With Braun officially allowed to show his face in public again, Dex’s first mission was to help Braun get a job. They lived in a beta-heavy neighborhood, so he’d be safe enough to move around on his own, and by the middle of next week, Braun had been hired to work three days a week in a television repair shop, stocking shelves and cleaning, and occasionally answering the phones. The owners were betas who supported omega rights, and they had very few alpha customers who were single and might possibly give Braun a hard time.

The job helped some of his stir-craziness from sitting around the apartment, and it helped Braun feel like he was contributing, instead of mooching. His father’s house hadn’t sold yet, and even if it had, only Braun’s future mate would have access to that trust. So Braun used his meager earnings to help with groceries and the electricity bill. He saw Tarek almost every night, but he had no new information on the halfway house.

“These types of investigations take time,” Tarek explained. “We need to have every I dotted and ever T crossed, so when it goes to court, the charges stick.”

The waiting drove Braun nuts, knowing more innocent omegas could be disappearing while they waited to arrest Fynn for human trafficking.

On the anniversary of his second week moving into the apartment, his new friends threw Braun a small birthday party at a local restaurant they all liked. All three of them had chipped into buy Braun his own mobile phone. And with his steady income, Braun could afford to buy his own minutes.

“You just want a way to keep an eye on me,” Braun teased Tarek.

“You’re right.” Tarek leaned in across the booth where he was sitting next to Dex. “You’re my responsibility, Braun. Period.”

The claiming growl in those words sent shivers down Braun’s spine and made his dick twitch with interest. Yes, he was attracted to Tarek, and yes, he’d felt the mating bond, but he was scared. Too scared to initiate anything and ruin the friendship they did have by pushing Tarek into becoming a jealous, angry alpha.

Their waiter brought over a small cake with sparkling candles. Braun considered his wish carefully, took in a breath, and blew.

All but one went out.

The next evening, Serge called in the middle of his shift to tell Braun that Kell had been admitted to the delivery ward. He was in labor. Dex wasn’t home, so Braun called Tarek to drive him to the hospital. Krause refused to allow Braun into the delivery room, so Braun paced the halls, occasionally shivering as Kell’s cries of pain reached his ears.

At one point, another doctor and two more nurses raced into the room, and Braun nearly jumped out of his skin. Only Tarek’s calm, steady presence kept him from completely freaking out. Their omegin had had difficult births, and it seemed Kell suffered the same problem. Omega births usually only took about six hours from onset of contractions to pushing, and they were heading into hour eight.

At hour ten, two things happened at once. A small white cart with a screaming infant was wheeled toward one bank of elevators, while a gurney carrying Kell’s still, pale form was rushed to another. Blood splattered the white sheets and the doctor’s gown. Krause followed the infant.

Bastard.

Braun and Tarek followed Kell, until the gurney was lost to the maternity ward’s surgical unit. “The baby got stuck and Kell began hemorrhaging during delivery,” said one of the nurses who physically kept Braun from chasing after his brother. “Once the baby was finally removed, we were able to stop the bleeding, but your brother needs surgery to repair the damage.”

An image of Krause’s angry face flashed in Braun’s mind. “Will he be able to conceive again?”

“I don’t know. It’s too soon to say, I’m sorry.” With that, they were left behind in a waiting room with a handful other people.

Braun sank into a hard plastic chair and put his face in his hands, allowing his entire body to shake from the shock. Tarek knelt in front of him and gathered Braun to his chest, holding him tight, rubbing gentle circles on his back.

“The doctors here are the best,” Tarek whispered. “Kell will be fine.”

“He’s all I’ve got.”

“You’ve got me, firecracker. I’m not going anywhere.”

Braun relaxed into the steady heat of Tarek’s arms, breathing in the big man’s spicy scent. Adoring how well he fit against Tarek’s chest. Arousal stirred, not because anything about this was sexy, but because omega biology sucked. His body recognized its alpha nearby, a man who could claim him and give him healthy children, and his damned body wanted that. Not Braun.

His skin prickled all over, and even though he still had a week and a half left of the block, symptoms of heat began well in advance as his body prepared for possible conception. Heats happened roughly every ninety days after the first, and he’d already pushed his first off by a few weeks.

He dreaded this first heat, not knowing what it would feel like, if it would be as painful as some said if he denied himself his alpha. His body would crave an alpha’s cock, crave to be fucked and knotted and impregnated, and for forty-eight hours, he’d be one giant hormone, unable to control himself. Some omegas were said to be driven so insane with lust that they’d allow anyone to fuck them simply to be fucked, even a beta who couldn’t knot them the way their body desired.

Braun couldn’t imagine flinging himself at Dex or Serge, demanding they fuck his slick hole, but he was terrified of asking Tarek for help. What if Tarek saw a deeper meaning in the gesture? What if Tarek agreed, but refused to wear a condom? Tarek would impregnate him, and then what? He’d be pregnant and mated to a man who could turn on him at any moment, just like Krause had turned on Kell.

No, he’d buy a dildo, lock himself in his room, and get through it as best he could. But that was tomorrow’s plan. Today, he had to be present for his brother as he fought for his life.

Eventually, they shifted so Tarek was sitting in the chair with Braun on his lap, those strong arms holding him tight. Braun had no energy to be embarrassed for sitting like that, and the comfort was too addictive. Tarek was giving without demanding anything in return, and Braun didn’t know what to do with that.

In his experience, the simplest gesture from an alpha required repayment. Braun and Kell had been expected to earn their meals by keeping a spotless house and tended yard. “Just because we’re poor, doesn’t mean we gotta look poor,” was one of Father’s favorite sayings.

What would Tarek want later in exchange for this affection?

Braun pushed those thoughts from his mind and focused on Kell. Sending good energy to his brother so he healed quickly. He had a new baby to bond with and care for.

Hours passed. Eventually they both needed to stand and stretch, and Braun excused himself to the restroom to relieve himself. On his way back to the waiting room, an alpha doctor sniffed him hard in passing. Braun kept his eyes on the ground. Tarek’s scent would be strong enough to keep the nosy doctor at bay.

When he arrived back, Tarek was speaking to a man in bloodstained scrubs. Braun walked over to listen, but didn’t interrupt the two conversing alphas.

“…repaired all the lacerations,” the doctor was saying. “He’s received several transfusions and will be groggy for a while. Once he’d out of recovery, I’ll have a nurse take you to his room.”

“I appreciate it,” Tarek said. He placed a hand on Braun’s shoulder. “This is Kell’s brother.”

The doc barely spared a nod in Braun’s direction. “Are you responsible for Kell’s care? His scent is different than yours.”

“No, he’s mated to another man. He went with the infant, and we came here to wait for news on Kell.”

“Yes, well, we’ve saved his omegin, but they’ll want to consult with Kell’s regular doctor before they attempt anymore offspring. A second pregnancy could kill him.”

Braun wrapped his arms around Tarek’s waist without thinking, his insides frozen by the doctor’s chilling words. A second child wasn’t worth Kell dying. Hopefully Krause got the alpha he wanted and would leave Kell alone.

The doctor wandered off, and Braun settled into the comforting heat of Tarek’s embrace, so glad this man was in his life, and unable to voice the words.

“You sit for a little while.” Tarek eased him down into one of the chairs. “I’m going to see about the hospital paging Krause, and then I’m going to get you something to drink and eat. It’s been too long.”

“Okay.” Braun didn’t have the energy to argue.

Serge stopped by at the end of his shift, and he sat with Braun until Tarek returned. The rage pouring off Tarek had Braun cowering in his seat until Serge put a steadying hand on his thigh.

“That creep left,” Tarek snarled. “Krause. He left hours ago, right after he found out the baby is beta.”

“He what?” Braun shot to his feet, Tarek’s rage fueling his own. “How dare he? He didn’t even care if Kell lived or died?”

“You care, and that’s what matters.”

“But who’s taking care of the baby?”

“The hospital, for now, until Kell can go home with him. I already asked, and they won’t release the baby to anyone except his father or omegin.”

“Damn it.” Braun had never wanted to hit someone as badly as he wanted to hit Krause. Or anyone else who said the wrong thing in that moment. Kell deserved a mate who would be by his side, no matter what. Krause should have been there, waiting to see his mate after surgery, not home in his mansion, sipping expensive liquor.

“You love him,” Tarek said. “That matters, Braun, it matters so much. Alphas as uncaring as Krause are the minority, I promise you. We’re biologically driven to protect our omegas up to the expense of our own lives.”

“Krause didn’t get that memo.”

“Krause is cruel. I barely got a glimpse of the man earlier, but I can see it. Some men wear it like a second skin. I’m surprised your father agreed to the match.”

“I’m not. All our father cared about was one less mouth to feed.” He sagged against Tarek. “To be honest, him dying the day he did probably saved me from a fate similar to Kell’s. As soon as an interested alpha came sniffing around, I’d have been sent off. That man hated having two omega sons and no heirs.”

“Omegas are blessings.” Tarek kissed the top of his head, the first time he’d ever touched him so intimately. “Without you, we’d all die off in two generations.”

“If we’re so important, why don’t we have more autonomy? More civil rights?”

“Because of how much power you wield,” Serge said. “Without omegas, we die out, and that kind of power scares the alphas in charge. They don’t want to lose power to a gender they’ve been raised to see as inferior.”

More anger joined the initial blast after the news about Krause. “Things need to change,” Braun snapped.

“I agree,” Tarek said. “Have you ever thought about getting in touch with one of the omega rights groups?”

“No. All I can think about right now is Kell.” And the fact that Braun would be in heat again in less than two weeks, and he still didn’t have that problem figured out.

Baby steps. Kell first, the rest after.

* * *

Four days later, Tarek drove Braun to the hospital to pick Kell and the baby up, since Krause couldn’t be bothered to even send a damned car. Tarek hadn’t stopped raging over the way that monster mistreated his omegin. He’d gotten to know Kell a bit, every time he and Braun visited him in the hospital. Kell has the same sweet disposition as Braun, but he carried twice as many burdens, had twice as many shadows in his eyes. He was worn out, stretched thin, and he hadn’t reacted well when Braun broke the news that the infant was beta.

He’d cried a little, probably worried for his mate’s reaction, but the moment a nurse placed that squalling bundle into Kell’s arms, the young omegin had fallen in love. The hospital needed a name, so Kell called Krause, who told Kell to make the choice, and then hung up. No questions about his condition or when he’d be home.

As Kell recovered, Tarek had asked some questions, but if he tried to take Kell and the baby home to his place, Krause could have Tarek arrested. Tarek would easily lose his job. When he mentioned it to Braun, Braun demanded Tarek not risk his career for them. They’d find another way.

Watching the two brothers bond over little baby Branson soon became some of Tarek’s favorite memories. Braun doted on his big brother, bringing him treats from the shops and holding his nephew when Kell was too tired. And they easily could have been twins for how much they looked alike, with their wild brown hair and big green eyes.

Tarek resented having to deliver such a kind man to a cruel one, but the law was on Krause’s side. Kell had to go home to him. Kell and Braun rode together in the back, the baby carrier between them. Braun wanted every moment he could get with his brother, because he didn’t know when they’d see each other again. It could be months, if Krause had any say, but Tarek was determined it wouldn’t be that long.

He’d do anything at all to make Braun happy.

Yeah, in only three weeks, he’d completely fallen for his omega, and as the signs of Braun’s new heat approached on creeping feet, the need to mate with him steadily grew. Tarek knew he could make Braun happy—the trick was convincing his stubborn firecracker of an omega of the same thing.

Two servants were waiting for them in the foyer.

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Iverson requested you not be allowed farther into the house,” one of them said. “We’ll assist Mr. Kell and the baby from here.”

The use of “Mr. Kell” irritated Braun, as it always did when others formally addressed mated omegas, as if Kell wasn’t deserving of being addressed as any other alpha or beta would—with their surname. Braun was helping Kell walk, because he was still sore from his surgery, and he very reluctantly handed Kell off to the other servant. Tarek even more reluctantly gave the baby over.

“Goodbye, little one,” Tarek whispered.

Baby Branson gurgled.

“I love you,” Braun said to Kell. “Be well.”

Braun managed to kiss his nephew’s forehead before baby and omegin were whisked toward the stairs. They waited until both were out of sight, and then Tarek led Braun to his car by the elbow. Braun went willingly. He curled in on himself in the front seat, angled away from Tarek.

“What do you need, firecracker?” Tarek asked.

“I don’t know. Home, I guess.”

Braun checked messages on the drive back to the apartment. He’d missed work, and he called to explain why. His boss understood and he still had his job. Braun seemed to struggle with tears over that, as if shocked someone had been so kind and generous. Tarek put a hand on his thigh to steady his omega. Braun didn’t look at him.

No one was home when they got there, so Tarek set about making hot chocolate. Serge let it out that it was one of Braun’s favorite treats, so Tarek had bought him the fancy kind that required milk, instead of water, and it was rich and thick. Drinking chocolate, the box had said. The first time Braun tried it, Tarek swore he had a mental orgasm.

Braun aimlessly flipped channels on the television, and he barely reacted when Tarek placed the mug handle in his hand. Tarek sat next to him so their legs and hips touched, and he draped his arm across the back of the couch. After a few minutes, Braun put the mug down, then snuggled up close to Tarek, burying his face in Tarek’s chest. Tarek brought his arm down, happy to give his omega comfort.

He is my omega. No one else’s.

Slowly, Braun’s hand crept toward Tarek’s crotch. Confused, Tarek didn’t react until Braun started working his belt loose. Tarek placed a stilling hand over Braun’s. “What are you doing?” he said softly.

“You’ve been so kind to me this past week,” Braun told his chest. “Don’t you, ah, want something in return?”

“No, sweetheart, I don’t.” He sat Braun up, worried by the fear in Braun’s eyes. “You don’t owe me anything for my kindness, not a hug, and certainly not a blow job. I’m not doing any of this for favors, I’m doing it because I care about you. I want to take care of you and keep you safe, because like it or not, we’re bonding. We are bonded, Braun, I know you feel it. It scares me, because I’ve been alone for so long, but it also feels so right.”

Braun blinked back tears. “It scares me too. Not the feelings, but what comes after. The rage and the punching and the broken bones.”

“Goddess, your father did a number on you two. You didn’t know a single kind, selfless alpha growing up?”

“No. I mean, our classmates were okay, but when only twenty percent of the student body is alpha, they tend to stick to themselves and ignore the rest of us. The only adult alpha I knew was my father.”

“Oh, my beautiful omega.” Tarek cupped Braun’s trembling chin in his palm. “There are so many things I want to show you, and that includes generosity. I want to love you and protect you and pamper you. I’ll make you drinking chocolate until we’re both old and gray, and we’re watching our own children have children.”

“Love?” Braun practically squeaked the word.

“Yes, love. Love grows out of mutual respect and adoration and trust. You need to learn to trust that what I do is always in your best interest. And you have my solemn vow here and now, Braun Etting, that I will never, ever raise a hand to you in anger. I will never coerce you into sex. I will never belittle you in public. And I will absolutely never abandon you, not in life and not in the hospital after you’ve just given birth.”

His words finally chipped away at Braun’s reluctance. His omega softened, fear bleeding away and leaving hope in its place. Tarek took a chance. “Have you ever been kissed?”

Braun shook his head no, his eyes widening, but he didn’t object to the idea.

Tarek leaned in closer until his breath gusted across Braun’s lips. Braun closed his eyes, and Tarek took that as permission. He slanted his head and pressed his mouth to Braun’s. The first touch was an electric shock to his system, which demanded more! Now! Mine! Braun moaned, and that did Tarek in.

He pulled Braun closer, wrapped an arm around his waist, and kissed his omega, sliding his tongue over closed lips, and then teeth that finally parted to let Tarek inside. The sweet heat of Braun’s mouth had him instantly addicted. Tarek clutched at his omega, needing him, wanting to claim him, but knowing why that was a bad idea. Biology was one thing, but Braun had too much emotional baggage surrounding alphas for Tarek to lose his cool and let his body decide. He needed to think, damn it.

Difficult to do with a raging erection in his pants, and a warm, supple body pressed to his. Braun shifted onto his lap, over his cock, and the pressure made Tarek growl. Tarek couldn’t stop kissing Braun to see if he was hard, so he took a chance on cupping Braun’s crotch. Sure enough, an impressive erection throbbed hot and hard beneath the fabric of his pants. Braun rutted against his hand and made small noises in his throat.

Not like this. Not like this.

Tarek broke the kiss. He raised his hand from Braun’s crotch and sifted his fingers through his soft, thick hair. “This isn’t the right time.”

“It’s not?” Braun’s ragged voice nearly undid Tarek’s decision to stop.

“No, it’s not. You’re still upset about Kell, and I don’t want you to second-guess this later, or to think it had anything to do with me helping you. Maybe something can happen when we’re both clear-headed, but our hormones are amped up because of your approaching heat.”

“Oh.” Braun blushed, but he made no move to get off Tarek’s lap. “I’m scared of my first heat.”

“It’s okay. I hear the first can be painful without relief.”

“Yeah.” He rested his head on Tarek’s shoulder. “I don’t think I could let a stranger help me, though, and I’d be too embarrassed to ask anyone I know, anyway.”

“Not even me?”

Braun tensed. “It would only complicate things between us if we had sex during my heat. We already feel the mating attraction. We’d end up mated.”

“Not if I wore a condom. Our scents won’t mingle, so the mating won’t be permanent.”

“Maybe. Is it stupid of me to want to try and ride it out?”

“No, I think it’s brave to want to try, but I also think it would be good to have a backup plan, in case the heat becomes too painful to bear alone.”

“A backup plan like you?”

“Yes.” He growled. “I don’t want anyone else ever touching you.”

Braun smiled against his shoulder. “I feel the same about you.”

“Good.” He smoothed a hand up and down Braun’s back. “When you go into full heat, I won’t be able to visit you without wanting to fuck you, and I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself. It’s better I stay away, but I’ll miss you.”

“Same. I don’t know how I’ve grown so attached in only a few weeks.”

“Because we’re mates, Braun. Our hearts knew each other before our minds did, and now we’re trying to catch up and be reasonable in an unreasonable world.”

“Hmm.”

They were still sitting like that when Dex came home. Braun surprised him by staying put, and then Tarek realized it was because he’d fallen asleep. With Dex’s assistance, he carried Braun into his room, took off his shoes, and got him tucked into bed. After four days worrying about his brother, Braun deserved the rest.

Tarek shut the door, then sat next to Braun, his back against the headboard. He settled in, because right now, Tarek had nothing more pressing to do than watch over his sleeping omega.