Page 4 of Baking for His Omega

I looked down at the cake and nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Without another word, the alpha left. I stared after him but soon, Wyatt began to fuss. He was a fiery, energetic deer. Judson was a deer as well, so there was no question of his species.

I bet the alpha baker was a big, strong bear. He smelled like one. Looked like one in his human form as well.

I went inside and put Wyatt down, trying not to let the cake fall in the process. I put them down on the kitchen counter and opened the box. It was perfect. A pale-blue cake. Wyatt’s name in darker-blue frosting. Some sprinkles in the shape of stars all around. This would be enough to feed everyone, I hoped. My budget didn’t allow for a lot more.

“Look at this, Wyatt,” I called to my son. “This is your cake!”

We would have our little party after dinner, so I put the cake in the fridge and straightened the living room. Again. “Come on, you. Let’s go outside so you can get some of that energy out.”

When searching for a house here in Oliver Creek, I made sure to rent one with a big backyard so Wyatt could play. I’d picked up some toys from the local thrift store. A slide. A sandbox. That and a few balls for throwing, and he was in heaven. Kids didn’t need a ton of stuff, I’d found. Good thing because I couldn’t afford a ton.

While Wyatt chased a ball, I thought about the alpha who had showed up at my door. I did a quick search on my phone and found the owner was named Gideon. That name fit him.

Gideon was tall and strong. Goddess, I could only imagine what it must feel like to be enveloped in his arms. It had been so long since I’d been held. He looked like the cuddling type.

For an instant, I planned a trip into the bakery for no reason other than to catch a glimpse of him again, but I let out a groan. No. I had to focus on Wyatt and getting a job and all the things that went along with raising my son. I didn’t have the time or luxury of getting distracted.

Gideon would be the best distraction for anyone.

“Come on, Wyatt. Let’s get cleaned up and have a party! What do you think?”

Wyatt didn’t give two shits. It made me laugh. All this getting ready and streamers and balloons and a special cake, and my tyke couldn’t care less. He didn’t know it was his birthday. We could’ve snuggled in with a good dinner and some books tonight, and he wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference.

The party was really for me, but also, one day, he might wonder if we celebrated. I didn’t want to let him down, even in the future.

I gave Wyatt a bath and fed him a snack of cheese and turkey, so I didn’t feel completely awful with all the sugar I was about to give him. Also, since he was in his high chair, I had a chance to clean up and get the last-minute things ready. I had bought cute little hats, but I doubted any of the kids would wear them. My phone was fully charged for pictures and video.

I still had to hang the pinata outside. That was more for the older kids. I laughed, thinking about my little son with a big bat in his hands.

A birthday-themed cloth covered my table, and the juice boxes were chilled and ready. Little kid birthday parties were more for show than anything else. The kids didn’t care. They just wanted to play and have cake.

I didn’t blame them. Sounded like a good time to me as well.

The guests would arrive soon. “Oh, the candles.” I pulled out the one candle and realized I had a cake but not the smash cake.

He must’ve forgotten.

Oh, well. I would give Wyatt a piece of the large cake and call it a day. The baker had done enough.

Chapter Five

Gideon

I pulled into my driveway, confused, distraught, and beyond planning anything further than going into the house and drinking myself to sleep. I rarely touched alcohol, and shifters, particularly of the bear variety, had to imbibe quite a lot to feel anything, so I only hoped I had enough in the back of my kitchen cabinet to make it happen.

Usually, those bottles were used as flavorings for baking experiments, so they were mostly liquors and such, but I would make do and worry about the likely hangover from all that sweet alcohol tomorrow.

Surely finding out my mate had already chosen another was worth a pity party.

I turned to grab my hoodie from the back seat, and my gaze lit on a small blue box.Oh, hell no! I can’t go back there and meet the male who stole my life.

They’d probably already cut the cake anyway, and it was too late for the smash cake. So, why was I putting the car in gear and backing out of the driveway? I pulled over to the curb to send a text to the omega and let him know I was on the way then realized he’d called on the shop landline, so his number wasn’t in my cell.

It was, however, on the order taped to the top of the smash cake box. I typed,Just found the smash cake in my back seat. So sorry for the inconvenience, but I’ll be there in a few minutes.He’d probably tell me not to bother, or that it was too late, but I had a duty to complete. They could always freeze the cake for a night when they wanted a special dessert if they didn’t use it for the party.

I was driving again when a notification chime came, but I didn’t want to take the time to pull over and check it. A red light offered the opportunity.

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