look me in the eyes and tell me to go to hell for what our family did to his, and it’s a moot point.”
“Right. One step at a time. But if Hyatt gives you a chance and sees the amazing man you are, he won’t tell you to go to hell. He’d be a fool to do that.”
“A fool well within his rights. What omega in his right mind will want an alpha like me?”
“You mean a kind, loving, generous person who has always protected and supported his younger brother? Who is nothing like their parents and will be an amazing mate one day?”
Dorian’s eyes burned. “You give me too much credit.”
“I don’t give you enough damned credit. Talk to Hyatt, okay? Be honest with him. You’re why I’m still alive, big bro, while two of our siblings are dead.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why? You know it could be true even if we don’t talk about it ever.”
Dorian turned and slid down the wall until he sat on the floor. Samuel wasn’t wrong. They didn’t talk about the deaths of their siblings. Those deaths were officially labeled as natural causes by investigators, but that was it. No clear explanations for why two perfectly healthy toddlers died. He’d seen how hard Dustin had raged over those deaths and how…cold their sire had been. As if the man hadn’t cared. After losing two siblings, Dorian had done everything possible to keep Samuel safe from any and all dangers.
In some ways, the first ten years of Dorian’s life had prepared him for learning the very worst sins about both of his parents. For the fact that Sire had participated in something as awful as the fight ring. Maybe if Dorian had been a stronger man, had asked questions and looked deeper, things wouldn’t have gone as far as they had with Dustin and Symon.
“I’m sorry,” Samuel said softly. “I’m not trying to be cruel, I promise.”
“I know. There isn’t a cruel bone in your body, Sam. I just wish I’d been able to save all of you.”
“You were a kid. You did what you could, and you’re doing your best now. Give your bondmate a chance to know you, okay? I’m blessed to know and love my husband. You deserve the same thing. Period.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Do better than your best. You’re a good man, Dorian. Just because you’re alpha, you don’t deserve to suffer for the sins of our sire or our omegin. They both did reprehensible things. All you did was be kind. And a good brother.”
“You know, you’d have made a pretty amazing therapist.”
Samuel chuckled. “Too bad I had way more interest in teaching.”
“You’re also a bit of an overachiever. How many degrees do you have now?”
“Shut up.”
They chatted about nonsensical things for a while, until Dorian’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. Jenks. “I have to go, but I’ll give you an update soon.” He switched over. “This is Dorian.”
“Hyatt has agreed to a meeting. Six o’clock this evening, dinner at my home. Then you and Hyatt will have time to speak privately on our patio.”
“Wow, thank you.” Dorian was a bit terrified of navigating a family dinner before getting a chance to talk with Hyatt, but he’d gotten through way more awkward situations in the past. Maybe he could even impress Hyatt’s extended family. “I accept your invitation, sir.” He wrote down the address Jenks gave him. “I’ll be there promptly.”
“All right. I’m facilitating this because, as I said before, I understand a complicated mating bond. But Hyatt’s mind is his own, and I’ll support his wishes going forward.”
“As you should, sir. Again, my thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Hyatt’s a good kid, and he’s got five brothers lined up to protect him.”
Dorian was confused for a few seconds, before he remembered Jenks had three sons of his own. “I understand. It is absolutely not my intention to cause Hyatt pain or distress. I’m twenty-six, sir, and I had kind of given up on meeting my bondmate, so this is incredibly unexpected.”
“For all of us. I’ll see you at six.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dorian ended the call and slithered into the nearest chair, excited and terrified and unsure what to do next. So he called Samuel back. “I’m having dinner with Hyatt’s entire family tonight.”
Samuel sputtered. “Holy shit. You might want to have a couple of shots first.”
“As tempting as that is, I definitely need to keep a clear head for this. I can’t risk saying the wrong thing, or insulting my hosts even by accident.