Homecoming and Heartbeats

Homecoming and Heartbeats


Chapter Seventy-Four: Homecoming and Heartbeats

The massive front door of the mansion creaked open, and for a second, Elliot felt a wave of déjà vu so strong it almost knocked him off his feet. But this time was different. 

This time, Merrick’s hand was firmly wrapped around his, their fingers laced together. He wasn't slinking back in shame; he was being led home.

Before he could even take a full breath, a blur of movement caught his eye.

"Elliot!"

Aiden practically launched himself across the foyer, wrapping his arms around Elliot's neck in a hug so tight it squeezed the air from his lungs. Elliot stumbled back a step, his face flushing a bright, embarrassed red.

"A-Aiden! Hi," he stammered, patting the Omega's back awkwardly.

From the surrounding couches and doorways, the rest of the family watched with a mixture of amusement and confusion. 

Why was Aiden, who was usually so calm, acting like an excited puppy?

The Seer, sipping her tea in a corner, didn't even look up. "A lot of things can be exciting when pregnant," she stated casually, as if reading the room's collective mind.

The warm, fuzzy moment shattered instantly.

"In as much as I want to really welcome you," Fiona began, her voice sharp as a blade as she stepped forward, her eyes locked on Merrick. 

"Are you insane? Burning down a building isn't a solution, it's a neon sign! It could have exposed our existence to the world! Do you have any idea what they'll do if they trace it back to us?"

Grants materialized beside Merrick, his hand clamping down on his shoulder with a grip that looked painful. 

"Nice of you to finally grace us with your presence. Hope your little pyromaniac stunt was worth making us all fugitives."

Aldrich didn't need to move or raise his voice. His presence alone commanded silence. "Merrick," he said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. 

"Protecting your lover is one thing. This... spectacle endangered everyone under this roof."

Merrick's jaw tightened. "It's nothing. I wiped everything clean. There's nothing to worry about."

But the tension was thick enough to choke on.

"Will all of you just STOP?"

Aiden's voice, usually so soft, cut through the argument like a bell. He stepped in front of Merrick and Elliot, his hands planted on his hips.

"Just look at them! He brought him home. Shouldn't we be focusing on that?" He turned to Elliot, his expression softening. "Welcome back home."

Prince let out a low whistle, breaking the remaining tension. 

"Alright, enough with the interrogation. The prodigal nerd returns! It's about time. We missed your smart-ass comments around here."



Later, in the sanctuary of Merrick's bedroom, Elliot let himself fall backward onto the giant, plush bed. 

"I remember this room," he whispered, staring at the familiar ceiling. "I've always dreamt of the day I would be standing in it again."

The guilt from downstairs came creeping back. He rolled onto his side, looking at Merrick with worried eyes. "Merrick... I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. They hate you because of me."

Merrick was at his side in an instant, his strong hands cupping Elliot's face. "Hey, look at me. They don't hate me. It's nothing. No matter what they say, I would do it all over again. You are my priority." 

He brushed a thumb over Elliot's cheekbone, a small smile playing on his lips. 

"Besides, Aiden really, really likes you. And anyone he likes, the family has to like them too. I mean, who wouldn't like a cute face like this?" 

He pinched Elliot's cheek, making him blush and swat his hand away.

Merrick's smile turned into a smoldering grin. "Now, I just want to kiss you so much."

He didn't wait for an answer, capturing Elliot's lips in a deep, claiming kiss that stole the breath from both their lungs and every worried thought from Elliot's mind.



The next evening, the pack was scattered around the main living room. Gabriella was meticulously trimming a bouquet, while the Seer watched the flames dance in the fireplace.

"Oh, it's definitely a boy," Gabriella stated, not looking up from her flowers. "The way he carries that glow? Classic Enigma sign."

"The moon will decide, Moon Child," the Seer replied cryptically.

"Mom, Seer, please," Aiden sighed, one hand resting on the small, firm curve of his stomach. 

"That's so vague. 'The moon will decide.' What does that even mean? I need to know my baby is okay."

Elliot, who had been quietly observing, nervously cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him.

"Excuse me... Aiden? I, um, I might be able to help," he started, pushing his glasses up his nose. 

"Human machines can't read you because they're designed for baseline human biology. Your cellular structure has a... a magical resonance. I think I can design a scanner that interfaces with that resonance instead of fighting it."

Aiden's face lit up with pure, unadulterated hope. "Elliot... are you serious? You could really do that? You could build something so we could see the baby?"

Elliot nodded, a confident smile finally breaking through his nerves. "I could do that. I can create a full monitoring system for you. For the whole pack, actually." 

He looked around at the family. "My years of studies and scientific knowledge shouldn't be wasted. I want to use my skills for this family."

Aldrich studied him for a long moment, then gave a single, decisive nod. 

"If that's the case, then you have the pack's full resources at your disposal. If you need to employ staff, it's no problem.”

“We will provide you with everything you need. Welcome to the family, Elliot. Truly. It's about time science was explored in pack affairs."

"Hold up, guys," Merrick interjected, wrapping a possessive arm around Elliot's shoulders. "I prefer you don't overwork my man."

Fiona snorted. "He's going to be living here while he works on his ideas. We aren't sending Elliot to the Sahara desert."

"Oh, come on, Fiona," Grants chimed in, a wicked grin on his face. "It's not gonna be fair if his man is exhausted and has no energy left for Merrick." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Watch your mouth, Grants," Merrick growled, but there was no real heat in it.

"I would be working with Elliot," Merrick declared. "Y'all can step in when needed."

A collective laugh went around the room. "That's funny," Prince said, shaking his head. 

"The Merrick I have known all my life never wants to do anything. I guess love really changes a man."

Elliot laughed, the sound light and happy as he watched Merrick and Grants go back and forth with their playful drama. 

The whole family was laughing, and for the first time, Elliot felt the last of his walls crumble. He was home.



The next day, Merrick led Elliot by the hand into a spacious, empty warehouse on the edge of the massive property.

"So, what do you think? Is this gonna be good enough?" Merrick asked, his voice echoing in the vast space. 

"I'm gonna supervise, make this place super conducive for you. If you don't like it, it's cool, it's the closest to the mansion. We have, like, hectares of land, there are other buildings... And if you don't…” 

Elliot reached up and gently placed a finger on Merrick's lips, stopping his ramble.

"Shhh," Elliot whispered, a soft smile on his face. "This is okay. It's perfect."

He stood on his toes and sealed his promise with a gentle, lingering kiss.