Page 42 of Advocate Omega (Unforeseen Paths #1)

Lucan

On the fourth day, Zander’s heat stops.

In ways, this forced heat was more intense.

Our bond is sealed, our lives intertwined.

I sleep most of the day, and when I wake up, hungry and parched, I find him fully clothed at my dinner table with a frown.

I don’t sense immediate despair or scent anything untoward, but I hurry to dress regardless. After, I join him in the kitchen.

As I near, I spot what he’s frowning at. It’s the preventative. I was going to offer him a choice to take it, seeing as I didn’t last time. “It’ll still work,” I say softly.

“How come you didn’t give it to me?”

Taking a seat, I scratch at my stubble and glance at it.

One little tincture is all that is stopping my seed from taking root inside him.

I want to see his belly swell with my pup, feel his pecs fill with milk.

I fantasized about it more than I want to admit during this heat.

Being a sire has been a dream of mine my entire life.

However, Zander means more to me. If he never wants pups, I’ll move on. Hell, maybe we can adopt at some point.

Before I can get a chance to answer, he snatches up the tincture and rolls the small vial around in his palm. “What are the odds?” he asks carefully, still studying it intently.

“Of pregnancy?”

He nods.

“High,” I admit. “You’re…” I bite my tongue, not wanting to make him feel like a piece of meat or just a womb , as he’s said countless times. “The odds are high, sweet.”

“Because I’m fertile,” he supplies, flicking his eyes to mine. “And you knotted me. A lot.”

“Yes.”

“So I could be pregnant now. Just like…last time.”

I swallow. “It’s very likely.”

He frowns again, bringing the vial to his nose and smelling it. “I have so much to do…”

“Take it, Zan. It’s alright. I know you don’t—”

“It’s not that I don’t,” he argues. “I…well. I mean, birth doesn’t sound all that great. And kids used to freak me out. Not so much anymore. But it’s the responsibility. It’s the, you know, everything.” He waves his hand around. “I don’t know why I feel really sick thinking about taking this.”

Needing to reassure him, I stand and walk to his side. “There will be more heats. More chances, baby. You don’t need to do anything you don’t want to.”

“I know.”

“So take it. I brought it for this very reason.”

He peeks up at me, chews his bottom lip, and balls his fist around the vial. “Five months.”

I blink. Confused. “What?”

“I’d have five months before I have it.”

Gods, is he really entertaining this? My heart kicks up, hammering against my chest. “That is the typical time frame, yes.”

“And I’d be fat.”

I roll my lips so I don’t smile. “Not fat. Pregnant.”

“And I’d grow boobs.” He cups one pec with his free hand. “Titties, Luc.”

“Not actual breasts, no. But they would grow.”

Again, that cute frown forms. “Gabe’s aren’t too big…I guess. And it’s all for the kid ‘n stuff. I mean…”

“Zan,” I insist. “Why are you even talking about this?”

Squaring his shoulders, he takes a breath and says, “Because I feel oddly protective over your cum right now.” He strokes his belly.

“It’s like…I know something took. Last time I didn’t feel this way.

I feel it now. And this,” he waves the vial in my face, “will take it from me. It’ll take that piece of you away. I don’t want it to. I want…this.”

I mirror his position, resting my palm over his. “I won’t lie, precious. I want this… badly .” My throat bobs as I swallow. “Knowing you might father my pup is a dream come true, but I don’t want you to feel pressured. I don’t want you to feel forced. This has to be what you want.”

“It’s a big decision,” he murmurs. “And I have a lot to do. But…we are going to have help, right?”

“Of course. Most of my clan agreed to come. They want a different life, new futures.”

“I could appoint tasks to people. I could still be an advocate. Would they even listen to me if I’m mated and pregnant? What if they think I’m a hypocrite and—”

I gently slide my hand over his face, brush my thumb over his flapping lips, and kiss the tip of his nose.

“None of this would be happening if not for you. Already, you have saved so many from a life of misery, and you have only just started. People will listen to you. No one will think you’re a hypocrite. ”

“Really?” he whispers, those pretty blue eyes searching mine.

“Really. Anything you want to do, I’ll make sure it happens.”

“Promise?”

I kiss his lips. “I promise.”

He moans sweetly into my mouth, lingering for a few moments before pulling back.

With confidence in his stride, he marches over to the sink, pops the cork on the vial, and dumps the contents down the drain.

When he faces me, cheeks pink and a shy smile on his lips, he asks, “Will you build a new crib? For…the pup.” He rubs his belly again, and I whimper.

Scooping him into my arms, I nuzzle the top of his head, peppering it with kisses as pure joy consumes me from the inside out.

We might have a sea of tasks waiting, but knowing what’s to come for us , for our lives, and the future life of our pup, makes it all seem worth it.

The work isn’t finished by any means. Wolves need rescuing, corrupt clans need dismantling, and we have an entire community to rebuild.

But Zander? My mate? He will always be my priority.

As I brush the hair off his neck, admiring the bite mark that will forever remain scarred into his skin, I thank the fates.

Thank you, I tell them. Thank you for letting me keep him.