The moment Myron had found out where Charles was, he had planned on going. He was just relieved that his mate was actually on board, because otherwise, the security force that met him at the airport would have been far less pleasant to deal with. They were giving him dirty looks as it was.

It seemed that his reputation preceded him. The realization that Charles had been staying with the verum pair had allayed all of Myron’s fears about his safety, but he was still determined to bring him home.

If he’d thought that Futurus was over the top in terms of decor, the corporate offices had nothing on the Emerald Pack Alpha’s estate. Jaspar greeted him at the door, and while he was as polite and measured as his father had been the one time Myron had met him, he clearly disapproved of what he knew of the man at his door. Myron couldn’t blame him.

“Welcome. We’ve been expecting you.”

“Sorry for the intrusion,” Myron said, deciding he had to play nice now that he had his own pack to run. Sometimes he wondered if that was why Nicholas had suggested the job in the first place. Because he was only capable of staying in line when he had someone else to represent.

“It’s no intrusion. You’re Charles’ mate, and as long as he wants you here, you’re welcome.”

Myron followed the Alpha inside. “Thank you for looking out for him. I owe you and your mate a great debt.”

“You owe us nothing,” Jaspar said icily. “If I were you, I’d focus on repairing the damage you’ve done with your mate.”

“Fair enough,” said Myron. “Is he here?”

“He is, but before you see him, there are a few things I’d like to discuss.”

Myron had never been intimidated by an Alpha, but there was always room for exception. Jaspar was definitely it. He was softspoken and had a reputation for being as passionate about his activism for omega’s rights as his parents were, but it was no secret that the verum Alpha shifted into a hellhound and possessed an energy that had been capable of wiping out the corrupt shifter regime that preceded him. The fact that Charles had gone to him for protection was just proof that he was as smart as everyone thought he was.

“Of course,” said Myron, deciding he would take whatever lecture the Alpha gave him. It couldn’t be harsher than the way he already felt toward his own actions.

“Charles is special, and not simply because he’s a sigma,” Jaspar began.

“Trust me, I know that.”

“My father has a saying. Knowing something only counts if you act on it.” Jaspar frowned. “Tyr and I have taken Charles into our pack, and that is not a responsibility we take lightly. If you weren’t the father of this child, and if you were a typical Alpha-0mega pair, I wouldn’t let you anywhere near him. But whether you’re willing to accept what you are or not, Charles is very much a typical sigma in the sense that he feels things deeply, and I know that being separated from you is at least part of the reason this pregnancy has been as hard on him as it has. Just know this. I am watching you. Whether you convince Charles to return with you tonight, or you both go back to London, I am watching every move you make and you had damn well better hope I’m the one who catches you slipping up instead of my mate.” The Alpha gave him a wicked smile. “Tyr would just slit your throat.”

“Duly noted,” said Myron. He heard someone on the stairs, and while he thought he was prepared to play it cool and give Charles space, seeing him in person was a different matter. The fact that Jaspar was still standing between them was the only thing that kept him from making the mistake of running to take his mate into his arms. “Charles…”

“Hello, Myron,” the sigma said in a guarded tone, keeping his hand on the railing of the stairs like he needed the support.

The sight of him so obviously pregnant made Myron’s instincts go berserk. He had always envied the Alphas who could get their mates pregnant and experience the pride and joy that came with watching those changes develop. The fact that it was Charles made the realization of that dream even sweeter.

“Hey, Charles.” His voice sounded rough, so he tried again. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m alright.” The sigma looked over at Jaspar and the Alpha nodded.

“I’ll leave you two some time to talk.”

“Thank you,” said Charles. “Do you mind if we get some fresh air?”

“Of course not. If you’re up for it,” said Myron.

“Just let me grab my coat.”

Myron looked around the room and spotted it hanging by the door. He picked up the jacket and helped Charles into it. “There,” he murmured, his hand accidentally brushing over Charles’ stomach.

His heart beat faster. His baby. Charles was carrying his baby. It seemed too good to be true, and it made him resent himself all the more for screwing things up the way he had. Right before they’d gotten so good.

And he knew, with that realization, why Charles had been hurt so deeply. He hadn’t even gotten the chance to tell Myron about the baby. Myron knew he’d robbed them both of what should have been the happiest moment of their lives, and he could never go back and change it.

Charles leaving had made him realize how insubstantial his own “doubts” were. How careless he was actually being in his attempt to get things right. Just because Myron had gained clarity in their separation didn’t mean that anything had really changed. Was Charles always going to wonder if the only reason Myron wanted him was because he was carrying his child? Myron would have, if he was in the other man’s position.

He didn’t know how he was going to fix it, he just knew he had to. Everything that mattered depended on it.

Myron opened the door and they walked out back. The sounds of insects chirping in the forest and the fountain trickling out back made the rural estate even more serene. Myron could see why Charles had been so content there.

While he was still trying to figure out what to say, Charles spoke up. “I’m almost five months along.”

“Yeah, I know. I did the math.”

Charles laughed softly. “Of course you did.”

“And the baby’s healthy?”

“Seems to be. The doctors are watching me closely. They think being close again will help.”

Myron felt a surge of hope, but he told himself to stay collected so he wouldn’t put any unnecessary pressure on Charles. “Yeah?”

“I would imagine being in the same town is enough,” said Charles. “Since you have a pack to manage now, I guess it would make more sense for us to go there, assuming I could move my office.”

“Of course,” Myron said eagerly. “I already have something in progress, actually.”

Charles seemed surprised, but he nodded. “Great. I’ll rent a place nearby, then, and we can go from there.”

“Rent?” Myron frowned. “Charles, I bought us a house where we can raise the baby. If you’re willing, that is.”

Charles didn’t answer immediately. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Myron. You’re still figuring things out, and if you decide to take Inara back, I don’t want my life to be uprooted once again. At least not once the baby is born.”

Myron stared in shock when he realized the full extent of what Charles had assumed he meant by taking time to sort through his feelings. In retrospect, he could understand the reasoning and knew he’d done nothing to reassure Charles to the contrary. “That was never on the table.” He stopped walking so he could focus fully on their conversation. “I’m so sorry I ever made you think that, but I love you, Charles. I never wanted Inara back, I just wanted time to make sure I was over the pain she caused me enough to give everything to this relationship. But I was still being foolish, and I’ve regretted it every day since you left.”

“Right. Because I left,” Charles murmured. “If I’d stayed, you might still be thinking things through.”

Myron wanted to argue, but he couldn’t. “It was a wakeup call,” he said quietly. “So is this baby.”

“And I appreciate that, but it’s all the more reason why I think we need to focus on our child,” said Charles.

Myron forced himself to nod in agreement and listen, because he was shit at both and the lecture Avery had given him before he’d left made it clear that had to change. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” said Charles. “As long as you understand that, I don’t see why we can’t move forward as adults and do what’s right for the baby. I agree that the life I had in London isn’t it, which is why I have to go now and take care of things.”

“I’m going with you,” Myron said, unwilling to compromise on that even if he had no other choice but to accept Charles’ request for space, just as Charles had respected his. The phrase “be careful what you wish for” had taken on a whole new meaning.

“If that’s what you want.” Charles’ tone was as professional as it had been that first day they’d met. Myron was tempted to think they were back to square one, but he knew that in reality, they’d regressed so much further. “I’m leaving in the morning, and the Amaris have said you’re welcome to stay the night.”

“Okay. What’s the plan when we get back to London?”

“I’m speaking with the board first,” said Charles. “Depending on their reaction, the next press conference is going to be interesting.”

Myron wanted to reach for his hand, but he thought better of it. Charles staggered and Myron caught him. “Baby,” he murmured, unable to control his tongue when that term came so easily. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Charles said tiredly, gripping Myron’s shoulders to steady himself. “Just tired.”

“Let’s get you back inside,” Myron said, leading him toward the house. Upstairs, he helped Charles settle into bed. “I’ll go find Tyr.” Hopefully the omega wouldn’t kill him before he could say what was wrong.

“Don’t do that,” Charles pleaded. “It happens all the time, they said it’s just overexertion.”

Myron watched him worriedly. Was this what he’d been going through alone? Yes, he’d had Jaspar and Tyr, but it wasn’t the same as having a mate to care for him the way Myron had promised to do. “At least let me stay in here with you. I’ll stay in the chair.”

Charles hesitated. “You don’t need to do that. But if you want, I guess there’s no harm in you taking the other side of the bed.”

Myron noted how clear he made that statement, and he wasn’t going to push it. He walked around to the other side of the bed and sat down, watching his mate. “Can I get you anything? Water?”

“No, I’m fine. Would you mind turning out the light, though?”

“Of course.” Myron reached over and flipped the switch to the ceiling light. The moon was still shining brightly enough that he could make out Charles beautiful face as he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

They were closer than Myron had any right to ask for, and he told himself that he would be grateful for it even if Charles never let him any closer.