Page 6 of True for You

“What’s going on?” I can feel my walls come up, putting myself on the defensive. I don’t like feeling like I’m being cornered into a conversation I’m not ready to have. I push my inner alpha down, keeping myself as calm as possible.

Ben adjusts his glasses on his nose, frowning at me. “It’s really none of my business,” he starts, clearing his throat nervously. “Why you rejected your omega is your own problem but I’m here to ask you to reconsider. Christopher is going through pining sickness because he’s pregnant. This is really fucking with his hormones.”

My back goes completely tense, my inner alpha waging war within myself. “What?”

“He’s sick,” Ben says softly. “My roommate is sick. I saw you this weekend. I know you’re who he scented.”

My head is spinning with confusion. The only thing I can ask again is, “what?” My eyes drift over to Jeremy and Bryce, hoping they can give me some insight as to what the fuck is happening right now.

“Did you smell someone?” Jeremy asks softly, his voice always gentle when it needs to be. “Someone who smelled like every good thing you’ve ever loved? Did your inner alpha pull at you that they were the one?”

“I--” my voice stutters, trying to grasp onto my raging thoughts. “Yes. But he’s pregnant. And mated,” I say, turning to look at Ben. “He’s your mate.”

Ben shakes his head. “No way. He’s just my roommate. And he’s pregnant with Harrison and Derek’s baby. He’s their surrogate, Parker.”

“What?” This time when I ask, my voice is barely there, like I truly can’t believe what I’m hearing. A tiny slice of hope begins to wiggle its way into my chest, spreading throughout my body. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Ben says and now he’s smiling, looking relieved. “You should go to him. His symptoms will subside when you’re with him.”

“Of course,” I say right away. “Yes. I’ll go right now.” Then I look at my bosses. “If that’s okay?”

“Go,” Bryce says, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Go be with your omega.”

“Fuck,” I whisper under my breath. “My omega.”

“Yeah,” Ben says, standing up and pushing me through the door. “I’m sorry there was a misunderstanding. That must have really hurt. But Christopher is very much not mated. He was sad when you ran but I’m sure he’s gonna be very happy when you make it up to him.”

I nod my head. “I promise I will. Fuck, I’m such an idiot. I should have stayed and talked to him at least.”

“The past is the past,” he says, squeezing my shoulder. “What matters is what you do right now.” He gives me his address before practically shoving me out the door.

Holy shit. I’m about to drive across town and meet my true mate. I promise to do everything in my power to make this up to him. I’ll do anything he asks me. I hope that’ll be enough for him to forgive me.

It doesn’t take me too long to find the right apartment and before I know it, I’m standing outside, my hand raised and ready to knock. This is it. This is my second chance. I won’t run again. I don’t think I could even if I wanted to. I’m here and ready.

My heart is hammering against my ribs and I can’t stopsmiling, my cheeks hurting from how wide my smile is. My inner alpha has calmed, instead sitting patiently for us to meet our omega. All the nerves and anxieties all slowly flow away as I smell that warm maple syrup scent I’d smelled inside the grocery store. He’s here and he’s mine and he needs me.

I’m certain that this is where I’m supposed to be. With my shoulders set and my mind ready, I finally knock.

Chapter Four

Christopher

I pullthe blankets tighter around myself, wishing my body would stop with these stupid fucking tremors. My inner omega is screaming and whining, overcome with distress at not having our alpha here. I honestly don’t know what to do to appease the longing going on inside of me. I’m sick to my stomach, I’m sweating terribly, my body aches, and everything inside of me is reaching out to someone I don’t even know. It’s like now that my bodyknowsI have a true mate out there, it’s not going to be happy until I meet him again.

Instincts and hormones can get fucked. They’re making me miserable with this stupid fucking pining sickness. I know it’ll eventually pass with a little more time but for right now all I can do is whine and cry and suffer through it. No wonder Ben was so adamant about going to work. Poor guy’s had to take care of me all weekend so when he said it was really important he went into work today, I got the message and practically pushed him out the door. This isn’t his problem to deal with, and like he enjoys reminding me: I’m a strong independent omega who can take care of myself.

I rub a hand over my belly, letting out a long sigh as another tremor wracks through my body. It makes all my muscles tighten up and my teeth chatter and by the time it’s over, I’m left out of breath and exhausted. God, I fucking hate this.

I called my doctor over the weekend and she said I’m reacting this badly most likely because I’m pregnant. My body is a cocktail of hormones that are all fighting against each other and honestly I’d like it to stop. Why the fuck did my alpha have to run away?

My teeth chatter almost painfully, audible in the otherwise quiet room. Did he really see me and decide he’d rather be alone? My eyes prickle without my permission. What’s wrong with me that he ran away?

Before I can truly dive down into this sea of self-pity, there’s a knock at my door.

The pounding going on inside my head gets worse as I sit up from the little blanket nest I’ve made for myself. Every single part of me wants to stay in my nest and ignore the knocking. God, I really wish someone was here to answer for me. I run my fingers through my hair, greasy from how much I’ve been sweating lately. I look like a complete and utter mess, but I stand up on shaky legs regardless.

The walk to our front door feels longer than it actually is, each step leaving me lightheaded and breathless. I feel like I’m running a fucking marathon instead of walking a few feet. But there’s something that compels me forward, like a moth drawn to the flame. I just hope whoever is behind this door doesn’t burn me.

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