Page 73 of Omega's Refuge

The amount of rancor in his voice surprised me, although I felt as negative as he did. “He needn’t bother because I don’t want to have a child with him. He’s most definitely not father material.”

“You say that now, but he might talk you into keeping the baby.” He looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth. “I’ve told you before, he’ll regret abandoning you. He’s going to try and get you back.”

“Rex, I’m not a mindless idiot. He can’t talk me into being with him simply because of the baby. Besides, he doesn’t want kids. He made that clear when we last spoke. He’s not ready for a family.”

Rex looked unconvinced. “He’s territorial. He’ll do anything to keep you away from other alphas, mark my words. Even if he didn’t want kids before, I’d bet money he’ll suddenly be ready.”

I studied his tense face, feeling confused. Was he right? Would Steve regret what he’d done to me and come crawling back again because of the child? “I could never trust him again. Never.”

He didn’t respond immediately, then he asked, “If Steve hadn’t done what he did, would you be happy about the baby?”

That was an interesting question. I hadn’t trusted Steve before, and now I truly didn’t. Would I have been happy to learn I was pregnant if I was still with Steve? Or would I have been horrified because I’d known instinctively that I couldn’t depend on him?

When I didn’t answer, he said softly, “It’s okay if you’d have been happy. I understand, Tanner. You have his bite. Being with him and having a family with him is the easiest path for you.”

I held his gaze feeling conflicted. “I don’t know how to answer your question. There may have been a time when I’d have been happy to have his baby, but now? I can’t imagine having babies with him. Not after what he’s done.”

“But it would be easier.” His voice was matter-of-fact. “Since you already have his bite.”

“Life definitely wouldn’t beeasy. Not with the way Steve is. A baby isn’t going to fix him. It would probably make him worse.”

“But, at least you’d have help with the money and the child.”

I frowned. “Do you think I should go back with him or something? Because of the baby?”

His face instantly hardened, “Hell, no. I think you’d be a fool to get back with him.”

I laughed gruffly. “Then why are you petitioning so hard for Steve?”

He hung his head, appearing muddled. “I’m not petitioning forhim. I’m trying to think of what’s best foryou.” He flicked his gaze to mine and there was pain there. “I hate the idea of you going back to him. But if you want to keep this child, I understand why you’d make that decision.”

I touched my stomach distractedly. “Even if I wanted to keep the baby, I… I can’t just think about what Iwantright now. I have to be smart. I have to face the fact that I’m not financially able to keep this child.”

“But if you didn’t have to worry about money, you’d want to keep the child? Even if Steve wasn’t in the picture?”

I hesitated as thoughts of being a parent washed over me. I’d always wanted kids. I’d been practical enough to know I hadn’t been in aposition to have them yet, but I’d always planned on having a family with Steve.

“There’s no point in discussing hypotheticals. The fact is, Steve abandoned me. I’m not in a position to raise this child alone.” I hardened my jaw. “And, despite what you might think of me, I’m also not weak enough to run back to Steve simply because I’m pregnant.”

“I don’t think you’re weak.” He touched my arm. “I think you’re strong as hell, Tanner. But I also think you’re in a really hard place, and sometimes we make bad decisions out of fear.”

I shivered at the heat of his fingers on my skin, wrestling with my jumbled emotions. Rex was convinced that Steve would come back to me, and that I’d want that. What Rex didn’t realize was I’d barely thought about Steve since Rex and I had become involved. I didn’t want to admit that to him because I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable,andI didn’t want to look pathetic.

“Talk to me,” he urged softly. “Tell me what you’re feeling, Tanner.”

I met his gaze, tempted to be honest. His gaze was so warm and concerned, it tugged at my heart. “Okay, fine. I… I don’t want to get rid of this baby, but I have no choice,” I whispered. “I can’t support a child on my own. The sooner I get rid of this pregnancy the better. I don’t want to start bonding with the fetus. That will just make things harder.”

He nodded, but before he could respond, a doctor entered the room.

The doctor was tall and dark haired, with a hint of silver at his temples. He smiled politely as he stopped near us. “I’m Dr. Jones. How are you feeling today, Tanner?”

“Rough.” I smiled weakly. “My arm hurts and I’m exhausted.”

“Sure. Sure. Don’t be alarmed about that. It’s normal after what you’ve been through.” He studied a clipboard as he spoke. “Hmmm.”

“Is something wrong?” Rex asked before I could.

The doctor glanced up. “Oh, nothing too terrible. It’s not uncommon following envenomation, particularly from species like rattlesnakes, for there to be significant interference with the body’s hemostatic mechanisms, resulting in coagulopathy.”

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