Epilogue
Two Years Later
“Don’t forget to call.” Thorn rubbed his sweaty palms together. “And if anything happens, or you feel off, go straight to the hospital. Don’t take any chances. And no drinking. The doctor said—”
“I get it. I get it.” Aster rolled his eyes and pulled the last duffel bag out of the car, slinging it over his shoulder.
He’d grown taller in the past couple of years, any sign of his past illness long gone, and standing next to Thorn, he could probably pass as his fraternal twin more than a little brother.
Thorn wasn’t sure if that meant Aster looked good for his age or he did, but it didn’t matter. He was more caught on the fact that this day was finally here.
“Quit hovering.” Baal rested a hand on Thorn’s shoulder and eased him back. “Give him space. He’s not a kid anymore.”
“I’m a university student now.” Aster beamed at them. “Thanks for helping bring all my stuff into the dorms, brother-in-law.”
“Of course. If you need anything—”
“Not you too.” He groaned.
“I’m only saying, if you call me instead of your paranoid brother, I won’t scold you as much.”
“Promise?” Aster snapped his fingers. “I’m going to hold you to that!”
“Hey.” Thorn glared at the alpha.
“Isn’t it better that he feels comfortable coming to at least one of us with his problems?” Baal whispered into his ear.
Damn it. Thorn had to admit that was true.
These past years living in Fae Manor, Aster and Baal had gotten close, with the latter treating him like another older brother. The alpha was even paying for him to go to school, with the added caveat that Aster’s grades couldn’t slip.
Thorn had made that rule himself, but he’d put his foot down with it. While he had faith in his relationship with the alpha now, he still didn’t want Aster growing up spoiled.
“Remember, dinner once a month back home,” he called when Aster started to retreat back toward the dorm building.
“Wouldn’t miss it!” He waved at them both and took that as a sign he was dismissed, turning and racing to join a slew of other students currently moving in. At the entrance, he stopped to ask another guy if he wanted help carrying a large box.
“He’s going to be fine, sweetheart.” Baal turned Thorn back to the car just as Aster and the other student disappeared inside.
“I know, but what if—”
“He’s got his multi-slate and a list of all the closest medical facilities.” The alpha opened the passenger door and helped him onto the seat. “There’s also a room assistant living on his floor, and a clinic on campus.”
Thorn nibbled on his bottom lip as Baal circled the car.
“Plus,” the alpha got in next to him and buckled them both up, “I put a tracking device on—”
“You what?!”
He snorted. “I’m kidding.”
“Alpha.”
“I swear. It was a joke.”
They pulled off the side of the street and headed onto the highway, Thorn mulling over it all the while.
“Okay, but what if we asked and he said he was all right with it?”
“Omega.” Baal sighed. “We are not putting a tracking device on your brother.”
“But if he—”
“Name one nineteen-year-old who wants to be monitored by their parents. I’ll wait.”
“Fine.” He huffed and crossed his arms.
“I knew you would be like this,” the alpha said. “Which is why Espen enrolled as well.”
Thorn blinked at him. “I’m sorry, it sounded like you just said you ordered your right-hand man to enroll in university.”
“I did.”
He laughed, but when Baal didn’t take it back, realized he was being serious. “This really isn’t another joke?”
“Espen is only twenty-one,” the alpha divulged. “He never got the chance to attend college, since he inherited his mother’s position in the family after her death.”
Okay, but…
“What was that just now about Aster not wanting to be monitored?”
“Espen has an apartment on the outskirts of campus. He’ll be taking some of the same classes, but was instructed not to force engagement if Aster didn’t seem to want to interact with him.”
Thorn’s eyes narrowed. “You’re nervous about him going off to college every bit as much as I am.”
“Guilty.”
“Wow. After making me look bad in front of Aster too!”
Baal winked at him.
“I hope you don’t plan on fucking me any time soon,” Thorn warned. “Because there’s no way—”
“We’re on our way to the cabin,” Baal cut him off. “I booked it for the entire weekend.” He sent him a suggestive look before returning his eyes to the road. “I had the wine you like delivered this morning.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“Do I need one to want to spend time with you?”
“Someone seems to be forgetting how we woke up this morning.” Thorn had been draped over Baal’s chest, his cock still buried inside of him. “We spend time together frequently.”
Baal clicked his tongue and conceded. “If we go back home right now, you’ll just get sad about Aster not being there. Let’s go to the cabin instead. I’ll cook you dinner. We can cuddle and chat on the couch, and—”
“Fuck in front of the fireplace?” Thorn felt his dick twitch. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I am rather convincing, aren’t I?”
He hummed in agreement. “You did convince me to fall for you.”
Baal reached over and took his hand, linking their fingers together.
This wasn’t the first time they’d visited the cabin since the night of the White Hunt, but Thorn found himself thinking about it. About how nervous and afraid he’d been in the back of the taxi, headed toward uncertainty.
How alone he’d felt.
Things had changed so drastically since then.
Thorn leaned back, enjoying the view of snow glittering under beams of golden sunlight and the warmth of his alpha at his side.