51. Sky
SKY
It was a night and day difference in my energy since the night Adam and Fletcher had claimed me and marked me as theirs.
The edginess I’d felt my entire life had softened, blessing me with more relief than any psych med had ever given me. I felt lighter and less like my walls might crumble.
Was this how normal Omegas felt their entire lives? Never battling with their haywire emotions? Never sobbing into their pillows or punching mirrors out of anger?
When I realized just how different I was, I sat in bed and wept for everything that I’d missed out on, everything I’d been through, everything I’d suffered because of this damn Alpha-Omega twin curse.
Adam and Fletcher were there to comfort me. They cradled me close and promised me they weren’t going anywhere, that they would never let me go.
That I was safe.
And despite the anxiety that had swelled up inside of me the past few weeks, the fear of Dr. Thompson and the facility looming over my head?
I believed them.
“Hey, you wanna run to the mall with me?” Fletcher leaned in the doorway, coat halfway zipped and keys dangling from one hand.
“What for?” I asked.
“Oh, you know. This and that. I’m just feeling a little restless and have the urge to do a little retail therapy.” He grinned impishly at me. “I’ll buy you Japanese at the food court if you come,” he singsonged.
“Damn it, Fletch. You know I can’t resist the food court.” Might as well get out of the house. Besides, Adam was at work, and I didn’t like the idea of being home alone.
With a dramatic sigh—more for Fletcher’s amusement than anything—I got off the couch and went to fetch my coat, and we headed into town.
The mall was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday afternoon. We stopped at a few of the usual shops, but Fletcher hadn’t been kidding when he said “retail therapy.” He was taking forever, trying on clothes in the changing room.
Tired of feeling cramped in the too-small clothing store, I wandered out to sit by the fountain.
It was large and round, with a polished granite lip that everyone used to take a breather. The water trickled softly, and beneath the rippling surface, copper pennies gathered at the bottom from all the wishes people had made.
I trailed my fingers through the cool water, but when I looked up, something cut across my vision. My heart skipped a beat. My throat tightened, but it wasn’t Dr. Thompson.
It was Xan.
The dark-haired Omega pulled up short the moment he spotted me. He had a baby balanced on one hip and shopping bags dangling from the other hand. He looked right at me, uncertainty on his face.
My heart took off racing. Was River lurking in the shadows, ready to rip me to shreds? My hands dropped to my stomach, the need to protect my child strong.
Xan’s eyes followed my hands and immediately softened. Then, to my horror, he began walking over.
Fuck.
“You’re expecting?” he asked.
“Um…” Not like I could lie. It was obvious now. I was due in just a couple more months. “Yeah.”
“Congratulations!” Xan’s smile was bright and genuine, making his dark eyes crinkle at the corners. “Do you know the gender yet? Boy or girl?”
“Girl,” I murmured.
“That’s awesome. Our kids will be cousins, you know.”
How easily he spoke, as if I hadn’t once tried to end his life…
My throat knotted. “I… Xan, about what happened, what I did…” My fingers tightened in my jacket as I looked down at our feet. I couldn’t face him. “I’m really sorry. I was in a fucked up place and I was wrong about…a lot of things, honestly.”
The laugh that erupted from me was harsh and bitter. “I did something awful and I hate myself for it, but I’m really glad you and the baby are okay. I mean that. You obviously mean a lot to my brother and…” I swallowed and shook my head.
Xan reached out and touched my shoulder. “Hey. It’s okay. I get it. I mean, I don’t, but I do, you know? Emotions make people do crazy things sometimes,” he said. “If it makes you feel better, I don’t hold a grudge. My baby is healthy and happy. That’s all I care about.”
“Yeah.” I looked up at the chubby-cheeked toddler clinging to Xan’s side.
Xan smiled. “Do you wanna meet him? He’s your nephew, after all.”
“Is it a good idea?” I asked.
“Why not? You aren’t gonna hurt him, are you?”
My jaw dropped at the implication. “N-No! God no!”
He only laughed and swung his son around. “Time to meet your Uncle Sky!” After kissing his forehead, he gently placed the baby in my lap. On instinct, I wrapped my arms around him to keep him from falling over.
The baby looked up at me with his dark brown eyes, scrunching his button nose in curiosity. I ran my fingers through his silken hair, so soft. His skin was like porcelain, not a freckle in sight.
When I went to boop his nose, he grabbed hold of my finger with one hand and made a garbled sound. My smile grew alongside my heart.
“He’s beautiful, Xan,” I whispered. “What’s his name?”
“Canyon River Howell,” Xan said proudly.
I glanced up, a little confused. “Howell?”
“River wants to take my name when we get married,” he explained. “He says he wants to shed the bad memories.”
I nodded slowly. I would gladly take Fletcher and Adam’s name as well. I’d just never let myself think that far ahead, but the baby… She’d be a Rose, wouldn’t she?
“Thank you,” I murmured, emotion clogging my throat when I finally handed Canyon back to his father.
“For what?”
“For…trusting me and letting me apologize and get that weight off my chest.”
Xan shrugged with a smile. “No problem. I take it you found yourself an Alpha, then?” He gestured to my baby-bump.
It was my turn to smile. “And an Omega, too.”
“Man, and I thought one mate was a handful.” He laughed, then paused. “Wait…”
I followed his glance to see Fletcher walking towards us, his pace quicker than usual, worry knitting his brow.
He didn’t hesitate; dropping his bags at our feet, he came up beside me and wrapped a protective arm around my waist.
“Hey, love. Everything okay?” he asked, and I let out the breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding.
I looked at Xan. “Yeah,” I murmured. “Everything’s fine.”
Xan offered Fletcher a bright smile. “Congratulations, Fletcher. Sounds like you and Adam are getting the family you’ve always dreamed about, plus one.”
Fletcher laughed softly, squeezing me to his side. “That we are.”
“I’m happy for all of you. You’ll have to bring the baby around once she’s born. I can’t wait to meet her.”
We both hesitated, but Fletcher was the one to speak up. “Your mother—”
Xan flapped a hand. “Meh, don’t worry about it. She needs to get over it; Kace and I have already talked about it. We’ll work on her, you have my word.” He grinned. “I’d better get back before River has a conniption. Good seeing you both. Ta.”
With that, he turned and strode off, Canyon bouncing on his hip.
Once he was gone, Fletcher turned his attention back to me. His fingers smoothed over my wrist. “Are you okay, Sky? Be honest.”
“Yeah,” I told him, and I meant it. “Yeah, just…letting go of old wounds. Trying to make room for new memories. For us, and for her.” I touched my stomach.
Fletcher smiled and kissed me gently. “Then let’s go home.”