Keeping Up With the Jonesing

“Your condition!” Irena exclaimed, her shrill voice dragging nails down a chalkboard within Shadow’s paralyzed mind. The old harpy was getting red in the face and Amy simply looked flummoxed in her soiled dress that Shadow urgently needed to tear off her.

Bless her heart, she seemed unfazed about being ‘mistaken’ for staff, though Shadow suspected there was no ‘mistake’ involved.

Shadow knew exactly to what Irena was referring. His mouth had gone dry, and his tongue had shriveled into dust.

Do whatever your dark heart desires, Mother. He’d texted Irena to secure her vote for him during the vote of no-confidence bullshit. The mother of your future grandchildren needs me.

Shadow’s gambit had worked. He remained CEO of KLS…but the cost was this conversation right here.

He hadn’t explicitly said Amy was pregnant at that very moment, but he’d more than claimed she’d acquire the condition at some point in the future – perhaps that very afternoon. Irena had not had to leap far to land on her current conclusion.

“I don’t understand what you mean? T-that I’m…” Amy shrank back, “an Omega?” Her hand brushed his, and Shadow grasped, giving it a gentle squeeze. Sparks lit up his arm, and he resisted the urge to place himself squarely between Amy and Irena.

Irena rolled her eyes. «I would have wished for a bit more brains.» She grumbled. Shadow bared his teeth at the threat to Amy’s dignity and growled. Irena ignored him. Amy squeezed his hand. “You are with child!” The old woman exclaimed said slowly, like Amy was stupid.

Amy went pale. “W-what?” Her hand slipped free of his and both went to cover her lower stomach. “No.” She shook her head. “No, I-I’m not.” Fuck, not for lack of trying… Stop it.

His mother’s dark eyes turned on Shadow with an abject fury that sent him back to his childhood, when she loomed above him, merciless and he could do little but pin his ears and curl his tail under himself. “You told me she was expecting. Tu m'as menti.” She hissed, but the corner of her muzzle curled into a sly smirk.

“J-je-“ Shadow stuttered, any defense of his actions vacating his mind, the force of being caught in a lie crushing him. His ears quivered, fighting the urge to tilt backwards. What was wrong with him? Say something god damn it!

Amy’s brow pinched and she turned to him. “Did you really say that?” Oh, the multitudinous emotions crowding her voice! Curiosity, caution, confusion…Anxiety, apprehension, affront…His Omega was upset! Fix it FIX IT FIX IT!

What would she think of him to learn he’d used her misery so selfishly to save his own skin? Since even before they’d agreed to be together, he’d violated her privacy. His intentions had always been impure. Shadow was a monster that had always been scheming to capture her.

As was his right!

It was about time he stopped lying to himself. He wanted Amy. He wanted her desperately and completely. So, what if he’d told his mother he planned to have children with Amy? It just demonstrated his loyal devotion. The moment she but give him the word, he’d slam a litter into her!

Mother had planned this, surely. She’d connived and schemed to place Shadow exactly here, in the twin, green-eyed crosshairs. The bitch!

Suddenly forced into the spotlight, Shadow swallowed thickly, his mind scrambling for not just a coherent answer, but one that would magically serve as a riposte against his mother and a balm to Amy’s disquiet.

Shadow was squarely fucked.

“Allow me a chance to explain.” He wasn’t going to make it to Monday at this rate. Hell, he wasn’t going to make it to the end of this conversation, not in a relationship at least. Irena was going to boil off his skin and grind his bones make her bread.

Amy tilted her head to give him the requested space, but his mother wasn’t going to stand for that. Not when there was fresh meat on the menu.

“Oh,” Irena narrowed her eyes, the devious smear leering at him, “you’d like the opportunity to exercise that silver tongue of yours, I am very sure.” She looked away and gestured sharply at someone standing near the wall. “Eliza, mon téléphone, immédiatement!”

Irena’s long serving handmaiden approached, producing his mother’s mobile from a similar hammerspace model to whatever Nicole utilized. Irena took her device. “Autre chose, madame?”

“Je suis desséché.”

“Oui, madame.” Eliza disappeared like a phantom.

Amy watched the exchange with a question pinched on her brow. Shadow muttered an explanation, “Eliza, mother’s assistant.” She made a silent oh with her lips.

“Here! Look!” Irena pointed at her phone, squawking like an incessant parrot. Amy leaned in to read, and Shadow felt his soul vacate his body.

“I’m sorry.” Amy’s cheeks flushed further in embarrassment. “I can’t read Avalonian.” *Right…*That wouldn’t save him, though, trying to let the manner drop over the need for translation would only look suspicious.

“Sans instruction, aussi.” Mother grumbled, flashing Shadow a dark look that he reciprocated. He needed to keep himself poised. To dissolve into a snarling wolverine at this juncture wouldn’t reflect well on him given what Amy was about to learn about his conduct. Though he had desperate want to for a number of reasons.

“Amy,” He lightly touched her arm, drawing her attention, “I can explain-“

Irena began to translate the message aloud, “’The future mother of your grandchildren requires my immediate attention.’” Not an exact translation and she conveniently left out the snipe that had preceded the message, perhaps uninterested in the rabbit hole that would summon. “Are you playing some sort of silly prank on me? How can you tell me something like this and expect me to conclude otherwise, petit ombre?”

Shadow looked away, ignoring his mother. His mind so completely tuned to absorb Amy’s reaction that he didn’t even have the capacity to dread. Any expectations of the future eluded him, and he was a singular, pulsing mass of stupidity, fully in the moment.

You should be ashamed at how little faith you have in her. Amy’s heart is far too pure and you ill deserve anything she deign give you.

Amy laughed and Shadow started breathing again. His head snapped to face her, and she laughed again at his apparent surprise. He blushed. She looked at him with such unbridled affection, Shadow entertained the notion that he’d died, that his mother’s rancor had finally done him in, and he’d (against all odds) ascended to heaven.

“Very sure of yourself, I see.” Amy grinned. I…I love her.

Shadow cleared his throat. “I believe you’ve enough evidence to conclude I am not a man of half-measures.” He was all in, no matter how Amy dealt the cards. He loved her. He loved her. He loved her!

“Well?” Irena shook her phone at him. “What have you got to say for yourself?”

Shadow opened his mouth to spit something vitriolic, but Amy jumped in before he could. “It’s my fault.” She said. “I’ve been insisting we go at my pace.”

No! What was she doing? What could she be thinking? Don’t draw Irena’s attention like that! “Amy, no-“ Shadow began, but her hand sliding back into his short-circuited him.

“Oh~?” Irena gave him a leering smirk that he very much did not care for. «It’s good to know that you will be obedient for someone.» He knew Irena was going to do this, abusing Amy’s lack of understanding of Avalonian to her advantage.

Shadow ground his teeth. Steady. Patient. Keep Irena’s crosshairs on him. “Mère…” He growled a warning. The party hadn’t even started and he was considering throwing her out.

“I just want us to take it slow for a bit.” Amy squeezed his hand, quelling his anger. “I’m not ready for kids yet, so you’ll have to be patient. Sorry!” She beamed at Irena, disarming her in a truly impressive display.

Irena huffed, her nasty plot foiled by Amy’s forgiving nature. Take that, you hag! Shadow did not, for a second, think that there weren’t other, more sinister, traps laid for him or Amy. “Well, don’t wait too long or they’ll steal your health and looks on the way out. Enjoy your youth.”

Eliza approached with a martini glass full of clear liquid and Irena took it, her dark eyes gleaming. “Parfaite!” One of many to come…

«Madame, guests are arriving.»

“Mmmm, I am needed.” She gestured with her glass and began to walk away, Eliza, after nodding politely to Shadow, following behind.

“It was nice to meet you!” Amy called after Irena, but the woman paid her no mind. Amy looked at Shadow who was glaring daggers at his mother’s back. “So…your mom is nice.” She grinned.

Shadow chuffed. “That is not the words I would use to describe her.” He looked down Amy’s front. “I sincerely apologize about your dress and how she treated you. It was uncalled for.”

Amy shrugged. “I’m sure it’ll wash out and it’s no bother, really.” She looked at the large pot. “I really do think it was fine where it was.”

“I have no doubt.” He ignored how utterly delicious Amy smelt or how erotic it had been to see her on her knees. God, now that they were semi-alone, the marching beat of his blood was growing difficult to ignore. A change of topic might quell the heat, perhaps. “I suppose, now that a certain expectation has been set, we should have a conversation about children.”

Amy look up at him, searching his face. “Do you want kids?”

“I do if you do.” For once he had a ready answer.

“Shadow!” Amy’s shoulders sagged. “You can’t just push every decision off on me. I’m asking seriously what you want.”

He frowned. “I am serious. All I really want is for you to be happy. I want whatever it takes to make you happy. If that’s no children or two or a dozen, none, two, or a dozen, then that’s how many I want as well. I’ve simply have no attachment to any number particular, so I defer the choice to you.”

Amy frowned, searching his face for something. He hoped she couldn’t see how much he was sweating or how thick his sheath was becoming now that he was alone with her. Fuck, why’d he think discussing conception would cool him off. Idiot! “A dozen is a bit much.” She said finally.

“Agreed.” He nodded.

Amy chewed on the fabric covering her thumb. “I think…four or less.”

“Four or less is good.”

“I think one isn’t enough. I’d like for them to have someone to play with.”

“Sound logic.”

“Two, three, or four.”

“Two, three, or four.” He confirmed.

“B-but not now.” Amy said hastily.

“Not now.” Shadow shook his head. Not now. Not now. Not now, you fucking idiot. Not. Now.

“I-I just…” She bit her lip and looked down at her shoes, “with all that’s going on and, well…” It was sinful how appealing Amy’s flustering was to him.

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Amy.” He reached forward and gently pushed a quill out of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. “If you would recall, I had said I would wait for you forever.”

Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. Shadow’s mouth watered. Cool down. Hold it together. He didn’t want to hurt her! He swallowed.

She drew in a deep breath and sighed.

He was hurting her. “Amy?” He frowned. “Are you well?”

“Yes.” Amy chuckled. “Wow. That was easy, huh?” She smiled up at him and his heart felt like exploding.

“If only all decisions were so easy.” His tails thumped against his pants as it wagged shamelessly. Let him die a thousand deaths for this woman.

Amy looked past him and her eyes brightened. “Speaking of children.” She smiled sweetly.

Shadow cocked a brow. “What?”

“Uncle Shads!” Oh, mon dieu. Pas maintenant.

Shadow had roughly a third of a second before a fast-moving ball of chocolate brown fur slammed into him and clung tightly like some sort of monkey. “Nox.” He grunted and attempted to peel his young nephew free of him. “I did not know you were visiting today.” *Great…*Another wrench in his plans.

“Grand-mère said we could come!” Eager honey-colored eyes stared up at him and began to claw his way higher on the tree that was coincidentally called Shadow.

“Of course she did.” Shadow smiled, but his teeth were clenched so tightly his jaw ached. “It’s always…” he grunted as the boy gripped him carelessly in his ascent, “wonderful to see you.” His only consolation was the music of Amy’s joyful laugh. At least his misery had meaning.

Further, the scent of the young boy had a calming effect on Shadow’s instincts. They were still very much present in growing intensity, but the focus was shifting from the thoughts of pregnancy to Shadow’s usefulness for after, as a protector, provider, and parent. If Amy could see how well he could be with children, then she would let him Claim her for sure.

Shadow shook his head sharply. Thoughts like those tended to stay deeper down. Having it so plainly in his mind felt like a problem. A problem he couldn’t seem to define well at the moment. It was a big problem!

He grabbed Nox and lifted the young hedgehog to his shoulders. “Are you Aunt Amy?” Nox leaned over Shadow’s head, navigating his quills like only a hedgehog pup could.

“Oh, hello.” Amy waved. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Nox and I’m seven years old!” The boy declared

“No, you aren’t.” Aphelion said flatly as she approached them, a small burgundy hedgehog girl with large yellow eyes balanced on her hip.

“Hello Aphelion!” Amy greeted her. “And who is this?” She waved at Raven.

Not to be upstaged, Nox declared. “I’m seven years old in two weeks!”

“Already?” Shadow tipped his head back, attempting to see Nox. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! I’m a big boy now!” The little rascal grasped both Shadow’s ears and pulled them sharply.

He grunted. “Then you’re too big for shoulder rides!” Shadow raised his arms to grasp the boy’s waist.

“Nooo!” Nox squealed and latched on harder. Amy covered her mouth with her hands to cover her laughter. At least someone was having fun.

“Nox, we talked about inside voices.” Aphelion chided, fruitlessly. Raven watched her brother like a hawk, silently taking notes on how to torment her loving family members later.

Party guests were starting to filter into the space along with a large number of staff carrying hors d'oeuvre platters or pre-poured drinks. Shadow hadn’t had any particularly close relationship with anyone on the guest list, though he did want to note to whom Silver was now attached. If it was a member of Irena’s circle, he might pass the information on to Blaze for the young man’s own good.

“Amy, dear!” Meridian entered the ballroom, trailed by Eclipse and the eldest Kintobor child, Vanta…and Irena, her glass mostly emptied. His sister-in-law embraced Amy and kissed both her cheeks. Amy, to her credit, didn’t recoil, but she seemed overwhelmed. Shadow would have landed some aid, had he not been colonized by an invading second-grader. “What has happened to your dress?”

“Uh,” Amy smiled meekly. “Mrs. Kintobor had me moving pots.”

“Mère!” Meridian looked affronted, turning on her mother-in-law. “You did not!”

Irena huffed. «I wouldn’t have needed to if Shadow were managing his staff properly.» Eliza appeared at her elbow and exchanged the nearly empty martini glass with a full one. Irena did not even acknowledge the swap.

Finally, Shadow was successful at dislodging Nox from his quills. Instead of placing the boy down immediately, he wiggled his fingers into Nox’s sides. The boy shrieked with laughter and Shadow couldn’t keep himself from smiling a little.

“Quit that at once!” Irena hissed.

“Nox, come.” Aphelion lowered Raven and reached out a hand for her son. “You want apple juice. Help me find it.”

“Yes!” Nox roared, soliciting another chastisement from Irena. Holding both children’s hands, Aphelion led them away towards the staff kitchen, likely to get the children away from the growing crowd of old, ornery adults.

Amy looked overjoyed. She looked at Shadow with large glittering eyes, her hands still covering her obviously smiling mouth. “They’re so cute!”

“Until they start screaming.” Shadow remarked dryly, but there was no bite to his words. He loved his nieces and nephews in a way he had no words to describe. It was simply something that existed inside him that he refused to taint or destroy by examining it. As his acidic soul slowly dissolved him, let that small, pure patch be the last to disappear.

Meridian touched Amy’s shoulder lightly. “Now, we simply must get you changed!” She chortled. “Shadow, please forgive me, but I must borrow Amy dear for a minute or two. She needs to get dressed.”

“Oh, Dieu merci.” Irena added, unprovoked. “I wasn’t going to mention it, because you know how sensitive you young folk can be, but she looks utterly dreadful in that dirty smock.”

Amy blanched, and Meridian sighed. “Mère, be nice.”

“Her dress wouldn’t have gotten soiled if you hadn’t had her lifting planters.” Shadow growled.

Meridian wrapped her arm around Amy’s. The pink hedgehog was feeling overwhelmed, he could see it, he could smell it. “We’ll be back so quickly, you’ll not have a chance to miss her.” Im-fucking-possible. “Au revoir!”

Amy allowed herself to be lead away, but her head twisted, watching Shadow until the doorframe came between them. The room was suddenly much colder and Shadow found himself restless. Follow her. Don’t you dare. He should follow her. No, he fucking shouldn’t!

Irena clicked her tongue, drawing his irritation. «We’ll talk later. I’d like to enjoy myself at least a little before I must needs carve out my brain to impart vital knowledge to that waif you mean to marry.»

«Do not trouble yourself.» Shadow sneered. «Your cancerous organ has little use as dog food, let alone as educational material for anyone, Amy least of all.»

Irena snickered. «I love you, too, my eldest son…no matter how many of your father’s less desirable traits you seem intent on acquiring.»

Shadow bit his tongue to avoid doing something he knew he’d regret. He continued to stare at the spot he’d last seen Amy and refused to look at Irena.

He startled when he realized his mother had moved extremely close to him. She glared up at him with her dark green eyes, like the freezing, crushing depths of the ocean, but Shadow refused to retreat an inch.

Leaning in, she started to hiss in a whisper. «If you embarrass me by going into rut during this party, I swear losing your toy of a company is the least of your worries.»

Shadow’s quills rose as a cold chill overtook him. How could she know?!

His mother narrowed her eyes at him. «You think I can’t tell you’re five minutes from pulling your prick out? I am your mother.» Her words were pure venom, delivered straight into his vital organs by her long, sharp fangs. «I will take the scars you’ve given me to my grave!»

Shadow retreated a step.

He couldn’t remember. He couldn’t remember! But after…he’d seen the bandages, felt his father’s backhand on his cheek, seen the fearful looks of the servants. Felt Maria’s gentle touch as she and Eclipse had coaxed him from under his bed. Heard her reassurance that he hadn’t been himself, that he hadn’t meant it. That everything was going to be okay.

Irena snorted, turning up her snout. «You are very fortunate that I have taken a liking to your little girl. Her hips are wide and I suspect she cleans up well. Pray you haven’t inherited your father’s poisonous seed. I would be disappointed to hear she bled out after only one child.»

With that final, paralyzing volley, Irena moved on from his cool corpse, calling out her siren song to some frenemy or convenient acquaintance who had entered the space.

Shadow trembled. The growing noise of the space was a dry buzzing in his ears. His brain was boiling in a thick stew of emotions, but the concoction was overpoweringly spiced by rage. How could she still lay him so low with so few words?

He’d simply never connected the dots. The common denominator between his mother’s difficulty birthing him and Maria’s hers was his father. The bleeding, the complications. Would…would that happen to Amy? Was the misfortune hereditary?

The buzzing turned into a piercing ringing, blotting out his senses as a growing panic overtook his every faculty, heralded by a single question: Would Amy die in childbirth like Persephone?

“Uncle Shadow, where can I put my violin?”

Shadow blinked rapidly, trying to clear the sticky fog from his mind. «I’m sorry, what?» His head pivoted, beholding his oldest niece, Vanta.

“Gran-mère said she wanted me to play for her friends.” She wore a pristine white dress, which accented her pure black pelt well and accentuated her hauntingly pale eyes. “Where can I put my violin?”

“By the stage, I suspect.” Shadow answered, though he wasn’t sure how the words were forming, fried as his senses were. He ran a hand down his face. His gloves grew damp. “Let me show you.”

Shadow exited the ballroom with Vanta on his heels into the curated outer space. His mother’s gaggle of astringent ‘friends’ had began to populate the space. Aged and ostentatiously dressed, every one. In a corner, he spotted a flash of light fur. Silver was standing in a clump of others, an older man’s hand around his waist.

Shadow stopped. Was that Seigneur Blackwood? The longhaired ermine stood tall over the younger man, his fur stool giving his form far more volume than he deserved. Yes. Shadow needed to speak with Blaze before that progressed any further. He didn’t generally concern himself with the relationships of his subordinates, but Blackwood had a reputation.

“Uncle Shadow, what are you looking at?” Vanta brought him back to the present.

Shadow cleared his throat. “Nothing, come along.”

A string quartet was preparing on the stage. He wasn’t sure exactly what Irena had promised Vanta nor if anyone else was privy to the change in entertainment arrangements. Through a gap in the greenery, Vanta laid her violin case in the ‘backstage’ area.

Emerging, Vanta asked him, “Is everyone at this party old?” She played with the fabric of her white dress.

Shadow cocked a brow at her. “I doubt there will be any other children attending, if that is what you mean to ask.” He headed back towards the ballroom and Vanta followed. He was determined to see Amy the moment she was again available.

Vanta narrowed her pale eyes at him. “Why are you sweating?” Aphelion may not have borne Vanta, but there was plenty of the scarlet hedgehog in her daughter.

Shadow flinched. “Are you well ready for your recital?”

“Yes, I am, thank you. Why did dodge my question?”

Because he didn’t want to answer it. “That’s a bit personal, don’t you think?”

She crossed her arms and frowned. “Is it rude to ask that sort of question?”

Shadow stopped. “What?”

“Mommy says it rude to ask after that sort of thing, that when people get slippery when you talk to them, they’re just trying to tell you they don’t want to talk about whatever they’re avoiding talking about, but Mamas says you can ask family anything because they will always forgive you.” She looked up at him expectantly.

Damn it, he had forgotten how young his niece really was again. “I suppose it depends on the question and who you are asking it to.”

She pouted. “That’s not a very good answer.”

Shadow chuckled. “Certainly not a satisfying one, but an answer nonetheless.”

Vanta hummed and scanned the artificial garden. Her pale eyes returned to him. “When you marry Aunt Amy, can I play at your wedding?”

Well, what the fuck was he supposed to answer other than- “Yes, I would love for you to.” Whenever that was…

Vanta smiled, satisfied. “It’ll be soon, right? Before the baby comes? Gran-mère was telling Father children born out of wedlock are bastards.”

“Hold on.” Shadow before his precocious niece continued any further down that road. He sighed. “There isn’t a baby…”

Vanta looked heartbroken and her disappointed speared Shadow through the heart. “But grand-mère said-“

“You should know by now how given to falsehoods your grand-mère is.” He said sharply and regretted it immediately as Vanta blanched. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean-“

Suddenly, Aphelion appeared beside Shadow. Fuck! He forced his quills to relax. “Vanta, go find your brother and make sure he is behaving himself.”

“Yes, Mamas.” Vanta nodded and headed off.

“Shadow, speak with me privately.” Aphelion walked off. Shit.

Sighing, he followed. Aphelion exited the pen of imported greenery. Exiting the glow of the heat lamps, the chill of the early afternoon enveloped him, demonstrating just how much he was perspiring. “As I recall, you were not going to bring the children.” Shadow groused. “This is hardly an event that will hold their attention.”

Aphelion pivoted, clearly deciding they were far enough away from unwanted ears. “Irena told them they could come, after they grew excited to meet Amy.”

Shadow groaned. “That goddamned woman.”

“That is what I want to talk to you about.” Aphelion crossed her arms. “You will not bicker with Irena or denigrate her in sight or within hearing distance of the children.”

Shadow narrowed his eyes. “You can’t be serious.” Though he knew for certain that she was.

“I am serious.” Aphelion stated. And there you have it. “I must hear you commit.”

“I will not.” Shadow’s jaw tightened. “You mean to ask me to play nice with that harpy just to maintain some farce of familial harmony?”

“Yes.” As usual, there was no spark of humor in Aphelion’s eyes. He wasn’t even sure she knew how to joke.

“I will not.” Shadow repeated lowly, some part of him eager to put this Beta in her place.

“I was not asking.” This insolent-! Calm. Be calm. Reasonable. His sister-in-law was just trying to look out for her children’s best interest. Still, being told…Stop it.

Shadow narrowed his eyes and Aphelion looked unimpressed. She was clearly irked that the children had pressed to attend. With Meridian largely occupied with Amy and Eclipse likely keeping a close eye on Shadow himself, Aphelion would bear the brunt of managing all three children and catching all sorts of shit from Irena for any minor failure to do so.

Vanta had more sense and maturity than the average adult, but Nox was both volatile and, inspired by boredom alone, liable to pick a fight with his younger sister. And Raven’s favorite game was hide and seek, a game she was devilishly adept at. She’d obscured herself so well and long, Meridian had been in tears last time.

Eclipse appeared through the greenery, his eyes and ears searching. Speak of the devil…

“When the children are of age,” Aphelion continued, “they will be free to develop negative opinions of Irena on their own, but until such a time, you will not poison the waters.”

Shadow turned to Eclipse, his mouth opening, but his brother cut him off with a wave. “Don’t look at me like you think I’m not in accord with this.” Eclipse said, taking Shadow’s withering glare like a champion. “Don’t give me that. It won’t kill you to pretend to be pleasant for a few hours.”

“You expect me to pretend like she’s not carving Amy up like a turkey?” He could barely pretend he didn’t want to throw Amy over his shoulder and race off to his bedroom with her.

“I’m expecting you to not fight in front of your nieces and nephew. Is that really too much to ask? Are you listening to yourself?” Eclipse growled. “Do you really think drinking Mother’s poison every morning at breakfast was a value-added portion our upbringing?”

Shadow made a sour face. He was losing this argument, and much further resistance would have him looking the child. “And lie is any better?”

Eclipse groaned. “Then don’t lie, Shadow!”

“You’ve participated in your vitriolic tête-à-tête for so long that you cannot imagine an alternative.” Aphelion explained. “I would suggest apathy.” She offered unhelpfully.

“What?” Shadow squinted at her.

Eclipse sighed and massaged the bridge of his snout. “Put simply, ignore her. Don’t rise to her snipes, don’t react to her antics. Bore her, Shadow, and she’d like to leave you and Amy be.”

Shadow doubted there was any power on earth that would make Irean leave Amy be. “I can’t believe I’m hearing this.”

“You are more than welcome to vilify Irena once the children’s prefrontal cortexes have finished developing.” Aphelion would not cede any ground and, to salt the wound, she was probably right.

“Look.” Eclipse waved a hand. “None of us anticipated Vanta begging to perform. You know I can’t, for the life of me, say no to her. Hell, you can’t either!”

Shadow grumbled but remained silent. Eclipse was right. “Very well.” Fuck me. “I will…reframe from vocalizing my thoughts regarding Mother before the children.”

“Thank you.” Aphelion said.

“But if she continues to needle Amy, I’ll-“

“Act like a responsible adult and set a positive example for managing interpersonal conflict.” Aphelion completed for him. Shadow’s neck heated at the implication.

He ground his teeth. “Fine.” He bit out. Aphelion nodded and headed back towards the party bounds.

The brothers watched the red hedgehog leave. «You’ve bathed in scent blockers, it seems.» Eclipse did not see it wise to leave Shadow be. «Would I be right in thinking you’d otherwise smell like a fucking bordello?»

«Yes.» Shadow answered simply.

«Send Amy home, Shadow.” Eclipse sighed, his shoulders sagging and his yellow eyes pleading. “I can’t be any more plain than this. I don’t know what you are thinking, but you know you’re playing with fire. Mother has met her. You’ve done the bare minimum to appease her, so send Amy home before anything especially bad happens.»

Shadow thought about it. Laboriously, Shadow pulled the idea into his mind, this sending Amy away nonsense. He forced the notion through the unwilling gears and cogs that normally churned so eagerly. He manually pumped the bellows and manned the furnace, but still his instincts would not yield even an inch.

He’d sooner cut his own arm off than send Amy away. No matter how illogical the aversion, Shadow was incapable of even acknowledging Eclipse’s wisdom. He was so fucked.

«I just have to hold it together until Monday.» He’d say it as many times as it took to convince himself of the strategies validity. «Then I will weather the week in the basement.»

«Will you make it until Monday?» Eclipse sounded doubtful.

«Yes.» Shadow said with much more conviction than he felt.

«I hope to god you are right.» Eclipse patted his shoulder and went back to the party.

Shadow stared at the green barrier, his eyes unfocused. So far he’d managed to hide the extent of his decomposition. A number of his family were on to him, but the situation hadn’t become an emergency yet. What was another thirty or so hours?

In truth, he’d been losing his mind all day.

He’d requested Silver to bring him the large stack of urgent papers from his desk just so that the young man would be an unsuspecting buffer between Shadow and Amy that morning. Waking up beside her, he barely had the force of will to leave the bed.

Was it ethical to use Silver like that? Probably not. But the scheme had worked!

Or, at least, until Silver insisted he needed to leave. Shadow couldn’t simply demand he stay without good reason or else his defensive tactics would have been revealed. He’d been left on his own.

Amy smelled amazing. Her touch set his flesh on fire. Her voice quickened his loins painfully. Every aspect of her drove him utterly mad.

Shadow’s entire being had been bent to keep his eyes on those document, keep his hands on his pen, keep his manhood in his pants. He read the same line over and over again, unable to absorb any information at all, his vision blotting out from his spiking blood pressure.

He had told Amy that he had been concentrating on work and he’d done everything but.

Then, mon dieu, she’d cooked for him. His Omega made breakfast for him! He had wanted to push her onto the table and fuck her cross-eyed right then and there! What a good Omega she was, how caring, how beautiful, how deliciously his!

But he couldn’t. He’d maintained his composure. He kept his face placid. He remained a polite gentleman, deserving of her affection rather than a raving animal mindless ravishing her.

And Amy had frowned. She’d noticed his reservation. Of course she noticed.

Shadow couldn’t explain without exposing himself to her kindness which would expose her to his vile appetite.

He’d rushed away at the earliest opportunity, taking Breezie’s ridiculous text message as an easy out, leaving Amy’s lovely (albeit strangely plated) meal untouched.

Please, god, please allow him the strength to hold himself at bay until Amy was free and clear. He’d beg on his for her forgiveness the following weekend. He’d do anything it took to regain her confidence, to make up the slights he’d callously given her, but, please, please deliver her from his evil.

Even cold, the plate Amy had prepared just for him had been delicious in a way beyond taste.

Shadow returned to the party. He got himself a drink that wasn’t strong enough and he listlessly watched the crowds. Their faces blurred, a single uninteresting smear to him. A few people approached him, but he said the minimum necessary and excused himself. These weren’t people he cared at all for. Let them think him rude and aloof.

Only Amy mattered to him.

A sudden shriek pierced the polite chatter of the ballroom, breaking Shadow out of his reverie. Nox shot out from under the draping cloth covering the long table. Raven emerged not long after in hot pursuit of her brother.

Shadow chuckled to himself as he watched Eclipse stalk after the pair. One day that will be him.

His chest tightened. Shadow pulled at his collar as he found his pelt growing oppressively hot. All this talk of babies and children…Fuck! He never thought himself particularly the paternal sort but with Amy…with Amy he felt he could do anything.

Where was Amy, anyway? How long did it take to get into a clean dress? Surely-

Shadow was once again tackled from behind and almost lost his balance. Luckily his drink was down to chips and he managed to keep a hand on the glass. Nox was certainly growing quicky and gaining mass.

“Oh, no you don’t.” Shadow couldn’t help laughing as he twisted, narrowly avoiding small hands lacing into his back quills. He managed to dislodge his nephew and tickled the boy into submission. Nox’s squeals filled the large ballroom, drawing many dirty looks.

“Lay off your uncle, you hellion.” Eclipse chided, gripping the back of Nox’s collar. “I told you, you have to run five laps around the house before you can play with Uncle Shads. That is,” He lifted a mock brow, “if you can manage it.”

“I can run six laps!” Nox dashed off.

«Even better.» Shadow heard his brother snort. “That’ll sure show me, won’t it?” Eclipse gave Shadow a wink and headed after the boy.

«Godspeed.» Shadow toasted with his empty glass before placing it on the tray of a passing server. He’d be needing a replacement-

Suddenly all sensory input faded for Shadow. His ears perked and he straightened as an overwhelming urge to turn overtook him. Pivoting on his heel away from whatever pointless bullshit he’d been attending, he saw her.

Amy stood in the entryway of the ballroom, clad in a soft green dress, her quills up in a crown of curls. How was it possible that she became more beautiful ever time he saw her? Magic. That was the only explanation.

His breath caught and the air seemed to shimmer as his eyes dilated. His mouth watered and his pouch thickened.

His Omega. Fucking damn you, you fool, she wasn’t yours yet!

He was moving. Stop. Slow down. Breathe. Think! Her verdant eyes sparkled when she saw him. Fuck, she was so beautiful. Agreed…

“Shadow?” She addressed him and his attention sharpened. What did she require of him? He’d provide anything, slay any enemy, commit any crime…Fuck, fuck, fuck! “Are you okay?” He was immaculate.

“Never better now that you are here, my dear.” Hold it together. “You put the stars to shame with your beauty.”

Her perfect cheeks darkened in a blush. She looked away, sinfully bashful. He would find and murder whoever cursed her with such self-consciousness. He reached out and took her chin, gentling directing her to return her gaze to him. His Omega’s breath hitched.

Someone coughed politely and Shadow forced himself to remember that he and Amy were not alone. He took a step back. “Excuse me, I-“ He had no ready excuse.

“She cleans up quiet nicely, if I do say so myself.” Merdian (shit, where did she come from?!) said, pressing close to Amy.

Shadow cleared his throat. “Yes, I wouldn’t expect anything different.” He cringed. “Not to imply that you don’t generally appear pleasant, Amy.” Fucking, idiot, you are blathering! “That is to say- Can I acquire you a libation?”

“What’s that?” Amy frowned.

“That would be lovely!” Merdian stepped between Shadow and his OMEGA(!!!) Amy. Between him and Amy. Which was fine. “Let’s have two mint julips.” Completely fine.

“Right.” Turn around and walk away. Turn around and walk away, god damn you! “I’ll be right back.” With colossal effort, Shadow turned and retreated from the two Omegas.

He couldn’t do this. Bend her over the table and fuck her. He was sweating profusely. Drag her behind the stand of dahlias and fuck her. His flesh burned and his pouch threatened to disgorge him. He desperately needed to push Amy to the ground and fuck her!

“Sir, are you okay?” The man attending the mobile drinks station asked him.

Shadow barely registered the question. He ran his hand down his face. “Two…” Merde, what was he sent to retrieve? “glasses of chardonnay, please.” Why did Amy want two drinks? Whatever, he had them, so he could go back to her.

Returning to the women, Merdian gave him a strange look as he handed the glasses over. “Amy was just telling me about her work with Rouge Baton. That’s your old school friend, right, Shadow?”

Shadow hummed, but he was barely listening. Amy was just so beautiful. And her smell? Intoxicating. He’d gotten very adept at picking out her enticing aroma of strawberries and vanilla through all the layers of blockers she employed.

And today-

Oh.

Oh, god!

He could smell himself on her. How had she done that? She’d showered that morning, so it couldn’t be residuals from last night. Which meant she had intentionally rescented herself recently. She done it on purpose for him.

Shadow’s heart pounded. He wanted her. He wanted her so fucking badly, right here, right now, anywhere, anyway. He needed her pressed against himself. He needed to be in her, right fucking now!

He took a step towards Amy. She glanced up at him curiously and he took another step. He was very close now and she retreated away, her brow furrowing with apprehension.

Amy backed into a large planter. Shadow leaned down, placing his hands against the wide ceramic rim, penning her between his arms. “Shadow?” She sounded uncertain. “What are you doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing?” His nose grazed hers. His fangs ached. His pulse spiked. He was going to kiss her. Don’t do that! Then he was going to bite her. Please, don’t! She doesn’t want-! He tilted his head and leaned in-

“Stop.” Amy breathed the word and Shadow froze. There was that strange feeling again. A pins and needles, but in his brain, like someone was pulling on strings tugging him in directions he didn’t want to go. Just like in the stairwell the night before. “Not right now, okay?” She whispered.

What the fuck was he doing? Shadow launched himself backwards, retreating several feet and bumping into someone behind him. Shadow didn’t even turn to apologize, instead keeping his eyes on Amy. She remained against the planter and was looking at him with confusion.

“Shadow, are you okay? What is going on?” She lifted. “This morning you were so cold, but now? Now you can’t seem to get close enough to me.” Amy frowned. “I don’t understand.”

His mouth dried and his stomach roiled. H-he was going to bite her…He’d have done, right here and now if she hadn’t stopped him. “I’m sorry, I- Excuse me.” He turned on his heel and fled.

“Shadow!” Amy called and he forced himself to not have heard her. He couldn’t be near her. He couldn’t do this. He had to get away.

He was almost out of the room when, “Amy, dear!” Shadow froze as Irena’s voice drug nails down the chalkboard of his mind. “Come here at once!”

He turned, ready to shred that fucking woman when a hand grasped his forearm and Shadow released a vicious snarl.

«You are done for now.» His brother hissed, pulling him out of sight of the party.

«Unhand me! Amy-»

Eclipse stopped short, his grip tightening, and yanked Shadow’s face close to his. «Give me one reason I shouldn’t drag your ass down the basement this very fucking second?» Eclipse’s eyes burned with an aggression that sent Shadow’s rut-addled mind into a frenzy. He bared his fangs.

Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop! Stop! Stop!

Shadow swallowed thickly. «I…I have to make it to Monday.»

Eclipse narrowed his eyes but released him. «Then you can’t be near Amy, brother. Not right now, at least.»

«I-» Shadow was going to vomit, «know…»

«Come on.» Eclipse escorted him from the ballroom towards the private side of his home. «Where have you got the good bourbon stashed?» He went to move away, but Shadow didn’t follow.

«I love her.»

Eclipse stopped. He turned slowly, the fire in his yellow eyes replaced by a soft sadness. «I know. That’s why you can’t be near her right now, Shadow.»

Shadow stared vacantly at the ground. «I want to do disgusting things to her…»

«I know.» His brother moved closer. «Believe me, I know.»

Shadow looked up. «What am I going to do?»

Eclipse drew in a deep breath. «Come with me.»

Meekly, Shadow followed his brother away from the party to the family side of his home. He sunk into the couch and rubbed his hands over his face. Something soft hit him and he looked up to find a cloth lying beside him. Shadow took up the scent cloth and buried his snout in it.

Meridian’s rich scent calmed him similarly to Nox’s. The Claimed Omega smelled of safety and family. Domesticity in the best of ways. A cold shower for his raging lascivious instincts, a giant sign screaming not now! At least there seemed to be some evolutionary acknowledgement of there being a time and place to be violently horny.

«I’ve been huffing that every five minutes, but you need it more than I.» Eclipse was messing about with the wet bar. «You tell Meri I gave you that, I will kill you.»

«Thank you.» Shadow kept the cloth over his nose. «And…thank you for this past week…and for everything.»

Eclipse half turned from the wet bar. «What is family for? You’re welcome.»

«I feel like I’ve lived years in the past month.»

Eclipse snorted, pulling the stopper from a bottle. «I will admit you’ve had a surprisingly colorful time of it.» He poured amber liquid into two glasses. «And for you, that is saying something.» Shadow let the comment pass without acknowledgment.

«What now?» He asked flatly. He could still feel the pulse in the back of his mind: Amy, Amy, Amy!

Eclipse handed him a hall ball glass. «We’re going to drink.» He raised his own glass in toast and knocked it back.

«Right.» Shadow looked at the glass of amber liquid. «That’s for the best.»

«And stay put.»

«I will» try my best.

Monday. He just had to make it to Monday.

Eclipse remained standing and found something very interesting at the bottom of his glass. «So…» He started in the tone that sent all Shadow’s alarm bells ringing. «Father called me…»