Kade
I could tell from the tension radiating out from my Omega that he was not only awake, but something had his mind rolling at full speed. Not wanting to intrude on his private thoughts, I kept my mind on my driving and what lay ahead at the end of our trip, counting on him telling me when he was ready.
Turned out that Jeremy was ready much sooner than I’d expected.
We were barely fifty miles down the highway when he drew in a deep breath and began to speak in that low, smooth voice of his.
“I wasn’t pregnant when you left the apartment,” Jeremy said softly. “I only had another day at most before my heat passed completely, so the symptoms weren’t bad.” His voice tightened. “And, because my scent had returned to normal, I thought it was safe to go home.”
He seemed to be struggling for words, so, without speaking, I reached for his hand, laid it on my knee and covered it with my own. Wanting to let him know I understood.
“My family has led our clan for four generations,” he said, abruptly switching topics. “Every female born in over one hundred years has been Alpha, so there hasn’t been any question about the succession of power.”
Personally, I’d been an orphan, raised in a county home without the benefits of a clan, but in my early twenties, I’d sought one out, hoping they would accept me. During the vetting process, the elders had explained that female hyenas were dominant to the males. Even a Beta female would outrank an Alpha male like me once I joined, so I understood how hyena society worked. In theory, anyway.
“I’m familiar with the concept,” I said softly, hoping Jeremy would continue.
From the corner of my eye, I saw him nod.
“Anyway, my mother is ready to step down as leader,” Jeremy said with a sigh. “And that’s where things get sticky.”
“Only child?” I guessed.
He laughed. “I wish. I have twin older sisters who are fighting for the right to take over the clan. My mother decreed that whichever brings an heir to the clan first will be named our leader.” He sighed. “Unfortunately, both of my sisters are barren.”
“But you’re not.”
Jeremy shook his head. “No, but, obviously, an Omega can’t take over the clan.” Another deep breath. “When I got back to our compound after you left, my sisters were waiting at my house with someone they said was a doctor.”
When the scent of despair filled the cab of the camper, I pulled off the highway into the parking lot of a conveniently located rest stop and killed the engine.
“C’mere,” I said, my voice gruff as I stood to draw Jeremy back into the living area. I sat on the couch and tugged him into my lap.
“What are you doing?” Jeremy’s voice was tight.
“I’m upset. I think I’ll feel better if I can hold you while you tell me the rest,” I said smoothly. Except, as soon as the excuse left my lips, I realized there was more truth to the words than lie.
Jeremy cuddled against me, and, when he started speaking again, his words were muffled against my shirt, but I could still make them out.
“Anyway, they’d agreed to a plan, but they knew I’d never agree. They’d both purchased semen from a black-market infertility clinic and mixed it together to even the odds.” He swallowed again, his head bobbing against my chest. “Anyway, by the time I realized what they were doing, I was tied up and the doctor had cut out my implants…” he exhaled sharply. “They were planning to test the baby’s DNA after I deliver. Whichever one bought the semen that worked gets control.”
“So it wasn’t enough that your own family raped you, they want to take the baby, too?” I swear I tried to keep the snarl out of my voice, but I knew it didn’t work.
“Yeah,” Jeremy whispered. “Even though they did a disgusting thing, it’s still my baby, you know?” Jeremy’s eyes were pleading with me to understand. “I couldn’t let them just take it.”
“Of course not, Jem,” I agreed, cradling him close. “You don’t have anything to worry about, love. Nobody is taking our baby away, I promise.”
“Thank you, Alpha.” His words were muffled by a yawn and the tension draining out of my Omega’s body left him nearly limp in my arms.
“You don’t need to thank me,” I murmured, pressing my lips to his cheek.
I’m not sure how long we sat in the dark, the silence of the night wrapped around us before a tiny snore told me that my Omega had finally lost his battle with exhaustion. For the briefest moment I considered tucking him into bed and returning to the driver’s seat. Then an unexpected thought hit me.
After telling me so much, shouldering the pain to bare his soul to me, how would my Omega feel if he woke up alone? Would he feel abandoned? Unwanted? I wasn’t sure, but I knew without a doubt that it wasn’t worth the risk. Jeremy had already been through more than any Omega should have to bear.
I set him down for the briefest moment and he whimpered in his sleep, a frown creasing his forehead. “I’ll be right back, love. I just need to lock up.”
Once I was sure the doors were all locked and I’d sent a quick text to Sonny so he knew where to meet us, I scooped Jeremy back into my arms and carried him into the tiny bedroom at the back of the camper. This time when I tucked him in, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted every inch of his body against mine, and, in record time I’d stripped us both naked and drawn him into my arms, pulling the thick covers up to our chins.
