Omega's Stepbrother : An MPREG romance (Men of Meadowfall Book 3)

by Anna Wineheart

  Raph pressed a soft kiss to his lips, his shoulders relaxing. “Thank you.”

  “I—I don’t understand. Why would you thank me?”

  “Because you’re giving me a chance to prove myself,” Raph said, hugging Wyatt to his damp, broad chest. “I won’t fail you this time.”

  “You’ve never failed me.”

  Raph glanced at him, his eyes solemn, his lips a thin line. “If I’d never failed you, then you’d never have been hurt.”

  And Wyatt remembered Grandma, and his ex. Raph blamed himself for them. “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry,” Raph said, pulling him so close there was no air between them.

  “Those aren’t your responsibilities,” Wyatt said. “Don’t blame yourself for it.”

  “I don’t want you to blame yourself.”

  You care that much about me? When I don’t believe I deserve you? Wyatt leaned into him, chuckling. “Sure.”

  But his worries didn’t seem so dire now. If Raph wanted to stand by him, then Wyatt would do the best he could, too. Be the best omega that Raph deserved.

  “C’mon, your fingers are getting wrinkled.” Raph caught Wyatt’s wrist, kissing his fingertips. “We’re gonna get you in bed, and get you some sleep.”

  “Yes, Daddy,” Wyatt said.

  Raph rolled his eyes. But he smiled, and as the shower came on again, Wyatt relaxed, knowing he’d found the alpha he’d needed all his life.

  14

  Raph

  The phone buzzed on the kitchen table, a text message icon popping up on the screen. Raph sat down with his coffee and tapped on it.

  From: Alpha Associates Bank

  Raphael Fleming, your next payment is due in 7 days. Amount due: $5,735.42. Payoff amount: $172,394.53. To make a payment online, please visit our website here.

  A URL in blue hyperlinked text followed. Briefly, he remembered Dad folding their allowances into tiny squares. When you unfold this, remember that it takes very long to earn money, Dad had said two decades ago. Don’t buy something more expensive than you can pay for.

  But you did just that, Dad. Some expenses, you can’t avoid.

  Raph winced, tapped out of the message, and turned his phone face-down on the table. No sense in ruining his day—not when he’d been paying off his debt for years, and it wasn’t going away anytime soon. No sense in ruining Wyatt’s day, either.

  Right now, he was sitting in Wyatt’s kitchen, sipping coffee, waiting for Wyatt to be done washing up. May as well admire the fridge magnets. Didn’t know Wy liked watermelon.

  As he took another sip, Hazel stepped in, her hair untied, a large, loose shirt hanging from her shoulders. It was long enough to be a nightdress on her, maybe, except it had Ripping Omegas Rip Rap printed in bold across the front, the ink faded with wear.

  “Your dad’s?” Raph asked, nodding at it.

  Hazel grinned, turning around to show him the shirt. “Yeah. I like it. Dad says it’s full of holes, but he still has it in his closet. It’s so comfy!”

  “He lets you steal his clothes?”

  She wriggled. “Sometimes. I saw you leaving Dad’s room, so I went in and borrowed it.”

  At least they hadn’t had sex last night—no incriminating musk in the room. Raph chuckled. Big wonders for little things.

  “Think I can borrow one of your Dad’s shirts?” he asked.

  Hazel turned toward the stove, folding her sleeves up. “I think so. There’s a few Dad always says he’ll toss, but he never does.”

  “What am I tossing?” Wyatt stepped into the kitchen, running his fingers through his tousled hair. He had a loose tee on, too—except this was one of Raph’s, with a Jaguar logo emblazoned across the front.

  Raph bit down his smile. “Your T-shirts. Looks like you and the princess have the same idea about stealing shirts.”

  Wyatt glanced down at his shirt and shorts, then at Hazel’s. A slow, sly smile crept up his lips. “I was just borrowing this one. It mysteriously appeared in my closet.”

  “Sure it did.” Raph rolled his eyes, grinning. Since he’d learned about the pregnancy, he’d been bringing spare sets of clothes over to Wyatt’s place, so he wouldn’t be wearing his work clothes through the weekend. He wore a fitted shirt and jeans now, but the tees were good for lounging around in at night. “I should grab one of yours.”

  “Get the ones on the right side of the closet,” Hazel said. “Third shelf from the bottom. There’s tons of comfy shirts there!”

  Wyatt smiled, shaking his head. “You’re telling Uncle Raph where all my best clothes are?”

  “You’re as good as married, aren’t you?” Hazel dragged her high stool over to the stove.

  And Wyatt blushed, a pretty shade of pink fanning across his cheeks. Raph remembered last night, when Wyatt had been in the tub, his cheekbones lit by the dim lamplight, his lashes gleaming against his skin. Raph had meant it when he’d said Wyatt was beautiful, had meant every word about caring for Wyatt’s children.

  “Are we?” Wyatt murmured, glancing at Raph.

  “If I have one of your shirts, I think we’ll be even. And married,” he answered.

  Wyatt beamed, some of the exhaustion lifting from his face. The pregnancy was still taking its toll on him—the fatigue would go on for the next few weeks, Raph had read.

  “You should be sleeping more,” he said. “You look beat.”

  “Maybe. I just... You were gone from the bed.” Wyatt pressed his hand to his belly, glancing down. He was aware of the baby, much more than Raph was. And Raph wanted to hold him close, all over again.

  Wyatt caught Hazel by the fridge, pulling her into a hug. “Morning, hon.”

  “Morning, Dad.” Hazel leaned away, her face scrunching up. “Uncle Raph’s right. You look really tired.”

  “I do?” Wyatt sighed. He kissed the top of her head and released her. “I’ll make breakfast, Hazel. You don’t have to.”

  “I’ll cook,” Raph said, standing. “What do you want?”

  “Uh-uh. I wanna make breakfast for everyone. I know I can.” Hazel dragged a step-stool over, climbing onto it to grab plates from the cabinet. So Raph took a mug, filling it half-full with coffee for Wyatt.

  “I made coffee,” he said. “You should sit and rest.”

  “I’m a chef, you guys.” Wyatt tried to shoo them off. “I shouldn’t be letting you do all the work.”

  “You’re my omega,” Raph said, at the same time Hazel said, “You’re my dad, you need a break.”

  Wyatt glanced between them, a quiet, awed smile spreading across his face. “You guys might be spoiling me, you know.”

  Raph placed Wyatt’s coffee on the table, then sat down, pulling Wyatt onto his lap. “I’m here a couple days a week. If I want to spoil you, I have every right to.”

  Wyatt sighed, leaning into his chest. “I guess one morning wouldn’t hurt.”

  “That means I can make breakfast!” Hazel whooped, pulling open the egg carton.

  They watched as Hazel cracked eggs into a big bowl, whisking them up with a fork. “I taught her to do that,” Wyatt murmured. “She’s really good at it.”

  “You’ve never told me that before,” Hazel said.

  Wyatt chuckled. And Raph dragged him closer, burying his face in Wyatt’s hair. This close, Wyatt smelled faintly like sweat, like magnolia and honey. He smelled like a pregnant omega—Raph’s.

  And something possessive roared in Raph’s chest. I want to be your omega, Wyatt had said last night.

  Raph kissed his shoulder, pressing the scent gland on his wrist to Wyatt’s knee.

  When Wyatt didn’t protest, Raph dragged his wrist down Wyatt’s shin. Then up his other leg, and under his shirt, over his belly.

  Wyatt’s breath caught. “What are you doing?” he whispered.

  “Making you mine,” Raph whispered back, pressing his wrist to Wyatt’s jaw, dragging it down his throat. And Wyatt smelled like teak now, like Raph.

  Raph growled, pressing
his nose into Wyatt’s back, breathing him in. Wyatt was his. He’d never thought this would happen, Wyatt allowing Raph to mark him as his own. Wyatt squirmed on his lap, a coil of musk wafting from his skin. “Raph...”

  Hazel was at the stove, humming to herself. She wasn’t paying attention to them. So Raph slipped his hand under Wyatt’s shirt, between his legs, stroking the growing length of his cock. Wyatt’s breath rushed out of him.

  “Do you want toast as well?” Hazel asked, turning.

  And Wyatt clapped a hand over his mouth, bolting out of the kitchen.

  Raph stared. So did Hazel.

  The hallway bathroom door bounced shut. From the kitchen, Raph caught the faint sounds of retching. He flew to his feet, striding to the bathroom, Hazel on his heels.

  “Stove still on?” Raph asked.

  “Crap,” Hazel said, turning back.

  At the door, Raph knocked. Then he pushed it open slightly, and found Wyatt by the toilet, bent over, one arm pressed against his stomach. “You okay?”

  “What does it look like to you?” Wyatt winced, heaving again. “Fuck, I don’t miss this part.”

  “This part?” It hit Raph then, that this was the start of Wyatt’s morning sickness. That his omega was absolutely pregnant, and there was a baby in his belly. A real, live baby who would grow, and whom they’d teach and cuddle and laugh with. He froze, breathing in, then out. I’m really going to be a dad. He didn’t feel ready yet.

  He stopped by Wyatt, rubbing his back. “Anything I can get you?”

  “Water.”

  Raph filled a tomato-print mug—Hazel’s, probably—and handed it over. Wyatt leaned against him, his skin damp with sweat.

  “Sorry,” Raph said, touching his forehead. “For getting you into this mess.”

  Wyatt snorted. “There’s no need for you to apologize.”

  “But I—”

  Wyatt heaved again.

  “Dad, are you okay?” Hazel peered through the gap in the door.

  “I’m fine,” Wyatt said. “I’ll just be in here for a bit longer.”

  “Do you need to see the doctor?” Hazel winced. Wyatt missed it, because his back was turned, but Raph saw. And he wanted to hug them both. There would be bills with this pregnancy; Raph would be there to catch them, loan or no loan.

  “No, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, hon.” Wyatt spat into the toilet, rinsed his mouth into it, and flushed. And promptly bent over it again, groaning. “Gods.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Hazel said, frowning. She left the bathroom door ajar, her feet pattering away.

  “When are you gonna tell her?” Raph asked. “She’s sharp. You can’t hide the puking from her.”

  Wyatt sighed. “I don’t know. It’s a lot to keep quiet about. I’ve put her through a bunch, Raph, and I don’t want to give her more—she already feels responsible for me.”

  The way Hazel bossed her dad around sometimes, it seemed as though she might present as alpha. And Raph couldn’t fault her for wanting to keep her dad safe—he felt the same.

  They stood in the bathroom, staring at each other. Wyatt heaved again. He bent over the toilet, mug tipping, water sloshing over the edge. So Raph held his hand to steady the mug, rubbing Wyatt’s back.

  He didn’t notice the voices until the door opened.

  “I can send him to the doctor if it’s bad,” Penny said, her voice trailing off.

  Raph looked up. And met her eyes, feeling like the older brother who’d fallen on his ass, after laughing at his sister for the exact same thing.

  “Raph?” she spluttered. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” he said. Because, shit, he’d told her he hadn’t seen Wyatt for years. And now this.

  “I asked first,” Penny said. She looked between Hazel, Raph, and Wyatt, her forehead furrowing. “I thought you guys weren’t talking.”

  “I’m puking,” Wyatt said. “Go away and leave me alone.”

  Penny planted herself firmly in the doorway. “No, Wy. We’re your siblings. We’re entitled to watch you puke.”

  But her gaze roved over Raph’s hands, where they held Wyatt’s fingers, and his back. And Raph kept his touch steady, didn’t pull away.

  “Wait,” Penny said, her eyes darting between them. “You know about Wyatt.”

  She meant Wyatt’s pregnancy, and of course Raph knew. He didn’t think she’d been aware.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I know.”

  Penny sagged. “I feel so betrayed. I thought you had a falling out. Why did you lie to me?”

  Then she looked at Hazel, who pursed her lips, pinched her fingers together, and dragged them across her mouth. “Sworn to secrecy.”

  Raph tried not to smile. Hazel was funny. “Yeah, it was a secret.”

  “Why the hell should it be a secret? Wyatt, I’ve been babysitting Hazel for years. You’ve been keeping secrets from me?” Penny’s voice raised by an octave, and Raph felt a tiny bit sorry for her. Just a little.

  “Look, it isn’t your business,” he said, his stomach flipping. She was his sister. They had commiserated with each other through Wyatt leaving home, even if Penny was a loudmouth.

  She glared at him, pushing her glasses up her nose. “You’re just setting aside your differences like actual adults. Why does it have to be a damn secret?”

  Maybe Raph should ask her to leave. Wyatt’s neck was red, the tips of his ears pink. He gurgled some water, pointedly ignoring her eyes.

  “Wait,” Penny said, breathing in.

  Raph didn’t know how obvious their scents were, mingled like that. Shouldn’t have marked him. Please don’t be your usual smartass self, Pen. Please.

  “I’m puking,” Wyatt said. “Go away.”

  “Are you feeling better, Dad?” Hazel asked.

  And maybe Hazel had the most decency of them all. Raph swore inwardly, scanning Wyatt’s face to make sure he was okay. But Wyatt looked embarrassed. He wanted them to be a secret. And even though Raph agreed with his reasons, having to hide their relationship rankled.

  “I’m feeling better,” Wyatt said, slanting a grin at Hazel. “You don’t have to worry, okay?”

  Hazel beamed. “Can I make breakfast since you’re sick?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Hazel cheered and skipped away to the kitchen. Raph relaxed slightly; they didn’t have to dance around the subject now.

  “You smell like each other,” Penny said.

  All Raph smelled was the sour tang of puke. He filled the mug when Wyatt emptied it, handing it back. “I’m standing in the bathroom with him. ‘Course we’re gonna smell like each other.”

  “No, it’s more than that,” Penny said, tapping her fingers on her arm. She had that narrow-eyed look about her, when she was figuring things out. And she was usually right.

  Raph wished he could shut the door on her, but it would solve nothing.

  Penny’s gaze flickered between them, lingering on Raph’s hand on Wyatt’s back. Then her eyes widened, and she looked at Raph. Really looked at him. Raph held his breath.

  “Oh, hell no,” Penny said. “Wyatt smelled like you that day. When his scent changed.”

  What could he say? It wasn’t like he would hide their bond.

  Wyatt took a deep breath, then straightened, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He flushed the toilet. When he turned, his eyes were determined, his fingers curling into Raph’s.

  This is my omega, Raph thought, a surge of pride welling up in his chest.

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Wyatt said, looking straight at Penny. “The baby is Raph’s. He’s my alpha.”

  15

  Wyatt

  The silence that followed hung between them, impenetrable as ice. Wyatt wanted to crawl into a hole and never show his face again.

  On the other side of the bathroom, Penny stared, her mouth hanging open.

  She could reject them. She could call the
m sick bastards, and never return. She could tell Mom and Dad, and they would shake their heads, asking Why did you do this, Wyatt?

  It had been one hell of an omission, when Penny had taken out days and weeks of her life, caring for Hazel when Wyatt was busy or ill. She’d brought him food when he’d been too busy between jobs to care for himself. She’d been seventeen when Wyatt first handed his daughter to her, afraid of passing his cold to his baby.

  Wyatt’s guilt expanded in his lungs, squeezing out his breath. He swayed on his feet, trying to find the right words for an apology. I didn’t trust you to keep this secret wasn’t enough.

  Raph squeezed his hand, stepping closer so their shoulders bumped. “Exactly why we never told you, Pen,” he said. “If you’re going to freak out, we don’t need it.”

  Penny flinched. Wyatt grimaced; it was hardly her fault.

  “This is insane,” she said eventually, looking away. “I can’t believe you did this. A baby, Wyatt?”

  “I don’t believe it, either,” Wyatt said. “It just happened.”

  “It didn’t just happen.” Raph slanted a look at him, his jaw tight. “It happened nine years ago, Wy. We picked up where we left off.”

  Maybe that was what really happened. At that party a month ago, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Raph. And his heat had compounded the lust and longing, had made Raph impossible to refuse. Especially when Wyatt had thought about him over the years, wishing he’d had his stepbrother closer.

  Penny met Wyatt’s eyes. “Nine years ago? Wasn’t that...”

  “When I left, yeah.” Wyatt leaned into Raph, pressing his face into Raph’s shoulder. Raph squeezed his hand. “I don’t know if you ever noticed it, Penny. Grandma hates me.”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it. “Actually, now that you mention it... Yes. She was always scolding you.”

  “And she never punished you.” Wyatt tried to smile, except it was difficult to. Not when Grandma’s eyes had blazed, and she’d snarled, You aren’t my grandson. I don’t want to see your face here. Get out of my house. He looked at his feet, wishing he could scrub her voice out of his mind. “She walked in on us. I had to leave.”