Page 287 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

Pure fucking terror takes over when I imagine her deciding to try to work things out with him for the sake of the baby.

I don’t know how I could coexist peacefully in a pack with that asshole. I’d try to keep Mel happy, but I don’t think it would take long before I snapped and told him exactly where to shove it.

I’m shocked when I glance up and realize the doctor is saying his goodbyes to Nik.

“Are you okay?” Mel asks, bumping her shoulder into my chest.

“I am,” I agree. “I think I’m just anxious for more of that snuggling with you in the nest.”

Her eyes twinkle as her face lights up. “Yeah?”

“Definitely,” I assure her, planting a quick kiss on her puffy lips.

“You’re awful at this,” Oliver hisses later the same day. He glares at the stack of boxes taking up half the living room.

“Her birthday is coming up and we need everything necessary for an entire extra human being,” Nik growls, swipinga hand through his hair. “Don’t act like I’m out of line for buying things she needs.”

“Do you think she’s going to decide to come back with us because we set up a nursery before we leave?” Oliver asks, frowning at the giant pile of shit Nik bought over the last week.

Nik glares. “Ithinkshe’s almost sixteen weeks pregnant and that’s four months?—”

“Pregnancy is weird. The fourth month actually started at fourteen weeks,” Oliver says, cutting Nik off.

“Then we’re even more behind than I thought,” Nik snarls. His anxiety is plain to see, but he’s only got himself to blame. Melody is surprisingly low maintenance for an omega. Nik is the one who makes things difficult, or maybe I’m lucky because Mel and I tend to seamlessly understand each other.

“You need to get laid,” Carver says, bouncing down the stairs. He grins at Nik. “Are you afraid you’re going to break her? Why exactly haven’t you tried your luck?—”

Carver ducks as Nik tosses a box at his head. He catches the thing one handed and grins. “A video baby monitor? Good choice.”

“You really are riled,” I say to Nik. “Are you still planning to take her as your guest tomorrow night?”

There’s a charity event that Nik had planned before Mel made it to us. I know he mentioned it to her and she seemed nervous but excited.

“Yeah, of course,” Nik says with a nod.

“Melody’s love languages are physical affection and quality time.” Oliver looks through the boxes. “Maybe hang out and assemble the crib with her?” He frowns, ducking a little like he’s afraid Nik might toss something at his head next. “What? You’re wondering why you’re having trouble connecting with her.” He jabs his middle finger at Nik. “Don’t look at me like that. I’mtryingto help.”

“She’s asking for you,” Carver says, wiggling his eyebrows at me.

Melody and I haven’t had sex since her heat, but Ihavegreatly enjoyed watching Oliver and Carver share her.

I grin, shaking my head and aim to check on my omega. We’ve had a bit of a routine of snuggling every night before bed. It’s quickly becoming my favorite time of the day.

It’s not late, but immediately after dinner she and Carver disappeared together. Nik waited until she was out of sight to bring in all the shit from the garage.

There’s every possibility that Oliver is on to something. Melody isn’t uncomfortable with Nik, but I have noticed they’re pretty terrible about meeting in the middle. Melody doesn’t do well with flashy gifts, and that’s how Nik seems to show he cares.

I did briefly try to broach the subject to see if maybe her ex had a habit of giving gifts whenever he screwed up, but I didn’t get very far without her shutting down.

I finally make it into the nest.

Mel sleeps in here, at least so far, which might be another reason Nik is on edge. Then again, the house is huge and would be an adjustment for anyone.

Omegas often feel safest in confined spaces. She’s spent weeks making the nest her own. I don’t think she would have done that if she was going to abandon us, but that’s just me.

Mel nests a little like a bird, which I find utterly fucking adorable. She’s got four or five thick blankets swirled in a circle around the top of the mattress. Our clothes are layered between them to keep her surrounded by our scents. It fills me with an unmatched level of pride.

Mel is curled up in a ball, looking at something on her phone. She pops up, giving me a soft smile as I crawl toward her. She’s got on one of Carver’s T-shirts and her hair falls around hershoulders in messy waves. She’s so goddamn pretty it’s hard to breathe when I catch sight of her sometimes.