Chapter 25
Killian
Killian had never been in such a good mood during finals week. He was practically smug with it, all the usual annoyances rolling off his back like the inconsequential nonsense they were.
He was responding via email to a student who, in this very last week of class, was requesting extra assignments to make up a grade they’d been allowing to languish for months—ignoring all the generous opportunities for extra credit Killian had already provided—and Killian was doing it with a smile.
Not that he was actually allowing any extra assignments—the student would have to live with the grade he’d earned—but still, Killian wasn’t growling at his computer.
The lasts of his tests had already been administered, all assignments were either turned in or past the acceptance deadline, and Killian was finally free.
And sure, he had two weeks of grading and pointless, obnoxious staff meetings before it was officially summer break for him, but Killian still had his first summer event tonight. Friday night.
A pool party at Eli’s.
The baby alphas had apparently been unable to wait for the weekend, too eager to celebrate being done with all their exams. And it was hot enough already that it would be a relief to start things off in the late afternoon and continue well into the night, avoiding the crushing heat of the peak afternoon sun.
And as it was now 3:59 p.m., Killian gathered his laptop and placed it in his briefcase, standing to leave.
He would stop at home quickly to change, and then he’d meet Chase at Eli Miller’s house.
Apparently Chase had heard Eli was stressing over getting ready for guests and also tying up the loose ends of what had been a hectic semester, and Killian’s responsible beta had offered to go over early with Noah and get everything set up, as neither of them had any Friday exams to stress over.
Killian didn’t begrudge Chase the task. Because unlike Chase’s awful fucking family, Chase’s friends knew how to appreciate how good and thoughtful he was. At least as much as young men in their early twenties were capable of appreciating such things.
And because while they may not have been arriving together, he and Chase would still be there together. As a couple. Officially and publicly and in front of the few other humans to whom Chase had already given his heart.
Killian found himself grinning as he exited his building into the arid desert heat of the afternoon.
He was distracted enough that he was caught by surprise when a floppy-hatted omega torpedo barreled into him and away again without so much as a word, completely oblivious to Killian’s gut-punched, “Oomph,” at the impact.
Killian rubbed at his side as he watched Professor Thomas hurry along down the path, completely unaware that he’d almost knocked Killian into the pathway shrubbery.
“Don’t take it personal,” a deep voice drawled. “He never notices anyone.”
Killian looked to the left to see an unfamiliar alpha seated on the edge of one of the university’s planters.
He was an intimidating specimen, tall and broad, with sandy blond hair and tattoos up to his chin.
He was wearing worn jeans and work boots and a tee that was faded enough to rival one of Chase’s.
In short, he looked like a ruffian, and he smelled like motor oil and ozone. Judging from the splotches on his jeans, he came by the former honestly. The latter must have been his pheromones, which maybe rivaled Killian’s in intensity.
“I’m aware,” Killian said shortly, his hackles up in some instinctual standoff against another potentially dominant alpha. “I know Professor Thomas already.”
The omega scientist occasionally consulted with Killian whenever he came across a tricky bit of statistics in his research, his questions and explanations often arriving uninvited and at great length.
Killian had learned more about lizard mating practices in his tenure here than he’d ever wished to, thanks to that man.
Killian didn’t mind as much as he might have, mainly because Professor Thomas was never offended when Killian reached his limit and walked away without a word.
The strange alpha was still watching Professor Thomas rush down the path. “Even blasted him with my pheromones once, just to see,” he murmured, quietly enough that Killian wasn’t sure if the words were meant for him or not. “Not even a twitch.”
That was … inappropriate, to say the least. The pheromone version of catcalling, and this guy had done it to a respected, tenured professor.
Killian took a closer look at the stranger. He was older than the usual students, definitely mid- to late thirties, maybe even early forties. And he wasn’t a professor; Killian knew that much.
Killian let his own pheromones unfurl enough to make a statement, leather brushing up against electrical currents. His voice was cold as ice when he asked, letting the words drip with disdain, “Excuse me, but are you employed here?”
Killian doubted it—the man wasn’t wearing a uniform or a name tag—but if he was, he should probably be looked into.
But the alpha only flashed Killian an amused grin and stood lazily, wandering down the path in the same direction as Professor Thomas without sparing Killian another glance.
Ah, fuck. Was this something Killian had to deal with?
But no, it was none of his business. Besides, Professor Thomas had been rushing in the direction of the biosciences building.
And while the man was petite and scatter-brained perhaps to a fault, he had an extraordinarily devoted group of grad students who studied under him.
Killian had been subjected to their offended glares more than once when he’d failed to afford Professor Thomas the proper respect (not that Thomas had noticed).
If they thought this alpha was up to no good, they’d have campus security called within seconds.
Killian let the incident drop from his mind as inconsequential and strode in the opposite direction.
He had a social engagement to prepare for.
The neighborhood Eli lived in was closer to campus than Killian’s—the kind where every house had stucco walls around its property, and presumably its own pool to match.
Killian hummed thoughtfully as he took stock. When he’d bought his home, he’d preferred having a little distance between himself and campus, despite the annoyance of a commute. But maybe Chase would like his own pool?
Although, Killian could add one to his own backyard. There was room.
But it was equally likely Chase might need to relocate for grad school—Killian had done his research, and becoming a licensed therapist required a master’s—so perhaps Killian should table any real estate purchases or major home renovations until Chase had decided on where he might like to go.
Killian was arriving later than he’d planned, thanks to an unwelcome phone call from a colleague asking his advice on managing a tricky situation with a student. There were a few cars outside Eli’s house already, and it seemed likely everyone had arrived before him.
Eli answered the door when Killian rang the bell, and it was vaguely unsettling seeing the tidy omega professor in swim trunks and a T-shirt.
Judging by the way Eli blinked up at Killian, he might have felt the same about seeing Killian in swim trunks and an unbuttoned short-sleeve shirt that bared his chest.
But then Eli broke into a smile, a little shy but nonetheless welcoming. “Professor Burke. I hear congratulations are in order.”
Killian arched a brow. “You know we have to be on a first-name basis now.”
The baby alpha Killian hadn’t officially met yet came in behind Eli, all broad shoulders and loose blond curls. He slung an arm around Eli, grinning at Killian like they were old friends. “Hi. I’m Noah.”
Maybe it should have looked strange, this younger alpha draped over an older omega Killian had only ever seen act professionally before. But there was nothing but ease and affection between the two of them, and their pheromones mingled pleasantly.
Killian had the sudden, overwhelming urge to see his beta.
“Is Chase inside already?”
Killian already knew he was, and maybe he was being rude, but Noah’s grin only widened. “In the kitchen.”
He and Eli stepped back in unison to let Killian through.
The single-story house’s floor plan wasn’t complex, and Killian made his way directly to the kitchen.
And there was Chase, standing at the counter next to Spencer. He was in front of a cutting board. Holding a knife.
Killian couldn’t help but tease. “Are you actually cooking?”
Chase looked up from his task, breaking into a smile so relaxed and pleased that it made Killian’s chest ache. “I’m cutting fruit for a fruit salad. Does that count?”
Killian smirked at him. “And here I was fearing it would be all Jell-O shots and overcooked hamburgers.”
Spencer cackled. “I’m telling Eli you thought he was serving Jell-O shots to his esteemed guests.”
Chase just kept smiling. He was shirtless, his shoulders already a little darker than earlier from whatever sun he’d gotten.
Killian wanted to kiss him. Aggressively so. But Spencer was giving him an obnoxiously knowing look, so Killian made do with walking over and pressing a chaste peck to Chase’s cheek. “I’ve brought corn for the grill. And extra beer. As instructed.”
“Thank you.” Chase turned his head, pressing a kiss to Killian’s lips after all, completely ignoring Spencer’s delighted hoot.
He tossed the watermelon he’d been chopping into a large bowl and took it off the counter, grabbing Killian’s hand.
“Come on. The cooler and everyone else are already out back.”
Everyone else turned out to be Noah’s younger brother and his surly, tattooed friend, as well as Eli’s alpha sister and her omega wife.
Eli and Noah had already joined the others, sitting on the steps at the shallow end of the pool, which was small and already crowded with floaties that Killian could only imagine the younger contingent had brought with them.
Chase deposited Killian’s offerings into a large cooler and then led Killian to a lounger in the shade. Killian shrugged his shirt off the rest of the way, pleased with the undeniable flush that rose on Chase’s cheeks with the move.
“Whoa,” Spencer’s voice cut in, closer than he’d been a second before. “I’ve never seen Chase, like, lust after someone before.” He came up behind Chase, fighting to wrap a hand over Chase’s face while Chase tried to duck the intrusion. “Cover your eyes, Chasey!”
The altercation ended with them both in the deep end of the pool, each fighting to get the other underwater. And somehow that quickly morphed into Noah and his younger brother Ash joining them, breaking into teams for chicken fights while the surly friend followed it all with an intense gaze.
So not Jell-O and dry hamburgers, but definite elements of youth.
Killian sat back on the lounger and watched, occasionally sharing amused glances with Eli. Killian would make an effort to socialize more in depth after a beer or two, but no one was pressuring him at the moment, and he was content watching Chase enjoy himself.
Any jealousy Killian had once held toward Chase’s friends was long gone. They were official now. Chase was his, and Killian had no doubts about his beta’s loyalty.
But while Killian had felt like he knew the boy inside and out, this was a side to him Killian hadn’t had the pleasure to witness before today: the way Chase fit with his chosen family.
And he did fit; that was easy to see. Spencer may have been louder, and Noah was maybe more naturally magnetic—one of those golden alphas people gravitated toward without thinking—but Chase was a fixed point the other two kept returning to, coming to him for backup or affirmation over and over, drawn to his steady warmth like flowers to sunlight.
Killian couldn’t help considering his own two closest friends, and how they might fit if Chase wanted to host a gathering. Killian thought they might actually fit quite nicely.
Devon and Prince had begged to come tonight, but Killian had refused. He wasn’t letting them get up to any mischief on Killian’s first official meeting with Chase’s friends. They’d get their turn in time, after Killian had already established himself as a suitable partner.
Was Killian overthinking it? Possibly. But overthinking was better than underthinking—it meant he wouldn’t fuck it up.
Eventually Chase tired of roughhousing and—wet and dripping—came over to Killian’s lounger. “Make room?”
Killian shook his head. Instead, he grabbed Chase’s wrist, drawing him down to lie between Killian’s legs as they did at home.
Chase melted into him immediately, setting his head on Killian’s chest, his acquiescence soothing any leftover nerves Killian might have held.
They murmured together while everyone else pretended not to watch them, some (Noah) having more success with the subterfuge than others (Spencer).
“Did I leave you alone for too long?” Chase asked quietly.
“I was enjoying the show,” Killian told him, tracing his fingers over Chase’s cool, damp shoulder. “And you? Are you content, sweet boy?”
“Yeah.” Chase let out a happy sigh. “I wished you were here last time. And now you are.”
That was so unexpectedly sweet that Killian could only press a kiss to Chase’s wet hair, words escaping him for once.
There was a loud, yodeling yell, and a splash from the pool. Spencer had tackled the surly one into the water, and Ash was hollering his approval.
Chase rose just high enough to whisper in Killian’s ear, “Also, you were right. Spencer and Ash hid Jell-O shots in the back of the fridge.”
Killian startled himself with the loudness of his laughter. He buried his face in Chase’s neck to muffle it, then reluctantly pulled them both to standing. “All right. Where’s this grill? We’re going to need to feed you all if we want to make it out of this night alive.”