Claiming My Omega: Blackwater Pack: Book 2

by Kingsley, Liam

  I ducked my head and grinned at the ground, overwhelmed by all these strong and contrasting emotions. Out of instinct, I soon looked up to try and find my family in the crowd again — but it was lucky that I did. Instead of seeing three impassive faces, I saw them burgeoning with pride. Saw Vaughn beaming as he bent to speak in my Mom’s ear, and the way she gripped his hand. The way Dad leaned in to cheerily join them.

  This would take time, like every relationship did, but maybe there was hope after all.

  It was just like Vaughn said, I guessed, even if he had been joking. He was a strong-minded alpha. Would he really have agreed to come here if some part of him, deep down, didn’t want me as a part of his future?

  ///

  If anything, the real celebration started when the ceremony ended and the crowds began to filter out into the town around us. On the verdant expanse of the field where they’d set up our graduation stage on this surprisingly temperate May day, pockets of excitable graduates wove around each other, leading family members to friends and vice versa.

  The energy was wonderful, and there were plenty of my friends I waved at from afar, but this wasn’t the place for us. This wasn’t the place for Mom. It was with no regret whatsoever that I suggested we head off to eat someplace else, knowing that she’d be able to relax and take a breath once we were away from the crush of people.

  The one voice I absolutely didn’t expect to hear, however, belonged to my old elementary school comrade.

  “Hey, Fin! Wait up!”

  “Lukas!” My smile spread wide, and I dashed over to accept the tight hug he offered me. “What are you doing here?”

  “What do you think, droopy paws?”

  I blushed, eyes ducking down to the ground. The thought of all these people I adored spending all their time on me was pretty overwhelming, especially since Lukas probably hadn’t even been allocated a seat.

  For a new dad who was probably awake for twenty hours a day — and on continuous baby alert for the remaining four — that was quite the commitment.

  “You’re so sweet. I…”

  I trailed off, looking back at my family. Mom was smiling, but I had a lifetime of reading her body language. I knew that she was going to need to be in a calm, quiet safe soon. Even just the inside of Vaughn’s car would be better than this. I couldn’t stand around talking.

  “Listen, I should go.”

  “It’s cool,” said Vaughn, cutting in with a loose hand gesture. “You catch up. We’ll meet you at the car?”

  My heart swelled. However awkward and uncomfortable he might find it, he was willing to endure it so that I could chat to Lukas without hurting my mom. I felt our priorities align in the air around us. For the first time, I understood what people meant when they described having a mate as ‘being part of a team’. It was deeper than that, but it was the closest possible word I had — that sensation of pulling in the same direction no matter whose goals or needs we were currently working towards. That unquestioning, instinctive desire to cover each other.

  All I said was, “Oh, sure. I’ll see you there!” Still, my eyes lingered on his. He knew what he was doing for me, and he knew that I was grateful. This was a tiny, trivial, inconsequential moment in our lives, but at the same time it marked a seismic shift.

  As we looked at each other, him and me became us.

  Once I had waved my family off, I turned back to Lukas with a broad, sunlight smile. He folded his arms.

  “I don’t like to say I told you so,” he said. “I love it.”

  I held up my hands. “You won’t hear me disagree. You were right. It’s…” I shook my head, looking back in the direction they were walking, and then back to Lukas. “He’s amazing. I barely know what to do with myself.”

  Lukas held a hand over his heart. “You have no idea what it does to me to see you two happy together. I mean, honestly. I guess I must still be recovering from pregnancy hormones somehow, since I’m basically a drinking fountain with a leak anyway, but I could honestly just… burst.”

  “Please don’t,” I said, smoothing my hands over my gown. “This is a rental.”

  He grinned, tapping my cap with a fingertip. “Yeah, so… Never mind handsome alphas. This was actually what I came to talk to you about. This whole… primary reason to smile today.”

  “Well, you know exactly how much work goes into it,” I reasoned. “You’ve been down this road before yourself.”

  “Right?” Lukas said, eyes wide. “And people think teaching is the easy route. Hah!” He shook his head, dismissing the thought. “Anyway, no. It wasn’t just to congratulate you, although… you know. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He waved a hand. “I actually wanted to talk about our class. I hear Mr. Kyle wasn’t exactly, um. Ideal.”

  “To say the least.”

  Lukas snorted. “That level of disapproval, coming from a sweetheart like you? He’s got to be a cartoon villain. Anyway.” He took my shoulder. “Clearly, he was not a good fit at Blackwater Elementary either way. The principal wasn’t a fan either, so it’s just not going to work out. But at the same time, um. After we finish out this year?” He wrinkled his nose. “I’m thinking I don’t want to come back.”

  My stomach dropped, and my smile fell. “What?”

  “It’s okay!” he said, squeezing my shoulder. “Not forever. It’s just that being away on leave made me realize how much I want to just… take some time for me and my family. We’re okay, you know? We’re comfortable. So we decided I could stay home with Kylie while she’s so young. Be a stay-at-home dad for a while.”

  “Well, that’s… if you’re happy, that’s great, Lukas.”

  “Honestly? Couldn’t be happier.”

  Lukas smiled with the pearly whites of his teeth, and it was clear to see that he wasn’t exaggerating. He’d carved out a little paradise for himself with Owen and Kylie, and I couldn’t blame him for wanting to savor it.

  “Anyway,” he said. “Obviously, that means that my class is going to be without a teacher come the start of next year.”

  I realized, after one moment too many, what he might be implying.

  “Oh!” I said, grabbing the front of my robe. “I mean… I… do you think…?”

  “Yep.”

  “Of course, I’ll have to apply like everybody else, and this would be my first position, so…”

  Lukas grinned and squeezed my shoulder. “Dummy. You’re perfect for the job. I mean… sure, I’m not the one doing the hiring, and I can’t guarantee that Malala Yousafzai isn’t going to take inspiration from your ‘Young Heroes’ project from last year and suddenly decide to take up a career in elementary education in Montana. In which case…”

  “In which case I will gladly bow out to the better candidate, obviously. And she can have my collection of sticker rewards.”

  Lukas laughed, letting go of my shoulder. We turned to watch the dispersing crowd of people. Some of them had taken off their caps, and they were now being reverently carried by loving family members. Others might have to have them prised off before bedtime. Either way, it was an incredible scene. I felt proud of myself for embracing the nerves and going through with it.

  “You know,” he said. “I don’t want to make myself cry, but… do you know how much you’ve grown this year?”

  Make him cry? He was about to make me cry. I swallowed, trying not to let it happen.

  “When you first started as my TA, I thought I’d seen a ghost. All that white hair, and so much self-doubt you were practically translucent. And as the time’s gone by, I’ve seen you putting what you’ve been taught at school into practice in class. Seen you learning how to help our kids grow and be good without stifling them. Seen you falling in love with the vocation. You’re obviously born to teach, kid.” He bumped my elbow with his. “But even through all that, I… I’ve seen you. The shy little uber-omega who genuinely seemed to believe he didn’t have a place here in Black
water. Even though I saw him carving it out, piece by piece, every single day. These past few months with Vaughn…”

  He shook his head and turned away briefly to blink for a suspiciously long time.

  “I don’t know. It’s like being with him, you finally gave yourself permission to shine at full capacity. I’m just happy to see it. That’s all. Because, honestly, if I don’t stop talking in, like, three seconds, I’m about to solve any and all droughts occurring worldwide.”

  I gave Lukas a tight hug, squeezing my eyes tight shut against the threat of tears. I had always respected him, but the more time I got to be around him, the more I realized what a wonderful friend I had gained for life.

  “Thank you,” I managed through my tight throat. “That’s… Yeah. Thanks.”

  He nodded, giving me a lopsided and wobbly smile as we pulled apart. “You just keep being you. And — oh, wow. I almost forgot. Happy graduation.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny book, tossing it my way.

  I caught it, and turned it to examine the title.

  “A Pocket French Dictionary…?”

  “Listen,” he said. “It’s summer soon. I know you’ve already planned about seven years’ worth of classes in that rainbow binder of yours. Don’t think I don’t know about the binder.”

  I opened and shut my mouth, called out, and let him continue.

  “Your days are going to feel empty. You will stare out of the window wondering when the world got so quiet. Why is nobody tugging on your sleeve to ask the same question you just answered seven times? Why do you have the distinct, nagging feeling that water is about to be spilled, even though there is no water in the vicinity? How do clouds go into faces?”

  “Something tells me you’re speaking from experience.”

  “You know when astronauts come back from space and they’re so used to being in anti-gravity that they just… drop stuff all over the place? That’s me, except the habit I can’t break is looking over my shoulder every forty seconds to make sure Sanjit isn’t cutting off Ellie’s braid with safety scissors.”

  I laughed, picturing Lukas staring with burning intensity at various kitchen implements.

  “Anyway. Getting off-track. The point is, you’re going to need something to fill your time up this summer. So why not… you know. Learn a little French. You never know when it might come in handy.”

  Lukas was too pure for dishonesty of any kind. While he didn’t seem to be lying, I knew there was something he wasn’t telling me — some kernel of information I was missing. I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Are they going to have us teach the kids French next year? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

  He shrugged, spreading his hands. “I couldn’t possibly say. Just… you know. Have a great summer, okay? And don’t be a stranger. At any given time I’m probably buried under a pile of baby equipment, and the company would be very welcome. When you’re not canoodling with an architect, that is.”

  ///

  Figuring that it would be less crowded the further we drove from Blackwater, Vaughn took us to a restaurant closer to Helena for our celebratory meal.

  “It’s an Italian place,” he informed us, mostly speaking to Mom via the rearview mirror as he parked the car. “It’s one of my favorites, so… I think it’s pretty great here? But I will happily bow to the verdict of a connoisseur.”

  “I’ll bet it’s great,” Dad said. “Although probably not the most authentic Italian food you could eat. I guess you’d have to go to Europe for that.”

  I looked over my shoulder from the passenger seat to give him a warning look. Dad, be polite! But when I met his eyes he had a strange look, as though he was making some kind of joke.

  “Mm,” I said. “Well, nothing beats Mom’s cooking, but… I’m sure this place will be the next best thing.”

  We climbed out of the car, and headed into the restaurant. Mom and Vaughn paused to smile at each other. There was a strange vibe passing between the three of them, as though they had some private joke I wasn’t aware of. I wasn’t sure whether I should be pleased or nervous. I prepared myself for the possibility of a celebratory cake being brought out in front of everybody in the restaurant, all lit with sparkling candles and accompanied by a song.

  I… really hope they aren’t going to do that.

  Thankfully, it looked like a relaxed and quiet place once we got inside. The booths were tall and made of dark-stained wood, and the food I spotted being served to diners that we passed by looked very promising, with the scent of still-rare steak in the air, and beautifully presented pasta dishes catching my eye. I was as weak to cheese as the next man, but seeing it melted over hand-cut pasta bows like that was enough to tempt my inner carnivore away from that meat.

  “This looks beautiful,” I said, one of my arms resting on Vaughn’s as I slid into the booth beside him. “You have great taste.”

  “Especially in men,” said my dad.

  I tutted, sinking behind the blockade of my menu as they laughed. Mom was almost laughing too, peering out from behind her own safety wall of a menu. I did notice that Vaughn asked for a specific table out in the corner of the restaurant, where she’d be away from the door and any hustle and bustle that might happen. He’d really chosen well for her, and I made a mental note to thank him for that thoughtfulness later.

  The meal passed by at a cozy, friendly pace. What few silences there were, we quickly filled with all kinds of topics. We didn’t feel stuck on small talk for long at any given time. A couple of times I just sat back and relished in the moment — seeing my parents and my mate enjoy each other’s company, despite the few bumps of turbulence along the way.

  When the dessert menus came out and it became clear that nobody was going to try and sing to me or set a sparkler in my tiramisu, I could relax even further. Vaughn’s arm was around me in the booth, and the whole atmosphere was happy and easy. I thought I couldn’t feel any better.

  Then, Vaughn cleared his throat and reached into his pocket.

  “So. I hope you don’t think you were going to get through this entire day without getting your graduation present.”

  I flushed, shaking my head. “Oh, I don’t-”

  “Yep,” he said, cutting me off with a cheerful tone. He slid an unmarked envelope towards me on the table. It was thick, and the paper looked expensive. “This is happening. I’m proud of you, and you deserve it.”

  I bit my lip to stop myself from disagreeing, and instead picked up the weighty envelope. I looked up at my parents and saw knowing, wide smiles on their faces.

  “You know what this is?” I asked.

  “Sure do,” Dad said. “You’d better open up.”

  I felt strangely lightheaded. Dad was right. I’d better get this over with. I opened the envelope, Vaughn’s gaze burning into the side of my face. At first, I didn’t know what I was looking at. A thick wad of paper unfolded, and I read out the title.

  “Itinerary…”

  My heart stopped a few words later.

  “Wait. Paris?”

  I looked up at him, almost jarring my neck with the speed that I turned. His smile was uncharacteristically soft, but I could still see the same old shine in his eyes. He nodded down at the page, so I kept reading.

  “Madrid? London?”

  My jaw dropped, and I couldn’t seem to close it. I felt my parents’ and Vaughn’s attention focusing in on me like an ant under a magnifying glass, and covered my mouth with my hands.

  Then, after a pause: “Vaughn, are you serious?”

  “Uh huh,” he said brightly. “It’s all booked. You and me. You just graduated; you’re about to help year after year of kids grow up to make their dreams come true. I think it’s only fair that you get one of yours.”

  My eyes filled with tears, and I flopped sideways into his shoulder. He laughed, wrapping both arms around me and pulling me close.

  “You’re welcome?” he tried.

  “Than
k you,” I blurted out into his shoulder. “Vaughn, this is… this is unbelievable. I don’t know what to say.”

  Except I did know what to say. Those three words hovered on the tip of my tongue like a bungee jumper waiting for the go-ahead — but I didn’t want to say it for the first time with my parents right there in front of us, and I didn’t want him to think that this trip was the only reason I meant it. It absolutely wasn’t.

  I could feel his soul radiating through his skin and singing with mine.

  “I’m glad you’re happy,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “You earned it.”

  It took me a long time to be able to join in properly with our conversation again. My attention kept dropping back down to the stack of paper in front of me, which I flipped through with shaking hands. There were flights to each of the countries. Confirmations for beautiful hotels. Maps of each city, and a bunch of brochures with a Post-it note attached.

  What do you want to see?

  “You okay there, Blondie?”

  I smiled up at him, drawn back to the present by the sound of his voice. His smile was infectious, and spread mine wider. I nodded, and put all the paperwork back down.

  “Uh-huh. I’m perfect.”

  And as for what I want to see?

  Anything, with you.

  13

  Vaughn

  Up in the opulence of our Paris hotel room, the view from the window had Finley spellbound. You couldn’t see the Eiffel Tower from this direction, but going up there today had already satisfied that particular requirement of his stay here — and anyway, the old buildings around us were arguably just as picturesque.

  He turned to me, sun framing him at the window. Despite his travel tiredness and the exertion of walking and exploring all day directly after it, there was still plenty of life and light in his eyes.

  “I still really can’t believe you’ve brought me here,” he said, voice soft and awed. “I’ve never been anywhere so incredible.”