Page 42 of His Surrogate Omega

“Gray?”

“What would you do in my shoes?” Gray asked the attorney.

“I can’t tell you what I would do. This is your decision to make.”

“Technically…legally… you can’t answer me. But as a friend… what would you do?” He knew Tensen wasn’t exactly a friend. This was, at heart, a business arrangement. Tensen was the intermediary, nothing more.

But Tensen had shown a compassion Gray had never expected. He sensed he could trust the man.

“I would never be able to truly understand what you go through as an omega, so I can’t make a decision based on that lack of knowledge alone.”

Gray leaned back on the counter. “You’re not helping me, Tensen.”

“What does your gut tell you to do?”

“My gut tells me this might be my one and only chance to be with an alpha. To know what the experience is like.”

It was Tensen’s turn to be quiet.

“What if you have an alpha out there, waiting for you?” the attorney finally asked. “Artificial insemination lessens the risk of your alpha refusing you—if you’re still untouched by another alpha.”

“Everyone around me is so sure I have an alpha, waiting in the wings. If he hasn’t shown up by now, it’s not going to happen. I’m to be alone. I’ve accepted it. I wish everyone else would give up beating me up about it.”

“There have been stories of late meetings. I’ve heard of omegas in their forties finally finding their alphas. It happens.”

“And for thatonelate bloomer, how many othersdon’tfind their alpha? I haven’t. Jamie has… He’s lost a primitive part of who he is… and I can help them with this child.”

Tensen sighed. “It sounds as if you might have your mind made up, then.”

Gray didn’t answer at first. Maybe hehadmade up his mind. The shame was almost too much for him to bear… but he wanted this gift Jamie was offering, no matter how terrible it was. “Tell them I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure you don’t need more time?” Tensen said.

Gray wasn’t going to second-guess his decision. “No. Call them and tell them I’ve agreed.”

Tensen sighed. “If you’re positive, I can have the documents made up and sent over for you to review and sign within a couple of days.”

“Good. I look forward to looking them over,” Gray mumbled before ending the call. He stumbled over to the sink and washed the remnants of the paint from his hands. After he’d scrubbed them, he filled his palms with water and washed his face.

Turning off the tap, he stared outside, not looking at anything in particular.

But it felt as if his entire world had suddenly tilted on its axis. He held on to the edge of the counter, praying he didn’t topple over.

Not long after, he heard the front door open. Avery came in, an excited smile on his face.

“I take it enrollment went well?” Gray asked, turning and still clutching the counter behind him.

Avery nodded. “I have a job, as well.”

“Wonderful! Where?”

“The campus mailroom.”

Gray paused. “So you won’t be leaving the Beta Quadrant. That’s good news.”

“Ultimately, the AQ business district is where the money is. I’ll need to get a job there once I graduate, so I’ll go there eventually.”

Gray sighed, fearing he’d been worried for all the right reasons. “There are plenty of jobs in the Beta Quadrant. You don’t need to put yourself into danger.”

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