Page 36 of His Surrogate Omega

“Has that ever happened before? Has a someone died while a surrogate was pregnant?”

“I’d be lying if I said no. Accidents happen at the most unexpected of times, as you well know.”

Gray met Tensen’s stare. If the solicitor had done his research, as he claimed, he would know of the accident that had claimed his brother’s life.

Tensen gave a soft smile. “Does it happen often? No. Although—there are some solicitors who turn a blind eye to certain issues and approve a contract they shouldn’t. Because of that, there have been a few instances that could’ve been avoided. The fact that Jamie and Rohan didn’t turn to one of those less savory solicitors? That showed me they might be honest folks not tempted to take the easier route—which led me to my decision to keep an open mind about his illness.”

“And now that he’s in remission, it proves you were right to keep that open mind… and makes me think I need to power through and finish this meeting. For Jamie. He’s already gone through hell and back.”

Tensen smiled. “You ready? Or would you like another moment or two?”

“Give me another minute, please,” Gray said. He rose and walked over to one of the open windows and took a deep breath.

“Good idea,” Tensen said. He slid one of the chairs closer to the window before turning the small settee around to face it. “Stay by the window there. The breeze will help keep you calm.”

He grabbed Tensen’s arm. “I can’t thank you enough. I never would’ve expected you to go to such lengths for an omega.”

Tensen laid a warm hand over Gray’s. “You are no less than anyone else. And should never be treated as such.” The solicitor’s stare met his, and he saw a depth of kindness Gray couldn’t recall seeing in anyone but his own family.

The solicitor lifted his hand and this time, it didn’t stop. He brushed a strand of hair from Gray’s cheek and tucked it behind one ear. The graze of his fingers… while unexpected, wasn’t unappreciated. He met Tensen’s gaze and sensed more than just kindness there.

Perhaps it was just the residual lust from meeting Rohan… but he was sure he saw a hint of attraction coming from Tensen. Gray looked away, feeling awkward. The beta was brokering a deal where he might end up pregnant with another man’s baby.

If only they were different people… meeting in any other way.

Betas remained with their own, marrying and living together in the Beta Quadrant. They were typically childness, unless they adopted, which seemed to happen more and more often in more recent years.

“Please, that was forward of me and I apologize.” Tensen patted Gray’s hand before pulling his away. “Just say the word when and if you’re ready to proceed.”

Gray took a seat and drew in a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Tensen nodded and headed to the door to ask that Jamie and Rohan return. Once inside, Jamie looked concerned. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” Gray said, avoiding Rohan’s heated stare. “I just… needed a moment.”

A hint of the alpha’s scent came across the room, but Gray turned his head toward the window.

“Have you decided not to move forward?” Jamie asked, his voice and nature hesitant. He took short, brief steps, as if he was afraid to get any closer—fearful Gray would send them away.

“No. Quite the opposite. Iwantto do this.”

A beautiful smile spread across Jamie’s face. He walked nearer and then leaned down to hug Gray. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that. I was so worried…”

“Thank you,” Rohan murmured, seeming to keep his distance. For which Gray was appreciative.

“Wonderful,” Tensen added, but the smile seemed to have faded from his normally cheerful face. “I’ll get started on the paperwork and have you back soon to sign the agreement.”

“There’s one thing I wanted to discuss first,” Jamie said, turning to look at everyone there. “I don’t want this child made in a lab. I want it created through natural process.”

“What?” both Gray and Rohan asked in the same moment.

Jamie looked away. “Iamwithin my rights to choose the method.”

“Technically, he is… the law states the alpha’s omega can choose the method of conception,” Tensen interrupted, looking a bit confused before he turned. “But Jamie, that law was put in writing because most omegas prefer their surrogate have the babe implanted through artificial insemination. Not the other way around.”

Gray had already done the research into the process. From what he’d seen, artificial insemination wasn’t reliable. It didn’t take in many cases, yet he’d still assumed that was still the way it would happen between them. How could Jamie want the opposite?

Before medical advances had made artificial insemination possible, all surrogates were impregnated during a heat. While he was aware that a small percentage of surrogates still agreed to it, hecouldn’tdo it naturally. Not after the reaction he’d just had to Rohan. He wouldn’t bed another omega’s alpha, especially not after how close he’d already become to Jamie.

---