Page 108 of Omega's Refuge

“Yes, I’d come right back.” I nodded. “I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Good.” Dr. Holston turned off the machine, and the sound of the baby’s heartbeat ended abruptly. He wiped my stomach clean of gel, and pushed the cart back into the corner of the room. “I’ll also want you to avoid lifting anything heavy or doing any strenuous activity for a few days. In situations such as these, it’s wise to be overly cautious.”

I sat up, tugging my shirt down. “I’ll stay in bed for a week if you tell me to.” I was so relieved, it was almost overwhelming. I hung my legs off the side of the bed as Rex once more returned to my side.

He rested his hand on my thigh, as if he couldn’t help himself. I think he needed to touchme as much as I craved his touch in that moment. We’d faced something terrifying together, and Rex had been steady and calm throughout. That only cemented my belief he was the right alpha for me.

Dr. Holston moved to the door. “I wish you two well, and hopefully we won’t meet again anytime soon.”

I smiled. “That sounds good to me.”

Once he was gone, I got off the table and Rex and I hugged. It felt good in his strong arms, and I clung to him weak with relief. For one awful moment I’d thought I might lose the promising future that was so close I could almost taste it.

But for once, the universe had taken pity on me.

Chapter Twenty

When we got back to the ranch, Rex insisted I go straight to bed. He said he’d handle everything with the movers, and I was so tired from all the stress of the day, I didn’t argue. I crawled under the covers, and before leaving, he perched on the edge of the bed, watching me.

My hands rested lightly on my stomach as I held his gaze. Neither of us spoke at first, but then he said, “I’m going to go have a talk with Mrs. Rodwell.”

I winced. “I don’t want you to lose your job because of my drama.”

He frowned. “Dismissing what she did as ’your drama’ negates the seriousness of our relationship, Tanner. You’re my omega. She had no right to interfere in our personal business. She didn’t want Steve showing up here causing trouble, but then she went out of her way to send himtous, where there’d be a guaranteed confrontation? That’s bullshit.”

I exhaled tiredly. “She’s old fashioned. She really believes I’m a bad fit for you.”

His eyes hardened. “I don’t give a fuck about her feelings on the issue of you and me.”

My pulse spiked at how angry he sounded. I touched his arm, hoping he’d calm down before he approached her. “Look, I’m fine and the babyis fine. There’s no need to make anything huge out of this. Maybe just ask her nicely not to interfere ever again.”

“I don’t feel like that’s enough. I’m pissed,” he growled.

I laughed gruffly. “You don’t say?”

He looked sheepish for a moment, but then he scowled. “I don’t understand her. She knows I want this. Why would she interfere?”

“Isn’t it obvious? She doesn’t think I’m good enough for you.”

His mouth thinned. “Who is she to judge you? What does she even know about you? She’s being ridiculous and I’m not going to put up with it. If I have to find another job, I will.”

Anxiety buzzed through me. “Now, don’t do anything rash like quit, Rex. Just talk to hercalmly. When she finds out what happened, there’s a good chance she’ll feel awful.”

He shifted toward me. “Why are you being so forgiving? You could have lost the baby simply because she stuck her nose in where it doesn’t belong. Why aren’t you as angry as I am?”

“Seems to me you’re angry enough for both of us.” I smiled weakly.

He took my hand, rubbing his calloused thumb over my skin. “I was really scared back there, Tanner.”

“Me too.” I met his gaze. “I… I was scared I’d lose it all. Even this. Even you.”

He frowned. “You thought you’d lose me?”

I shrugged. “Let’s be real. You… you only claimed me because I was in a rough spot. You stepped in like a white knight to save me because of my pregnancy. If… if I lost the baby, then there would be no need of your chivalry.”

He didn’t speak for a moment, appearing to consider his words carefully. When he did finally speak, his voice was gentle. “Is that what you were thinking the whole time at the ER?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

---