Damien
I wait until the Omega Outreach Center closes before I make my way in through the staff entrance. Technically, Alphas aren’t allowed in the Omega exclusive area, but since I’m bonded and a donor, Gael, the center’s manager, gives me some leeway.
Soft piano notes draw me to the music room, where I pause outside, peeking in through the open doorway. Phoenix sits at the bench, his fingers dancing over the keys as he guides a young boy through a simple melody. The boy’s nose scrunches in concentration as he watches Phoenix demonstrate.
“Remember, take it slow,” Phoenix encourages. “Feel the keys under your fingertips.”
The boy tries again, plunking out the notes one by one.
Phoenix places a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’ve got this. Keep going.”
I lean on the doorframe, my heart swelling at seeing Phoenix in his element, teaching and nurturing kids.
Phoenix’s head lifts, and his cheeks flush as he catches my eye. He gives me a small wave before turning back to his student.
“When I was your age, my papa taught me to play piano,” he shares, his voice soft. “He always said music is magic. It can lift your spirits and heal your heart.”
“Do you think I’ll be as good as you?”
“You will with practice and patience,” Phoenix taps the boy’s chest. “You don’t have to be a prodigy, so long as you play from your heart, expressing your truest feelings. That’s how music becomes powerful.”
Pride swells within me to witness the newfound confidence radiating from Phoenix. Music had become the key to helping him through his trauma and finding peace. And now, teaching these kids, giving them the same outlet, helps to continue healing those wounds.
The melody picks up again, stronger this time as Phoenix and the boy play a duet, their hands moving in tandem.
My beautiful, resilient mate, shining his light, even after everything he endured. I would give him the world if I could. For now, I’ll settle for supporting him however I can, even if it’s just showing up like this to pick him up from his volunteer work. That’s all I want for him. To feel valued, fulfilled, and loved.
He deserves that and so much more.
“, good to see you.” Gael steps up beside me, his voice lowered so as not to disturb the lesson. “Here to pick up Phoenix?”
“Yeah.” I tilt my head toward the room. “Sounds like the lesson is going well.”
“Oh, the children adore him.” Gael tucks his hands into his oversized cardigan. “This music program has been such a wonderful addition. They light up every time he comes in. It’s incredible to watch.”
“It is.” My attention returns to my little mate. “Phoenix has a real gift for connecting with people through music.”
“He does. And we can’t thank your family enough for the generous donation that made it all possible,” Gael says. “It’s made such a difference in these kids’ lives already.”
“Please, don’t mention it.” It should have been done through anonymous channels, but I wanted to ensure the donation went toward funding this new program, and that Phoenix would be offered the volunteer teacher position. It was the least I could do, knowing how much purpose and healing it would bring him.
But I don’t want any recognition for it. “We’re happy to support the center’s work.”
“Of course.” Gael mimes zipping his lips. “He’s lucky to have you in his corner. Not a lot of the Omegas who come here have that kind of support.”
I would move heaven and earth to protect Phoenix and see him thrive. Arranging this volunteer gig was a small gesture in the grand scheme of things. But if it puts that renewed spark in his eyes, that spring in his step, it’s worth everything.
“Have a good evening, Mr. Rockford.” With a wave, Gael heads back toward the front office.
The lesson ends, and Phoenix emerges from the music room. The kid trails behind him, chattering and hugging his waist. My heart squeezes at the sight.
This. This is what I want for him. To be surrounded by joy and purpose, to feel valued and fulfilled. To heal and flourish.
And I will spend the rest of my days making sure he has that, in every way I can. No matter what it takes.
As Phoenix sends the student off to meet his parents at the entrance, Oliver comes from down the hall.
His steps quicken when he spots us standing outside the music room. “Oh, good, I was hoping you’d come by today, . Caleb called and wants me to go to the townhouse tonight, so Phoenix can go home with you, and I can go straight to Caleb.”
Oliver had also volunteered at the center, teaching a journalism class for high school students. I think part of his reason is to keep an eye on his little brother, which I appreciate. I had been worried about what would happen if Phoenix was here alone and had a panic attack.
Phoenix takes my hand as he faces his older brother. “Do you still want to have dinner together? We can eat around here before heading out.”
I squeeze Phoenix’s hand, proud of how far he’s come. After Phoenix’s kidnapping, their relationship fractured, both sides carrying too much guilt for something neither of them had control over. But they’ve been finding their way back to each other.
Volunteering here is a way to create something new that doesn’t revolve around their past.
“No, but thank you. Caleb has something planned for tonight.” Oliver’s focus shifts to the music room. “How are your classes going? Papa would be proud to see you embracing the piano again.”
“They’re going well. I wish…” His gaze turns wistful. “I wish he had lived long enough to visit the Omega Outreach Center. He would have loved to visit a place made for Omegas. Our childhood community center was…” He grimaces. “Well, you remember.”
I release Phoenix’s hand to wrap my arm around his shoulders. I wish I could have met the men who raised two such strong Omegas. Their neighborhood had been dangerous, filled with predators who saw Omegas as easy targets.
We’ve been working to fix that, though, starting with knocking down the apartment complex where Phoenix had been kidnapped from and bringing an Omega Center into their neighborhood. Slowly, we’ve been buying up properties, keeping low-income living available while creating a safer place. And it’s thanks to Omegas like Oliver, Phoenix, and the other Omegas in our family that we took those steps.
Oliver pulls out his phone to check the screen and flushes. “I better head out. I’m supposed to be home in twenty minutes.”
My brows shoot up. Their townhouse is at least twenty-five minutes from here with good traffic. “You’re not going to make it.”
Oliver’s flush deepens. “No. I’m not.”
With a wave at us, he heads for the exit, though he doesn’t rush.
Phoenix nibbles on his bottom lip. “He’s going to be late on purpose, isn’t he? So he’ll get punished?”
“We’re not going to speculate on what our brothers get up to.” I tilt my head toward the music room. “Do you need to do anything before we head out?”
He goes back into the room to straighten some instruments and turn off the lights before returning to my side and lacing our fingers together. “Ready.”
The drive back to the Rockford manor passes in comfortable silence, the hum of the engine and the soft strains of music from the radio a soothing backdrop to my thoughts. Phoenix stares out the window, his gaze pensive, and I study his profile in the warm glow of the setting sun.
He’s beautiful like this, all sharp angles and soft curves, strength and vulnerability intertwined. The urge to reach out and touch him, to reassure myself that he’s real, that he’s here, is a constant ache in my chest.
We pull into the underground garage at Rockford Manor, and I cut the engine.
Phoenix turns to me, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Home sweet home.”
I reach out to brush a stray lock of black hair from his forehead, my fingers lingering on his skin. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
We take the elevator straight up to our suite. Once inside, I draw him into my arms, burying my nose in the crook of his neck and breathing him in.
He melts into me, his body a perfect fit, as if we were made for each other. And perhaps we were. How else can the way we met be explained? Given the circumstances of our birth, our paths never should have crossed, yet fate brought us together at exactly the time we needed each other.
“I love you,” I whisper against his skin. “More than anything in this world, Phoenix. More than my life.”
His hand lifts to cup my cheek. “I love you, too. Always and forever.”
As our lips meet in a tender kiss, my hands drop to cup his stomach, where a slight roundness thickens his slender waist.
Soon, he’ll be too big to hide the pregnancy from our nosey family, throwing our lives into chaos.
For now, in the sanctuary of our home, we guard our peace, marveling at the growing spark that came from this new life we share.
The End.