I take it, my fingers brushing his. “Thanks.” I take a sip. It’s warm and calming.
He leans against the door frame, watching me. “How are you doing?”
I shrug, looking away. “Confused. Scared. Overwhelmed.”
He nods. “Yeah. That’s understandable.”
It’s quiet for a minute, just the snow falling outside. Then, Oli clears his throat and I turn my attention to him. He ruffles his golden hair. “Sandra, I know this is all a lot. And I know you don’t know us very well. But I want you to know something.” He takes a deep breath. “For almost ten years, we’ve been trying to have a baby. We’ve tried everything. But it hasn’t happened. We found out recently I have a half uterus. A unicornuate uterus. My version makes it almost impossible for me to stay pregnant past the first trimester.”
I stare at him, shocked. He looks so vulnerable, so raw. My heart hammers.
He looks past me, out the window. “So, when you said you were pregnant... I know it’s not ideal. The way it happened. But it feels like maybe the universe is giving us a second chance. Like maybe this is how it was supposed to be. All of us. Together.”
He finally looks at me, his green eyes searching mine. “I’ve had friends, Omegas, who bonded while they were pregnant. After stuff like what you went through. And what Dr. Ramirez said, it’s true. It’s a survival thing, really. The fetus adapts, takes on the genes of the bonded Alphas. It’s a way for the Omega, for the baby, to be protected, provided for.”
He takes a step closer, his voice soft. “If you bonded with us, Sandra, we would care for you. Forever. And any baby you have, that baby would be loved. Cherished. By all of us.” He pauses.“But it’s your decision. Your body. Your choice. We get that. We respect that.”
I set the mug on the windowsill.I fully turn to him. “Oli.” His name catches in my throat, and I swallow hard as I find the words. “I’m so sorry. That you’ve had to go through that. All that heartbreak. I can’t imagine.” I reach for him, pulling him into a hug.
He’s stiff for a second, surprised, then he relaxes into it. His arms wrap around me, tight. And then he breaks, a shudder runs through him, and his warm tears soak my shoulder. I hold him tighter, my own tears starting. We stand there, in the study, holding each other. He quiets down after a few minutes. I don’t let go, and he doesn’t either.
I pull back a little, keeping my hands on his arms. I look up at him, his green eyes red and wet. “Thank you.” I rub his arms. “For telling me and being so honest.”
He gives a watery smile, bit of his usual brightness coming back. The air between us turns heavy, charged, the longer we stare at each other. The space between us seems to shrink.
And then I lean in and kiss him. The impulse was too strong, and my heart hammers in my ears. I’m kissing another Omega, but it doesn’t feel wrong. It’s soft, hesitant at first. A gentle press of lips. But he doesn’t pull back. Instead, his hand comes up to my cheek, his thumb stroking under my eye. As his other wraps around my waist and pulls me closer. He deepens the kiss, his lips parting. I respond, my own lips moving against his, a warmth spreading through me.
His mouth slants against mine, turning demanding, possessive, and a thrill shoots straight through me to my center. My fingers tighten on his shoulders. I meet his pressure, answering the demand with one of my own, a low hum vibrating in my chest as I purr, and he does the same in return.
He takes a half-step back, pulling me with him, and my back bumps against the windowsill. The cold glass is a jolt, even through Caleb’s thick hoodie, but it’s grounding. He follows, pressing closer, his body a solid, warm presence. I make a small, surprised sound, a hitch of breath.
He takes advantage, his tongue sliding against my already parted lips. My stomach flips. I let him in. He tastes like the coffee he must’ve had before he came in. One of his hands moves from my cheek, sliding down to rest on my hip, a firm, possessive touch. The other hand stays tangled in my hair, not holding me captive, but anchoring me. It’s a heady feeling. I feel desired, wanted, but also safe. A strange, but welcome, combination. Something hard presses against my center.
Footsteps thunder down the hall, and it’s enough to make reality come crashing in as a light knock sounds on the door again. We pull apart, our chest heaving as we stare at each other.
What just happened?I didn’t think I could ever feel passion like that with another Omega.
I clear my throat. “Come in.”
The door swings open, and Jethro stands there, his gaze sweeping between Oli and me. He takes in our flushed faces, our heavy breathing, our proximity. His eyes, usually warm hazel-green, darken, the pupils dilating. He can smell us, smell what happened. He can smell the arousal. My inner Omega whimpers, wanting him close, wanting all of them close.
He takes a controlled breath, his expression shifting to one of concern. “Everything alright in here?”
Oli and I both nod, though it takes Oli a moment longer to find his voice, his hand still on my waist. “I came to give Sandra some tea.” He gestures towards the forgotten mug on the windowsill.
Jethro raises an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Oli’s hand, then flicking to my face, then back to Oli. “Seems like more than that, but as long as you two are okay.” A hint of somethingunreadable flickers in his eyes. He turns to leave his hand on the door. It seems to take effort.
I whimper. “Jethro, wait.”
He stops, turning back to us.
I straighten more. “I’ve decided.” I lick my lips, so I won’t lose my nerve. “I want to bond. With all of you.” I take a shaky breath. “Even though it terrifies me. I don’t want to put you guys in danger. Because of the men who are after me.”
Jethro steps further into the room, but maintains a deliberate distance. “Are you sure, Sandra?” He searches my eyes. “You can take more time. There’s no rush.” His jaw tightens. “And, if we bond...” His voice deepens as he takes another step. “I can call in Alpha Law. They won’t be able to touch you. I can promise you that.” His gaze searches mine. “And if they don’t respect Alpha Law.” A dangerous glint enters his eyes, and it causes me to shiver.
He hums. “Well, let’s just say I have certain skills. From my time in the military.” He runs a hand through his salt-and-pepper ponytail. “I haven’t had to use them in a long time, but I haven’t forgotten how to deal with a threat.”
I hold Jethro’s gaze, trying to convey my sincerity, my desperation, but also my fear. It’s all swirling inside me, a chaotic mess of emotions.
