Page 108 of His Surrogate Omega

A new head of hair…

A few weeks later, Gray got the call that the wig he’d made was done. He gathered the very tiny bit of money he had in savings and headed across town to pick it up. As soon as he stepped off the trolley, he walked the three blocks to the shop.

Waddled was more like it.

He’d passed the six-month milestone some days before. Even though he still had four more to go, he was already extremely swollen. There was little doubt now that he carried an alpha child. He’d be more surprised if it wasn’t.

Traveling was becoming much more difficult, but he was happy to make the trip to see how things had turned out. As soon as he entered the shop, the bell over the door tinkled.

“Hello!” a voice called from the back. “I’ll be out in just a moment.”

“Hello,” Gray answered as he slipped inside and shut the door, garnering him another ring of the bell.

Like the last time he’d been there—to drop off his hair—his stare searched the room. It was filled with mannequin heads in all manner of wigs. From short to long, with all kinds of shades, they gave plenty of ideas. But these out front were made of artificial hair, and therefore less expensive and less desired. Gray had been assured the wig made of real hair would look more like the real thing once worn.

“Hello again,” the wig stylist said as he exited the rear of the shop. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No problem,” Gray said with a smiled.

“Oh, Mr. Tomlinson, so nice to see you. I’ve got your wig ready in the back. Just give me two seconds to grab it.”

The beta went back to fetch it and returned in an instant, carrying the long, flowing wig on a mannequin head. Gray gasped at how lovely it looked. It was even styled, pulled away from the face and the temples swept into an intricate braided weave—though most of it still hung straight toward the floor.

“I hope you don’t mind. I went ahead and put it into style I thought your friend might like. It’ll make it a little easier to put on and keep neat.”

Gray smiled, running a hand over the silky strands. “It’s perfect.” He pulled out his wallet and turned to the man. “How much do I owe you?”

The stylist hedged. “I know we discussed a certain amount…”

Gray tensed. He wasn’t prepared to pay any more than what was quoted.

“…but after thinking it over and talking to you… I’m only going to charge you for the supplies it cost to make.”

Gray relaxed a bit. “Why?”

The beta smiled. “I see men coming in almost every day to sell their hair. Never have I met anyone who cut theirs off in order to honor an ill friend and gift them with it. It made me feel as if charging you would be unfair of me.”

“You put many hours into making it. You deserve to be paid for that.”

The beta shook his head. “No. I won’t have it. I was very touched by what you did for someone you love. It helped to remind me to appreciate the onesIlove.” He chuckled. “And it helped end a quarrel I was having with someone I care about. So consider it my thanks to you.”

Gray smiled. “I’m glad it helped you, then.”

The shopkeeper rung up the sale, and Gray very much appreciated the lower cost. He paid for the wig and watched as the beta wrapped it up and explained how to care for it. Once he’d given his thanks, Gray raced out, more than ready to deliver it.

The following morning, the brown paper package rested over his lap. Gray nearly bounced in his seat with excitement, and the car seemed to be moving much slower than normal. “Can we speed it up a little?”

The driver was one they’d had before several times and liked. He looked through the rearview mirror at Gray. “Does Mr. Jamie have an appointment today?”

Gray smiled. “No. Not today. I just have something I’m very excited to give him.”

“Ah,” the driver said before hitting the gas a bit more. “Then we can’t keep him waiting.”

* * * *

Visions of the past…

Rohan helped settle Jamie on the chaise in the sunroom before rising to his full height. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”

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