”

“Asleep. He’s devastated.”

“I bet. Wow.” Demir looked near-tears himself, and he hadn’t even known Laine. Isa crossed the four steps between them and hugged his son.

Demir clung to him, and Isa soaked in the support and love he’d nearly lost.

“I love you so much,” Isa said. “You and your brothers.”

“We know. I love you, too, Dad.”

The rest of the evening was subdued, which was not unexpected. When Tarek had called him about Laine’s death and that Liam was home alone, Isa had dropped everything to get here and be with him. His subordinates also knew he wasn’t to be disturbed for the rest of the day, unless it was an emergency. He’d be back at work tomorrow, anyway.

He cooked a simple supper for himself and Demir, and when Liam didn’t join them, Isa roused him so he’d eat a little. Liam needed to keep his strength up while he grieved. Demir must have called his brothers, because Aven and Tarius came over to offer Liam their condolences. Jax and Karter also stopped by briefly, and he entertained Karter with a beer in the kitchen, while the two omegas spent some time alone in Liam’s room.

“He’s taking this hard, isn’t he?” Karter asked. He was holding a sleeping Karson in one arm and a beer with his free hand.

“Extremely.” Isa leaned against the counter, agitated because he couldn’t do anything except watch his omega suffer. “And he’s scared.”

“About giving birth? I don’t blame him, but Liam’s healthy, right?”

“Yes, he is, but grief and logic rarely go hand in hand. All he can imagine right now is the worst-case scenario. Not only because of Laine, but because of Brogan’s difficult birth.”

“Jax is worried, too.” Karter chewed on his bottom lip. “He goes into heat again next week, and we’ve discussed trying for another baby. We both want it, but now with Laine…”

“He’s concerned by the risks, and that’s not unexpected.” Isa was pleased to see the young constable so settled that he was considering growing his family. “Congratulations, by the way, if it isn’t too soon.”

“We both want more kids, and Jax says his first birth was fairly easy, considering the circumstances, so I’m sure we will. He just needs to process all this first.”

“Understandable. Tarius was a difficult birth for my late mate, so we resisted trying again for several years. Demir was certainly a welcome blessing.”

“Did you choose to stop after three with no alpha heir?”

Goddess, but this was probably the most personal conversation he’d ever had with Karter Jenks, but this wasn’t a senior constable and his subordinate. This was two alpha men discussing their families, and it felt completely natural. “No, but we weren’t blessed with anymore children before Herris’s heats stopped, and then he was gone.”

Omegas typically stopped going into heat in their mid-to-late thirties, whenever their body realized it could no longer safely bear children. Some still heated into their early forties, but they were often infertile heats, anyway.

“I know it was a while ago, but I’m sorry for your loss,” Karter said. “I wish I’d been able to know your mate.”

“He was a wonderful man. Fantastic parent to our boys. I wish I’d been around more to see it, to make more memories. I just never imagined I’d lose him so young.”

“I can’t imagine ever losing Jax, and I’ve only known him for what? Less than three months?”

Isa sighed. “All you can do is love him right now, and give him the very best life possible while you have him.”

They sipped their beers in silence after that, the distant noise from the television the only real sound in the house. When Jax returned, he was red-eyed, and he went straight for his infant. Cradled him close.

“Ready to go?” Karter asked.

Jax nodded, his hands too full for the proper signal. Isa kept meaning to get a basic signal language pamphlet so he could learn. Liam had been getting lessons from Jax and his other omega friends during their meetings.

Isa walked his guests to the door, then said his goodbyes. The movie they were all watching must have ended, because Aven and Tarius left, too, citing early classes the next day. Isa missed the days when they all lived at home together, but his sons were growing up, and eventually even Demir would have his own life separate from Isa.

He checked in on Liam, who was awake and reading a book. His eyes were puffy and his face red, but he seemed more at peace. Less like a flayed-open nerve. “How are you feeling?” Isa asked.

“Okay. I’m really glad Jax stopped by. It helped a lot. I keep wanting to call the others and see how they are, but our regular meeting is tomorrow, so we’ll see each other. I hope.”

“You hope?”

Liam shrugged. “I guess I’m annoyed Jaysan and Reid weren’t there with me and Brogan. I mean, we were all there when Jaysan gave birth, and they had plenty of time to show up before…”

“Would it help at all if I called the hospital to find out what happened to his baby?”

“I think it would. Can you?”

“Definitely.” Isa left and used the house line to make his inquiry, and after a few transfers, he returned to Liam’s room with good news. “He’s being kept in the hospital overnight, but a social worker is already filing a petition on behalf of Laine’s foster family to foster and eventually adopt Laine’s son.”

“Really?” Liam smiled for the first time all evening. “That’s awesome. I mean, it’s not awesome that Laine died, duh, but I’m so glad his baby is going to a good home right away.”

“So am I. Laine was a strong young man, and the world is worse without him. Grieve your friend, Liam, for as long as you need.”

“Thank you. I didn’t know him very long, but I loved Laine like a brother.”

“You all survived something together, and that bonds you.”

“Yeah.” Liam studied him with curious eyes, and Isa hoped he didn’t bring up the kiss. It had been impulsive and possibly a bad idea, but he also wanted to know if it had been as electrically-charged for Liam as it had been for Isa. He hadn’t felt that kind of connection since first bonding with Herris. “I really appreciate everything you do for me, Isa.”

“It’s no hardship.”

You’re easy to love, Liam, let me love you.

“Well,” Isa said after a brief silence, “I’ll let you rest. If you need anything, call.”

“I will.” Liam couldn’t shout, but Isa had bought a small bell for his bedside table, in case Liam had an emergency during the night and needed him. “Good night.”

“Good night, little one.”

Liam hunkered down with his book, and Isa left him to read. He wandered into the living room, where Demir was browsing the available evening shows, and plunked down on the couch next to him.

“Liam okay?” Demir asked.

“He’s coping. Jax’s visit helped.”

“Good. I really like Liam. Don’t you?”

“Of course, I do.”

“Yeah, but Dad. Do you like him?”

Isa blinked at Demir’s leading tone and studied him a moment. Demir’s expression was earnest, curious even, and he didn’t seem at all upset at his own question. “I care about Liam quite a lot, yes. He’s become important to me.”

“Goddess, you’re dense for an alpha.”

“Excuse me?”

“I see the way you guys look at each other when you think the other one isn’t watching. You toss these goo-goo looks back and forth, like it isn’t obvious you both like each other.”

He angled to face Demir. “Liam gives me goo-goo looks?”

“Duh. Do you feel that alpha bond thing for him?”

Isa hesitated to admit this, especially to his less-than-tactful youngest, but Demir had brought it up, and Isa didn’t want to lie to him. “Yes, I do, but it is completely inappropriate, which is why I haven’t said anything, and why I need your solemn promise you won’t say anything to Liam.”

Demir frowned. “Why’s it inappropriate? He has to feel it back, right? Isn’t that how your weird bonding thing works?”

“Even if he does, the timing is terrible. Liam is stressed out enough with his pregnancy and the choice to keep his child or adopt him out. I will not put another burden on his shoulders, but I will continue to be there for him and help him in whatever way he needs.”

“Bad timing doesn’t make it inappropriate.”

“I have two sons older than him, Demir.”

“So? You can’t help who the goddess bonds you with.”

Isa blinked hard and saw his son with brand-new eyes. Instead of a rebellious teenager, he saw an intelligent young man with a keen understanding far beyond his fourteen years. A young man who’d suffered a profound loss, but who still saw a bright future full of possibilities. “Would it bother you if I took another mate?”

“No. Not really. I mean, no one can ever replace Omegin, and I know that. But you’re not that old yet, and you shouldn’t have to be alone. Especially with Tarius and Aven out of the house, and I’m only here for a few more years. You should have a life, too.”

His heart sped up a fraction, fueled by hope. “How would you feel if Liam agreed to be my mate and chose to keep his baby?”

“I think it would be hilarious to see you peed on while changing a diaper.”

“Brat.” Isa swiped half-heartedly at the back of Demir’s head. “But as I said, none of this matters until after Liam gives birth. He needs to have as much control of his life as possible right now.”

“I get it.”

“How do you think your brothers would react if I mated with Liam?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think Tarius would mind, but Aven is weird. I mean, he wouldn’t be mean about it, I don’t think, but I don’t know if he’d come around right away.”

Isa had assumed as much. His oldest was as stubborn as any alpha he’d ever known.

“Anyway,” Demir said, “I’m going to bed. Night, Dad.”

“Good night.”

Isa stared at the television screen for a long time without seeing it, his thoughts tumbling over themselves with no clear conclusion. The only thing he could do was give Liam time and not pressure him. If Liam reached out first, Isa would go to him. Until then, as much as he longed to kiss Liam a second, third, fiftieth time, he had to stay hands-off.

For now.