Eric stared at him unblinkingly, his eyes wide and wet, before saying in a tight voice, “I’m leaving with him.” He was clearly addressing his family, but he didn’t look away from Hugh even for a moment, as if afraid he’d disappear the moment he did.
“Kid,” one of Eric’s brothers-in-law said. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
Eric gave a small laugh. “Wise? Probably not. But I’m going with him, Jon. I’m sorry, I know that’ll cause a shit show for you guys, but…” He shrugged helplessly, looking guilty, but there was softness and hope in his eyes as he gazed at Hugh. “I’m tired of feeling like the passenger in my life. I’m tired of being unhappy. I know that leaving with Hugh is a risk, but I kind of don’t care. He’s right: no one will make me feel happier or safer. He feels like home to me. My home.”
Hugh squeezed his hand. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
Eric smiled back, biting his bottom lip, and suddenly launched himself at him.
Hugh crushed him against his chest, burying his face in his hair and breathing in, feeling nearly high from the endorphins, the world around them fading away. He was distantly aware that there were some sounds around them, but they barely registered. The little omega in his arms was the only thing that mattered. Eri. His Eri. He was never letting go of him now that he finally had him.
“I’ll take such good care of you,” he said into Eric’s ear. “I swear. You’ll want for nothing. I’ll protect you and love you as you deserve to be loved.”
He felt the omega shiver, his scent becoming richer and sweeter with delight. “Say it again.”
Smiling, Hugh nuzzled his ear. “I love you. I’m fucking crazy about you. I’m sorry for not realizing it sooner.”
“Not your fault,” Eric mumbled, kissing his throat. “You were mated to someone else and on strong suppressants. That would influence anyone.”
“Still,” Hugh said, mouthing his cheek. Fuck, he smelled so good. Hugh wanted to lick him from head to toe.
Someone coughed. “I hate to interrupt,” a male voice said very wryly. It wasn’t Westcliff; it was Eric’s other brother-in-law, Jon. “But while we might be blocking the air traffic in the area, it’s possible to get decent pictures from the satellites if one is very determined. It would be very awkward trying to explain to the public why Eric is necking with another alpha while his husband is a few steps away.”
Right. The husband.
Hugh’s arms involuntarily tightened around Eri. He forced himself to relax them as he lifted his head and looked at their onlookers.
Their reactions were varied.
Eric’s youngest brother, Jules, somehow looked both pleased and annoyed. His husband, the crown prince, looked supremely unimpressed. Eric’s blond brother, Liam, seemed thoughtful, while Liam’s husband’s expression was slightly pinched with an undertone of amusement.
To Hugh’s surprise, Ascott just looked concerned.
It didn’t make Hugh dislike the man any less, no matter how irrational it was. “He won’t be his husband soon,” Hugh stated, meeting Ascott’s gaze.
Ascott lifted his eyebrows. “If we divorce immediately after the scandal, it will all but confirm the nasty rumors. Eric will never be able to show his face in polite company. Do you really want to mate an omega with such a tarnished reputation?”
Eric tensed up in his embrace.
Stroking his back soothingly, Hugh bared his teeth at Ascott. “I don’t give a fuck about stupid shit like an omega’s reputation. It’s pure hypocrisy at its finest.”
“Okay, I think I like him now,” Jules said.
Ascott shot Hugh a skeptical look. “You may say it now, but you’ll quickly change your mind once people stop inviting you places, and your children will have to suffer from the stigma of their parentage all their life.”
Hugh laughed coldly. “This is the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while. We’re Randalls. My mate and our children will not be ostracized.” His voice softened as he looked at Eric. “Let’s go, love.”
Eric was looking at him searchingly. “Are you sure, Hugh? Greg isn’t entirely wrong. I know your family is hugely respected in Kadar, but there still will be lots of nasty gossip.” He chewed on his lip and said very quietly, “I don’t want you to regret this. To regret us.”
His throat thick with affection, Hugh stroked Eric’s cheek with his thumb. “I’m sure. I will never regret this. Besides, I know a sure way to protect you from the gossip.”
“Oh?” Eric said, leaning into his touch.
“I’ll give an interview with major websites and tell them that we’re true mates who couldn’t resist our soul-deep connection,” Hugh said. “People will eat that up.”
Eric’s eyes widened. “But—but you insisted all your professional career that true mates don’t exist. You published papers to disprove it!”
Hugh smiled wryly. “And that’s precisely why people will eat that up. Why would I publicly invalidate my research if it weren’t true?”