Chapter Twenty-Three
Rory
I was satisfied in the most primal way. I had defeated a challenger for my Omega, bonded with my mate, and then taken my mate outdoors in nature. I knew that I wasn’t an animal but I couldn’t help but feel like a powerful beast. It was intense and all-encompassing. I felt as though I could fly.
When we got to my house, Damien immediately noticed that the for sale sign was gone. I took him inside and showed him all of the work I’d done. It was work I’d done for him, even though I didn’t know if I’d ever see him again. I’d had faith that the universe would bring us back together, and it had.
The living room was already remodeled so I told Damien to have a seat and I’d get us a drink. He asked for iced tea, which I didn’t expect at all, and I smiled and got us both a glass. It warmed my heart that he didn’t ask for booze first thing. I thought it was a good sign.
“So tell me what’s going on,” I said as I settled into the chair across from him. “What was all that about? You have to let me in on the secret because it dawned on me about halfway here what was wrong with the scenario. That Terrance guy, he doesn’t like Omegas. I thought there was something off about his scent but it took me a while to figure it out. So why was a man who only dates Alphas challenging me for my Omega?” I asked.
“Are you mad?” He answered my question with a question and it made me laugh.
“Of course I’m not mad. I’m too happy that you’re here.”
“It was Terrance’s idea. He said that he would help me get you back and that I should trust him. It seemed like a solid plan, and it worked,” Damien said with a shrug.
“That’s a good friend that would take a beating for you like that. I’m going to have to make it up to him, though. I hope I didn’t hurt him too badly,” I said and took a drink of my tea. “But, Damien, you didn’t have to go through all that. You could have just called me yourself. A simple hi Rory, I want you back would have done the trick.”
“I’m sorry,” Damien said.
“You don’t have to be sorry. Well, we’re going to have to tell Terrance I’m sorry. If I’d known it was a setup, I wouldn’t have beaten him so badly. He’s a tough Alpha, though. I’m happy to know you have a friend who loves you that much and is capable of protecting you. I’ll be able to sleep a little better at night.”
“We’ll take him out for steaks and scotch. I’m sure that will be enough,” Damien said with a knowing smile.
“Now, are you going to tell me what happened?”
“I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say all this. It’s so hard to let people in but I’ve bonded with you. I think it’s time for me to open up,” Damien began. “I was just scared. That’s all it is. I was a coward. I let the things Ian, my father’s business partner, did to me when I was younger fill me with fear. I don’t know how to accurately describe the dynamic between Ian and I, but it wasn’t entirely consensual. I mean sure, I said yes, but some of that was out of fear or coercion. I thought he loved me but he hurt me bad sometimes. The worst was when he shared me with his friends, Rory. He’d leave me in a room with them, and... Well, that stuff is better left in the past.”
“My offer still stands,” I growled. “You should have told me how bad it was.”
“Let’s leave him in the past but I think it’s time for me to start talking to a therapist about the things that happened. I need to make sure that I’m at my best. I don’t want to fill my pain with bad habits anymore. There’s someone I owe better.”
“Damien, you should do it for you. I want you to be better and feel good but don’t do it for me,” I said.
“It’s not for you,” he said and smiled a little.
“Then who? I don’t understand.”
“Rory, I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby and you’re going to be a father.”
I just about dropped my tea and I swear I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. I set the tea down and jumped out of my chair. Tears burst from my eyes and I got down on the floor and crawled to Damien.
“Forgive me for not being the Alpha you needed,” I said and put my head in his lap.
“There’s nothing to forgive, Rory,” Damien said as he stroked my hair. “You’ve done the best you could, and now I’m going to let you in. If you’ll have me? I want to be a family.”
“Of course I want you. Both of you,” I said and embraced my mate. “This is the thing I’ve been secretly waiting my whole life for. I’ll do anything for you and our baby. I’ll protect and support you in any way that you need.”
“Can we keep this house?” Damien asked. “I want to raise our child here.”
“You mean it? I mean, I’m sure you have a much nicer house,” I said.
“This place is perfect, and it’s close to the base and my military contacts. I mean, if you still want to stay home with the baby, my offer for the consulting gig stands. You can work around taking care of our little one, and I’ll be home as much as I can.”
“This is so the opposite of how I was raised,” I said with a smile. “But it sounds perfect to me. I would love to be a stay-at-home Alpha with our baby. Our baby.” I rolled the words around in my mind.
“Just don’t think we’re getting hitched or anything. I’m not the marrying kind. I pledge my life to you but we’re not doing all of that flowers and cake shit,” Damien said.
“Oh, we’ll see.” I smiled devilishly. “I’ve got a lifetime to convince you.”