Chapter 9
Hudson
“Are you sure about this?”
I’m not sure why I told my best friend, except I wanted someone to know where I’d be in case I disappear. Not exactly comforting.
“I’m tired of going through my cycles alone or with mediocre omega fetishizers,” I say.
“I get that,” Ella says. “Why do you think I’m officially registered to check out some scent cards. That doesn’t mean you need to rent out your fucking uterus to three men you literally just met.”
“I haven’t technically agreed to that yet,” I point out. Because I haven’t. The current agreement is what I previously advertised; Pack Anders bid on and will pay to spend my heat with me.
“It sure as hell sounds like they’re doing everything they can to talk you into it,” she says.
“Well, yeah. Doesn’t mean I’m going to say yes. They’re paying to help me through my heat…and to court me, technically.”
“I don’t understand how this is going to work. Packs court us when they’re looking to add an omega to their pack, not to become baby daddies.”
I huff out a surprised laugh as I set my last suitcase by the door. I’m not sure how long, exactly, I’ll be at that massive house, but I want to make sure I’ll have a variety of outfits, along with plenty of comfy, cozy, soft loungewear and pajamas for my preheat and post heat.
Highly doubt I’ll need any clothes at all during my heat.
“It’s just a more formal way of saying we’re going to spend time getting to know each other.”
“Okay, let’s pretend you find out they’re the most amazing pack in the world. Wouldn’t you rather become their omega then eventually grow a family together instead of becoming their walking, talking incubator.”
My nose wrinkles. “You just made me sound like livestock.”
“Then stop volunteering for the barn.”
Tucking my wallet into my back pocket, I grab my keys. “You’re being super dramatic. This pack is not the first in history to seek a surrogate to carry a child for them. There are plenty of packs, plenty of alphas, betas, and omegas out there who suffer from infertility.”
She sighs on the other line, her breath sounding like static in my ear. “I think you should invite me over. Let me meet them.”
“You mean threaten them,” I tease as I set my bags outside the door, pull it closed, then double check that it’s locked.
“Eh. Same thing.”
“Let me at least get through my cycle then we’ll have a dinner party.”
She chuckles softly. “I don’t think three alphas and the two of us can be considered a dinner party.”
“It’s whatever I say it is. I got to go. I already packed my ear buds, and I can’t hold you on my shoulder while I carry all this.”
“Why didn’t the Prince Charmings come help.”
“They offered. Honestly, I needed a break from their pheromones before I made a fool of myself.”
Again. Though, it wasn’t really my fault I came so hard and so fast. Alex sucks dick like it’s an Olympic sport and he’s going for gold.
“Call me tomorrow?” Ella says.
“I will. And I’ll make sure the alphas have your number for when I go into heat. Don’t want you sending the cops when I don’t answer for a few days.”
“I can come and hang out if you want. Just during your cycle. If they don’t have a beta, there won’t be anyone there to make sure you four are eating and drinking and, you know, washing off the cum and slick.”
“Ella,” I say with another shocked laugh.
The two of us have been friends since childhood so there’s very little held back when it comes to our conversations.
“I’m serious. Or at least make sure they tell one of their servants to keep an eye on you four.”
“They have staff, not servants.”
“Tomayto-tomahto. Love you. Call me tomorrow.”
We end the call and I hoist one of the bigger bags onto the top of my rolling suitcase while hoisting my toiletry bag over one shoulder.
Butterflies riot in my stomach.
Money, safety, luxury – all on the line for a decision I still haven’t made.
I’m trying to make myself picture being pregnant. The problem isn’t a rounded belly or even the possible stretch marks.
It’s the whole walking away after.
What if I emotionally bond with the child while it’s growing inside me? What if I fall in love with one or all the alphas and they only want the baby, not me? Would they willingly let me go even if I…
“Stop,” I whisper to myself as the elevator doors slide open.
I’m thinking of worst-case scenarios instead of analyzing everything from a business standpoint. Because that’s really what Pack Anders has offered me – a business proposition. The use of my womb in exchange for some serious spoiling and a lot of money.
Just get through the next few weeks and then you can make the choice.
Surely, after a few weeks of spending time with Mason, Alex, and Desmond, I should be able to make a concrete decision.
I think part of my reluctance is I’m not sure what kind of family I’ll be leaving my child with…
Our child.
Will they be kind and loving and supportive? Or will they be like my parents and turn their backs if their son presents as an omega or their daughter as an alpha?
Sure, they said they didn’t care either way, but those could simply be pretty words. They seem kind, but people can hide a lot behind charm.
Shit. Well, now I’m kind of freaking myself out.
Making a plan to send Ella the address and set some kind of calling schedule, I climb behind the wheel of my Honda and prepare myself for spending the next few weeks with Pack Anders.
Guess it’s a good thing I never went through with getting a pet. I’d either have to get a sitter or take them with me, and I’m not sure how the three alphas feel about little four-legged babies.
The trip to the mansion – and, seriously, that’s exactly how it looks to me – takes about thirty minutes. Their house is tucked away and a little isolated, but still close enough to keep from feeling as though I’ll be too far from civilization.
Man, I keep thinking of my life with them in future terms, as though my brain has made up its mind without actually including me.
Thing is, I wouldn’t mind spending more time with them; it’s the whole getting pregnant, carrying a child while my body goes haywire, giving birth, then deciding whether or not I want to be a part of the child’s life that has me hovering my foot over the proverbial brakes.
There are so many things to consider, some that could possibly be life changing.
The guard from earlier is still manning the gate and instantly opens it, waving me forward the moment he catches sight of my Honda.
What kind of vehicle do they plan to get me if I agree to their arrangement? Obviously, they’ll want something safer, although Hondas have a super high safety rating so not sure why they’re worried.
Okay, yeah, it’s a little older, but my girl still runs like a dream.
Yep. I’m doing everything in my power to distract myself from what’s coming.
You’ll be the one coming.
“Shush.”
Damn it. Not only am I arguing with myself but out loud at that. And this is technically the second damn time in less than twenty-four hours.
Mason’s already waiting when I pull up, every inch the perfect alpha, calm, polished, and devastatingly steady.
Oh, I’m going to be spoiled rotten.
At least while I’m here. Because I haven’t made up my mind.
Right?
My door opens and Mason offers his hand, pulling me from the driver’s seat before drawing my hand to his lips for a soft kiss. Such a damn gentleman.
“Let me get your bags for you,” he says, nodding at the backseat of my car.
“Thank you,” he says.
Maybe I should at least pretend I can get it all myself, pretend I’m self-sufficient and independent, but I decided earlier it would be super nice to have someone else take care of me for once.
And not simply because they want to fulfill some fantasy of fucking an omega.
Okay, yeah. They are fulfilling a fantasy, but I’m more of a means to an end. They don’t have a fantasy of fucking someone else. They simply dream of being parents.
He hoists both bags over his shoulders and extends the handle on the rolling suitcase before wrapping his free hand around mine.
Guiding me up the stairs, he pushes the door open and waits for me to step through before following me in.
Alex and Desmond are both in the omega quarters when we enter the room. Des is busy lighting a fire, though it’s a little warm outside for that but the crackling sound and warm scent of the burning wood will make the room so cozy.
Alex has set out another tray of food like they’d done earlier, but I’m still not hungry. My nerves have gotten the best of me and are making my stomach do all kinds of somersaults.
As Alex straightens and winks at me, I realize I’m not nervous – I’m excited.
I’m excited about the prospect of getting to know these alphas better, about being with three alphas who will ensure I’m safe during my most vulnerable time.
Three alphas who are willing to pay me more money than I would ever see in my life simply for the use of my womb.
I mean, I’ve been reluctant to join a pack for years. If all I have to do is let them at least try for a baby, would it really be all that bad?
Even if I do get pregnant, would it really be so bad to make someone’s dream come true? I don’t have to stay in the child’s life. And I don’t have to fully walk away, either. They gave me the choice.
I’m sure they wrote up a contract for this very thing years ago. I would want to read over it and negotiate my own terms, but…
Holy crap. Am I seriously considering this? Am I really considering giving up a year or more of my time for these three alphas?
Think of it more as giving up a year or more for a lifetime of financial security.
First things first, I need to see how they treat me during my cycle. They could end up losing themselves to rut and bonding me to them. Especially since I tend to lose my shit and beg for a fucking bite.
“One rule during my heat: no teeth,” I blurt while everyone kind of stands around watching me.
“Of course not,” Mason says, his brows puckered as though that should have been obvious.
But more than one alpha has attempted and were only stopped by their betas.
My hope is I’ll be able to come to a concrete decision by the end of the next few weeks.
If, by then, I’m still undecided, I think that alone should be my answer. If, by the end of my heat cycle and their attempt to court me I haven’t decided one way or another, that alone should be my body’s, and the universe’s way of telling me this isn’t a good idea.
Still, when Mason’s hand brushes mine, my heart stumbles like it’s already made up its mind.
Somewhere deep inside, something already calls them mine.
That, more than anything, terrifies me.