Page 2 of The Bear, the Eagle, and their Wombat Omega (Omegas of Animals: SD #14)

Arkyn

Two years later…

Bruno: Did you get the updated payment sheets from accounting yet? I’ve gotten emails from some unhappy vendors who haven’t been paid.

I loved getting texts from my boss. It didn’t matter that they were all business related. Any contact felt good. Any way I could be of assistance to him filled up empty spaces inside me I’d rather forget.

Two years ago, when Bruno confessed his feelings for me, I’d panicked.

Not because I didn’t care about him. Far from it.

But because I’d lost love once and made a pact with myself I’d never put myself through that again.

I’d been ready to start a family with an omega I’d met in school.

We loved each other. It had felt right. But his fated mate showed up the day he moved in with me, and he left without ever unpacking and barely a backward glance.

Fate was lovely for those on its good side. Fate was also cruel.

I loved Bruno. But that fated thing was missing. Or something was. My rejection of him devastated him. He tried not to show it. But I knew. I thought I’d be fired for sure, but he kept me on. He was an excellent boss. If anything, our business rapport grew even stronger.

Arkyn: I just got them. Sending now. Already emailed the vendors to assure them payment went to their accounts this afternoon.

Bruno: That was fast.

At this point, texting seemed silly since my desk was located right outside his office door. I got up and leaned against the threshold, smiling at him.

“What can I say? I’m great at my job.”

Bruno glanced up from his computer. “Arkyn, what would I ever do without you?”

I shrugged. “Hire someone else, I suppose.”

“You run this office better than I do.”

“Not true.” I scrunched up my face. “Boss.”

There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t feel guilty about saying no when he’d asked me out. I cared. I really did. But my heart had been so broken, I wondered if I’d ever be normal again.

Bruno was fantastic. If only I’d met him first. He was an alpha, like me, but I didn’t care about that.

He and I clicked nicely. Plus, he had the softest brown hair that made my fingers itch to touch, and muscles that popped no matter what style of shirt he wore.

He was the handsomest bear shifter ever.

If I let myself, my eagle and I could really go for that. If I ever felt free enough to allow myself to want, to feel desire again, Bruno would be number one on my list.

But I couldn’t do it. Something held me back. It had been a long time since I’d been hurt, but my heart still ached.

Bruno smiled at me whenever I called him Boss. In those moments, my body warmed. Everything was good.

“Coffee break?” he asked suddenly.

“Sure.”

Together, we went down to the office cart in the lobby.

We lived in a small city called Bear Run in the middle of the San Bernardino mountains of California.

I grew up in an aerie nearby. Bruno was raised here, too, but we had gone to different schools.

We didn’t meet until we were adults, after my heartbreak, and he hired me as his assistant.

This job was much better than my old one, and paid more.

Working for Bruno was a better deal, too. My last boss had been impossible.

At the cart, Bruno insisted on paying for my fancy coffee, then we took our drinks up to the break room where there were comfy couches and snacks.

When we were settled, Bruno gave me a little frown then another of his lovely smiles. “I’m going on a business trip next week to San Diego. Wanna come?”

“What?” He went on trips several times a year, but he’d never asked me to accompany him. I always thought it was because of what was—but wasn’t—between us.

“Yeah. It’s fairly light work, so there will be downtime. I thought maybe I’d take in the zoo and the park and check out that famous shifter place.”

“Animals SD?”

“Yeah. But all the sights and stuff aren’t any fun alone. And the night club, well, what fun is that if I don’t know anyone? I’m terrible at meeting strangers.”

“I’ve always wanted to go to Animals.”

“Come with me, then. We’re budgeted for one room, but I can get two kings. Would that be okay?”

It sounded great. I’d been to San Diego before, but that was when I was a kid.

It would be a nice break. We could go out to eat for every meal.

And maybe walk on the beach, along with everything else San Diego had to offer.

Plus, Bruno was fun. I mean, we didn’t socialize outside of work, and he respected that I was a lone eagle, not looking to nest, but being at work was fun because of him.

He was easy to talk to, which was why we took breaks together. And lunches.

A little burn of excitement started in my stomach. My beast flapped.

I want to go to San Diego. Tell him yes.

I nodded at Bruno. “Yes.”

“Yes?”

“I mean, yes, I want to go. Two king beds would work. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

“Are you kidding? I thought you’d say no. I’m great with it.”

“You don’t mind sharing a room? Because I have money saved. I could afford to get my own,” I offered.

He shook his head. “Save your money. I’m fine if you are.”

I was very fine with it. Maybe I’d rejected Bruno’s offer for more than a working relationship, but I enjoyed being in his presence. It was a feeling of security and contentment. And more. But it was the more I might never be ready for.

Bruno knew that. I trusted him. He’d never been pushy. He’d never made inappropriate comments. We were both mature adults. Sharing a room for a week would be no big deal. I was sure I’d enjoy it.

“I think one room will work out.”

“Good. We leave Monday. I’m driving. I’ll pick you up at seven sharp.”

“I’ll be ready.”