Scarcely a minute had passed, when a knock came on the door. Voices rumbled outside.
Micah contemplated keeping silent. He didn’t have to answer anyone right this minute. He could float away, imagining soft lips on his skin, sharp teeth on his shoulder, two alphas pressing up against him, strong hands on his hips...
The person knocked again, and the door opened. Micah sat up in his seat. Glanced over.
He should’ve expected the copper gaze and blond hair. And behind Spike, gray eyes that were still warm, even now.
Micah flushed, rolling his chair back, trying to put more distance between himself and those brothers. I can’t believe I was fantasizing about them.
“Consultation doesn’t begin until 9:30,” Micah stammered, willing his cheeks to cool. “If it’s nothing urgent...”
“Good,” Spike said, stepping into the office. Kai followed him in, and Spike locked the door. “You’ve been avoiding us.”
Micah stopped breathing. “I-I’m a professor,” he said. “I’ve been busy with my work.”
Well, he had been avoiding them.
Spike raised an eyebrow. “You don’t pick me when I volunteer answers. You aren’t hanging around after lectures like you usually do. And you won’t look at me.”
Micah glanced at Kai, so he didn’t feel obliged to answer Spike. But Kai just shrugged.
“Sorry,” Kai said. “I told him to give you some time. He won’t listen.”
Micah rolled his chair even further back when Spike rounded the desk, all bulky muscle and hard body. Micah’s heart pounded.
He still wanted Spike. There was no denying it, and he was afraid his body would betray him, all over again.
Spike advanced on him, those dark eyes gleaming. His gaze coasted down Micah’s body, head to feet. Micah gulped.
“You don’t smell like us anymore,” Spike said, almost pouting.
Micah spluttered. “I can’t. You know that.”
“But I want to mark you.” Spike licked his lips, his voice dropping to a murmur. “I haven’t forgotten what happened last week. I want you in our bed.”
Micah’s blood swooped between his legs. He’d been trying not to stare, but Spike’s broad shoulders, his strong arms... Across the desk, Kai looked just as good, his pecs defined behind his shirt, his pants snug around his thick thighs.
“You’d rather have Kai?” Spike asked in a small voice, following Micah’s gaze. He looked... torn. Like he was happy about Micah ogling Kai, but at the same time, not.
“N-no!” Micah yanked his gaze away, swearing at himself for looking. “I’d rather have no one. Please leave my office if you aren’t here for a consultation.”
“I’d like a consultation about my body.” Spike smiled hopefully.
Kai sighed. “C’mon, Spike. We agreed. If he says no, we leave.”
Spike’s shoulders sagged. “You’d prefer someone more mature like Kai, wouldn’t you?” he asked Micah wistfully. “Yeah, I get it.”
Micah held his tongue. He watched as Spike turned slowly, glancing back, waiting for Micah to stop them. But Micah didn’t—this shouldn’t continue. Once was too many.
“I like you, you know,” Spike said softly. He blushed, his neck turning red. “I’ve liked you forever. I don’t even care if we don’t fuck. I just want to see you smile.”
And that sight, somehow—it struck Micah to the core. Having an alpha blush and say, I like you. Having him suggest hugs and kisses. Intimacy. Micah hadn’t had that in... ages. Something deep in his chest yearned.
“Yeah, he really has,” Kai said dryly. “Say something to him so he won’t keep me up at night talking about you. For, I don’t know, the next five years.”
Spike scowled, elbowing Kai.
Micah gulped, his heart pattering. First that night, and then now. He wanted what Spike offered. He wanted to be held and kissed, so badly.
Micah’s skin itched for touch, even all the mottled parts, and his reaction was far too visceral for him to be logical. This was dangerous.
“You should leave,” he said shakily. “Maybe your parents are paying your college bills and you can afford to flirt with a professor, but this is my livelihood. I can’t risk something like this.”
Spike flinched. “No, they aren’t paying for this. I am.”
Kai’s eyes flashed. He stepped forward, grasping Spike’s arm protectively. But his scowl—that was all thunderclouds and threat. “I’m on a scholarship, and I’m helping Spike pay his tuition. He isn’t the rich idiot you think he is.”
He’s judging me again. Micah’s throat squeezed tight.
He tried to look away from Kai’s glare, except he couldn’t. It reminded him of Bernard’s old threats. It said danger and you’ll get hurt, and Micah couldn’t breathe. His hands trembled. He hated this helpless feeling, knowing he wouldn’t come out on top.
His chair bumped against the back wall, and he could get no further. A whine slipped out of his throat. I need to get out before Kai hurts me. I need to leave.
“Kai,” Spike said, shaking Kai’s hand off with a frown. “Don’t do that. You’re freaking him out.”
Kai blinked.
Spike stepped closer, but Micah couldn’t move. He couldn’t help remembering All you are is a pretty face. You aren’t much of an omega.
Spike rounded the desk. Micah whimpered, suddenly afraid of him, too. What if Spike carried the same threat his brother did?
“It’s okay,” Spike said softly, his gaze fixed on Micah. “Kai can be an idiot.”
He stepped between Micah and Kai, breaking Kai’s line of sight. And Micah could suddenly breathe again. He sucked in a shuddering breath, pressing as far back as he could into his chair, uncertain of every decision he’d made.
“Hey,” Spike said, touching Micah’s face with his fingertips. “It’s okay. We won’t hurt you.”
“But—but...” Micah glanced at Kai, intimidated. He wanted to be in control. He was a professor. But Kai... Everything about him had Micah on alert, afraid of being stripped of his dignity.
Kai reminded Micah of his ex; Micah should’ve realized it before this.
“Shh.” Spike slid his arm around Micah’s back. Then he pulled Micah close, and brushed their lips together. “It’s okay. You’re safe here.”
He held Micah against his strong chest, and stroked his hair. Kissed his cheek. Micah closed his eyes. Breathed. Kai and Bernard aren’t the same person. Maybe you’ve read him wrong.
Slowly, the nervous tension faded from his chest. Micah sagged against Spike, gulping down lungfuls of juniper. Spike was right. Neither of them was hurting Micah. Instead, Spike’s palm stroked up and down Micah’s back, an easy, comforting weight.
Micah couldn’t remember when he’d last been held like that. Is it bad that I want more? He’s my student.
When Micah stopped shaking, he blew out his breath, wiping the uncertainty off his face. He could do this. He was in charge. “Sorry. I overreacted. If you aren’t here for a consultation...”
“I’m not, but Kai is,” Spike said.
With utmost trepidation, Micah searched out Kai. Kai was far closer this time—next to Spike, and Micah couldn’t help feeling a jolt of panic.
But the anger had melted away from Kai’s expression, leaving confusion, and... concern?
“Sorry,” Kai said, leaning in. “I didn’t think... I didn’t mean for you to panic like that.”
Micah held his breath when Kai reached out for him, expecting pain. But Kai closed strong, sturdy fingers around Micah’s hand, and... there was no hurt. Just warmth.
Kai knelt in front of Micah then, his forehead creased, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper. It’s... not the best.”
Micah blinked, surprised. He’s... kneeling? In front of me?
Kai had full lips, a shock of dark hair, and his gaze was honest, warm. Not judgmental anymore.
A tiny, relieved laugh bubbled out of Micah. How i
s this even happening? “I always thought you found me lacking.”
Kai’s eyebrows crawled up his forehead. “Lacking? How...?”
“You’ve been watching me the past few months,” Micah said.
“I was just... wondering why Spike liked you so much.” And then Kai looked sheepish.
Micah stared. “Oh.” He wasn’t judging me. And that took a while to digest. Kai didn’t actually dislike Micah.
Spike blushed again. “I told you, Kai,” he mumbled. “Micah’s pure and precious.”
“Pure...?” Micah repeated. That... was not what happened last week. He looked at his hands, pulling his scarred fingers out of Kai’s grasp. I need to stop blushing.
“With the exception of last week,” Spike grinned. “Last week was just plain hot.”
“Yeah, I can see why you like him,” Kai said, his gaze turning warmer.
Micah looked at his desk, at a loss for words. This wasn’t what he’d expected. Two alphas just... touching him. Of their own accord. And it wasn’t even for sex.
His phone alarm rang then, loud and jangling. Micah’s heart lodged in his throat.
The pregnancy test. Micah yelped, lurching onto his feet.
He hurried to his desk, glancing at the kit he’d tucked away just next to his laptop.
Two blue lines.
Micah stared. How...? He’d taken the pill. He’d vomited his guts out. He’d done everything, and... there was still a baby in his belly?
He pressed his hand to his abdomen, staring at the pregnancy test in disbelief. Surely it was a false positive. He needed to get another test done.
“What’s wrong—Oh.” Spike paused next to Micah, his gaze locking on the stick, too. “Shit, Kai, you need to see—”
Kai stepped up close behind Micah, not touching him. But he breathed out slowly, and said, “Fuck.”
“No, I need to take another test,” Micah said, snatching up the kit. “It might be wrong.”
Warm hands grasped his arms, holding him in place. Behind, Kai leaned in, pressing his nose into Micah’s hair. Then he breathed in deep, and when he next spoke, his breath puffed against Micah’s skin. “No, you smell sweet.”
Micah closed his eyes, swaying on his feet. I can’t be pregnant. I don’t want my hopes to crash again.
But Spike eased between Micah and the desk, sandwiching Micah between Kai and himself. Then he sniffed at Micah, too, his nose brushing down Micah’s cheek, to his jaw, pressing against his scent gland.
“Yeah,” Spike said. “Smells like honey here. It’s our baby, isn’t it?”
Our baby.
Micah’s heart stumbled. He knew he’d been feeling unwell, with his sensitivity to light and sound. But discovering it here, with these alphas next to him, both of them all but strangers...
I should’ve known I was pregnant. Micah closed his eyes, leaning lightly into Spike’s shoulder, afraid of getting too close. What have I done?
And yet, deep down, relief blossomed through his body. He still had his baby. Even if Spike and Kai and York left... Micah wouldn’t be alone.
He pressed his hand against his belly, a soft whimper escaping his lips. I’m so happy to have you, little one.
“We’ll protect you,” Spike said, kissing Micah’s forehead. “If—If you want to keep the baby, I promise Kai and I will stay with you no matter what.”
7
Kai
What the fuck, Kai wanted to say. This was your idea.
Kai couldn’t stay in Meadowfall. He was on a basketball scholarship, and sooner than later, he’d be out of this place, playing his way into the big leagues. I can’t be a dad.
He still remembered the pain cracking through his face, Zac’s fist in his hair, Zac snarling, You’re a miserable little twerp with no future. Just like your father.
Over Micah’s brown hair, Spike looked challengingly at him. Kai scowled back.
“I can pay for the baby,” Kai said. “But I can’t hang around in this town.”
“What if the sperm came from you, then?” Spike asked, lifting his chin defiantly. “You gonna ditch him and run?”
Kai hesitated. Spike knew exactly what made him pause, and maybe Kai hated his stepbrother a little bit. “It’s not ditching if I help with the expenses.”
Micah Davis eased out from between them, hugging himself. “Look, neither of you have to be responsible,” he said. “You’re too young to pay child support, anyway. I’ll be fine.”
Spike turned, incredulous. “I want to be responsible.”
Davis looked doubtful. “You’re nineteen. You really are too young to be a father.”
“I don’t care,” Spike said, almost desperate. “I want visitation rights. I want to see you.”
Micah Davis stared openly at him. Kai felt out of place. This... wasn’t really his mess. Spike had crushed on his teacher for ages, he’d dragged Kai along, and now one of them had gotten the professor pregnant.
After spending all his ruts with Spike to avoid this very situation, this was just fucked up.
And yet... what if that baby in Davis’ belly was Kai’s child? His own flesh and blood? Over the years, Kai had sworn to himself, If I ever had my own baby, I won’t let anyone hurt it. I won’t make the mistakes my dad did.
He didn’t want the baby. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t protect it.
And seeing the way Davis’ shirt hung off his thin shoulders... that omega needed to eat. He needed to take better care of himself. Spike couldn’t be there to watch out for the professor all the time, if he was taking up a second job.
As a favor to his brother, Kai said, “I’ll stick around for now. At least, until Spike graduates and gets a full-time job.”
It was just two years. That was okay... right? He could fit some time in between all his basketball practices.
Spike turned, disbelief etched through his face. “You will?”
That bastard had no right to look so gleeful.
“You should knock him up some more,” Spike said, his eyes all bright.
Micah Davis choked, his ears turning red.
“Fuck you, Spike,” Kai answered.
“No, fuck Micah.” Spike wriggled, beaming. “I’ll watch. Would you want to?” Spike asked the professor. “You liked Kai’s cock inside you, right? You creamed yourself the moment he fucked into you.”
“No!” Davis spluttered and looked away, but a telling coil of musk wafted off his skin. He wasn’t in heat, so this genuine interest... It went right down to Kai’s cock. Spike’s smile grew.
Kai scowled, hefting his backpack against his shoulder. “I’m just here for a consultation,” he muttered. “I need help with my homework.”
“And you can show Micah your gratitude after hours,” Spike murmured. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
“I would mind very much,” Davis said, his face beet-red. “Spike, if you could excuse yourself, I’d like to start this consultation.”
“Fine.” Spike did another of his damn victory dances. “I haven’t forgotten about the baby, you know. We should get together to talk about it. Tonight?”
He looked both Kai and Davis in the eye, his expression turning serious—one of those rare instances that struck Kai in the chest.
Spike Ventura could pull his own weight when he decided to—that was one of the things Kai appreciated most about his stepbrother.
“I’m free if you are,” Kai said, glancing at Davis.
The professor sighed. “I guess we’ll have to talk.”
“Good. Set things up with Kai. I’ll be there.”
Spike stepped close to Davis. He slipped his fingers through Davis’ hair, and tipped his face up. Davis’ eyes widened like he was surprised. Then Spike pressed a slow, deep kiss to the professor’s lips, the sort he’d begged Kai to help him practice with.
Davis gasped; Spike swallowed the sound and dragged the scent gland on his wrist down Davis’ throat, and Kai felt a twinge of... something.
H
e wasn’t jealous. It just felt strange, watching Spike mark anyone that wasn’t Kai.
Last week had been different; they’d both been in a rut, and it was just sex. This... With Spike and Davis caught in their own world...
It almost felt like Spike was leaving Kai behind.
When Spike broke the kiss, Micah Davis almost leaned in for more. Then Davis made himself pull away, like it hurt him to do so.
“Mine,” Spike whispered. “At least, I want you to be mine. But even if you aren’t, that’s okay. I’ll be fully responsible for the baby.”
He stepped back, his gaze so damn hot on Davis, that Kai knew there was no way Spike would ever fall out of love with that omega. For the past few years, Kai had expected this. But seeing it play out in front of him...
Somehow, it felt wrong. Kai felt left out.
I don’t love him that way. We’re stepbrothers.
With a wave, Spike disappeared out of the office, leaving Kai and the professor alone. Davis touched his lips, still in shock.
The silence was awkward without Spike. Kai remembered the way Davis had taken one look at him, paled, and shoved himself against the far wall like Kai had terrified him.
Kai had just been pissed for seconds. It wouldn’t have given regular people a reaction like that. What happened to you?
He retreated behind Davis’ desk to give him some space. Then he set his bag down, riffling through his assignments.
“Look,” Micah Davis said eventually, glancing at the door. “I am... not the person you saw last week.”
“What, in your bedroom?” Kai met his eyes.
Davis flushed a bright red. He picked at his hands, covering up his scarred fingers. “That... did not happen.”
Well, it did. Kai remembered touching Davis’ hole, right between his legs. Davis’ moan had scorched down Kai’s spine.
“Can’t say it didn’t,” Kai answered. “That’s just lying to yourself.”
Davis blew out a breath. “Maybe I like lying to myself.”
“Why?”
The professor smiled crookedly. “We’re here to help you with your problems, not mine.”
His Two Alphas Page 6
