Page 136 of His Surrogate Omega

Rohan swallowed the bile rising in his throat. He hated himself for the words in his head, but he needed to sever the bond between them if he was going to honor his mate. “We had a contract. You agreed to the terms. Now they’re here and our time together is soon over.”

“Really?” Gray asked, tears shining in his eyes. “You can stand there and be so cold? I thought I meantsomethingto you?”

“You meantnothingto me.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Rohan regretted them.

Gray sagged against the wall for a moment. One of the babes began to howl… spurring on the other one. Gray gave Rohan one last look… before he silently turned and left the room.

Go after him.

Protect him.

Protectthem.

They’re your family now.

Rohan stood frozen, his heart wanting to move forward, his mind telling him he had no rights to.

He could hear Jamie’s voice in his head.

You stupid fool.

* * * *

Running away…

Each step was agony. Not just because Gray was healing, but the pain in his heart was almost worse than that of his body. Tears streamed down his face, his heart breaking. He struggled to get air into his lungs. The babies were feeding off his pain, he knew it. Their howls filled the room. He paused by the dining table, catching his breath, when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder.

He lifted his stare, only to see Wilder at his side.

“Let me help you,” Wilder murmured.

Gray stood there a moment, trying to pull himself together.

“Come on,” Wilder said before taking the basket from Gray’s hand.

Wilder rested the babes on the table before he ran his hands over the babes and murmured soothing words over them, gentle rocking the basket. After a moment, the infants calmed and drifted back to sleep. Wilder seemed to have the magic touch. He felt a little flash of jealousy and wished he had the same.

Rohan turned to look at him. “How about you sit for a moment—I’ll go grab someone to help grab the babies and I’ll get you all upstairs and in bed.”

“I want to go home,” Gray whispered as the alpha helped him sit.

Wilder knelt before him. “You can’t let the words he said in anguish send you running.”

“I think he was the most honest he’s ever been with me. He wants me gone… so I should go.”

“No. He absolutely wasn’t honest in there. I have no idea what he said but if it was enough to send you racing away…” Wilder sighed. “I can attest to that, especially seeing your face now,” Wilder said. “He’s angry with himself… and we always take out our pain on those… those we love.”

Gray met Wilder’s stare, confused. “Thatwasn’tlove.”

Wilder tilted his head, cocking a brow. “I think I know Rohan well enough to know.”

Gray wanted to hope Wilder was right, but Rohan’s vile words still rung in his ears. “Jamie’s your brother. Why would you try to help me?”

Wilder looked away. “I love Jamie. I’m not exactly happy with this plan of his…” Wilder looked back. “But it’s what he wanted. And I made promises. Promises I intend to keep.”

“Perhaps Jamie pushed too hard. He can’t force us together.”

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