Chapter Eighteen

I WAS SIX MONTHS PREGNANT, BUT LUCKILY NOT VERY LARGE YET. Charles said it was probably because of my size. The baby had more room to stretch out, but all my clothes were officially too tight.

“I can’t work like this.” I pulled at the T-shirt that rode up over the bottom of my stomach.

“I’ll run to the mall for you. There’s a pregnant clothing store there,” Bauer said, always so eager to do anything and everything for me.

“Do you honestly think they’re going to have clothes that fit a six-foot-two alpha?”

“There are some tall beta ladies and omega dudes out there, so I’m sure they have to have something,” he said, slipping on a T-shirt.

I shook my head and gulped. “What am I going to do, Bauer?”

“I’ll find you something to wear.”

“Not that. This.” I motioned to my stomach. “Everything.”

“You’re going to give birth, and we’re going to be a family.” He was so positive and sure about everything, whereas I, on the other hand, was most definitely not.

“What kind of family would we make? I’m supposed to be an alpha. I’m not supposed to be in this position,” I said, sniffling, trying to blink the warmth from my eyes. “Goddammit.” I rubbed my eyes with the heel of my hand.

“Hey, come here.”

Bauer came across the room and embraced me, pulling me to his chest.

“I’m not crying on purpose,” I said as he squeezed me in his arms.

“It’s okay if you are.”

“I’m not.”

“Hormones,” he said.

I nodded. “How is anybody supposed to take me seriously now?”

“They’d be stupid not to. I’d say they’d take you more seriously. You’re a force to be reckoned with, a pregnant alpha.”

“But am I really an alpha?” I asked because I was and I wasn’t.

“You’re an alpha, Max. You have been and always will be.” He held me out by the shoulders.

“But I’m also an omega,” I said with a sigh.

“Maybe you’re both, and that makes you extra special.”

“Jesus, Bauer, I’m not a child.” But maybe he was right. Charles said the same thing. I just had to fully come to grips with it.

“You’re extra special,” he said, tickling my belly. “Who’s my extra special boy?”

“Get out of here.”

“Never. Well, maybe for a bit. Let me go see what I can find you at the preggo store.”