Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kari
With Bowie’s heat looming in the next twenty-four hours, and with Hollis and Frey planning to visit this morning to check in with Bowie, Kari had taken the opportunity to head home to talk to Popi.
Confident that Bowie would be fine while he was out, it also removed the awkwardness of hiding from Hollis and Frey.
Or to have a conversation explaining that they were in a relationship when Bowie didn’t indicate he wanted that.
Kari didn’t push, and with everything else on his mind, for now his priority was getting Bowie through his heat without traumatizing him.
He called Popi from the car to let him know he was on his way, to avoid coming across any unexpected sexy time happenings between his parents.
It was a chance he wasn’t willing to take on a Saturday morning.
The driveway held only Jupiter and Booker’s cars, allowing some of Kari’s tension to ease at not having to avoid everyone, which would be impossible despite the size of the huge, three-storey house.
As he entered the house, since it was the weekend, he wasn’t sure where those who were home would be.
He didn’t creep, just made sure to keep his steps light, making minimal noise.
The place smelled of freshly baked cookies, and what he hoped for was donuts.
In the distance, he heard Emmy crying, then Jupiter’s voice before the crying stopped. Other than that, the house was quiet.
Kari shook his head at how Jupiter had taken to being an uncle like a duck to water.
The man was a baby whisperer. Emmy loved her uncle, and Jupiter loved her back.
It was fucking amazing since he could be, and often was, wary of letting anyone get close to him.
They’d all had to work hard to get Jupiter to relax around them.
His past was more of a mystery than any of his other brothers.
Kari didn’t question why when it was easy to recall the emaciated teenager they’d woken one morning to find in the house.
His sneakers made no noise as he walked toward Dad’s office, only to stop at hearing Popi call his name.
“Kari, there you are, and early too. I thought that was your car I heard pull up.” He cupped his cheeks, giving him a kiss. A searching look followed a smile. “You look happy.”
Held as he was, he couldn’t check if Popi’s voice had drawn anyone’s attention, and Kari groaned.
“Popi,” he muttered in frustration when Popi grinned unrepentantly.
“Don’t use that tone with me, darling boy. You do, and it’s wonderful to see.” He slipped an arm through Kari’s, guiding him towards the kitchen. “I’ve made cookies and some sugar donuts. Are you hungry?”
“I wasn’t, but there’s always room for sugar donuts.” He loved Popi’s cookies, but his sugar donuts were the ultimate prize. If he’d made them this morning, then they were for Kari.
He allowed himself to be guided into the kitchen. As it was Saturday, it was Bessie’s designated day off, so she wasn’t there, and neither was anyone else—luckily.
Popi fussed around the kitchen as Kari took a seat, pouring coffee and offering it to Kari before making a cup for himself. Popi placed a plate on the counter, piled high with enough sweet treats to make Kari’s teeth ache and his tummy grumble in anticipation.
Kari sipped his coffee, waiting for Popi to take the seat he favored.
He wore lounging clothes—loose jersey pants and a matching top—suggesting he wasn’t going anywhere today.
He might be in his sixties, yet he looked young and vibrant.
It never failed to surprise Kari when he took the time to watch him.
Popi got comfortable, picking up his own cup, cradling it between both hands, looking over the rim at Kari with a light of interest. “What’s on your mind?”
Kari placed the ‘I love you’ into a box and tucked it away inside his heart.
He wanted to cherish that a little longer since Bowie hadn’t said it again, but the way he looked at Kari said it wordlessly.
It didn’t feel the right time to talk about it when he had more pressing things to discuss.
How to deal with an omega heat, which Bowie had hidden from, was what was important today.
He had assisted omegas through a heat in past relationships, and they were extreme in some cases.
Navigating them was always directed by the omega.
Just the thought of what Bowie had endured through those times alone made Kari want to weep. “I need some advice.”
Everything Kari had done with Bowie in the shower to get him used to Kari’s touch had been with the heat in mind.
He kept it at the forefront of his thoughts and those of his wolf, who wanted to mate.
It was succeeding, thus far. Bowie had shown interest in doing more after the first intimate shower they’d shared, but after they’d dried, he’d barely been able to keep his eyes open.
They’d had another session in the shower where Kari had slipped a finger into Bowie, making him come, once more triggering Kari’s own release with no other stimulation.
Just watching Bowie come apart was very stimulating.
He was so innocent and true in his responses that it drove Kari’s desire to new heights.
“Advice?” Popi placed his coffee down and picked up a donut, nibbling on it.
He nodded, sipping the strong brew to give himself a moment to figure out where to start. “Popi, I need your agreement that you won’t go pester Bowie over what I’m about to talk about.”
“Pester? I don’t pester anyone,” said Popi, clearly offended.
Kari let out a deep sigh and reached out to touch Popi’s hand. “Wrong word, sorry. It’s just all so sensitive, the subject, and I’m unsure how to deal.”
“If it’s that sensitive, and connected to Bowie, then I can assure you I will treat this with the utmost discretion.
“Okay.” Kari refused to look away when his face flooded with embarrassment at how much interest Popi was giving him. “Bowie has no experience with a heat.”
Popi’s forehead furrowed. “I… I don’t understand. He’s twenty-seven.”
Kari got that, it had taken him a little while to figure it out himself.
“No one ever explained to Bowie what happens during a heat.” They’d had an in-depth conversation about how old he had been when he’d found himself living alone.
Sixteen was way too fucking young for someone like Bowie, who had such a sensitive nature.
“What he’s done is basically lock himself in his bathroom and hide, suffering whatever happens to his body alone.”
Popi’s eyes immediately welled with tears, and Kari groaned in distress watching him place down the donut and dust off the sugar to rub at his eyes. “How dreadful. That poor boy. Did he have someone at least assist with buying toys to help him?”
The heat in Kari’s face increased to furnace level. He’d had the sex talk with his parents just once, and that had been more than enough. This was somehow so much worse, but Bowie’s need overrode how uncomfortable this was making him.
“He doesn’t have anything, has never used anything to help alleviate the cravings,” Kari explained, witnessing the color drain from Popi’s checks.
He visibly shuddered and clasped his hands together, his fingers twisting. “I can’t imagine his terror at not understanding the biological need and having nothing to help the raging hormones flooding his system.” His voice was barely audible and full of emotion.
“His heat is tomorrow, and he’s agreed to let me stay and help him.
” Kari wasn’t going to explain everything they’d been doing to prepare for this.
That was a step too far. What Kari needed to know was the best way to not frighten Bowie.
Kari could admit he feared getting carried away, it was why he was going slow with the introduction of touching despite what was looming over them both.
“Does he like when you touch him?” The nod was stilted. “That’s good. If he’s never had an alpha present during his heat, he’s going to be wild for it.”
Kari jerked back as if slapped, glad he’d drank most of his coffee as it sloshed in the cup. “Are you sure?” He couldn’t imagine Bowie would change so dramatically after their recent naked encounters. He certainly loved Kari’s touch, but go wild for it?
Popi’s expression was utterly serious. “Yes. As omegas mature, the need during a heat increases. If he’s held back for all these years, when it unleashes it will be scarily powerful.” He sniffed, rubbing the end of his nose. “Bowie must have suffered untold agony not giving into his natural urges.”
Kari sagged, deflating at the fact that he wasn’t going to be able to keep control of his own desire if Popi was correct. “Popi, how the fu—heck am I gonna be able to hold back?”
“You don’t. The last thing he’ll want is for you to be restrained with him.
He won’t understand if you do. It could be more harmful to him if you refuse him.
His hormones will make it impossible for him to be rational once he has your scent.
For someone like Bowie, who is super sensitive, it could be catastrophic.
Especially if this is his first time with an alpha. ”
The lump in Kari’s throat made it hard to swallow at what it all meant—because it was his first time. His wolf half was eager for this.
You can hold the fuck on. There’ll be no claiming under these circumstances. He won’t know what he’s doing.
“It is his first time, right?” Popi persisted. “The idea that awful alpha Rex might have—”
“No, Bowie and Rex had not gotten to that stage.” Thank fuck! Kari kept that comment to himself.
“Good. I knew you’d be perfect for Bowie.”
Kari went back over what Popi said, brows arching, his heart kicking up a fuss. “Hold up, what do you mean?”
“I thought I smelled donuts,” Jupiter said, sailing into the kitchen with Emmy cradled in one arm, his gaze homing in on the plate on the counter.
Popi was up and reaching for Emmy, and Kari thought he caught a look of relief, making him more suspicious at Popi’s comment. But with Jupiter right there, the conversation was shelved for now.
Jupiter wore a comically disgruntled look at Popi whisking Emmy from him in a practiced move.
“There’s my girl,” cooed Popi, kissing her forehead.
“I sometimes think you’re disappointed you never had a girl,” chuckled Kari at the adoration Popi didn’t hide.
“I love all my boys.” Popi nuzzled into Emmy’s neck, making her giggle. “But there is something special about a girl.”
Jupiter, who had picked up a donut, snorted. “You’re just thinking about all the pretty things you can buy. I’ve seen all the parcels coming into the house for her nursery.”
The guilty chortle had Kari joining in. “If I remember right, you did add some sparkly decorations to our bedrooms once.”
Popi waved his hand in the air, brushing it off. “Everyone needs sparkles in their life, don’t they Emmy?”
She blew bubbles, gurgling.
Popi glanced at Kari, grinning. “See, she agrees.”
Jupiter and Kari’s eyes met, and they fell about laughing just as Dad walked into the kitchen.
Dad went to Popi and kissed his forehead much the same as Popi had done to Emmy. Then Dad did the same thing to Emmy, making Kari wish like always, for the same deep abiding love his parents shared. The love was so natural between them. Would Bowie ever want others to see what they shared?
“What am I missing?” Dad moved on to grab a donut.
“Popi talking about how we all need sparkles in our lives.” Jupiter smirked at Kari, reaching for a second donut.
Seeing the plate was now nearly empty, Kari nudged Jupiter out of the way of the counter with his elbow. “Popi made these for me,” he pointed out stridently.
“I boxed you up some to share with—”
“No one,” Kari quickly interrupted, seeing the second Popi realized his mistake.
“Greedy,” stated Jupiter, but he glanced between Kari and Popi suspiciously.
Making a show of eating the donut, he rose from his seat, seeing it was time to make a quick exit before the conversation headed in a direction he didn’t want it to. He already had a lot to think about and plan, with not a lot of time.
You don’t have to plan anything. We’ll just do what Bowie wants.
Was it as simple as that?
Kari wasn’t sure. That didn’t stop him from hoping.