Page 4 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
Papa raised a hand to cut me off. “I’m not going to argue with you Nathan, and I’m not asking for anything outlandish. We—your father and I—want you to take some time and do something for yourself, something fun. You can either put in a request of your own accord, or I’ll put you on sabbatical.”
“Sabbatical!” I cried. “What would I even do?”
“That’s your problem right there,” he replied. “You’re so stuck on work that you don’t have an idea of what you would do outside it. It’s not healthy, and there are enough studies showing that people need breaks that eventually it’ll hurt your work-life as well. Go to Europe and play tourist, spend some time in the London flat, or visit Isaiah and his mate to spend time with your nephew. God knows your brother has been to enough places he could probably write a full itinerary for you. The point is that we’re not going to let you do nothing but work any longer, and the only way we can think to make that happen is to force you to take time off.”
“Fine, I’ll go to Harris Cove for the weekend and see Zaya.”
“Nathan…” Papa growled. “No less than two weeks off.”
“But…”
“Don’t make me make it a month.”
What would I even do for two weeks? Maybe I could do work from the beach.
“And don’t even think of working from wherever you go,” Papa said, interrupting my thoughts. “You’ll delegate like a proper executive, and be available for emergencies only. You have a full team of capable people under you, and anything they can’t handle they can send up to me.”
I scowled.
“Don’t give me that face. I gave birth to you and you inherited all my stubbornness. It’s not a stretch to know what you’re thinking.”
I sighed. “Fine. Two weeks. Not a day more.”
“Where will you go?”
“I’ll visit Zaya. Maybe not for the full time, but you’re right in that he’ll likely have suggestions of more private places I can go and not have to worry about running into too many omegas.”
Papa nodded. “Make the arrangements to be out starting next week.”
“Next week?” I cried.
“Next week,” he repeated. “This has been far too long in coming and there’s nothing so critical that you can’t go sooner than later.”
“Fine,” I huffed.
“Good. I’ll let Gerald know that you’ll need the plane next week to head to Harris Cove, and maybe again after that.”
I nodded rather than argue further. Papa was right in that he was stubborn, and while I was too, he wouldn’t ever give in once he’d set his mind to something.
Papa stood and made his way to the door. “Will we be seeing you for dinner this evening?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Let Gerald know once you have so he can let the chef know.”
“Of course.”
With that Papa strode back to his own office.
I leaned back in my chair and groaned. A vacation was a nightmare scenario. It would mean interacting with unknown omegas, any of whom could be my fated mate.
But I didn’t know them—didn’t have any sort of feelings towards them.
Fated mates were supposed to consummate the partnership as soon as possible after meeting, and that thought terrified me.
There was no way I’d be able to mate a virtual stranger, and the man fate had picked for me deserved an alpha who could give him that.
Chapter 3 - Corey
