13. Kai

Two weeks had passed since the three of us met up.

The baby was growing, awake during the night and kicking my ribs but sleeping during the day. We had to change the little one’s routine after the birth. Could we do it before? I’d ask the midwife at my visit later today.

Dante had noticed I rarely stood at the window anymore, when in the early days, I’d been there for hours each day, puzzling over my predicament and studying people’s habits, wondering how to get home.

We’d met up with Gideon a few times at the coffee shop and in the park. When away from our apartment, I’d kept hold of Dante’s hand, fearing if I let go, I’d be whisked away to another world where Gideon was my mate and Dante didn’t exist, except on the TV.

But in the park, Gideon’s fingers had brushed against mine and a frisson of excitement rippled through me. I jerked away, conflicted because I’d enjoyed it, but Dante was at my side. Did he experience what I did?

Gideon and I met one more time alone. I’d been buying more baby items, but this was Dante’s and my little one. I didn’t want to share our child with anyone else. He met me outside the store, and we wandered through the mall, looking in windows, commenting on men’s clothes, furniture, and computer games that reminded me of what I’d played in high school.

Nothing that I shared was private, but we learned each other’s favorite colors, how we both hated wearing ties, and got caught up in murder mystery novels.

My emotions seesawed from wanting to keep a physical distance between us and needing to inhale his scent and trail my fingertips over the rigid bump at his crotch.

Gideon saw me studying him while he was peering in a shop window, and his gaze caught mine. That twinkle in his eyes that shared the space with what I assumed was his polar bear. It wasn’t threatening, just loving, kind, and respectful.

But I laughed inwardly, thinking I could see all that in the alpha shifter’s eyes.

“Did you not enjoy kissing me?” Gideon leaned against the glass, his eyes downcast.

“No.” Wait, that wasn’t the right response. Or did no mean yes? I lifted his chin so our eyes were locked on one another. “I did.” He put his hand over mine, and we stood unmoving, me breathing in his unique scent which was so different to Dante’s and yet just as alluring.

“Why aren’t you two mated? Your scents are perfectly aligned.” An older woman with a walking stick paused beside us. “You never know what life is going to throw at you, so don’t delay.”

She continued walking, her words resonating with me because of my history in the before time.

“Smart lady.” Gideon grinned before lifting my hand to his lips, a simple gesture. Desire pin-pricked my body, and I shivered.

He released me from his grip, and we wandered through the air-conditioned space, each of us alone with our own thoughts.

My phone buzzed in my pocket—my alarm indicating I needed to get out of memory lane and on my way to my pregnancy well check. If I didn’t hurry, I’d be late for my appointment.

As I sat in the midwife’s waiting room, I regretted not asking Dante to accompany me. He came for the first appointment because we were so excited about the new pregnancy, but it was tempered with fear from it being our first time as prospective parents.

Taking a tissue from my pocket, I wiped my sweat-soaked palms. My right leg trembled and bumped the small table that was piled high with old magazines. Other expectant omegas, each with their alpha partner, glared at me, as if the rattling was a signal something bad was about to happen.

I longed to ask them if they only had one mate, or if they had more, where was the second one? Did only the biological father attend these appointments?

I rifled through the magazines in front of me, hoping to find a Tarrin Omega Pregnancy Handbook, searching for rules. But no one here needed a list of hows and whys. They’d grown up knowing them, maybe with a bio dad and a step-dad, both involved with their omega dad.

The nurse called my name, and I told my thoughts to cool it. This was baby time, not a what the fuck was Kai doing with his life session.

I lay on the examination table and pulled up my shirt, waiting for the midwife to arrive. The midwife didn’t use an ultrasound, instead relying on her hands to check the baby’s size and if our little one was head down.

She waltzed in with a big smile on her face. She didn’t have to worry about being transported to a different world or having people ask for her autograph. But no one in the waiting room had done that. Had they moved on to another serial, no longer interested in reruns? Or had The Secret Lives Of Pinedale continued without me? I’d never asked Dante.

Lucy washed her hands, chatting about the baby’s habits, what I’d been eating, and my sleep schedule. But her smile faded when she examined my belly. Gods, no. She didn’t have to say anything. Something was wrong.

“Your baby is small. They’re not gaining weight. You’re not stressed, are you?”

“No,” I said through gritted teeth, my lie taking up most of the space in the room. “Please, can I call my mate?”

“Of course. I’ll give you some privacy and be back in a minute.”

The phone rang and went to voice message. I dialed again, but there was no answer. A third time, and he still didn’t pick up. I was all alone, just as I was when I arrived in Tarrin. But there was someone who I could call. My finger hovered over his number. There was no going back if I got him involved.

“Hello. Kai?”

“Gideon.” I held back the tears. “I need you. The baby’s in trouble.”