I’m not gonna say I’ve given up hope because I never will, but I’m definitely starting to get scared. I’ve been searching for Andy at omega shelters, hospitals, police departments, and even high schools, and no one has seen him. I want to believe that means he’s safely holed up with a friend somewhere, but none of his friends had seen him in days when I went looking for him. And although it’s possible they were lying to protect him, I don’t think they were. They had no reason to protect him from me. I love my brother and would do anything to for him. And that’s why I’m still out here, even though the unchecked areas on my map are getting smaller and more unlikely with each passing day.

I park in front of the ninth Omega House on my list and say a silent prayer that this one will be my last. That this is the clean and safe shelter Andy has been staying in and the place I can bring him home from.

When I walk inside, a very pregnant omega is squatting beside the front desk and doing some kind of breathing exercises. His eyes are closed tightly and he looks like he’s in pain.

“Um, excuse me.” I get close and squat down in front of him so we’re at eye level. “Are you okay?”

The man opens his eyes and gasps when he sees me in front of him then loses his balance and almost falls on his ass.

Fortunately, I’m close enough to reach for his arm to stop him from colliding with the hard floor. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

His brown eyes lock on mine and his mouth is hanging open. Then he slowly draws his gaze down to my hand on his arm.

That’s when I realize I’m still holding him. I also realize how soft his skin feels beneath my fingers and that my thumb is rubbing the inside of his forearm. Shit. When did that start?

“Sorry.” I force my hand to release its grip, leaving the man still squatting in front of me.

“Um, actually.” He sways forward as if he’s trying to stand but can’t. “Can you help me up?”

“Oh, of course.” I place both hands under his elbows and pull him to a standing position. “Sorry. I wasn’t sure what you were doing down there.”

“No worries. Just trying to get comfortable.” The man wipes a bead of sweat off his temple then leans on the counter so his elbows are resting on it and his ass is sticking way out behind him. God, that is a dangerous pose. Beautifully dangerous. He looks up at me and flashes a perfectly white smile. “Spoiler alert. Nothing works.”

“Shouldn’t you be lying down or something?” He looks like he’s seconds away from delivering that baby, and I’m wearing my favorite white shirt. It’s not ideal for baby catching, but I guess I could make it work in a pinch.

“God, no!” He seems to give up on this position and pulls the tall stool behind him close enough that he can perch on the edge of it. “Lying down is the worst. This munchkin just presses against…everything. Letting my belly hang forward is the most comfortable…but it’s not exactly conducive to greeting guests.” He finally takes a good look at me and his tortured expression softens up for moment. “And speaking of, how can I help you?”

“Um, right.” I pull out the missing person poster I had printed with Andy’s photo and stats. “I’m looking for my brother, Andy Carson. Have you seen him in here before?”

The man’s eyes grow wide. I see definite recognition in them before he schools his features back to the slightly pained one he’s been wearing since I walked in. “Um, I don’t think so, but if you want to leave your contact information, we’ll keep it on file in case he shows up.”

I heave out a deep sigh and look into his eyes. “Look, man. I know you have to be careful about sharing information about the residents here, but if you know my brother, please tell me. I’ve been searching all over the damn state for him, and you’re the first person to give me even a glimmer of hope that he’s okay. Please, I’m begging. I just need to know he’s okay.”

The man is sweating more profusely now, but he takes the flyer and studies it carefully. Then he holds it up so Andy’s photo is aligned with my face. “You definitely bear a strong resemblance to this guy…”

I know he’s still hiding something from me, but it feels like he’s starting to come around. “He’s my only brother and when my parents told me they kicked him out…or well, I guess he left when they said they were going to kick him out… I’m not really sure how it all went down, but I’ve been sick with worry ever since.”

The guy scoots off the stool and walks around the counter to inspect me up and down. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but I sincerely hope he finds it. After a full minute of just staring at me, he finally gives me something to hold on to. “I think I’ve seen him before. I’m pretty sure he’s safe, but that’s all I can tell you. If you leave your… Fuck.”

Before he can finish his sentence, the guy folds forward and a rush of fluid flows down his legs into a puddle beneath him.

Instinctively, I reach around his chest to keep him from falling to the ground. “Are you okay?”

“No.” He finally admits what I’ve suspected since I first walked in. He nods toward an open office door at the other end of the lobby. “Naheed, it’s time.”

A large alpha rushes into the lobby and quickly surveys the scene. I can tell he’s surprised to see this man in my arms, but since the guy is clinging to me and panting against my chest, the alpha’s hackles come down and he reaches for his phone. “I’ll call an ambulance.”

“Dammit.” The omega pushes off my chest when the worst of the contraction eases. “I thought I’d have until the end of the day.”

“He’s in active labor and needs to get to a hospital. Now.” The alpha is practically growling into his phone and even I can feel chills on my skin from the command in his voice. When he sees us both staring, he pulls the microphone away from his mouth so he can talk to us. “They said they’re thirty minutes out.”

“I can take him.” I’m speaking to the alpha but looking down at the desperate omega in front of me. “If that’s okay.”

“Freddie?” The alpha is asking several questions with that one word. We both hear it, and thankfully, the omega, Freddie, has the wherewithal to respond.

“Oh, right. Naheed, this man is looking for his missing brother, Andy Carson. He’s been searching for a few weeks.”

Recognition dawns on Naheed’s face and he nods. “I see.”

Freddie tenses up and practically falls into my arms again. “Um, yeah. If that offer for a ride still stands, I’d appreciate it.”

“Yeah, sure.” I take a step toward the front door, gently guiding him with me. “I’m parked right out front.”

“Naheed.” Freddie takes a few deep breaths before steadying himself and pulling away. “Can I borrow some towels for the ride. He probably doesn’t want to have to burn his car seats after I’m done with it.”

Naheed chuckles as he turns toward a hallway. “Sure thing, Freddie. I’ll bring them out.”

We’re halfway to my car when Naheed runs after us with a plastic trash bag and several large towels. “This should do it.”

“Thanks.” I grab the bundle from his arms and arrange them on the back seat of my car, hoping the bench seat will be comfortable enough for Freddie during the drive.

“Thank you.” Naheed reaches for my arm and gives me a menacing look. “Take him straight to County. It’s two miles down this road then make a right on Cherry.”

“Done.” I hope he can read the sincerity in my eyes. Even though I’m a stranger, I like to think I give off a good Samaritan vibe that people can trust. “Do you want me to call anyone once we get there?”

Freddie climbs into the car as Naheed hands me a business card. “I’ll be there as soon as I get things squared away here. I shouldn’t be more than an hour behind you.”

I nod and start to close the car door before Freddie reaches out to stop me. “Naheed?”

The large alpha brushes past me to peek inside the car. “Yeah, Freddie.”

“Can you tell my birthing buddy where I’m at? I sent him out for donuts, and he’ll kill me if he misses this.”

They share a meaningful look before Naheed agrees and backs away from the car. “Will do, kid. See you in a bit.”