Page 111 of Omega's Secret Guardian

“I might have some ginger candy.” Belinda studied Linus. “Has this been going on for a while?”

Storm exchanged a look with his omega. “Maybe?”

“Hmm.” Belinda gave them a thoughtful look and wandered off.

“Are you going to tell her?” Storm whispered.

Linus rubbed his belly hesitantly. “It might be too soon. Let’s wait a while. See how things go. I’m... getting on in years. I don’t want to get her hopes up in case something goes wrong.”

Storm was blindsided by the sudden ache in his gut. Breathlessly, he managed to say, “I—I hope it turns out fine.”

Why was he reacting this strongly to a baby he had never even met?

Linus was watching him carefully. He smiled and leaned in, resting his head on Storm’s shoulder. “Same here.”

Storm kissed his temple. They were still standing together when Belinda returned.

“I found some ginger drops at the back of the pantry, but they’re expired.” She eyed them. “For emergency use only.”

“Thanks. I’ll get some fresh ones as soon as I can.” Storm moved forward to accept the bag, only to have Linus whine when the movement separated his head from Storm’s shoulder.

Only then did Linus seem to realize his mom was there. He flushed a bright red, yanking himself away from Storm.

Belinda rolled her eyes. “You should probably get going.”

“Yeah, we should,” Linus mumbled at the floor.

Belinda followed them to the front door. “Stay safe,” she said to both of them. “Be careful.”

“We will,” Storm said.

Linus shared a hug with his mom. Storm was about to turn away when Belinda grabbed his arm and pulled him into a hug too.

Storm froze against her soft chest. He hadn’t been hugged by a mom in... a while. Belinda’s hug reminded him of his own mother’s hugs from years ago.

His throat tightened. How was his mom doing? He didn’t know. And he felt so guilty for not going back, at the same time he worried that she wouldn’t want to see him again.

Linus was looking at him strangely when he pulled away. Storm did his best to look unconcerned; it probably didn’t work, seeing as Linus reached over to hold his hand.

“Thanks for the cake,” Belinda said. To Storm, she added, “Get some rest.”

Yeah, he would need it if he wanted to protect Linus as best as he could.

They left the house together, Storm’s thoughts buzzing with everything that was going on.

27

FIXING THE PAST

Most days,Storm’s favorite place to be was on his motorcycle, with the wind in his hair and the road flying by beneath him.

Today was not one of those days.

“I’m hella nervous,” he muttered in the closed dome of his helmet.

“I know.” Linus’ voice came through the comms unit. “For the record, I think you’re very brave.”

It was accompanied by a light squeeze around his waist.

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