Page 16 of His Surrogate Omega

“Not yet,” Avery said.

Gray reached for his bottle ofHeat Represshe kept in the cabinet. Searching the name, he took his down and then handed his nephew the other bottle. Popping a pill, Avery washed it down with a sip from Gray’s cup. It was a special herbal blend made to help combat the body’s need for sex. It didn’t help much, but it did take a little of the edge off.

“One down, eleven to go,” Gray said after taking his.

They had to start their course ofHeat Repressthe day before their monthly heat to ensure it was active. Three pills a day for four days—the day before and the three days of their heat. Omega heats cycled around the full moon, which occasionally came twice a month. Fortunately, this month was not one of those, yet they were both in for a long few days.Heat Repressdulled their instinct but didn’t take it away completely.

“You want some broth?” Gray asked.

“I’m not very hungry,” Avery said, leaning back against the counter.

He finished preparing his broth and tea before casting a look over his shoulder. The coming heat would take a lot out of them both.Me, especially. “You really should put a little bit ofsomethingon your stomach.” He met Avery’s stare and saw a smile played at his nephew’s lips. “What’s got you smiling so much this morning?”

“Papa had a dressing robe like that,” Avery answered. “It just made me think of him.”

Gray looked down at it. The long, flowing dressing gown was made of silk and absolutely beautiful. He hadn’t worn it often, in fear of ruining it. “Silver got this for me on some holiday he and your father went on… I believe he did say he got one for himself, too.” His uncle twirled the fabric around him some, his unbound hair flying about his shoulders “I’ve rarely worn it… but when I saw it in my closet…” He gave a smile, his gaze appearing to look at something faraway. “I suppose I just wanted to feel closer to him today.”

“Why today?”

Gray shrugged. “Whynottoday?” His mind was on life and death and his mind had, of course, gone to his brother. He missed their quiet talks over tea in the sunroom each week.Boy could I use him right now.

Avery grew quiet. “Anything you want to talk about?”

Gray met his stare. There was so much he wanted to discuss, but he knew what Avery thought of surrogacy and he wasn’t in the mood to argue, not with the coming heat. They both would have their hands full over the next days, and the last thing he wanted to do was quarrel now. “No. Is there something onyourmind?”

“No,” Avery murmured, looking unsure.

Auggie wandered into the kitchen and climbed onto one of the island’s stools. “What’s for breakfast?”

Avery grabbed a box of cereal and placed it before the boy. “Make your own day.”

“Awwww,” Auggie complained. “No eggs and bacon and toast?”

Just the thought of food made Gray’s stomach flip over. “What’s today?”

“Satur-morn,” Auggie said earnestly.

“Whatabouttoday?” Avery asked, pressing the boy.

Auggie looked bemused. Gray didn’t know how much either of his young nephews knew about heats… he’d been fairly clueless himself until they actually came on and he’d then experienced them for himself. He knew the schools had started to explain more during breeding education classes—something Gray hadn’t had when he’d been in school.

Luckily, Silver had handled Avery’s first heat and helped the boy through it. Now he and Avery would have to be the ones there for Lake and Auggie one day. That thought made him cringe.

And it made him sad for the boys not to have their papa for that life-changing moment.

“They go into heat tomorrow, idiot,” Lake said as he strolled in and headed for the cabinets where the bowls were kept. “So we’re on our own for the next few days.”

“Oh,” Auggie said, his face growing a beet red as he looked away.

Gray felt the very same sentiment. He was in no mood for educating any of them on the ins and outs of mating rituals, even at the most basic levels.

“Not true,” Avery answered. “You’re not on your own. Gray and I made sure there are a few casseroles in the fridge for you guys for your dinners… and there’s plenty of deli meat and cans of soup for lunches. If you get hungry, you can get something started if we’re not right here. You’re old enough to help, Lake.”

Lake took two bowls down and placed them on the island, rolling his eyes as he passed. “As if I don’t do enough around here.”

“Just what is it you do besides play video games?” Avery asked.

“More than you know!”

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