What the fuck just happened? Did Max just run out of here like the building was on fire? Because of me?

My heart is still racing and my breath is coming out in short pants when I finally regain my wits enough to chase after him. His scent is strong all the way to the end of the driveway, but then it disappears.

Where the hell did he go from here?

A bench just a few feet away confirms what I had hoped wasn’t reality. The bus stop in front of the Omega House is empty…and it’s never empty. When I passed it five minutes ago on my way inside, there were three people sitting on this bench and a small group lingering nearby. No one is around anymore.

Max must have walked out right as the bus was leaving. The sign above the bench lists three different bus lines that stop here, so that gives me someplace to start. At least it’ll be easy to narrow down which direction he was heading if anyone decides to go looking for him.

With my phone and more patience than I’m generally known to have in stressful situations, I pull up the county transit schedule and determine which two buses have scheduled stops around this time. It could have been either one if they were a few minutes early or late.

Following the color-coded map on the website, my heart slows when I realize the two buses have completely opposite routes. One would have turned right about a mile up the road on the main parkway, and the other would have turned left.

“Did he leave?” A quiet voice behind me breaks up my pity party, and I’m forced to compose myself and fulfill the commitment I made to Naheed when I signed on as a volunteer.

“Yeah, I think so.” I turn back toward the house and walk in. “Do you know why?”

The pregnant omega follows me in and shakes his head. He’s eyeing me up and down like I’m under inspection, which is unusual behavior for an omega in any circumstances, but especially for a pregnant one.

“Are you sure?” I try to keep my voice soft so he’s not intimidated, but if a little bit of intimidation gets him to talk, that’s okay with me. “You seem to know Max pretty well.”

“No.” He wraps both arms over his protruding belly and sways from side to side as if trying to soothe the unborn baby inside him. “We just met a few days ago, but he seems like a smart guy. He said his instincts tell him when to run. I guess that’s what he did.”

“Because of me?” Now I’m more confused than ever because I didn’t do anything to harm him. I never would. In fact, my instincts are projecting a completely opposite message to me.

Oh shit.

Could it be?

Realization dawns on me as I finally make the connection between Max and the strange feelings I’ve been having since I met him.

“Excuse me for a second. I need to talk to Naheed.”

* * *

“Quit bouncing up and down like that.” I stop pacing back and forth in Naheed’s office to glare at Jace. This isn’t a happy moment. “You’re making me more nervous.”

“But I’m so excited. I haven’t spent much time with mated omegas my own age yet. I can’t wait to meet him.” Jace is newly pregnant with Naheed’s baby. They haven’t been together for long, but it’s clear to anyone who meets them that they’re destined for each other. And if my hunch is correct, the same is true for me and Max.

I didn’t recognize the possessive, lust-filled sensations raging through me when I first met Max because I was so out of whack from dealing with those kids. But if I’m right, and I’m about 99.9% sure I am, Max and I are fated to be mates. We were made for each other. Just the idea settles some of the anxiety in my gut. Yes, that feels right. I’m sure that’s what I’m feeling. Completely unrelenting, ridiculously possessive, mind-blowingly psychotic, affection for Max.

But he either doesn’t feel it, doesn’t want to feel it, or doesn’t understand what he’s feeling. The first two scenarios are too heartbreaking…too devastating for me to consider. It has to be the third. He’s just confused and needs some time and space to think things through.

“Well, I hope you get the chance to meet him.” I stop at the window and stare out into the front yard, wishing he would just come back so we can talk. “If he ever comes back.”

“He will.” Jace sounds about a thousand times more sure than I feel. “And if he’s not back by morning, we’ll help you look for him.”

“Yeah?” I turn to look at the two men who are fast becoming my closest friends.

“Of course.” Naheed looks me straight in the eye, no trace of amusement left in his gaze. “I know you won’t be able to focus until you know he’s safe. We’ll do whatever we can to help.”

“Definitely!” Jace curls against Naheed’s chest and yawns. “I’m gonna take a quick nap but wake me if Max comes back. I think I can help.”

It’s easy to have hope when watching these two men. Neither expected to find each other when they did, but sometimes that’s how life works. You find what you’re looking for before you even know to start searching.

In the short period of time I’ve gotten to know Jace, I’ve really come to like and respect him. His feisty personality is unlike any omega I’ve met before, and I can tell he gives Naheed a real run for his money. They’re perfect for each other.

Is Max really perfect for me? My heart speeds up at the thought, making the answer clear. Of course he is. The bigger question is if I’m perfect for him.