Page 16

Story: Hunter's Sky

“That’s amazing.”

“Of course, not all of them shift. Depends on breed and designation.”

“Such as?” Mo asked, completely fascinated.

“Some omegas can shift, some never will. Hybrids don’t, as a rule.”

“You mean different species?”Wow!

“Technically,” Christopher agreed. “But we also use the term to describe human and shifter offspring. You, for example.”

Mo leaned back in his chair. With everything that had happened with those two upstairs, he hadn’t really had the time to absorb the bombshell about his mother. “And I must be a non-shifter?”

Christopher grinned. “That’s where it gets complicated. Another of our sons, Asher, who’s on vacation with his mate and their kids, runs this place now with help from Riley and the others. His mate didn’t shift until they were bonded. Tessa and I are heavily involved in the shifter council, and—”

“What’s that?” Mo interrupted, then immediately apologized.

Christopher waved it off. “We basically police ourselves, but we know the time is coming when the human world will eventually know about us and we’re preparing for that. The heads of many nations know about us already, but there is a lot of dissension over how and in what circumstances the news should be shared. We don’t want to cause panic, but with the advent of satellites and mobile phones, it’s a wonder everyone doesn’t already know.”

Mo nodded his understanding. “So, all the kids here came as foster kids and they’ve been adopted?”

“Oh no,” Christopher said. “Jax gave birth, so did Sai. Have you met Jax?”

Mo frowned. “No, the only women I’ve seen are your wife and Cassie. She’s your daughter?” There had been a lot of people at breakfast.

Christopher opened his mouth then closed it, and a slight flush crept up his neck. Mo watched his obvious discomfort. “I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?” Christopher swallowed, but before Mo had a chance to ask him again, he heard a squeal as a little girl he remembered from breakfast ran in followed by two men. Riley, who he obviously knew, was holding a squirming toddler, and another guy with the most startling green eyes he’d ever seen walked into the kitchen.

“Hi Mo,” Riley greeted him. “How are you feeling?”

“Confused,” Mo answered honestly, then looked at the other guy. He definitely hadn’t been here for breakfast. He put out his hand to Mo, and they shook. Riley bent and settled the toddler down on his wobbly legs.

“I’m Jax, Riley’s mate, and I completely understand. It took me weeks to get everyone straight in my head when I first moved here.”

He looked at the little girl. Must be from a previous relationship, or might not be theirs? He shook the curiosity off. It was none of his business, and he loved blended families. The only thing that gave him pause had been Christopher’s reaction.

Wait…

He saidJaxgave birth.

Then he relaxed. Jax must be transgender. He was pleased for him.

Christopher shot Riley an apologetic look and Riley gazed at him for a moment, then chuckled. “He had to know sometime.”

Mo glanced up. “I had to know what?” What the hell was going on?

Jax glanced over at them both, then understanding flashed across his face. He sat across from Mo and smiled. “Male omega shifters can get pregnant and give birth. It requires certain circumstances, but so far Sai, Luke, Olli, and I have all given birth to our babies.”

Mo blinked. Then he blinked again. Part of him wanted to look for the hidden camera to see if he was being punked, but Jax had a grace about him that told Mo he wasn’t lying.

“You gave birth.”

Jax nodded.

“You got pregnant.”

Jax chuckled. “The other way around, but yeah.”

“What’s an omega?” he said, suddenly feeling a little sick.