An Alpha's Choice (Talon Pack #2)(22)

“You need to see Hannah or Mark?” Maddox asked. Maddox was his uncle and former Omega. Or really, his Omega in truth since the Pack was still in flux. Hannah, his aunt, was the former Healer with his brother Mark learning his new powers right beside her. His other brother, Drake, sat by Maddox, a frown on his face. Drake was the new Omega, but even in his twenties, far too young in Finn’s opinion to deal with the weight of the world that the Omega had to deal with on a daily basis.

Finn shook his head. “I’m fine. They don’t need to waste their energy on a few bruises.” He ran his hand over his side but didn’t wince this time. That had to be some form of progress.

Maddox raised a brow. The man didn’t speak as much as his other uncles, but when he did, it meant something. Uncle Maddox had been through hell and back, coming through it with the love of a woman that provided his anchor to the world. Without Ellie, Finn had a feeling Maddox would have succumbed to the pain and overwhelming emotions that came with being the Omega of a large Pack in the center of a war. The mating bond with Ellie had saved Maddox’s life.

That was one more reason Finn was glad Maddox still held some bonds to the Pack through being an Omega. Mark wouldn’t be able to handle every emotion—good or bad—on his own. Finn had no idea how Maddox had done it all those years ago, but now Mark at least had someone to rely on when things got tricky. And in a time where no one knew what the next step would be, and everyone’s lives were in danger because the humans were too unpredictable, Finn was so freaking relieved Maddox was there to pick up the slack.

All of his family had a backup power holder because of the shift in hierarchy. He wasn’t sure how long the older generation would keep the powers they had and the connections they shared, but they were needed. The moon goddess could see their Pack needed the help with what was to come. The Talons didn’t have that option, but they also had wolves with a century of living under their belt. Finn’s generation didn’t have that yet. In fact, he and his father were the only ones within the Redwoods without a counterpart. It made sense, as there was only one Alpha. One whose word was law. Finn had no children, no other connections to share. So he was the Heir.

As he’d been since he was three years old.

Maddox put his hand on Finn’s shoulder, breaking Finn from the memories of screams and fire.

“You’re projecting so hard right now, that it doesn’t take an Omega to know you’re in pain.” Maddox sighed. “And I’m not talking about the bruises.”

Finn shrugged. “I’m fine.”

“You’re lying.” Maddox hadn’t always been this blunt. In fact, if Finn didn’t know any better, he would have sworn that tone had come from his uncle Adam. The Enforcer of the Pack used to be a growly *. Now, he was a growly * who smiled when his mate and children were near.

“I’ll be fine,” Finn said, truthfully. “How’s that?”

Drake snorted. “That’ll have to do, won’t it?”

Finn flipped Drake off then sat back in his chair. After the cops had been dealt with, he’d come back home and had wanted to sleep off whatever the f*ck had happened with Brynn. Of course, he should have known that wouldn’t be happening. Maddox had been waiting on the doorstep with Drake by his side. Normally the two would have just walked right inside and waited for Finn there. But since Charlotte also lived with Finn and she was Maddox’s daughter, Finn figured there had to be some boundaries in place. Charlotte wasn’t home, so Maddox had waited for Finn to arrive.

And as soon as Finn had let the pair inside, he’d been forced to tell them exactly what had happened with the humans and the accident that wasn’t quite an accident. Finn had left out the part where he’d pressed Brynn up against the wall and kissed her like he’d never kissed a woman before. That part was just for him.

Though he had a feeling Maddox was here for exactly that part. Any one of his family members could have stopped by to hear firsthand what had happened outside the den. Finn would be talking to his father about it again soon anyway.

Instead, the two Omegas of the Pack had shown up on his doorstep with serious faces to match the serious business at hand.

“Tell me what happened with Brynn.”

Finn sat back, his eyes narrowing at his uncle. “Beyond the accident and the * humans who followed us around?”

Maddox let out a sigh while Drake shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Finn wasn’t doing a good enough job hiding his emotions if he was making his brother feel like this, but damn it, he couldn’t control himself every moment of every day. He’d done a piss poor job of controlling himself around Brynn earlier, and he wouldn’t blame her for never speaking to him again.

Only he wanted to see her again. Wanted to speak to her. Wanted to kiss her again.

And that was f*cking dangerous.

“Finn.”

The knowing tone in Maddox’s voice set Finn’s teeth on edge. He didn’t want to talk about it. Didn’t want to think about it. But whom else would he speak to? His father? No. That would just f*ck things up since Brynn was the Talon Princess. No matter how hard Kade tried to be only a father, there were times he had to be only the Alpha. Finn never begrudged his father for that, but it didn’t make things easy.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he growled lowly. As Heir, he might outrank the other two in the room, but right then, they were his Omegas, his family. He wouldn’t be able to hide from them for long. And honestly, he wasn’t sure he should.