Chapter 39
ADAM
The next morning, we arrived at Bixby’s and waited for everyone to show up.
I felt a small swoop of nerves as my loyal staff members, some pack and some simply human, Alpha and Omega both, gathered around in the office, chattering amongst themselves, no doubt curious about why they were being called in on such short notice.
Once everyone was there, I stood to face them. Fletcher was at my side, and Sky took his place in the middle, in front but somehow without being the center of attention. Still, close enough that we could touch him and comfort him if need be.
I cleared my throat. “So. I wanted to put an end to the rumors that might’ve been floating around the past few days. As some of you might’ve heard, Sky is pregnant. This is indeed true.” A few people gasped softly. Sky ducked his head.
I continued. “Now, this is new to him, and I want you all to give him a little room to breathe, alright? He’s dealing with morning sickness, so if you see him dart for the bathroom? Do us a favor and cover for him for a bit, if possible. We’d appreciate it. We’re a team and we all work together.”
Sky shifted his weight, fisting his hands in the bottom of his work shirt, looking small and nervous. I placed a hand on his shoulder, as if I could give him the strength he needed to face this bump in the road, even as my stomach twisted.
The staff immediately burst into excited chatter “Congratulations!”
“I’m happy for you!” Josie said, a bright smile on her face.
“Yeah, really cool, man,” David said.
“Are you excited?” one of the newer hires, a human Omega called Sophie, asked.
“I guess?” Sky murmured. “Still a little shell-shocked, to be honest. We didn’t really plan it.”
“The best ones are always the ones that show up unannounced,” Sophie said with a wink.
“Okay, but like, who’s the father?” Kirk blurted out. “Are you dating someone? Fling gone wrong?”
I felt a growl build in my chest at the younger Alpha’s tactless question. Sky ever-so-slightly leaned back against me, which told me he wasn’t comfortable answering that question himself.
So I stood tall and squared my shoulders, looked Kirk dead in the eye, and said: “I’m the father.”
The room fell silent. You could’ve heard a pin drop. No one even dared to breathe too loudly.
“Whoa,” someone mumbled, and I felt the scorch of everyone’s gazes locking on us like lasers.
“Like…legit?” Kirk asked, then made a face. “Wait, you mean, like, Sky’s you guys’s surrogate, since you can’t have kids the normal way?”
This time, I did growl. “No. It means the baby is mine, and so is Sky,” I replied, my tone sharp enough to cut.
“The baby is ours,” Fletcher interjected gently, wrapping his arms around Sky’s shoulders. “Sky has been living with us for several months now. Things sort of fell into place, and now we are actively courting him. He is our boyfriend.”
More silence.
“So…both of you are…”
“We share very well.” Fletcher smiled. Sky shrank back, bright red and flustered. Fletcher just giggled and hugged him to his chest. “We’ll be here to help Sky raise the baby, every step of the way.”
“Is that even a thing?” Kirk asked.
“Polyamory isn’t taboo, Kirk,” Josie said with a snort.
“No, I know that, but like… Can an Alpha have two Omega mates?”
“Why not?” I countered, but the question honestly threw me.
Could an Alpha have two Omegas? I already had a mate.
I’d claimed Fletcher years ago. Would a second mating bite nullify the first?
Or would it simply extend? I made a mental note to do more research on the subject, then turned back to the group.
“What we’re trying to say is everything is under control. I don’t wish to hear anymore rumors buzzing around, understood?”
“Yes, sir,” came the chorus of voices.
“Good. Meeting adjourned.”
“Let’s get back to work, team,” Fletcher singsonged, clapping his hands to rally the troops.
“Got it, boss!”
They piled out of the office like a stampede of wild animals until it was only me and Sky left in the room. He gazed up at me, fretful and uncertain. I gently pulled him to my chest and nuzzled my nose into his hair, breathing his sweet, candied scent deep into my lungs.
“Everything is going to be alright,” I told him. “Trust me.”
Almost instantly, the Omega relaxed in my arms. “I trust you, Adam,” he said, just loud enough for the two of us to hear.
My heart skipped a beat. “I’m glad.”