Page 43 of His Surrogate Omega

“Jobs in the AQ payverywell. If I want to ensure I can support this family, I need to be able to go where the money is.”

“But… what if the blockers aren’t strong enough? What if your alpha… orany alpha… scents you?”

“My advisor was an alpha. Sure, he was a bit older and likely mated, but he didn’t seem to notice anything at all.”

Gray was still worried for his nephew. “It’s one thing to confront a lone, older alpha versus stepping into the alpha world. There are a hundred thousand alphas in that quadrant. A hundred thousand chances for you to be hurt.”

“We’re talking about years from now,” Avery reminded him. “No point in arguing. I’ve got four years of school ahead of me before I step foot in the AQ.”

Gray shook his head. “No, Avery. You’re not going there. I have to put my foot down.”

“As I’ve said before, you can’t control me. No more than I can control you. We’ve both done what we think is right for this family. You ignored my concerns, so don’t judge me for ignoring yours.”

Gray sighed. “How my brother had a son so obstinate, I’ll never know.”

Avery walked closer and gave Gray a squeeze to the shoulder. “I’ll be okay. I know I will. Everything is falling into place.”

Gray wasn’t so sure. “I hope you’re right.”

“I love you,” Avery said to Gray. “I love that you’re worried for me. I know how much you care about me and the boys. And I appreciate it.”

“Even as you ignore it.”

Avery smiled. “Even as I ignore it.”

He patted the side of his nephew’s face. “I love you, too, brat.”

Avery grinned before heading upstairs to change into something cooler, leaving Gray to consider the decision he’d just agreed to. He grabbed a cool drink and headed outside to the backyard.

After setting his glass on the patio’s table, he sat down on the old tree swing that had been there for years. Pushing off the large root below, he swung through the warm air, the great blue sky above him.

Wind rushed through his hair as the momentum picked up.

He felt like he was flying.

It was the closest to freedom he’d ever felt.

Chapter Thirteen

In the same conference room as before…

Gray leaned over the document, the words blurring together. He’d already read over the copies Tensen had couriered over a few days before. Hours had passed as he’d read through the legal mumbo-jumbo, trying to figure everything out.

Everything had appeared in order.

Now, they were all together in the same meeting room they’d met in the last time. Tensen had set the room up so the table where he sat was close to the open window. Unfortunately, the heat of summer was upon them, and there wasn’t much of a breeze. Rohan’s scent seemed even stronger today, and Gray teetered on the edge of need.

Sucking on the peppermint he’d brought along, he refocused on the document. Why he was hesitating to sign his name at the bottom, he wasn’t sure. He’d already agreed to their terms. But once he wrote his name across the last page, he’d be forever bound to his decision.

Last chance.

I can’t do this. I can’t be with him like this.

What was I thinking?

Gray drew in a deep breath—which was an absolutely terrible idea. Rohan’s alpha scent surrounded him, making the need mount with each passing second. His instinct nearly drove him off the edge, willing him to offer up his body then and there.

Across the table.

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