Page 19 of Luna

So after looking at those two pink lines for another few minutes, I spent hours on the internet researching omega pregnancies.

The Internet didn’t help me. Every article assumed I had a pack already and had become pregnant during a heat. I did find out that at-home pregnancy tests were accurate, the same as what the OB-GYN would use when I went to the doctor to confirm my pregnancy.

The thought made me want to retch again. Going to the doctor, packless. The pity factor would be off the charts, not to mention the pressure to tell the fathers.

I ignored the white stick of life-changing news for three days. I went to work, puking in the morning before I left home, and was eternally thankful I was able to work in the open air.

Smells set me off, and suddenly the entire world was too much. I planned, and then replanned the gardens for the northern part of the resort. My job for the family was in landscaping, and I made sure we won garden shows year-round.

But my head pounded, and all I wanted to do was curl up in my nest.

I considered taking the clothes I had worn in Vegas out of the plastic bag I’d sealed them in, if only to get a whiff of Dante, Colton, and Quinn again.

I couldn’t. Even if the mere thought of them made some of the panic in my chest go away, they’d made it clear they didn’t want more.

Telling them I was pregnant was the definition of ‘more’. It would guilt them into being by my side for the rest of our lives.

My omega instincts quailed, and it felt like someone punched me in the stomach.

Leaving work early with a mumbled apology to my cousin Raina, I drove to the only place I knew would make me happy. I had a long evening of being alone and stewing in my own worry ahead of me. I had to kill some time doing something that would soothe me.

I drove to the Half Moon Nursery, hoping that Halos, the sexy alpha I had a crush on, was there, but at the same time praying he had the day off. But need drove me, and I pulled into the gravel parking lot.

I let out a breath and tried to calm myself. I knew my scent must be all over the place, because my hands were almost shaking from nerves. I closed my eyes and repeated my mantra: It was going to be okay. No matter what happened, it would be okay.

I put my hand on my stomach and let out another slow breath. I would figure this out. My family wouldn’t let me raise a baby all by myself. My sisters and cousins would be overjoyed to have someone else to love.

Tears pricked my eyes. I had plenty of time to figure out what I wanted to do about the fathers, but until then, I needed to calm myself.

Half Moon Nursery was nestled right against a hill, the sprawling grounds boasting three different buildings with long rows of plants, trees, and flowers between them. The front parking lot had long benches set out displaying the current season’s flowers and vegetables, whereas the gardening supplies and trees were inside.

I meandered through the rows of plants. Ferns dominated one side of the benches, and I spent some time eyeing them. I wasn’t in the mood.

I grabbed some peonies instead. I wanted some bright colors for my own garden. Maybe I could add some color with some perennials. Expand my wildflower garden, and let it look messy but tended.

I eyed the big dolly in the corner. Mavis, an elderly lady with blue tinged hair wandered over to me. “Need anything Luna, or are we just browsing today?”

I gave her a faint smile. “Browsing.”

The older beta paused, looking at me intently. “Are you okay?”

I lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “Just under the weather.”

It’s what I’d told my family all week.

“Okay.” She patted my shoulder even though she was usually good about not touching me. “Let me know if you need anything, dear. I make a nice cup of hot tea.”

Hot tea sounded good, but I wasn’t sure my stomach would allow it. So far, I was living on crackers and juice. “I’ll be okay.”

I moved away from the clerk and kept moving through the rows of plants. In the back of my mind I was panicking over my life and what I was going to do, and whether I should even try and track down my not-pack. I shoved the panic further away.

I was here to relax and unwind. I stepped inside the small shop and went through to the greenhouse.

Maybe I needed some more shrubs. Or flowering bushes. One could never have too many azaleas. I moved to the far side of the greenhouse, touching the delicate green leaves.

I scented him first, my entire body relaxing as the scent of vetiver and spearmint, like the best herbal tea, wafting closer to me.

I let out a quiet sigh, my queasiness smoothing out, and turned toward him.

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