Page 47 of Stray Omega

But right now, the biggest challenge that Hines was facing was getting into contact with Seraph.

“I just don’t understand it,” Hines said, leaning back against the computer console. “It’s like Seraph has gone into hibernation or something. I know he must be in there somewhere, but he refuses to come out. I wish he would speak to us though. We still have so much to learn about the Zone, the Source, the mutations, all of it.”

Sloane nodded. “Believe me, Hines, I totally get it. Nobody is more frustrated with Seraph’s antics than I am. But I mean, what do you expect from a rogue A.I.?”

The former marine had a point. Seraph was totally unpredictable. The very existence of the Quarantine Zone was a testament to that fact. And that’s what worried Hines.

Sloane sidled up next to Hines and placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

“Come on,” Sloane said. “Seriously, you need to relax a bit. All this stress isn’t healthy for you, especially considering your condition.”

The condition she was referring to was Hines’s tummy.

She was nine months pregnant.

Coincidentally, that was the exact amount of time that she had been here in the Zone. Despite her previously shy demeanor, Hines had wasted no time in getting knocked up by not one but three savage alpha mates. And those guys obviously had some super sperm. Based on the enormous size of Hines’s distended belly, it was clear that she had more than one baby in there. It was an entire litter. At least three, maybe even four. With no ultrasound equipment here in the Zone, it was impossible to know for sure.

Hines smiled weakly. “Yeah, you’re right. I guess I’ve just been hoping to make some headway before the babies come. After that happens, I won’t have any time to work on this.”

“Hines, that’s the point. You’re trying to carry the whole weight of the Zone on your shoulders. You need to focus on you.” Sloane grinned. “I mean, just look at you—you’re about ready to pop!”

At that, Hines giggled. She had to admit, even she was surprised by how big she had gotten.

Then again, she wasn’t the only one who was pregnant.

“Well, you’re one talk,” Hines joked.

Sloane was more than a little pregnant herself. Plus, she already had several tiny babies to take care of. Besides the one cradled in her arms nursing, three more were being watched over by Sloane’s Alpha mates who were relaxing nearby on the floor of the chamber.

One thing about Alphas, they were good at making babies.

They were also good at protecting their mates and their offspring at any cost.

“Come on,” Sloane said, leading Hines away from the console. “Let’s go chill for a bit.”

“Okay.”

Two of Hines’s alpha mates were there too, Baen and Canaris. They were hanging out with Sloane’s guys.

“Hey, where is Taliesin?” Sloane asked, referring to Hines’s third alpha mate.

Right at that very moment, Hines sensed Taliesin’s presence drawing near. After being bound to her mates through an elaborate and very public mating ritual, Hines had developed a kind of sixth sense that allowed her to know where her guys were at all times. And right now, she could feel Tal arriving in the Chamber of the Source.

Hines turned around, and sure enough, there was her handsome mate striding toward them across the room, his dark hair blowing back sexily as he approached.

But who was that with him?

There were three other alphas following along with her mate, and they were a tough looking group. Of course, all alphas seemed primitive and a bit cavemanish by Outsider standards, but these guys looked even more rough-hewn than the average alpha.

And there was one other person with them. A small omega hidden protectively in their midst. Hines saw a flash of messy blonde hair.

Wait, was that who she thought it was?

No…it couldn’t be.

As the group got closer, however, the little omega nervously poked her head out to peek around the pack leader’s meaty arm, and Hines saw a face that she instantly recognized. And that face clearly recognized her too. The omega’s green eyes went wide and a huge grin spread across her face.

“Friend!” the omega shouted excitedly. “Friend! Friend!”

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