Chapter 34 #3
Emerson nodded. “Of course I do. It was rare to do something with you or Papa alone.”
“Do you remember what we talked about that day?”
Emerson thought back. As soon as the memory hit, a wave of emotion came with it. He hadn’t understood what his father had been trying to say then. Knowing it now took his breath away. “Not really but I recall you saying that no matter what, you’d always love me.”
His father smiled. “I didn’t want to come right out and ask; afraid I’d confuse things or upset you.
I asked some leading questions, but you seemed oblivious.
I started second-guessing myself. What if you weren’t alpha-attracted and I made you self-conscious?
” Creed sighed. “The one time I tried to help my brother, I ended up destroying him. I didn’t want to fuck up again, especially with my own child.
I let it go, assuming you might come to us later and tell us.
Then you started talking about all the omegas you were bedding after the Academy, and we once again assumed we’d been wrong—or that you were hiding it. ”
Tears threatened. Emerson dabbed under his eyes before rubbing his aching chest. “I was too afraid to tell you. I’ve met so many alphas whose families turned their backs on them after they found out.
Families who’d supposedly loved them. There was no way I could lose my family, so I hid.
Until Dash—and I couldn’t hide any longer. ”
“I hate that you’ve carried this secret for so long, all alone. I wish you’d come to us sooner. There were so many things I’ve wanted to say.”
Emerson eyed his father throw a sheen of tears. “It’s never too late.”
His father closed the gap between them and grasped both of Emerson’s upper arms. “I love you, son. I will always love you, just as you are. Who you love doesn’t matter one lick to me, as long as you’re happy.
” He rubbed Emerson’s arms. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for my boys. Their health and their happiness.”
A sob escaped Emerson. His father dragged him into a tight embrace and held him as tears flowed down his face.
For just a minute or two, he was a little boy again, held safe in his father’s arms.
When Emerson pulled away, his father’s face looked as damp as his. After wiping some wetness away, he smiled at Emerson. “Does Dash make you happy?”
Emerson nodded. “He does.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
Emerson wiped the tears from his face. “You sound like Harrison.”
“Where do you think he learned it from?” his father said, giving him a wink. He reached over and wiped some of the wetness from Emerson’s cheek. “I hear that Dash plans to reclassify himself because he’s both alpha and omega?”
Emerson nodded.
“I suppose his reclassification means you’ll be legal to be together and get mated?”
“I guess, though he’s not an omega, Dad. He’s an alpha.”
“I understand that,” his father said. “But his reclassification means maybe you won’t share the same fate as your uncle or end up in prison—and I won’t deny I’m thankful for that.”
Emerson couldn’t feel thankful. He let out a shaky sigh, upset because he didn’t want Dash to live a lie.
“There will be looks, whispers, and gossip. You two need to hold your heads up high. There’s no reason for either of you to feel ashamed of your relationship—even if he wasn’t part omega.”
“Thank you for that.”
His dad smiled. “Just watch that smart mouth of yours. It might get you in trouble still. Don’t let it. There might be some who try to goad you into responding with violence. Promise me you’ll walk away.”
Emerson nodded. “I’ll do my best to keep that promise.”
Dad nodded. “All I can ask.” He suddenly dug into his pocket. “Bayley asked me to give this to you and Dash.”
He handed over a scrap of paper. Emerson opened it to find an email and what looked like a password. “What’s this?”
“He said he’d sent Dash a text about it but didn’t want to send his password. Something about accounts hacked or some nonsense. I don’t know about all that mess.”
Emerson chuckled. “I’ll check in with Dash when he wakes up.”
“He’s awake,” Dash murmured, appearing in the hallway, his eyes red. He walked closer to Emerson’s father and held out a hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Walker.”
“It’s Creed,” his father said, shaking Dash’s hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”
Dash eyed Emerson. “At least one of our fathers is okay with this.”
“Daniel’s got a problem with you two?” Dad asked, one brow rising.
“Of course, you know my dad,” Dash said, shaking his head. “Let’s just say he’s not said much one way or the other.”
“I’ve known your dad a long time. Daniel’s a good man. Maybe just give him time,” Emerson’s father said. “He might come around.”
A shine came to Dash’s eyes.
His father drew Dash into a tight hug. “And if he doesn’t, remember you’re one of my boys now, too.”
Emerson watched his father do what his father always did. Love his children. It made him ache to have the chance himself. All the lessons he’d learned from watching Creed Walker needed somewhere to go. Maybe not this time, but some day in the future.
Dash drew back after a whispered ‘thanks’ and moved to Emerson’s side. Emerson wrapped an arm around his mate. Dash leaned into him.
“Well, I need to get back to work,” Dad said. “And Dash needs rest. I’m sorry I interrupted your nap.”
“I’m glad you did,” Dash said. “You’re welcome any time.”
After a slight bow, his father walked to the door. He paused and turned to them. “I hear you’ve got a court date early next week? For the reclassification?”
Dash nodded. “Tuesday. It’ll all be settled then, hopefully.”
“Good luck,” Dad said before closing the door behind him.
“You Walkers are something else,” Dash said.
“You’re a Walker now, too.”
Dash scoffed. “I’m a Keller.”
“Did you not just hear Dad? You’re one of his boys,” Emerson said, wrapping his arms around his mate.
The hint of a smile on Dash’s face made his chest ache from its beauty.
“In theory, but we’re not mated.” Dash said. His smile faded. “After my reclassification, I assume we could legally mate.” His gaze whipped to Emerson’s. “Someday down the road. If we decided to do something like that.”
Emerson winced inwardly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to mate Dash. He did. But as two alphas. Legally. Not via a loophole because of his mate’s hybrid status. “Yeah. Someday.”
Dash’s brows furrowed and he leaned farther away. “Do you not want to mate with me?”
Emerson dragged his gaze from Dash’s.
“Oh,” Dash said, pulling away.
Emerson grabbed Dash and dragged him back. “Of course, I do.”
Dash’s frown deepened as he searched Emerson's face. “It doesn’t seem like you do.”
“I do. But not when you have to give up a part of yourself to do it,” Emerson said.