“Trust me,” I said dryly. “If I really don’t want to, I’ll let you know. I think I was standing in the wrong line when they were handing out the obedience.”
He laughed and gave me a quick hug on his way out the door. “Good. I like having a mate who keeps me in line.”
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
Abel handed me into a chair at a small table, tucked away in a quiet corner of the hotel’s restaurant. It was beautiful and elegant and I was wearing the shirt he’d had made for me, a bright emerald green with a pattern of leaves embroidered around the wrists and the neckline. At the base of my throat glistened his other present, a heavy gold collar with a square-cut emerald dangling from it. Abel himself looked incredible in a dark gray suit and crisp white shirt, his beard neatly trimmed—I’d made him sit still for that—and brand new tabs on his collar shining almost like jewelry instead of oppression.
The gentleman who seemed to be assigning tables had started in surprise when we’d come through the door, but he recovered well and he escorted us to this wonderfully private table without a second glance. More reassuringly, he ignore the dirty looks we got from a couple of tables when they noticed the tabs on our collars.
The host handed us menus and asked if we wanted to see the wine list.
I’d never drunk wine, so I looked to Abel to decide.
“Something not too dry,” he said once he’d intercepted my glance. “White, maybe?”
I shrugged. Don’t ask me.
The human left and then we were alone with our menus. They were just like they were described in A Billionaire’s Promise, thick, soft covers, with heavy cream paper and black fancy text. I chewed my cheek and read the description of each dish.
“Don’t look at the prices,” Abel told me sternly. “You’ve earned this. If it wasn’t for curfew, I’d take you dancing too.”
Oh, I’d love to try dancing at a human club, just once, to say I had. They sounded amazing in all the books. “That’s okay.” I looked up from the menu and glanced around contentedly. “This is a dream come true.”
He smiled. “They have steak. The filet has bacon wrapped around it. I’m told it’s good.”
“Hmmmm.” That was tempting. There seemed to be a lot of garlic in many of the other dishes, in sauces, or used as seasoning. If we had a hotel bedroom to ourselves, I didn’t want to be all garlicky. “You’re right. I think I’ll try that.” Baby kicked, so I guess he or she wanted it too.
I laid my menu aside, and Abel set his on top of it. “I’ll do the same. Been a while since I’ve had real steak.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had it.”
“If these projects make money, we should all be able to eat steak more often.”
“That’s a goal I’m sure the pack could agree on.”
He laughed and reached across the table for me, taking my hand.
A different young man approached the table, carrying a glass of white wine in each hand. He set one in front of each of us, then stood back and smiled. “Good evening. I’m Dale and I’ll be your server tonight. Have you made a decision?”
“We’ll both have the filet,” Abel told him, handing back the menus. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And how would you like that cooked? Rare? Medium?”
“Rare,” I said. “Both of us.” Yum.
Dale took a step back and paused. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but are you…?”
We glanced at each other, then back at Dale.
“Are we…what?” Abel asked. I felt a stir in his power and had to squash the urge to reach out with mine to soothe him. That still scared the crap out of me—all I wanted to be was normal, and that was definitely not.
The young human blushed. “You look like two people I saw in a magazine article.” He practically squirmed. “I saw your tabs and,” he turned to me. “You look just like the guy in the story.”
“We probably are,” I said, remembering to smile warmly. I squeezed Abel’s hand, reminding him that this had been his idea. Or, at least, he’d agreed with Laine. “This is our honeymoon. A working one, but it’s nice to get outside walls.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” He grinned, turned even redder, and bobbed slightly in place. “I’ll go place your order for you.” He scampered away, reminding me of an excited pup. I supposed he wasn’t that old, though I thought he had to have been older than Bram.
I turned back to my mate. “It’s nice to see that they aren’t all unpleasant.” I reached for my wine, then paused. “Maybe I shouldn’t drink this.” Adelaide had gotten after me about drinking anything with alcohol in it once I’d been confirmed pregnant. I put the glass down and switched to the water in the glass next to it.
“They aren’t. My experience has been about fifty-fifty.” He sighed, and sipped from his own wine. “Some day, no one will even notice.” He flicked one of his tabs. “And these will be a thing for the history books.”
“Yes,” I said.
We were quiet for a few moments, then Abel asked, “How’s Holland getting along?”
I shrugged. “Better, I think. Having a skill outside running a household or having babies helps.”
“Good. He can take over for you when you have the baby.”
“I can work.”
“I’ll have other things for you to do.”
“Alpha Mercy Hills, are you propositioning me?”
“Well, that too.” He grinned. “But, with all these new businesses, the solar panels, the cider, whatever we can talk Jason into doing, it would be good to have a liaison with the human world, someone smart and charming and not easily intimidated. I can’t do it, and could you see Quin chatting up buyers?”
I burst out laughing. A few heads turned around us, and we got some unpleasant looks. I forced myself to ignore the humans and concentrate on my mate. “No, not at all. But are you sure you want an omega handling something this important? Wouldn’t it be better to have an alpha do it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. Hear me out, okay?”
I nodded.
“I know I’m not a typical alpha. I’m not all about the adrenaline rush, or at least, not in the same way as others. But I don’t have time for the sales side of things. If we could find someone who got their kicks from negotiations and convincing things to work against their own will, they might be a good choice, except it’s not a common profile.”
“Gamma, delta?”
“Too quiet. We need someone with alpha characteristics, and more social acumen.” He squeezed my fingers. “An omega.”
Oh, no, now wait a minute! “I can’t do that. No one will listen to me, unless I run to you all the time.”
“The humans will. They’re barely aware of omegas, and by the time they are, I hope to have at least started the ball rolling on that.”
“Abel…”
“Think about it. I know you can do it. And you’d be proof positive that we’ve been ignoring an incredible resource.”
I played with my cutlery to hide my discomfort. I treasured Abel’s faith in me, but it was hard to imagine omegas as anything other than helpmates for their mates. As much as I wanted to be more than just a bearer and a housekeeper, my own fear still rose up to strangle my dreams. “I’ll think about it. But with five pups…”
“I know. But maybe Bram can help, or Cale.”
“Becca would kill me if I got Bram going about babies again.” A rumble of discontented conversation drifted across the room, raising my hackles.
“Fair enough.” Abel patted my hand, then reached for his wine again, but even in that short-lived contact I could feel the tension in his body. Or maybe it was the way his power curled in on itself, as if preparing for battle.
I took a cautious glance over my shoulder, but didn’t see anything.
“It’s a couple in the middle of the room,” Abel said quietly. “Older, not the best dressed in the place.” He sighed. “Yep. They’re complaining about us.” He reached for his glass
. “Drink your wine if you’re going to. We may end up having to eat whatever pizza is left.”
I shook my head, my appetite gone, and tears fighting for escape. Dammit. Could I not have one romantic fantasy fulfilled?
The host came over to our table. To give him credit, he seemed embarrassed when he told us, “I’m sorry, I’m going to have to ask you to go elsewhere.”
I snorted. Elsewhere meant back to our rooms—there wasn’t enough time left to go to another restaurant before curfew. “That’s fine. I’m not hungry anymore.” I stood up and waited for Abel.
He looked slowly across the room. “I don’t think we should have to leave. We have a right to be here—there’s no signs posted.”
“No, we normally encourage shifters to eat in the breakfast bar area, but it’s closed for cleaning right now. Sir, please…” The host looked anxious now, and I didn’t blame him. Abel’s frustration was easy to read, and the disparaging comments from the human couple were getting louder.
“Abel, let’s just go. I’m fine with pizza.” I tugged on his arm until he finally stood, though once he had I wondered if I’d made a mistake. He loomed, and it was more than his ramrod stiff stance and severe expression, but the way his power rolled off him, heavy enough that even the humans seemed to feel it. “Let’s go back to our room. I’m tired,” I added desperately.
He began walking toward the door, following a path that would take us directly past the troublesome table. The host followed nervously behind us, as if he too could sense the looming disaster.
“Abel, don’t do this,” I pleaded quietly.
“I’m not going to do anything. I’m taking my mate out of a situation that I think is too stressful for someone in his condition.”
“Abel…” But it was too late. We were right next to the couple who had complained. I threw a nervous glance in their direction, then looked away.
The man’s voice followed us as we passed. “Creatures like you don’t belong here anyway. I don’t know why they ever let you out of your cage.”
Abel froze and I stepped between them. “It’s okay.”
“No it isn’t,” he said. “How does change happen if no one ever questions the status quo?”
“I swear to the moon, Abel, if you get yourself arrested tonight, you’ll be sleeping on Mac’s couch until long after this pup is born.”
“Go on, get out,” the human shouted, waving at us as if we were insects bothering him.
I lost my temper. “You’re not helping,” I snapped at the human.
“How, how dare you speak to me like that!” His face went red.
I didn’t give a fuck any more. “Grow up.” Then to Abel, “Let’s go.” I shoved at my mate, trying to move him toward the door.
Ice cold water drenched my back and side. The ice cubes that went with it bounced off the side of my face and cracked on the floor. I froze in stunned disbelief.
“When my dog misbehaves,” the human said in maddening tones. “I have a spray bottle to squirt him with. Now get back where you belong.”
Abel’s power swelled out of him and, in desperation, I caught it somehow in mine, making a cup that his could gather in, swirling in massive waves as it slapped at my power in its desire to get to the human.
“No,” I said, quietly but in the same tone I used when the pups just wouldn’t give up. “Outside. Now. Stay there, please.” I shoved my startled mate toward the door and turned to the human. “You’re lucky I don’t press charges. That’s assault. And shifters aren’t going to stay on the sidelines forever—you’ll have to get used to us at some point.”
He stared at my belly, unmistakable with the wet cloth clinging to its rounded lines. “What the hell are you?” he asked in horror. His wife clutched at him, her eyes like saucers.
“Omega,” I said firmly. “Keep your eyes open. You’ll be seeing me around.” Guess I was going to be Abel’s salesman. I walked firmly toward the door, catching Abel as I went. His hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists and he glared at the human, then wrapped his arm around my shoulders to lead me to the elevator.
Dale followed us out into the lobby. “I’m so sorry for that,” he panted as he ran up to us.
Abel was still tangled up in the mess our respective powers were becoming, so I answered. “Thank you, but we always kind of expect it. I would have liked to have had the steak though,” I finished wistfully. “The pup is hungry.”
“Is that really—Can I?” he stared at my belly in astonishment, understanding growing in his face. “I never imagined—”
“Bax, come,” Abel growled.
I stared up at him in irritation, completely forgetting to be omega, until he shoved his anger away. And as he did so, the tangled mass of our powers slowly unknotted itself and disappeared.
He sighed and reached for my hand. “We might still have time to order something in before the doors lock.”
I laughed and kissed him, then turned back to Dale. “Thanks. We should go.”
As I turned away to take Abel’s arm again, Dale said, “I might be able to work something out for you.”
I glanced back at him. “What?”
He shook his head. “You go on. I’m going to go talk to chef.” He nodded firmly and his smile came back, then he was gone.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
Abel waited until they were in the elevator to say, “Thank you,” to Bax.
“For what?” Bax asked. He was leaning against Abel’s side, both hands on his belly, and humming under his breath.
“For doing whatever you did to keep me from losing my temper out there.” Abel sighed and hugged his mate. “I need to get out and deal with strangers more often. I get used to the old prejudices, and then someone new comes along, and I get all pissy again.”
“And I thought you said you were even-tempered.” Bax grinned up at him. “It’s okay. That’s what mates do.” His smiled faded a little. “You’re not upset about how I did it?”
Abel shook his head. “No. And now I’m even more curious.” He hugged Bax again as the elevator doors opened. “We have to make time to play with this some more.”
“Really?” Bax looked thoughtful as they strolled down the hallway. He seemed as intrigued as Abel was now, and less concerned that he might upset his mate. “I’m not sure how I do it, though.”
“That’s why we have to play with it.” Abel opened their door with his key. “Think about it.”
Mac sat up from his spot lounging on the couch. “That was a quick meal.” His body was tense; he knew something had happened.
Abel put him out of his misery. “Human prejudice. The restaurant staff were fine, just someone else there. Any pizza left?”
“Not much.” Mac shot an amused glance at Bax. “Teca can eat almost as much as me.”
“She’s growing,” Bax said and wandered over to peek inside the pizza box on the table in front of the couch. “Hmmm.” He glanced up at Abel, then down at the box again.
“There’s a taco place around the corner,” Mac offered.
Bax wrinkled his nose. “I’m going to see if there’s something else around.” He took the phone Abel held out to him and started to search. “One of these days, I promise I’ll get my own and stop stealing yours.”
“I don’t care.” Abel sat on the couch next to Mac. “This really got me thinking. We need to start looking seriously at ways to change public perception of shifters. I’m worried this attitude is impacting business, and with the new start-ups, it could be critical. And if we’re ever going to have a hope of tearing down those walls and integrating back into human society, that’s the first thing that has to happen.” Bax glanced up from the phone, but this wasn’t the first time he’d heard about Abel’s wish and as long as it didn’t negatively impact the pups, he was fine.
“What are you planning?” Mac asked.
Abel shook his head. “I don’t know. More stories like the ones they did on me and Bax, maybe? Only on other shifters in
the pack?” He glanced over at Bax and lowered his voice. “I haven’t told him, because he got tired of being followed around by that reporter, but we got asked to do a special on one of the human TV networks.” He looked down at his hands—at some point, he’d clasped them together in his lap. His knuckles were starting to hurt from the pressure. “I want to say no, because I know he got tired of being followed around, but then I think about what it could mean…”
“And how it could go either way?” Mac commented. He sat back and stretched his arms out along the back of the couch. “The higher the profile, the stronger the reactions are going to get.”
“Stop quoting my predecessor to me,” Abel complained, but gently. “He had his reasons, and at the time I think he was right. We needed time to build ourselves up and not be so dependent before we could start shaking the tree we live in. But I think we’re past that. Look at Mercy Hills—we would have run out of space in the next generation. If I hadn’t started now, we wouldn’t have been ready when it happened. But what if I’d never tried to build that inventory software for the pack? Or decided to take a chance and bid on a contract outside walls? We’d be like Jackson-Jellystone, or worse, Rogue’s Hollow.” Both shifters suppressed a shudder—no one could talk about Rogue’s Hollow without at least a twinge of fear.
A knock on the door interrupted them, but no one called out. If it had been one of their shifters, they would have identified themselves—it was only common sense.
Mac and Abel got up off the couch and walked slowly toward the door. Abel gestured to Bax, but Bax was already on his way to stand in the door leading to the bedrooms, phone in his hand, ready just in case.
Mac stood right by the door, ready to open it, Abel took wing and peered out through the spyhole in the door.
It was Dale, and something that looked like…room service. “It’s okay. He was our waiter downstairs.” Abel waved Mac away from the door and opened it.
Abel's Omega(Gay Paranomal MM Mpreg Romance) (Mercy Hills Pack Book 2) Page 34