Soft early morning light prodded at Jake’s eyelids as sun streamed in between a gap in the curtains. He moaned and twisted his head on the pillow as he snuggled under the duvet. The bedding smelled of Liam. My love. The gingery scent of his cologne permeated the room, and the omega took a deep breath. Spicy, hot and very sexy! His fingers crept under the warmth of the covers expecting to find soft naked flesh, but the other side of the bed was cold. His eyes snapped open, and he sat up.

He’s not here! Did he get on a plane while I was asleep? His gut clenched. Oh God, not here. He flung off the duvet and raced into the adjoining bathroom. Minutes later with his face ashen and his stomach emptied, he rinsed his mouth and stumbled into the living room. So, his speech last night meant nothing. Empty words. I should never have trusted him. I’m on my own. At least I don’t have to confess my sins.

But as the omega curled into a chair with his head in his hands, the front door opened and Liam strode in, beaming at his mate and carrying two cups of steaming coffee and what smelled like bacon. The omega’s stomach lurched again.

“Jake, I hoped I’d get back before you woke. I’ve got scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, sausage…”

The omega swallowed as the rest of last night’s pizza threatened to reappear.

Liam frowned. “What’s wrong? Your face is green.”

With a hand over his mouth, the omega fled into the bedroom and slammed the door. As he heaved, Liam paced the floor outside muttering and shouting.

“Oh my god, you’re sick? Do you need a doctor? Is the baby okay?”

Jake sat on the cold bathroom tiles and leaned on the wall. “It’s normal - or so the doctor tells me. And the omegas at the clinic and everyone on the street. Everyone says it’ll disappear eventually.”

“People know you’re pregnant?”

“I have the pregnancy glow apparently. Pale gaunt face, always nibbling on a cracker and covering my nose to avoid strong smells.”

“I assumed it’d be a secret.”

“Do you want it to be?”

“No. Yes. I have no clue. I haven’t had time to think about it.”

Liam helped his mate up and into bed. “I assume you’re not hungry?”

Jake blanched.

“Sorry. I have a lot to learn about the whole pregnancy thing.”

“The pregnancy thing? You have a way with words.”

“But look what I got.” The alpha jumped off the bed and Jake winced. Liam held up a thick book.

The omega squinted at the title. “‘The Ups & Downs of Living with a Pregnant Omega.’ How helpful and reassuring.”

Liam tapped the hard cover. “Not the best choice?”

“Perhaps not.”

The alpha threw the book in the corner and sat beside his mate. “I have a lot to learn.”

Jake’s stomach grumbled. “Is there any toast in that food you bought?”

“Yes.”

“Bring me a slice, please and can you make me some weak tea if you’ve got any?”

As the omega nibbled on a slice of toast and sipped at the hot drink, Liam described his last trip and how excited he was to show the world to his mate and the baby. Jake hardly heard the words but his mate’s comforting voice lulled his fears for the future. Liam’s vanilla-like scent washed over him as he lay cocooned in the alpha’s bedding. I’m safe. Everything’s going to be all right.

The omega’s eyelids drooped, and he tucked the duvet under his chin. I’m so tired. “Hold me, Liam.”

The alpha grabbed his mate’s fingers.

“Not my hand. Get into bed and cuddle me.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Trust me to look after the baby. I need you to take care of me. And don’t worry.” A mischievous grin spread over the omega’s face. “I’ll give you a kick in the shins if you hurt me.”

The alpha’s eyes darkened, and he growled. “Hey.”

And there’s my dark fiery alpha.

Liam slid under the covers and Jake rested his head on his shoulder. The alpha’s fingers slid over the omega’s stomach.

“Gently, Liam. I don’t want to be sick again.”

“I never thought I’d become a father. I shunned intimacy and couldn’t see myself sharing my life with anyone.”

“Do you have regrets?”

“None. In fact, I should have done it much earlier.”

The omega took in his mate’s crinkled eyes and lopsided smirk. “Is that a joke?”

“I think it was.”

Jake did a slow clap. “You’re insufferable.”

“Quite possibly.”

“Is this teasing going to continue?”

“Most definitely. So, get used to it omega.” Liam bared his teeth and snarled just as his ancestors did. Jake shivered as the alpha placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Our lives will be anything but predictable. He snuggled into Liam’s side as his eyelids fluttered.

“Are you ever going to tell me the whole story of you and the other omega?”

The alpha ran his hands through his hair and stared at the ceiling.

Not so forthcoming now, are you?

“There’s not much to it. I thought he was my destiny, but I was wrong. While I was away, he mated with another alpha.” Liam’s fingers pressed into the omega’s shoulder.

“That’s painful.”

“Yeah, but it’s in the past.”

“That too, but you’re hurting me.”

“Oh sorry.”

Jake’s fingers played with Liam’s shirt as sleep beckoned.

“What’s your name?”

Jake’s eyes flew open, and he snorted. What the ever-loving fuck? “Are you kidding me?”

“Your family name. What is it?”

“Oh, sorry. Gibson.”

“Tell me something of your life before you came here. I hardly know anything about you.”

The omega tensed. Keep it simple. “After my parents died, I was on my own. I did shit jobs trying to save money for a ticket here. And I’ve lived in Roselake for almost a year.”

“But yesterday you said…?”

Time to fess up. At least to some of it now the danger’s passed. “I need to tell you something, Liam but promise not to judge me.”

“Okay.”

“The work I did in the old country… I’m not proud of it, but I wanted to leave and waiting tables and stocking shelves wasn’t going to buy me a ticket. I took a job where I earned a lot.”

“So?”

I have to spell it out. “Okay that was a euphemism. I entertained clients.”

The alpha pulled away from his mate. “Entertained how?”

Jake shoved another pillow behind his head. “It was just me and my grandfather.” The omega twisted the ring on his finger. “We had debts and no way to pay them.”

“What did you do?”

“I worked with people who were not part of the alpha and omega community. There was a famous - or maybe I should say an infamous - club where clients who were fascinated with omegas paid to have us entertain them. I poured drinks and laughed at their boring jokes. That’s how I knew the champagne at the resort was expensive.”

Liam sat up and leaned over this mate, his face contorted. “You were a pro…?”

The omega placed his hand over the alpha’s lips. “No! Never!” Please don’t hate me. “Some of the other omegas did sleep with the clients as they needed the extra money. I couldn’t do it but I admit, I did consider it. But I saw what happened to the omegas who gave themselves to the customers. They were pets - virtual prisoners - and the clients owned them.” Jake shivered at the painful memories.

The omega rolled onto his side and stroked Liam’s clenched jaw. “You were born here and enjoyed all the freedoms Idriador has to offer. You have no idea what it’s like to be desperate and live amongst people who despise you.”

“Yes, I get that but…”

“I did what I had to do. I didn’t deal drugs or beat up little old ladies or rob banks. Am I proud of it? No, but I survived and got out.” The omega was shaking as he related his story. Please understand I had no choice.

“It’s okay.” The alpha placed his hands on the omega’s trembling shoulders. “I wasn’t judging. Sorry if I reacted badly. It’s hard for me to imagine living like that.”

“Yeah.”

“I wish I could have whisked you away from that life.”

“You have.”

Liam kissed his mate’s tangled hair. “Were they okay with you leaving?”

Shit. “Oh, yes. I paid off my debt, and they found a replacement.” Liar. Jake’s voice wavered as he fiddled with the duvet. I left without telling them and taking something of theirs.

Liam pulled his mate back into his arms. “It’s upsetting to hear what you had to go through, and I want to find out more when you’re ready to tell me.”

That’s all I need to say for the moment.

Liam kissed his mate’s shoulder. “Let’s talk of something more pleasant.”

Yes, please.

“I want to hear about when you were a kid. And what’s your favorite food? Book? Color? Mine’s pink.”

“I never would have pegged you for a lover of pink.”

“I’m full of surprises.”

Me too.

The alpha nuzzled his mate’s neck and nibbled his ears as he muttered details of his next trip. “You need to rest because we’re going away for a month.”

The omega’s body tingled as he tried to focus on what Liam was saying.

“If you want me to listen, you have to stop kissing me.”

“Not sure I can.” His teeth grazed the omega’s throat. “At first, we’ll be in the mountains at a ski resort so you’ll need warm clothes and then I think I’m doing a canal tour. I’d need to check the schedule to see what’s next.”

Jake wriggled out of Liam’s grasp. “I don’t want to be away from you. Your absence since March tore me apart, but I have a job too.”

“Your tidying thing.”

Jake flung back the duvet and his plate flew across the bed and shattered. Liam rolled out of bed and slammed his fist against the wall as he inspected the damage.

Shit. Jake huddled beneath the covers and wrapped his arms around his body as the alpha scowled and his nostrils flared.

“Sorry.” The omega’s voice cracked.

“I don’t give a damn about the plate. I want us to be together.”

Until yesterday you didn’t. Do not say that out loud or he’ll have your head on a platter. Platter? Plate? I’m ridiculous. “Okay.”

“I assumed you would give up your job now you’re pregnant and I earn enough money for both of us.”

“It’s not about the money. Well, that’s not strictly true. I want my own income. I understand that in traditional alpha and omega relationships, the omega lives by the alpha’s rules.”

“Much as I’d like you to agree with everything I say, it is the 21st century so I… we… can be flexible.”

“And I need you to respect my work.”

The alpha leaned against the damaged wall. “I can do that.”

“And I don’t want to go traipsing around the world when I’m ill and carrying your - our - baby.” I have to get used to this partnership thing.

Liam crawled back into bed. “I’ve been thinking of starting my own company and hiring people to do most of the traveling. But I won’t have everything in place till the end of the year.”

Guess that means it’s my turn to compromise. “I’m due for a vacation and I suppose I could keep up with my clients by video conferencing, but I won’t be able to come on every trip or I’ll lose my business. And I can’t fly once I get too big.”

The alpha pulled back the covers and caressed the omega’s stomach. “You’re going to be enormous.”

“And on that note, we are done.”

“But you’ll be gorgeous. Plump and inviting. I won’t be able to keep my hands off you.” Liam kissed his mate’s fingertips.

“Hold that thought until I’ve slept.”

“Okay.” The alpha leaned his forehead against Jake’s. “I’m proud of us. Our first trade-off was a success.”

“It’s called juggling. Parents do it all the time.”

* * *

Jake wrapped himself in a quilted blanket his grandmother had made him years ago as he stared at the winter sky. Snowflakes drifted downward in spirals as he strained his eyes for the first glimpse of his mate. Where is he? The plane landed hours ago. It shouldn’t have taken this long to drive from Hazlemere. What if he’s had an accident?

This was the alpha’s last trip before delegating the traveling to his employees. The pair had wanted to spend a weekend at The Woodland Resort but it was fully booked, so they rented a cottage just outside of Roselake. The omega had come early eager to see his mate as soon as he arrived. Probably a good thing to be so close to town. The baby was due in ten days and in the two weeks Liam had been gone, Jake had put the finishing touches to the nursery.

Though the pair had spoken and messaged every day, Jake felt his mate’s absence intensely. The baby kicked and the omega grunted. Not long now little one. Neither parent had wanted to find out the baby’s sex, but Jake sensed it was a girl. After Liam left on his business trip, the omega had discovered a secret stash of pink onesies in a closet. Though Jake found his mate’s passion for pink adorable, he was determined their daughter would wear that and every other color.

His phone beeped. It’s him! The omega scanned the message. This cannot be happening today. He tapped out a reply and clutched the phone so tightly his knuckles were white. He scanned the snow for the hundredth time. Come on Liam! What if I go into labor and he’s not here?

The omega fumbled in his bag until his fingers brushed cool metal. Still there. It was the pretend wedding ring Liam had given him at the spa. At first, he’d wanted to throw it in the lake, but keeping it reminded him of that weekend and how it changed his life no matter the outcome.

As he stared at the bleak landscape, a dark splotch bobbed through the snow drifts. What the hell is that? A deer? A wolf? Oh God it’s not…? Jake swung around and studied the large room. A poker? A gun? I’ve never fired a rifle. But as he squinted at the spot of color that marred the swath of white outside, his heart sped up. “Liam!”

Racing to the front door with the quilt wrapped around his shoulders, Jake stumbled down the two steps. Don’t fall. He lumbered across the snow and into his mate’s arms.

“Liam!”

“It’s freezing out here. You should have stayed inside.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

As he nuzzled his mate’s frozen cheek, the familiar spicy aroma tickled the omega’s nose and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up.

“The road’s blocked near the lake and the betas were clearing it with a snow plow but I didn’t want to wait. I left the luggage in the car along with my phone. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. You’re here now.”

Liam grabbed Jake’s hand and helped him back inside. The alpha’s lips were blue and his hands shook as Jake led him in front of the fire. Removing his damp gloves and snow-encrusted coat, Jake placed the blanket round his mate’s shoulders.

“I don’t want to do that again.”

“Get stuck in the snow?”

“No. Be away from you and the baby.” The alpha placed a soft kiss on his mate’s lips.

“Me neither.”

Jake’s phone buzzed again.

“Aren’t you going to check that?”

“Whoever it is can wait until later.” Much later.

“But it might be urgent.”

“It can’t be.” Liar. “You and the baby are the only things that are important to me now.” I have to tell him.

Liam’s eyes darted from his mate to the phone and back to Jake. Placing a finger on Liam’s lips, Jake shook his head. “It’s just the three of us.” How am I going to keep us safe? “I was thinking it might be fun to go away somewhere after the baby’s born?”

“Are you insane? You hated traveling and being pregnant. A baby would just complicate things. And I’m starting my own business so we can be together. Is this pregnant brain fog or whatever they call it?”

“It was just a thought. Forget about it.” But I can’t.

As the pair sat in front of the blazing fire with their foreheads touching, and Liam rubbing his mate’s swollen belly, Jake glanced outside. “The snow’s stopped.”

The pair gazed at the clear sky sprinkled with stars winking at the lovers.

“This is perfect.”

“You’re right.”

The alpha slid off the couch.

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere. I’m staying right here.”

Getting on one knee, Liam grabbed his mate’s hand.

What is he doing? Get up. Please.

“Jake Gibson.”

Don’t say it. I’m begging you.

“Light of my life.”

Don’t ruin it, please.

“There are no words to describe my love for you and our unborn child.”

Oh Liam. Why? Jake longed to wipe his palms on the blanket but the alpha had his fingers in a vice-like grip.

“But there is one question I need to ask.”

No.

“Will you marry me?”

“My darling Liam.”

“As long as our paperwork is in order, we can get married next week.”

Stall him. “Is that this coming week or the next?”

“Jake, not now. The word I’m looking for is yes.”

“I adore you. We are bound to one another for life and parents-to-be of a beautiful baby.”

“Still waiting.”

“Do we need a piece of paper?

“For centuries our kind were not allowed to show their love in public. And not only has that changed, but also it’s legal to get married.”

“I love you.” The omega grabbed his mate’s hand and placed it over his heart. “Feel that? It belongs to you and only you.”

“Then let’s make it official.”

“Oh, Liam.”

“You’re scaring me, Jake.”

“It’s the official part that worries me.”

“Huh?”

“Paperwork and…” Jake stared at his phone as it vibrated. “… other things.”

“Please tell me you’re not married already.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I’ve never come close. Besides it’s illegal where I was born.”

“Then what is it??

“Remember how I talked about my job in the old country and immigrating here.”

“Yes.”

“Ummm, I didn’t exactly tell you the whole truth.”

* * *

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