Page 108 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Nineteen

Miller

Melody spends the morning praying to the porcelain gods. It’s a shitty feeling being unable to fix the problem or even help her feel better.

Nik demands Farrah come into the clinic to see her, otherwise, we’ll be driving to the mainland.

The bridge isn’t dangerous in good conditions, but it’s still windy as fuck.

Not that it would stop us, but it’s much easier for Farrah to make the five-minute drive across the island than it will be for us to drive forty-five minutes into the next closest town.

Or maybe we’re selfish dicks because our omega is miserable. It could go either way.

My anxiety is through the goddamn roof, but I’m doing everything I can to not let it bleed into Mel. She did some tests when we first got to the medical office, but she joined us in the exam room a few minutes ago.

Melody is in the chair next to mine, but she’s got her head in the crook of my shoulder and her arm wrapped around my middle. I know she’s anxious. Her stress pheromones are thick in the air. Not to mention the fact her hands are shaking as they clutch me.

Farrah opens the office door and carefully sidesteps Carver. The tiny room is crammed full of bodies.

“She’s sick again,” Nik growls, pacing the crowded floor.

“It’s very possible you picked up a virus during your travels or even once you arrived,” Farrah says, giving Melody a soft smile. “I think it would be best if we clear the room, that way I have some additional space.”

“No,” Oliver says, shaking his head. “This involves all of us.”

“It involves my patient,” Farrah corrects, tossing a thumb toward the door. “If she chooses, I’ll bring you back in when I’m done with Melody’s permission.”

Carver stands by the door. He winks at Mel and opens it, heading out.

“Go on,” I tell Nik and Oliver.

They glare.

“Why do you get to stay?” Oliver asks petulantly. He looks like he’s mentally trying to wish me dead where I sit. Oh yeah, if looks could kill, I think I’d be in real trouble right now.

“My scent helps keep her stomach settled.” I nod for them to get the hell out. They’ll know something as soon as I do. Or immediately after, but in this case, that’ll have to do.

Nik sighs, but they do leave the room.

“You’re sure you’re comfortable with Miller staying?” Farrah asks, raising her eyebrows.

I don’t know what the fuck that look means, but I don’t like it.

Melody still has her face buried in my armpit, but she rolls her head to look up at me.

I give her a nod. I’m afraid I’ll show my ass if they ask me to leave right now.

It’s hypocritical as hell considering I just sent the others away, but my impulses can’t handle having Melody out of my sight right now. Not when she’s so sick and weak.

“He can stay,” Melody says, swallowing thickly.

I blow out a breath. Thank God.

“You might have picked up a virus,” Farrah says calmly. “But that’s not the only thing going on. You’re pregnant.”

A warmth fills my chest like I’ve never felt before. My free hand slides down to cup Mel’s lower stomach. It takes about three seconds of the tight look on Farrah’s face to realize I’m not going to like whatever comes next.

“In order for the urine test to pick up the pregnancy, you’d need to be a minimum of three to four weeks along.

There’s another test we use to determine gestation in omegas.

Without a regular menstruation cycle, it can be problematic to determine conception without an ultrasound, this is especially compounded because omegas rarely conceive outside of a heat.

” Farrah grimaces. “But when you do, there are three months of unaccounted time versus only one month for a beta. This is in general, of course. There are always exceptions to the rule.”

My mind races.

If she’s at least a month along . . . Fuck.

Melody clutches me so tightly that I pull her from the seat next to mine directly into my lap. Luckily, Farrah wheels her chair to the side, ensuring she can see Melody’s face.

“Ohmigod,” Mel whispers, her eyes wide. “You can go. I won’t blame y—”

“This changes nothing,” I say the words and even though I don’t know if they’re true . . .

I’m going to make sure they’re reality. Over the last few days, she’s opened up more about her mom and that piece of shit ex of hers.

There’s no way I can leave her to that.

We may not have bonded yet, but this is my omega. I’m going to treat her like I claimed her during her heat and she’s stuck with me for life.

She hasn’t fully accepted that she’s ours yet.

This might be a roadblock to her believing that I’m all in, but I am.

I know Oliver is too.

Nik is the only one I’m unsure about, but if he doesn’t like it . . . Well then, he can make his own choices.

There’s a fucking baby in the mix now. He or she is going to need love and support and protection just like Mel. Not to mention, this is basically everything I’ve yearned for. I’m not going to show my ass because it’s a slightly imperfect version of everything I’ve prayed for.

One of my dads always says be careful what you wish for because God doesn’t always grant prayers on your terms.

That very well could have been my packmate’s baby instead of mine.

Would I have walked away if that was the case?

Fuck no.

“Christ, I hope we didn’t hurt the baby during rut.” My entire body goes stiff at the thought.

Farrah chuckles. “You didn’t. It’s not unusual for omegas who conceive outside of a heat to experience a mild version.

Your system is different from a female beta patient.

You met a compatible pack and that ramped up the same hormones that come during a heat.

Now you’re not experiencing cramps, and essentially this is your body’s way of indicating that you’re pregnant, much like when a beta skips menstruation. ”

“Is there any way to figure out how far along I am?” Melody asks. The quaver in her voice only makes me hold her tighter.

“Would you feel more comfortable if you and I talked alone?” Farrah asks, her eyes flicking up to mine.

“I don’t know,” Melody says.

“I think I can handle whatever needs to be discussed,” I tell her, tilting her chin up. “We’ve all got history.”

I’m still a little worried Nik is going to fly off the handle, but I will knock his ass out if need be.

He has a temper.

I think all pro-athletes are a little spoiled and used to getting their own way, but he’s going to have to learn to shut his fucking mouth.

“Okay,” Mel agrees. “I really don’t want you to go.”

My chest puffs up as my shoulders pull back. Her words stroke some part of me that really needed that confidence boost.

“The test isn’t able to give us specifics.

Well, it is and it isn’t. If you’re carrying one fetus then you’re likely around ten or eleven weeks.

I did some rough calculations. Pregnancy isn’t calculated by fertilization date, but instead the first date of last menstruation.

It’s the first date of the last heat for a female omega.

I think I’m getting more specific than the need calls for.

I’d put your conception date just before Christmas, but you have to understand this could change once you have an ultrasound. ”

“No, you’re right. It had to be the Christmas trip. I haven’t been with anyone since. I mean except here. But wait, they gave me a pregnancy test in North Carolina . . .” Melody whispers, shaking her head. “I don’t understand.”

“I checked the date on that. It was administered on the twenty-eighth of December, and it was negative,” Farrah says, looking at me like she wants me to hear that.

“This is a nightmare,” Melody says, her voice breaking.

“This is a surprise, but not an unwelcome one,” I murmur, kissing the side of her head. “Not to me. You don’t have to do this alone.”

“Miller,” she sobs, burying her face in my armpit.

“I’m going to get you in with a colleague on the mainland,” Farrah says, closing the paper file she’s been holding before standing up. “They’ll be able to give you more information and go over options.”

“I’m having the baby,” Melody says firmly. The fact she’s buried between my arm and my chest significantly muffles her words, but a slow smile crosses my face. “Ohmigod, I have to tell Ben.”

My heart sinks. I bite my cheek to keep from blurting out something that I can’t take back. Personally, I don’t think that fucker needs to know anything. He was a shit boyfriend. He’ll probably be a shit parent, and he’s never touching my omega again.

I carefully remind myself that this is dangerous territory. I don’t get a say in that. All I can do is be the rock Mel desperately needs and pray that asshole magically drops dead. Unfortunately, my luck has never been that great.