Chapter Ten

This couldn't be happening. No. The one thing I'd feared most was Derek putting one of his hoglets inside me.

After Zion left the first time, the thought occurred to me, and I kind of blew it off, but as the day drew on, I knew there was a chance, a good chance, that I might be pregnant.

I pulled open the calendar on my phone and tried to remember the last time I'd slept with Derek. He had been sexually demanding, often giving me the silent treatment for not wanting to have sex every day or sometimes twice a day if he was in the mood. He would wake me up at all hours of the night to satisfy his needs, no matter how tired I was.

I had quickly learned that doing as he wanted was faster and more painless than refusing his advances.

Looking back, I despised that part of myself, the one who gave him what he wanted, betraying myself in the process.

It would be a while before I could forgive myself.

I lay in bed the rest of the day, snacking on the crackers Zion had brought me, knowing that while it was possible I had a stomach flu, it was in addition to the little one growing in my stomach and all the symptoms that came with pregnancy.

If there was ever a sliver of a chance for Zion and I to be together, despite my own steel walls set against it, this would seal the deal. Alphas didn't want an omega carrying another alpha's baby. They wanted to put a babe of their own inside him.

I harped on the subject all afternoon and by the time early evening came, I'd decided it was time to face the music. I'd gotten up to talk myself into walking to the drugstore when a knock sounded at my door.

"Come in." I already scented the loving bear on the other side of the door. He'd seen me at my worst. No use in hiding now.

Zion came in, wearing the same clothes from this morning. He had my keys in his hands and hung them on the hook by the door where I kept them. He paid attention to details like that.

"Better?" he asked, coming over and putting his palm against my forehead. I knew he was checking for fever, but I relished in the feeling of his skin against mine.

"A bit. Thank you. I didn't get a call today," I mentioned. "Malek must've done well."

He nodded. "He's good like that and he said it was almost too easy selling all of your beautiful arrangements. No problem at all."

I sighed. "Thank you for taking care of that for me. You…your friendship means the world."

He blushed. All I wanted was to cup his reddened cheeks and place my lips against his. There was never a point in entertaining such thoughts before but now, even if I did, he would never want me like this. "Anything for you, Cicek. I thought you might want something more substantial for dinner so I made a simple chicken and broccoli with orzo."

"It smells really good. Thank you."

I sat at the table, looking at the plates Zion had so lovingly prepared and let out a long sigh.

"What's that about?" he said, covering his hand with mine. There was more care in that small gesture than I'd ever received in any of my relationships. And here I was, about to reveal the one thing, other than myself, that would stop us from being together.

"I might be pregnant. It might be a stomach bug but this low, dull nausea has been going on for some time. And I've been so tired." By the time I was done, tears flowed down my face.

"I thought you might be pregnant. Your scent change, but I didn't bring it up. I thought it was best to let you come to your own conclusions. It wasn't my place. I hope you're not angry with me."

I shook my head. "I could never be angry with you, Zion."

He blushed again; this time it reached his ears. Adorable. "I love hearing my name on your lips, Cicek."

Okay, that was not friendly. Time to end this before he got hurt because if this sweet man's heart was broken because of me, I would never forgive myself.

"What am I supposed to do?" I choked out the words around a sob.

He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand. There was no judgment in his eyes. Only his constant love. "Here's what we'll do. Let's put one foot in front of the other. I'll go down to the drugstore and buy a pregnancy test. When I come back you can take it, and then you take one more step. One thing at a time."

I scoffed. "Just like that."

Nodding, he put his hand on my cheek and, gods forgive me, I leaned into it and let his touch soothe the most singed parts of myself. He was the balm to all my wounds. "Just like that, omega. I'll be back in a few minutes. I promise."

"Let me give you some money," I said.

"Stop that. Ten minutes tops."

He was out the door before I could say any more. My stomach buzzed with nervousness. I closed my eyes and counted my breaths, a calming technique I'd taught myself for the times when Derek got angry. Anger was Derek's friend. Right up there with manipulation.

I fought against the catastrophizing as best I could, waiting for my bear to come back. The bear. Not my bear. My friend. Maybe my best friend.

Zion came back in the door quickly, holding up a bag. "I got two just in case. I'll go back to my apartment but you call me if you need anything. In fact, I might come over later. I don't…"

"Stay with me, please," I begged in a small voice. "Please, Zion. I don't want to be alone for this."

He stepped all the way into my apartment and shut the door behind him. I held my breath as he walked over and pressed a kiss to my temple. "Then you won't be alone. I'm here as long as you want me here, omega."