Page 102 of Abel's Omega

“You’re welcome. And how would you like that cooked? Rare? Medium?”

“Rare,” I said. “Both of us.”Yum.

Dale took a step back and paused. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but are you…?”

We glanced at each other, then back at Dale.

“Are we…what?” Abel asked. I felt a stir in his power and had to squash the urge to reach out with mine to soothe him.Thatstill scared the crap out of me—all I wanted to be was normal, and that was definitely not.

The young human blushed. “You look like two people I saw in a magazine article.” He practically squirmed. “I saw your tabs and,” he turned to me. “You look just like the guy in the story.”

“We probably are,” I said, remembering to smile warmly. I squeezed Abel’s hand, reminding him that this had beenhisidea. Or, at least, he’d agreed with Laine. “This is our honeymoon. A working one, but it’s nice to get outside walls.”

“Oh, that’s nice.” He grinned, turned even redder, and bobbed slightly in place. “I’ll go place your order for you.” He scampered away, reminding me of an excited pup. I supposed he wasn’t that old, though I thought he had to have been older than Bram.

I turned back to my mate. “It’s nice to see that they aren’t all unpleasant.” I reached for my wine, then paused. “Maybe I shouldn’t drink this.” Adelaide had gotten after me about drinking anything with alcohol in it once I’d been confirmed pregnant. I put the glass down and switched to the water in the glass next to it.

“They aren’t. My experience has been about fifty-fifty.” He sighed, and sipped from his own wine. “Some day, no one will even notice.” He flicked one of his tabs. “And these will be a thing for the history books.”

“Yes,” I said.

We were quiet for a few moments, then Abel asked, “How’s Holland getting along?”

I shrugged. “Better, I think. Having a skill outside running a household or having babies helps.”

“Good. He can take over for you when you have the baby.”

“I can work.”

“I’ll have other things for you to do.”

“Alpha Mercy Hills, are you propositioning me?”

“Well, that too.” He grinned. “But, with all these new businesses, the solar panels, the cider, whatever we can talk Jason into doing, it would be good to have a liaison with the human world, someone smart and charming and not easily intimidated. I can’t do it, and could you see Quin chatting up buyers?”

I burst out laughing. A few heads turned around us, and we got some unpleasant looks. I forced myself to ignore the humans and concentrate on my mate. “No, not at all. But are you sure you want an omega handling something this important? Wouldn’t it be better to have an alpha do it?”

He shook his head. “I don’t think so. Hear me out, okay?”

I nodded.

“I know I’m not a typical alpha. I’m not all about the adrenaline rush, or at least, not in the same way as others. But I don’t have time for the sales side of things. If we could find someone who got their kicks from negotiations and convincing things to work against their own will, they might be a good choice, except it’s not a common profile.”

“Gamma, delta?”

“Too quiet. We need someone with alpha characteristics, and more social acumen.” He squeezed my fingers. “An omega.”

Oh, no, now wait a minute!“I can’t do that. No one will listen to me, unless I run to you all the time.”

“The humans will. They’re barely aware of omegas, and by the time they are, I hope to have at least started the ball rolling on that.”

“Abel…”

“Think about it. I know you can do it. And you’d be proof positive that we’ve been ignoring an incredible resource.”

I played with my cutlery to hide my discomfort. I treasured Abel’s faith in me, but it was hard to imagine omegas as anything other than helpmates for their mates. As much as I wanted to be more than just a bearer and a housekeeper, my own fear still rose up to strangle my dreams. “I’ll think about it. But with five pups…”

“I know. But maybe Bram can help, or Cale.”