Page 23 of Such a Tempting Omega

“What would you like to do?” I braced myself for him to insist on finding a job. The trouble was, everything he was likely to get hired to do would involve being on his feet all day. Although he was no longer nauseated, for the most part, standing made his ankles swell, and I didn’t think that was a good thing.

But to my surprise, Hirsch didn’t suggest working. “I’d like to go back to school.” He pulled out his phone and showed me an ad for a college certificate program. “I can go remotely, at first, and eventually get a degree in education. Since I’ve been pregnant, I’ve been thinking about how many shifter kids don’t have teachers they can identify with. They either get an education in their pride or pack that rarely helps them learn real world skills, or they are stuck in human schools where they rarely fit in. They bully or are bullied.”

Sitting down on the sofa next to him, I took the phone and scrolled through the website for the program he was considering. “Tell me more about what you’d like to do with this. Did you want to teach young kids? High school?”

“I’m not sure, yet, but I’ve been talking to an omega I met at the club who is already a teacher at a shifter school. It’s private, and they have a really hard time finding certified teachers.”

“I think that sounds wonderful. So, have you applied for classes?”

“I wanted to talk to you first. It’s going to be expensive and then when I start working, the school doesn’t pay nearly as much as a public school. It would be a long time before I earned enough even to cover my costs, much less pay my share of expenses around here.”

Not our first conversation along these lines. Since he’d been kept from working by his ex, he had a hard time trusting that I only wanted him to do whatever he chose, whatever he might enjoy. And being a full-time daddy would be more than enoughif that was what he wanted. This was the first time he’d so much as suggested he had a bigger dream than just any job he could get.

“Omega, we’re mates and what’s mine is yours. You’re already on the household bank accounts and don’t need my permission to spend money.”

He shrugged. “I know, but it’s hard…”

I hugged him close. “I understand. But hear me out. Being mates means both of us have responsibilities and privileges, do you agree?”

“Yes.”

“And my responsibility and privilege as your alpha is to do everything in my power to make sure you have the resources to achieve your dreams and goals. That means, if you want to stay home with the baby, I support that. If you want to take up professional yo-yoing, I’m good with that.”

“I would never,” he spluttered, and I laughed.

“But you could. And if you want to become a better educated person and help other shifters to achieve their dreams, I’m honored to be there for you. If this is what you really want to do, let’s get you signed up today. You said it can start remotely, right?”

“Yes, the first couple of years, until I need to start putting in classroom time.”

“Then it’s ideal. Take as few or many classes as work for you, and tell me how I can be helpful to make sure you have the time you need. As in, we have a housekeeper starting next week. And we take turns cooking.”

For a moment, I thought he was going to argue, but then he said, “Yes, alpha,” in such an obedient tone, I eyed him suspiciously.

“That felt too easy.”

“When someone wants to help you make your dreams come true, why argue?” He flung his arms around my neck and hugged me. “Our child will be so lucky to have you for their dad.”

“And you, omega. And you.”

Chapter Twenty

Hirsch

On the way to the healer, I was nervous, and my mate knew it. Though he had my hand and his touch helped, this visit was one for the books.

Today, we were having our ultrasound.

We would be able to see the baby and had decided to find out what the sex was because we needed as much time to prepare as possible.

My anxiety was through the roof, not just about today but about a lot of things. Being a father. This pregnancy. Making sure the birth went well.

Being. A. Father.

“Everything is going to be okay,” Liam cooed and lifted our joined hands to kiss mine. He was the sweetest thing ever even though he said that was what alphas were supposed to do.

“I know. I know it will but I can’t help but worry.”

“You are a worrywart, mate. Today is going to be great. Exciting and perfect.”

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