Page 28 of The Surrogate Omega, Part Two

I shrug. “I have no idea. The site isn’t hidden or anything, but you’re right. I had to go a few pages deep on my Google search to find it, and there’s nothing really on social media or the mainstream news about it. I don’t know why, though.”

Logan is quiet for a while. “What did you find on the site?”

“I can show you. Everyone is really supportive, and I think it might be helpful for you. I didn’t share anything personal, just that I’m in a relationship with an Omega and an Alpha and that we’re trying to adjust. But people are very open and willing to share their struggles and experiences.”

Logan seems unsure but still agrees, “Yeah, ok. Show me this site. At the very least, it can distract me from the case and missing Lake.”

I laugh as I extract myself from Logan’s lap and get my laptop. “I don’t think anything will keep us from missing Lake, baby, but at least this will occupy our time for a while.”

I gesture for Logan to join me on the couch so we have more room. I pull up the site and hand him the computer, so he has a chance to explore and see everything. After a while, I show him the chats. He reads the group one and even introduces himself. Another newly discovered Alpha eventually convinces Logan to create his own username and join the Alpha chat.

I can’t help smiling as we spend the rest of the afternoon curled up with each other, chatting on both group chats. I know Lake isn’t much for socializing, but I really hope he wants to join us and maybe even the Omega chat when he gets home. While we do have his brother going through the same things, it’s kind of nice to have a group of friends, even virtual ones, we can talk with who haven’t shared a womb with my lover. As open and kind as River is, there are some things I’d just rather not share with him, and some things he probably doesn’t want to know, and it’s so nice to be able to do so without judgement.

Logan and I end up ordering pizza, and Logan eats an entire pie by himself. We then spend the rest of the night talking and getting our groove back. We still don’t do anything sexual, but I don’t mind because for the first time in weeks, I don’t feel like I’m losing Logan. Now we just need to get Lake back, and hopefully it won’t be too late to bridge the chasm that’s been building between us the longer he’s gone. We may all be fated mates or whatever, but there’s only so much a heart can take, and I’m terrified that we may not be able to get back what was building by the time we get to see Lake again.

SIXTEEN

Lake

Despite it only being a three-hour flight, coming home from my assignment is the longest trip of my life. I’m exhausted, mentally and physically, and aching to be back with my mates, if they still want to be my mates after this trip. I was barely able to speak to them, and whenever I did, I usually cut them off quickly.

I didn’t mean to be distant, but I’m not very good at lying, and I dislike keeping things from them. It’s one thing for work, but I had to keep my scare regarding the pregnancy a secret, and it’s something I want to tell them about. But it’s not something that should be discussed during a five-minute conversation over a burner phone. Besides, Zoe and Avery need to be told as well, and it’s not safe to call too many people when on location.

I rub my belly as I wait for the plane to deboard. I still can’t feel the baby, but I do have a tiny bit of roundness that hadn’t been there when I left. It’s still small enough to hide beneath my clothes but is obvious when I’m shirtless.

I close my eyes and allow myself to relish in the comfort of my growing belly. I’ve never felt fear like I did when I saw blood that day. Even when Seth tried to sell me as a child, I felt no real fear. I was worried, yes, but mostly for my mom and River. I don’t think I understood the situation enough to really be scared.

The thought that I could be losing the baby shook me to my core. It was more than anything I felt when Mom died. By the time she finally passed, Mom was so sick and in so much pain, it was almost a relief. She was finally free and could rest.

This child, though, never had a chance, and for the first time in my life, I prayed to gods I’ve never truly believed in. When the doctors came in and assured me the child was fine and their heartbeat was strong, I realized how attached I’ve become to this baby. I know they aren’t mine, and I don’t want to be their father, but I think it will kill me not to have a major part in their life.

I’m finally off the plane and lugging my carry-on to the pick-up line where I order an Uber. I’m debating whether I should go back to my old townhouse or the new apartment I have yet to see in person. It’s late, and Evander is probably asleep. Logan would be too, if he’s at home. I know he’s been working long hours, which is partly my fault as I kept anonymously handing over evidence.

Gods, that whole mission was doomed from the start. Our undercover agent got made and was caught before we could extract him. He died rather than give up our agency, but it didn’t matter. The men in charge got spooked and ran. I followed as best I could, but they were smart and split up, forcing us to chase multiple trails rather than just one. And the innocent victims who were trapped? Were dispersed all over. Our field agents managed to stop two trucks and save 35 people: twenty children, five young men in their twenties, and ten women in their late teens and early twenties. Unfortunately, Rory McNally was not among those who were saved.

Once the trails went cold, there was no point in me being on location anymore, and I was sent home. Finally. Man, I missed everyone so much. I wonder how big Miri got when I was gone. I know it wasn’t so long, but babies grow so quickly, it feels like I missed years of growth and development.

And as much as I miss my family, none of that compares to how badly my heart aches to see Evander and Logan again. I need to be in their arms. That solidifies my decision to go to the new apartment. Even if only Evander is there, it’s still better than sitting alone on the other side of the Hudson.

Once I’m in my Uber, I decide I’ll call Evander just to make sure he’s home. I don’t even have a key to the new place since I was away when they signed the lease, and I don’t want to be stuck on the street in the middle of February.

The phone rings six times and I’m terrified he’s not going to answer. Finally, when I’m about to hang up, the call goes through and I hear Evander’s voice, rough and raspy like he’s asleep. “Hello?”

“Evander? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” I say hesitantly. I should have just gone back to the townhouse.

I can hear rustling in the background. “Lake? Is everything ok? It’s 2 am.”

I flinch. “I’m sorry. I’ll tell the Uber to go back to my townhouse and I’ll see you in the morning. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

I go to hang up. “Wait! What? Lake, are you home?”

I run my hand through my hair; it’s getting a little too long. “Yes. I-I just got in. I shouldn’t have called. I just didn’t want to wait any longer, but I realize how late it is now.”

“Yes, you absolutely should have called. You should have told us you were coming home. I would’ve picked you up. And don’t you dare tell the driver to go to the townhouse. You are coming here. We need you home.”

My nerves ease at his words. I realize just how terrified I was that Evander was going to reject me tonight, and hearing that is exactly what I need.

I swallow around my emotions. “Ok, I’m coming. I’ll be there in about 20 minutes. I don’t have a key.”

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