Page 43 of Omega's Pretend Mate
I needed this strong gorgeous omega in my life.
I knelt in front of him, to propose for real this time.
“Gabe, a few months ago I saw a man who needed my help. I’d admired you long before that, but the thought of you hurting over something as important as your home was too much to bear. I wanted to help you, so when you asked me, I jumped without care for the consequences. All I wanted was for your happiness.
“But I fell in love with you too. I fell harder and faster than I ever thought possible outside of a fated pairing. I looked forward to our marriage, no matter how brief it might have been, because it meant time with you. I’d resolved myself to enjoy every second, and to treasure it, because I knew that the time with you would have been the best of my life.”
I took a deep breath. “Gabe Everest, I love you. I love you more than I ever imagined. I want to ask you for real this time. Will you be my husband and mate?”
Tears streamed down Gabe’s cheeks as he held a hand over his mouth.
“I love you too,” he cried, launching himself into my arms. “I want it all with you, I always have. I want to wake up to your smile every morning, and start a family with you. The thought of our marriage ending caused a constant ache in my heart. Of course I’ll marry you!”
I held him tight and pressed kisses to his cheeks. “I love you.”
Mom sighed. “I’m not happy, Christian. I expected better of you than deception. But… I guess it worked out in the end.” She turned, but I kept my focus on Gabe.
“What now?” mom asked.
“There isn’t any reason to cancel or postpone,” the officiant replied. “The objection is for legal concerns nowadays, which this was not. We can proceed immediately if that is what the grooms want.”
I kissed Gabe gently. “Do you want to go get married?”
He nodded. “I don’t want to wait to be your husband and mate any longer.”
I stood, helping him up with me. Then we turned to face the officiant, mom, and Gabe’s family.
“We’d like to finish getting married now.”
Ivy looked between us and the officiant. “That’s it?”
“That’s it!” his grandfather growled. “And you, young lady, are not to show your face back out there. Nor you Evelyn. You are to take a car back to the hotel immediately, and I will deal with you both personally tomorrow.”
“But the kids!” Ivy protested.
“You have a husband who is more than capable of handling them for a few hours. He’s not in trouble. You are. Now get out before I reconsider your status on your trust, as it can still be revoked.”
She blanched and scurried to a couch, pulling out her phone on the way.
Mom pulled me and Gabe aside. “You both need a touchup. Let’s let them finish their business and get you two ready to get hitched.”
“You’re not mad?” I asked.
“Oh, I’m livid. We’ll have to discuss things after your honeymoon. But it’s not reason enough to cast any more shadow on the day. Now come on. Let’s dry those tears and make you both ready to say your vows.”
“I’ll let everybody outside know we’ll be ready to resume in a few minutes,” the officiant said, heading towards the door.
“Thank you” Gabe’s father said, even as he stood by, clearly making sure that Evelyn and Ivy left and didn’t cause further problems.
“Gabe?”
My omega turned to look into his grandfather’s eyes.
“I’m sorry grandfather,” he said softly, walking over to embrace the man.
“Why didn’t you say anything my sweet boy?”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I heard Evelyn and Ivy discussing the tax route in the library in December, that same night that you announced Evelyn would be taking on the trustee role. I knew they’d deny it, and I didn’t want to stress you with family drama. But I thought you knew that Evelyn had indicated that she would refuse to pay the property taxes. Didn’t you get a copy of her response?”
