Page 7 of Such a Feisty Omega

“As I said, it’s just a mood. I don’t need you to waste your valuable time on me.”

“I have nothing better to do. My omega is busy with his friends having a snack, and I’m not hungry. Technically, I’m not on duty, and I am not feeling especially inspired to play anyway. So, why don’t you tell me a little about what made you go from the happy alpha working on a playground for littles to the puddle of gloom I see before me? These are also for anyone else who wants to use them, right?”

I nodded. “Of course. I think there is enough child in most of us to enjoy what we are building. After all, most people like rides at amusement parks, don’t they?”

“Exactly. I didn’t realize we were going to have that feature in our gardens, and just hearing your plans put a spring in my step, too. You are so good for us, here. Let me offer you help when you need it.”

“I-I am afraid that there will never be another significant person for me. Reed’s dad, as you know, left when he was so tiny, and other than scenes with omegas, I haven’t had anything more than that.”

Jabez nodded but didn’t interrupt. For which I was grateful.

“For a while it was enough, to spend those short times with the omegas, to experience what we both need in the moment without any long-term commitments.”

“But now it’s not?” he added when I didn’t say anything more.

“Right. Seeing those people out there, they all seemed to have connections beyond what I’d experienced. And they aren’t all in relationships, so why does it seem better?”

“I can only share with you what I feel. And you can do with it what you would like.” He uncrossed his legs and sat up straighter, eying me with seriousness. “Would you like to hear?”

“I found myself wondering how many of those happy alphas and omegas were going to rip one another’s hearts out. I know it’s not common with mates or even playmates, but it did happen to me, and it hurt so much.”

Jabez’ eyes clouded, and he drew a deep breath before speaking. “You don’t know my story, do you?”

“Did you have an omega leave, too?”

“My friend, it’s not your fault that you don’t know because you have haven’t been here long, and it’s probably not common knowledge among the general membership. My omega didn’ttell me he wasn’t ever supposed to get pregnant. He’d known this almost all his life, but he chose to take a chance without allowing me input into that decision.”

“I take it this was not Beale.” I chewed my lower lip, afraid of what he had to share.

“No.” His voice was so low, I had to strain to hear it. “It wasn’t.”

“What happened? You don’t have to say if you don’t want, if it’s too hard.”

“My omega died because of that decision, taking our child with him.” He swallowed hard. “And I thought I could never find any kind of happiness again. That I could never trust again because it was a lie of omission that cost me my family.”

‘Oh, Jabez, I am so sorry. My omega left, but if I’d lost our baby…how do you go on? How did you ever let Beale into your heart?”

This brought a dry chuckle. “You know Beale. How could I have resisted him? The Goddess had mercy on my broken heart and sent me someone to help it heal. But it wasn’t easy, and it was a near thing. I was terrified of being hurt again. I knew I’d never survive it.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes before I processed what he’d said, enough to say, “I can see the love and peace between you and Beale.”

“Yes, I was very fortunate to have a second chance at happiness.”

“And you don’t worry about him leaving you, umm, one way or another?”

“It took me some time to accept the gift of Fate because I was very afraid, but at some point, I just couldn’t reject happiness.”

He gave me a lot to think about before he left me to myself, and I decided to do my mulling while wandering the club floor. It was more crowded now than earlier, but not too bad, and Iworked my way around, exchanging bits of conversation with the members and staff. Although I wasn’t ready to be with anyone at the moment, the company of friends felt good.

Everything seemed fine until I heard someone crying and came upon an omega comforting another who seemed very upset. I started over to see what was going on and try to help, but my helpful instincts were submerged beneath my wolf’s calls ofmate. He was focused on one of the omegas…and I didn’t have to ask which one.

Chapter Eight

Julian

I scented the alpha before I saw him. He was all apples and cardamom, an apple pie and a chai latte mixed together into the most delicious dessert.

But when I looked to my right to find the owner of all my favorite scents, a god approached.

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