Page 37 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Everly

"We don't have a test that's accurate this early," Lydia, the nurse practitioner says.

"Not even for omegas." She shoots Tom a look that says she knew that question was coming.

"Generally speaking, we've found nature to be a very effective indicator.

Give it another few days; if the cramps don't come then I'd say congratulations are in order.

Trust me, from what I've seen they're impossible to miss. "

"Holy shit," Tom whispers.

The door slams open, and Connor stomps inside. "Get out," he growls at Lydia.

She laughs. "Talk to me that way again and I'll be expecting a raise in the form of double.

Since you smell stressed to the max, I'll let it slide this one time.

" She pats Connor on the chest and heads for the door.

"Come see me in a couple weeks, and we'll go from there.

I'll leave a scrip at the desk for prenatal vitamins.

It won't hurt to start them either way."

"T-Thank you," I say, my hand still resting over my middle.

"I'm sorry," Connor and I say in unison.

"No, I'm sorry," we both try again.

"Are you angry?" I ask, swallowing thickly.

"God no," Connor says, pulling me out of my chair and into his arms. "Is that a yes? Are you…"

I tell him everything Lydia said, and his smile grows wider with each word.

"Where's Archie?" I ask. "He was with you last I saw… Did you two fight?"

Connor doesn't answer, just pulls my mouth to his for a tender kiss.

"Thank you for giving me a minute to process things," he says to Tom. "No, we didn't fight; he explained things and went to find Luke."

Tom nods, still looking a little pale. "A baby. Our baby. Holy fucking shit."

"Don't get your hopes up just yet," I remind him, but I think I'm mostly reminding myself.

"Don't hit the ground. You're looking a little shaky," Luke says to Tom with a laugh. He saunters into the room with Archie right behind him. "Good news?"

We repeat the information again, and Luke pulls me to his chest. "Holy hell, that's the best Christmas gift I can imagine." He kisses me before spinning me around to Archie.

"I'm sorry, there were some other things at play, and I made a bad call. Can you forgive me?" Archie asks, rubbing his cheek against mine.

"It was on all three of us," Luke pipes in. "I never even considered…"

"Me neither," Tom grunts.

"It's okay," I assure them. "I'm the one who made the first bad choice, and it snowballed from there."

"No more apologies," Connor says. "This is good news."

"I sure hope you're ready for the level of crazy Murphy's about to be," Archie says, smiling against my lips.

My heart races as I glance around at my pack. It's entirely possible their care and concern might get old one day…

But I've been lonely for so long it's hard to imagine that ever being the case.

"Well, fuck," Connor grumbles, checking his phone. "We've got a minor situation in the lobby." He goes on to explain about the investors. I've heard about them a few times, but Conn lays out all the details.

"...we didn't know until right before you came in," Connor finishes.

"The investors are Pack Frasier? My pack?" I ask, sputtering out the words. My stomach churns uncomfortably.

"Not your pack," Tom rumbles. "We're about to see them out and ensure they never return."

"Okay," I reply. I think I'm still in shock with everything that's happened this morning. "I definitely owe your uncle a huge thank-you, and maybe a gift basket."

"Mmm," Archie says, wrapping his arms around me. "I'm pretty sure if you've got a bun in the oven, that's all the gift he'll need."

"That was horrible," Luke pipes in.

"It was pretty bad," I say with a laugh as Archie licks his way down my neck.

"He's going to be so damn smug," Archie says, shaking his head. "Yes, fine both he and Eileen get a year's worth of Edible Arrangements for their meddling."

"I kinda think your uncle is laying the pipe to y'all's secretary," Luke adds as we head down to the lobby.

"Why?" Connor groans, shoving Luke's chest. "Good God. Why would you put that image in my head?"

The ringing of our laughter follows us down the hall.

"Let me be real fucking clear," Tom growls, pacing the floor in front of the three men of Pack Frasier. "You'll leave today. You will not come back."

"Do not contact Anastasia Androff again," Viktor growls, crossing his massive arms over his chest. "She's no longer your puppet. Tell her father to expect a visit."

"You can't do that," Byron Frasier hisses. "You can't hold her here against her will."

"You're real close to getting knocked the hell out," Tom says, joining Viktor at his side.

The two of them make a pretty solid wall of nope, you're not getting through here.

"I should do it just for you suggesting that bullshit.

You've got some balls, I'll give you that.

Too bad they're bigger than your brain."

"You know," Viktor says. "I've got many old friends with, shall we say, questionable moral codes. They'll do most anything for a payday, but even they have lines they won't cross." He looks at Tom. "Perhaps we should hire them to dispose of the trash?"

"Like I said," Tom says, staring down Byron Frasier. "Leave now before you really pique our interest."

"Come on," Connor says, carefully guiding me away. "They'll not bother us again, if they have any sense."

Luke's at my other side as Connor guides us down the hallway and out to the lobby. Eileen waves Connor over, and I step to the side to check out the brochures of activities. Luke leans against the wall, keeping an eye on everything.

"Evie?" The voice sends a shiver down my spine.

My jaw literally falls open. I spin around and spot my sister and her pack filing in through the sliding glass door.

"Cassie? What's going on?" I ask. My bonds go a little haywire. Tom immediately senses my panic and assures me he's on the way. I try to tamp down on my anxiety—really, it's not a bad surprise, but it kinda is.

"We came to check on you," Cassie says, handing Colin off to Josh. David, one of her other alphas, gives a small wave and a nod, pushing his glasses up. "You seemed down when you left. We came to New York to surprise you, but Neela told us to go to hell and slammed the door in my face."

"What?" I snort. Okay, that actually makes sense. My best friend spent years telling me exactly what she'd do if she ever met my sister.

"We met Pack Frasier in the lobby of your building.

They were trying to find you," Cassie says, rolling her eyes.

“Did you seriously consider letting those guys court you?

I met them for five minutes, and they gave me the creeps.

After that, I wasn't taking no for an answer.

Neela finally caved and told us where to find you. "

"Thank you," I say, giving her a hug.

Tom slides around the corner, already appraising the situation as he approaches.

"You don't look at Evie," Tom growls at Garrett, one of my sister's husband's. Looking at Luke, he starts rambling about bears and opening a large animal sanctuary.

Luke laughs. His long blond hair falls around his shoulders as he pats Tom on the chest. "And I thought bonding would mellow your ass out."

Luke saunters over. His boots are on but open at the top, like he pulled them on to race to the clinic earlier. The dark jeans he wears mold to every muscle, and I bite my lip.

"Whoa," Cassie murmurs, getting a good look at him.

"Want to introduce us, pretty girl?" Luke asks, brushing a kiss against the corner of my mouth. His huge hands wrap around my waist as he pulls me back into his chest. One large palm rests over my belly, and he rubs like he's remembering what could be growing there.

We make introductions as Connor and Archie join us. Archie's Uncle Kiernan is at his side.

"I like your sweater," I whisper, pulling out of Luke's hold to toss myself at the chubby older man with the white beard.

"Thank ye. It's my favorite." He runs a hand down his belly before tilting my chin up. "You look much happier than the last time we met."

"You were so right about something better being around the corner," I say, squeezing him tight. "You know, I thought I met Santa Claus in that elevator."

Kiernan booms a laugh as we separate.

Cassie stares in shock. "Okay, so I guess you didn't need to be checked on after all."

"No, I'm good," I assure her. "I'm bonded."

"Yeah, I noticed your smell is different," she says, hugging me again. "Congratulations."

Her men chorus the sentiment, and I'm sure they're grateful. They can officially let go of any lingering guilt—well, if they ever had any.

"Mom?" Luke sputters out when he catches sight of an older woman and a huge group of people coming our way.

"Oh my God, Lukas," she sobs. She's got light brown hair pulled up in a huge bun. She's tall, and on the slender side for an omega. She's absolutely beautiful, and the resemblance to Luke is undeniable.

Luke doesn't exactly look excited about seeing his family. In fact, he steps back as she rushes him. He wraps an arm around my waist, giving me a look that screams don't abandon me.

"Hey, Mom," he chokes out as she finally makes it to us. He stretches out an arm, giving her a pat on the back.

His family makes it to our side. There's a beautiful woman about my age, standing awkwardly off to the side. She's got long blondish-brown hair and huge blueish-gray eyes.

Luke's mom makes introductions, but she doesn't mention the woman.

"Hey, bro," Luke's brother, Ben says. "You know, Melody and I never even bonded. I tried to tell you in my lett—"

"Why are you here?" Luke asks, cutting his youngest brother off. He pulls me in front of him like I'm an actual shield against his family.

"Why don't you come with me, and we'll get you settled into a suite," Connor says to my sister and her pack.