Page 58 of Omega's Secret Guardian

Sometime later, they pulled up in front of a sprawling farm. An older alpha and a younger omega sat together on the porch, watching the sunrise too. They had a small dog with them, a baby in the omega’s arms, and a crutch by the omega’s side. Crumpet jumped up and yapped when they parked.

Linus hopped out and waved. “Morning, Drake and Wesley, Lucy and Crumpet. I’m here to pick up some things for my mom.”

“How is Belinda?” The alpha, Drake, was a muscular man slightly older than Linus, with a shaved head and crinkled eyes.

“Doing good, thank you. She’s coming up with a few new flavors for the season. You’re welcome to stop by the shop for some.” Linus handed over the printed copy of his mom’s order, smiling when Storm stopped next to him—just half a step behind. “You shouldn’t be acting like a bodyguard.”

Storm grinned. “You can’t tell me what to do.”

“Thank goodness I can do what I want.” Linus took a step back to put himself firmly at Storm’s side; Storm’s eyebrows jumped.

Then the alpha shot him a challenging look, and moved back by half a step.

“Hey!” Linus frowned. He took another step back, too.

They kept taking steps back, each trying to outwit the other, until Linus thrust his hand out and grabbed Storm’s arm, holding him in place.

Then he stepped backward so they were side by side once more.

Storm raised his chin rebelliously.

“If the two of you are ready...”

Linus jumped, having completely forgotten that they weren’t alone. Storm startled, too.

Wesley giggled. Drake stepped out of a side building with a stack of cardboard trays.

“I’m ready,” Linus said hastily. He hurried to open the back door of his Jeep; Drake loaded the trays into its trunk. “Thank you, and I’m sorry for making you guys get up this early.”

“We were already awake, courtesy of Lucy,” Wesley said with a fond smile. He had gotten to his feet with some trouble, crutch under one arm and his baby in the other.

Linus couldn’t help staring at the baby’s chubby cheeks, the way she looked so innocent, fast asleep in Wesley’s arms.

Once upon a time, he had imagined having a family. Back when he still believed in finding the perfect alpha to raise a few children with.

Wesley caught him looking. “Would you like to hold her?”

Linus’ heart lurched. “I—probably shouldn’t.”

Olson had a baby bump. Sometimes Linus thought about asking to touch Olson’s belly, except he was afraid he would feel envious. He didn’t want to sow terrible feelings into his bond with his best friend.

These days, he didn’t think he would be a good dad. He was always frightened, always looking over his shoulder for danger. If he had a child without an alpha, he wasn’t sure he could keep his baby safe.

One by one, Linus caught the tendrils of hope reaching toward the child, tucking them back into his heart.

“Can I?” Storm asked. “Hold her?”

Linus froze.

Wesley blinked in surprise. He glanced at Drake, who nodded. “Just for a moment, I suppose.”

Storm had taken off his helmet, leaving his hair squished. He didn’t care about that though. Instead, he reached out cautiously, his face lighting up when Wesley carefully set the baby into his arms.

“Oh, she’s adorable,” Storm said cheerfully. “Hi, baby. How are you?”

Lucy drooled on him and fussed a little, but Storm only grinned.

Linus couldn’t tear his eyes away. His ovaries ached.

---