Page 26 of His Surrogate Omega

“You act as if that’s a bad thing?”

Jamie shook his head slightly. “It’s not.” He paused before sighing. “He’s not completely sold on the idea of a surrogate. He’s worried about me… that protective instinct is flaring.”

Gray paused, his cup halfway to his lips. “Is he refusing to meet?”

“No…no, nothing like that. He’s just worried—as everyone is—about my health and moving forward. I seem to be the only one who sees that the end of this disease is upon us. You’ll all see it soon, though. Mark my words.” Jamie took another sip. “Mmm… lovely. This really is good tea.” He settled his cup down and smiled. “As far as the rest of my week. Wilder brought over DeNardo’s sausage and pineapple pizza on Saturday night and spent a couple of hours regaling us with what’s been going on at work. He and Rohan are co-workers—and great friends—which is a joy for me. Wilder is my favorite brother… but don’t tell my youngest brother Vaughn that.” Jamie grinned. “Do you have any siblings?”

“A brother,” Gray answered, trying not to let the pain hit him too hard. He took another sip before he answered and lowered the cup to the table. “Silver. He passed a little over a month ago.”

A frown creased Jamie’s face. “Oh, no… I had no idea. I’m so sorry.” He took Gray’s hands in his. “How?”

“A car accident. They were coming back from a long weekend on the coast. A truck driver who’d been up for almost a full day… he fell asleep. And we lost Silver and his alpha…” Gray felt the sting come to his eyes.

“I heard you say something about the boys… Tensen was rather tight-lipped about them. Your brothers’ children, I assume?”

Gray nodded. “Silver and Gilead left behind a ten, a thirteen, and a nineteen-year-old.”

“All left in your care,” Jamie said,tsking.

“Technically, left in Avery’s care. The oldest. As he’s of-age—he decided he wanted to become their guardian. He received temporary custody, and the family solicitor said it’ll easily become permanent. He’s very responsible, and now… now he’s been forced into being even more responsible.”

“But you still feel accountable? Is that why you chose to become a surrogate? To help them financially?”

Gray smiled wanly. “I’m still not sure I want to become a surrogate, to be honest. But I don’t know how else to make sure we stay afloat.”

Jamie was silent a moment. “The boys? Are they alpha or omega?”

“Omegas. All of them,” Gray said.

“The eldest… he’s close to mating age. Do you have him signed up for the next round of balls?”

Gray nodded, lying. He was beginning to hate being a party to Avery’s lie. “Yes. Of course. But as I well know… he might not have an alpha to rely on.”

Jamie frowned. “You truly believe you don’t have one?”

Gray shrugged. “I’m thirty-five and unmatched. Most omegas have found their alpha by the time they’re not much older than Avery. I’m… I’m not stupid enough to think there’s a chance.”

“I’ve heard of omegas finding their alphas later in life. It’s not impossible.”

“A chance in a million.” Gray smiled. Silver’s words whispered through his mind.I’ve never given up hope.“I’d much rather focus on how I can survive on my own than wish for something that might never be.”

Jamie squeezed his hand. “If you do this… and heisout there… he might refuse you. Are you willing to give that chance up?”

“There’s no one out there, Jamie.No one.”

Jamie didn’t say anything. He only squeezed Gray’s hand again. “Part of me wants to argue with you and tell you there’s a chance. Another part of me wants to give in and allow you to make up your mind… you’re an adult, and that’s your right. But giving in so quickly makes me sound selfish—you giving up on your alpha is good for me.”

“I didn’t think that.”

“I hoped you didn’t… but know that I’m not selfish. I want you to really think long and hard about what you’re potentially giving up if you agree to help us. I want a child. Desperately. But not one forsaking your chance at a future.”

Gray held Jamie’s earnest stare. “Thank you for that. I appreciate the sentiment—but on the sudden appearance of my alpha, I hold no illusions.”

Jamie held his stare a moment. “Okay,” Jamie said before taking another sip from his tea. He looked over Gray’s shoulder at one of the paintings on the wall. “Is this one of yours?”

Gray smiled. The painting was one of his favorites among his work. “It is.”

“That’s beautiful! You must show me more.”

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