Skylar gasped. “What are you talking about?”
My lip trembled as I tried to hold back a sob. I curled my knees against my chest, feeling small and suddenly feeling like I wasn’t good enough for my friends’ kindness.
“Sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying,” I mumbled. “I guess I just got scared that you’d want to get rid of me, now that I found an alpha.”
“Oh, honey,” Skylar murmured. “We’re supportive of this relationship, whatever level it’s at,ifyou like Elijah and if he’s good to you. That doesn’t mean we want you to move out with him immediately. Hell, you barely know the guy. I wouldn’t let any omega move in with an alpha they met one time.”
“Right. We’re not going anywhere, and neither are you,” Kaden said.
I let out a shaky exhale. “Thanks, you guys.”
They hugged me on either side, squishing me into an omega sandwich.
“We got you.” Kaden ruffled my hair. “We’re not gonna let you be hurt again if we can help it.”
“So, tell us more about your alpha,” Skylar asked mischievously. “I didn’t see him. What’s he look like?”
“He’s tall and muscular,” I told them. “He used to be a bodyguard for celebrities, before he lost his vision.”
“Oh, that’s sad,” Skylar murmured.
I shrugged, feeling a bit uncomfortable at his comment. “It doesn’t seem to bother him. He’s still a normal person, just different than us.”
Kaden smirked. “How was the sex? You seem pretty happy about it.”
I blushed again. “Well, I made plans with him again on Saturday, so . . .”
“Shut up!” Skylar gasped, then laughed. “Well, just make sure you bring a lot of condoms. I can’t have another roommate getting pregnant on me like Jake did.”
I knew Skylar was just joking, but his words settled like a lead weight in my stomach. They must have noticed my expression fall because they quieted down.
“Oh no,” Skylar said, genuinely worried. “What did I say? Were you two thinking about kids?”
With a small laugh, I gave Skylar a grim smile. “No, it’s kind of the opposite. There’s something I haven’t told you guys yet.”
I hadn’t told them the entire truth because it had been too painful to force the words out of my mouth--the real reason Larry dumped me like garbage on the side of the road. The reason he thought I was useless and broken.
“I can’t actually have children,” I murmured finally. “I’m infertile.”
“Oh, Felix, I’m so sorry.” Skylar rubbed my back.
“Wait a second. Are you telling me that rat bastard kicked you out because you couldn’t bear kids?” Kaden asked, fury dripping from his voice.
I nodded miserably.
“Asshole,” Skylar growled. “I’d ring his neck if he were in front of me.”
I shut my eyes and buried my face in my knees. “I didn’t want to tell you guys before because I was too embarrassed.”
Kaden scoffed. “About what? Larry is the one who should be embarrassed, not you! What he did was despicable.”
I shrugged. The pain was too much right now, especially since part of me still thought Larry was right. Remaining silent was a better option than speaking and trying to defend him, when I knew my friends--bless their hearts, kind as they were--just wouldn’t understand.
“Enough about him.” Skylar waved his hand, like he was chasing away an annoying fly. “I want to hear more about Elijah.”
“Actually,” I murmured, “is it okay if we keep talking another time? I’m kind of tired now.”
Skylar’s expression softened. “Yeah, of course.” He kissed my forehead. “You’re so brave, Felix. Remember that.”
I smiled as Skylar and Kaden wished me good night, then returned to their respective rooms. I sighed and slid down into my makeshift bed, which comprised of a sheet, a blanket and a pillow thrown on the couch like a nest. Even the cats had disappeared, leaving me truly alone.
With a mix of emotions swirling in my mind, I stared up at the ceiling. Though I was relieved, guilt still gnawed at me for not telling Skylar and Kaden the truth earlier, even though I knew I had a right to keep it to myself. It was a horrible paradox. They had been so accepting and kind, which made me feel worse about lying by omission.
Elijah had reacted the same way. He didn’t hesitate when I told him the truth. But was he honestly okay with me the way I was, or was he too caught up in the heat of the moment to really think about it?
Would an alpha truly be satisfied with an omega who couldn’t bear children?
