Page 14 of Blooming for His Omega

With the bags piled in the back of the car, I drove home and parked in my space behind the shop. Again, I considered whether I’d overdone, and while I acknowledged I had…I also decided I didn’t care. He would have what he needed to stay healthy, and my bear heartily approved. Gathering the bags in my arms, I cut down the alley and came around to the front door of Bloom.

The store was open, but I saw no sign of anyone. I proceeded toward the counter, juggling all the bags. Might be best to just leave it all there, anyway, after last night. No pressure that way. He’d probably be just as glad not to have to see me. I headed for the door.

“Zion, wait.”

I turned back to see Cicek emerging from the back room. “Hi. I was just dropping off a few things for you.”

He gaped at the overflowing paper bags. “Half the grocery store?”

“I know. My bear and I were overenthusiastic. I hope you’re not offended.”

“Offended? Perhaps you should be because I was so rude last night. You’re nothing but wonderful and supportive, and I was incredibly ungrateful.”

“No, omega.” I cleared my throat around the emotions gathering there. “No apology necessary. I’m here for you no matter what. As friends only, if that is your wish.”

Chapter Fourteen

Cicek

Thinking was an overrated activity, if you asked me. I’d done nothing else the rest of the day but think. What was. What could’ve been. What could be. And everything in between.

The ruminations only led to more options—more decisions to make.

First and foremost, I had to think about whether or not to contact Derek and tell him that I was expecting. Contacting Derek was on my priority list—right under sticking a screwdriver into my knee. The thought of having him anywhere near this babe inside my belly, well, I could hand this babe over to a stranger and they would be better off.

I held back tears, picturing a sweet child’s life under the care of that monster.

No. I wouldn’t subject my worst enemy to that fate.

But legally, Derek had a right to know. If I had to, I would take the baby and leave here. Sell the shop and my building, everything my uncle had left for me, and bring the baby to a place where Derek could never find him. I didn’t need any child support from him.

And then, there was Zion.

He was my mate. I knew that down deep, but there were so many obstacles—mostly in this mind of mine.

What if I was too much for the sweet bear? What if I tainted him with my negativity and second-guessing and not only eventually drove him away but caused him to turn from his kind, giving nature.

He would be too nice to leave me and would have given me more and more chances until his kindness faded to bitterness and his love shattered.

There was no end to any of these dilemmas that ended well for me, or for Zion.

I paced the floor of my apartment, wondering what in the hell I was going to do.

I had to tell Derek. Not doing so could cost me custody if he chose to take the matter to court. And it wouldn’t be a human court but a panel of alphas just like him who would absolutely take his side.

Heeding Zion’s lesson, I would deal with the consequences of that decision as they came. If he wanted custody…I would fight it.

One thing at a time.

I wrung my hands. Rubbed my fists into my ever-tightening chest. Took breaths. Counted those breaths. Got on my knees. Back on my feet. Back on my knees.

Nothing helped.

Nothing.

My hedgehog begged for my attention. He wanted to go to Zion. Let him soothe us. Tell us everything was going to be okay. Not only for me but for the babe growing inside me. He needed a safe place to get bigger and form his little mind. I’d heard and read that babies in the womb could feel the stress and turmoil of their fathers, and I’d be damned if the scars from Derek passed on to my child.

I ceased overthinking and did what my hedgehog demanded. In only pajama pants, I barreled down my stairs and then up the stairs next door and soon found myself at Zion’s door with my hand raised to knock.

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