by Beau Brown
“I’m pregnant.” His hard voice cut across the room.
I stopped in my tracks and swiveled to face him. This should have been a joyous occasion between an omega and his alpha. But instead, he stared at me as if he’d told me he was dying. I stuffed down my natural pride and excitement that he carried my child. This was a weird situation. He was pregnant with my first baby, but I didn’t feel like I could show I was happy about that. “Okay. I can’t say that’s a huge surprise. Considering what happened.”
“Well, I was holding out hope.”
I scowled. “Sorry to disappoint you.”
He touched his stomach and his face fell. “What am I going to do now?”
“I assume you’ll have the baby.”
“Of course. But then what? How the hell am I supposed to travel around with two babies?” His voice wobbled. “One, maybe I could have made it work. But two?”
I hated myself for softening toward him, but it was too hard to fight the need to comfort my omega. I moved toward him, and he watched me suspiciously. I stopped in front of him, and took a chance, cupping his cheek. He stiffened, but he didn’t move away. “Griff, I’ll take care of you.”
“What if I don’t want that?” he growled, pushing my hand away.
“Then I won’t. Just tell me what the fuck you want from me.” My voice was gruff, and I felt confused and stupid for caring about him, when he so obviously didn’t care about me.
“I don’t know what to do. I don’t know!” His voice was raised, and his eyes seemed frantic.
“I… I can keep the babies here if you want to go roaming.” I grimaced. “My mom can help.”
His eyes were red rimmed. “What kind of omega leaves their babies?” His bottom lip trembled. “What kind of omega abandons his alpha?”
“I don’t know, Griff.” My voice was husky. “I just want you to be happy.”
“But you see, I’m not happy, Tex.” He rubbed his chest roughly. “Because I want to be here, and yet I don’t. I want to go away and just be alone… but then I think of not being here… and—” He shook his head. “I’m torn.”
I wanted to hold him, but I didn’t dare. He still seemed really agitated. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Yeah?” he snapped, his eyes flashing. “Then don’t go out tonight and be with any other omega.” He seemed to be fighting himself as he inched closer. His expression was hard, but his eyes held fear.
I didn’t move, I merely watched him, confused. Was he just feeling competitive? “You want me to blow off this other omega?”
A line appeared between his brows. “I don’t like the idea of some other omega sniffing around.”
“So this is a territorial thing.” I’d hoped maybe it was more. That maybe he could admit he wanted me because he had real feelings for me. Unfortunately, it seemed more like he didn’t really want me, but he didn’t want anyone else to have me either.
I hardened my mouth. “Sorry, Griff. That’s not a good enough reason to keep me here.”
He narrowed his eyes. “If you just need sexual release, I can give you that.”
My face warmed. “No thanks.”
He raised his brows, looking astonished. “Since when? I thought that was your whole MO; fuck ‘em and move on to the next?”
He was right. Since when did Tex Greerson turn down a willing omega? I took a step back, feeling uptight and irritable. He was messing me up so much emotionally, I didn’t recognize myself. “I’m not in the mood.”
He scowled. “Bullshit. You just don’t want me.”
That was a joke. I definitely wanted him. But I didn’t just want his body.
Jesus. I don’t just want his body.
With a shock, I realized I actually had real feelings for him. When the hell had my feelings moved from territorial to something deeper? I’d started out craving him physically, but then something had driven me to claim him that first night together. Something so powerful I’d been unable to deny it. Maybe my mom was right and Griff and I were fated mates. That would certainly explain how I’d fallen so quickly for him. Did I love him? Did I actually love Griff?
I turned my back on him, afraid he’d see my feelings on my face. “I’m gonna go get ready.”
“You’re not even going to eat dinner?”
“Nah, I’m just going to clean up and vamoose.” I left him there, his surprise hanging unspoken in the air. I needed to get away from him. I needed to examine these newly discovered feelings toward him. If I stayed home tonight, I might be too tempted to take him up on his offer of sex. I didn’t think that was a smart idea. I was already way too invested in him. He’d made it clear he didn’t want to hang around. The last thing I needed was to sleep with him and get more involved. He could pull the plug on us at any second.
Fuck, I made a mess of this by claiming him.
I showered and changed into clean clothes. As I pulled on my boots, I kept remembering Griff’s stricken look when I’d turned him down. I gave a gruff laugh. It was obvious he’d thought all he had to do was offer, and I’d go for it. He was almost right. If I wasn’t so scared of my feelings for him, maybe I would have given in. But I was afraid if I kept giving in to my physical need for him, he’d soon have me wrapped around his finger like a sap.
He was in the kitchen when I went to leave. He glanced over, his expression surly. “You better not fuck that omega.” His voice was an ominous purr.
“Don’t wait up.” I banged the door closed behind me, my pulse jumping around excitedly. He was definitely jealous. It stroked my ego a little that he was mad I might step out on him. He didn’t know I’d never do that. Not now. Not since I’d claimed him. But I figured he deserved to feel bad for a night. I’d offered him everything, and he was still hemming and hawing about whether or not he’d even stay around.
I drove into town deep in thought. But when I parked in front of the Sweet Water Grill, I shoved all thoughts of Griff from my mind. Hunter and Jake were already seated in a big booth. There was another guy with them and I smiled as I stopped at their table.
“Sorry I’m late.” I scanned the new omega’s face. He was handsome; dark hair, nice wide shoulders, and pretty green eyes. He was definitely my type. In the past I’d have fucked him in a heartbeat. Now all I could think about was the blond, blue-eyed, ill-tempered omega I’d left at home.
Jake got up and shook my hand. “Sit.” He waved to the other side of the booth where the omega sat. “We have a few pitchers of beer on the way.”
“Sounds perfect.” I slid onto the vinyl seat and met the omega’s gaze.
“Tex, I’d like you to meet my friend, Shawn.” Hunter spoke up, his eyes pinned on the two of us.
I took Shawn’s hand. “How do you do?” He had a nice firm grip for an omega. Lots of omegas were passive when they first met a strange alpha. Shawn seemed confident.
Shawn smiled warmly into my eyes. “Better now.”
“Thanks a lot.” Hunter pretended to scowl. “Were we boring you?”
Laughing, Shawn said, “I just mean it’s a little awkward as the third wheel with you two love birds.”
Jake’s cheeks tinted pink, and he grunted. “Love birds.”
Hunter laughed and leaned his head on his alpha’s shoulder. “Don’t fight it, baby. We are love birds.”
Jake rolled his eyes, but I noticed he kissed Hunter’s hair.
The waitress arrived with the beers, and we toasted one another. Shawn’s leg pressed mine under the table. I wasn’t sure if he was flirting, or if he just didn’t realize. But when he glanced at me, and licked his lips, I realized he was perfectly aware our legs were touching.
“So, Tex. Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Shawn leaned back against the booth.
“I’d have thought Hunter already talked your ear off with details about me.” I smiled.
“You know me so well.” Hunter grinned. “Shawn here is a teacher.”
I turned to Shawn. “What do you teach?”
>
“Kindergarten. I love kids.” He held my gaze. “How about you? Do you like kids?”
I raised my brows. “You get right to the point, don’t you?”
He grinned, and my pulse fluttered. He was a sexy little bastard. “Why waste time?”
I thought about Griff at home, pregnant with my child, and I felt a little guilty. I’d expected Hunter to introduce me to a typical omega who was just looking for fun. But it was obvious Shawn was looking for something more. I didn’t want to waste his time. He seemed like a good guy.
What the hell am I doing on a date when I have a pregnant omega waiting for me at home?
It hit me how selfish I’d been even agreeing to this meet up. It just showed how out of my mind I was lately. I wasn’t going to sleep with anyone but Griff. Not unless he actually left me. But even flirting and acting single, felt all kinds of wrong when all I wanted was for Griff to love me.
I sighed and dropped my chin to my chest. “I kind of feel like an asshole.”
Hunter gave a nervous laugh. “What’s that, Tex?”
I looked up and met Shawn’s confused gaze. “I shouldn’t have come here tonight.” I switched my gaze to Jake. “I haven’t been upfront with you.”
Jake pulled his dark brows tight. “Concerning what?”
“My love life.”
Shawn pulled his leg from mine, and he sat up straighter. “You’re seeing someone?”
I snapped my gaze to his, expecting him to be pissed. But if anything, he looked compassionate. I nodded. “It’s complicated.”
His lips twitched. “I knew it was too good to be true you’d be on the market.” He ran his gaze over me, and then he sighed. “So tell us about this complicated love life of yours.”
I frowned, my face hot. “You don’t need to hear my sad story.”
“Why not? I’m a good listener.” Shawn sipped his beer, watching me over the rim.
Hunter’s soft chuckle caught my attention. When I met his gaze, he was smiling. “Shawn is one in a million. Hell, I’d have thrown my drink on you if you’d wasted my time like this.”
Jake snorted. “He probably would have too.”
I laughed uneasily. “I don’t feel right spilling my guts.”
“You need to talk.” Shawn cocked his head, his dark gaze astute. “Maybe that’s why you came out tonight. You need some advice. It’s written all over your face.”
I squeezed the skin between my brows, feeling self-conscious. “I’m a confused mess.”
“No kidding.” Jake smirked. “You’re making alphas look bad.”
Hunter scowled and elbowed his alpha. “Hey. That’s not nice.”
Jake shrugged and sipped his beer.
Shawn leaned toward me. “I’m serious. Why would an alpha who has an omega already come out on a date?”
Hunter widened his eyes. “Please tell me you’re not involved with that Griff guy.”
Jake laughed. “No way. Tex wouldn’t want an omega who just had some other alpha’s baby.” He shook his head, and then his smile slowly faded. “Right?”
My cheeks warmed. “Told you it was complicated.”
“But… he had Sven Richard’s kid. He’s taken, even if you could over look the baby thing.” Jake looked horrified.
“Sven didn’t claim Griff. He just accidentally got him pregnant. I told you that. I also told you he’d held Griff captive.”
“I know but…” Jake shook his head.
I understood his confusion. It was highly unusual to come between an alpha who’d gotten an omega pregnant. But I also knew Sven was no normal alpha, and I’d seen the fear in Griff’s eyes when I’d met him that first day. “I took Griff in to protect him, and somewhere along the way I guess I caught feelings for the kid.”
“Holy hell.” Hunter was still staring at me with his eyes wide. “I don’t know what to say.”
I rubbed my jaw. “Me neither.” I slid my gaze to Shawn. “I’m sorry. I should have been up front all along. But Griff has me so tied up in knots, I’m acting like a darn fool.”
“You claimed this Griff guy, didn’t you?” Shawn’s cheeks were flushed. “What a lucky omega.”
Embarrassed, I dropped my gaze to the table top. “Ever since I met him, I’ve been acting all kinds of crazy. My mom thinks we might be fated mates.”
“Seriously?” Hunter’s voice squeaked. “Well, in that case, how the hell would you fight that?”
I shrugged. “He doesn’t want me.”
“Oh, hell no.” Shawn looked pissed. “That omega must have his head up his ass.”
I laughed. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“I’m serious. I’d give my right nut to get claimed by an alpha like you.” Shawn clenched his jaw. “What’s this Griff fella like?”
I thought about Griff and my chest tightened. “He’s surly and rough around the edges. But he can be so sweet with Ava, his daughter. And he’s funny too. He’s bright and I just like being around him.”
Shawn rested his chin on his palm. “Oh, wow. You love him”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m afraid I do.”
“Why doesn’t he want you?” Hunter asked.
“He’s scared. He says he’s confused. Part of him wants to stay with me, but he’s afraid to settle and trust anyone. He likes to move around.” I cleared my throat. “But um… he’s pregnant again.”
“Oh, good lord.” Jake bumped his beer glass down. “With your baby?”
I nodded.
“What in the living hell has been going on over at your place?” Jake scowled. “And I can’t believe you didn’t breathe one word of this to me and Hunter.”
“I was embarrassed.”
Jake laughed gruffly. “Yeah. I can see why.”
Hunter gave his alpha an impatient glance. “Ignore him.” He leaned toward me. “Listen, take it from an omega who was scared to death to be claimed. He wants you. If he let you claim him, he wants you, Tex. You just need to show him you’re not willing to let him go. He doesn’t want to keep running his whole life. I can promise you that. But he thinks he has to. You gotta show him he’s home now. That’s your role right now, Tex. You gotta let him know he’s home.”
My eyes stung from Hunter’s impassioned response. “He’s a stubborn little bastard.”
“Hey, so was I.” Jake’s voice rumbled. He turned his soft gaze to Hunter. “I needed someone to show me how great it was to belong. That nothing could be better.”
Shawn sighed and drained his glass. Then he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “There’s a lot of love at this table. Unfortunately, it has nothing to do with me.” He grinned at me. “There’s an alpha over at the bar that keeps staring at me. Mind if I slip out of here and investigate that?”
I laughed, scooting out of the booth. “Of course not.” I touched his arm before he walked away. “Thanks for understanding.”
“My pleasure. I only wish the best for you and Griff.” He smiled. “I think you two are going to be just fine.”
I sat down after he’d headed toward the bar. I met Hunter’s curious gaze. “How do I get through to Griff?”
“Don’t take no for an answer.” Jake answered first.
I smiled. “That’s it?”
“He needs your guidance. He needs you to be his alpha. Don’t be too easy going with him. Sounds like you’re just bending over backward and letting him run you around ragged.” Jake shook his head. “That’s not how the alpha omega relationship works.”
Hunter smirked at Jake. “Well, sometimes we take turns leading. Don’t kid yourself.”
Jake lifted one shoulder. “Okay. Yes, that’s true. But when it comes to making sure your omega knows who he belongs with, the alpha has to get that through his sometimes stubborn, omega head.”
Hunter grinned. “Agreed.”
I felt a little better talking with them. I had been wishy-washy with Griff. I’d said over and over to him that he just needed to tell me what he wa
nted. Maybe it was time I told him what I wanted. Maybe the omega in him was waiting for that. I finished off my beer and climbed from the booth. “Thanks, you two. This was a strange evening.” I gave a gruff laugh and glanced over at Shawn who seemed happy talking to the other alpha. “But I guess I needed to talk, and I didn’t know it.”
Hunter grinned. “Go get him, tiger.”
My stomach tumbled at the idea of hurrying home to Griff. “I think I will.” I frowned. “If he rejects me, it’s gonna hurt like hell.”
“It would hurt worse to let him go, if asking him to stay would have worked,” Jake said quietly.
“True enough. Night, boys.” I pressed my hat firmly on my head, and I moved to the exit.
The drive back to the house was nerve wracking. My gut churned as various scenarios tumbled around in my head. I parked, and sat in my truck for a few minutes, drumming up the courage to go into the house and confront Griff. Finally the anticipation was too much, and I got out of the vehicle and made my way inside.
Griff was at the sink, washing dishes. He looked surprised when I walked in, and the glimpse of pleasure in his eyes was promptly hidden. “What are you doing back so soon?”
I didn’t answer him, I merely walked up to him, and stopped a foot or so away. I studied his handsome features without speaking, memorizing every curve of his face.
“Was it just a quickie?” His mouth was a grim line, and I could smell his jealousy.
For whatever reason, I was able to see through his defensive facade. Maybe it was talking with Jake and Hunter that had helped me see him clearer. “He was good looking, that's for sure. Beautiful eyes, nice body.”
His eyes glittered angrily. “I’m happy for you.”
“His name was Shawn.”
“I don’t care. I don’t want to hear any details,” he snapped, glaring at me.
I inched closer. “He’s not just looking for a one night stand though. He wants more.”
He dropped the silverware he held into the sink with a loud clatter, and he moved away, his shoulders bunched and his mouth hard. “You can’t just claim every omega you fuck. There are rules about this shit, aren't there?” He swallowed hard. “You already claimed me first.” He sounded breathless.