Page 74 of His Surrogate Omega

“I’m sure I can spare an hour or two,” Rohan said. “Text me the time and location so I can plan once I get back to the office.”

“Absolutely, sweetheart.”

Rohan leaned into press a kiss to Jamie’s forehead, only to have his omega awkwardly pull away.

He sighed inwardly and rose to his full height. His stare clashed with Gray’s for a moment—until the omega looked away, embarrassed.

“I’ll see you at home tonight,” Rohan murmured and left before he felt any more shame.

* * * *

Jamie slid the smooth pajama top over his head before spying Rohan’s broad, muscled back. Seated at the edge of his side of the bed, the alpha readied himself for bed, as well. The desire to step forward, to rest his hand and feel Rohan’s warmth heat his palm… he took a tentative step forward before catching himself. All the same doubts and worries filled his mind, and he stepped back, as if singed by the thought alone.

Sadness swelled in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

For so long, they’d been lovers. Equal partners in this business of matehood. Rohan was a kind and gentle lover. A considerate and caring friend. And the man didn’t deserve the hell Jamie was putting him through.

He opened his mouth. No words came. The pleading apologies wished to come to the fore and make themselves heard, but to utter them would only create another squabble as to why and why not.

Again, he’d try to explain without truly explaining, knowing his alpha would never truly understand what he was doing. If he did, Rohan would try to convince him otherwise and it would end up a circular argument, with neither of them winning, both of them losing, and leaving them both spent and exhausted.

This wasn’t the way he wanted it.

So, as he had for months, he ignored the denials in his head, knowing what he was doing was right for them all.

By the gods, please let me be right.

He slid into his side of the bed, garnering a simple glance from Rohan over one shoulder. By the day, they grew more distant and that killed him, especially knowing it was by his own design. Too many nights now, they’d slipped under the covers, two strangers—never speaking the whispered words of ‘I love you’ and ‘sleep well’ that they used to.

The silence was deafening. He searched his mind for something—anything—they could talk about. “What did Wilder mean at lunch today?”

Rohan again looked over his shoulder, seeing but not seeing. “Your brother had a lot to say today.”

“The part about… you marking Gray.”

His alpha was silent a moment, long enough for him to wonder if an answer would come.

Rohan rose, turning, and peeled back the comforter on his side. “It happens in alpha-omega couplings. Omegas can’t scent it, but alphas can. It’s what keeps other alphas away from you.”

“So any alpha can scent you on him?”

“Yes.”

“Have I been marked?”

Rohan sighed. “Yes and no.”

Jamie frowned. “Why yes and no?”

“You’ve been marked, but there are different kinds of marks.” Rohan climbed onto the bed and pulled the covers up. “A stronger mark typically happens in pregnancy. After the babe has reached a few months. Three or four.”

None of their babes had made it that far. Jamie had miscarried early each time, only a month or two along. “Oh.”

Jamie was quiet a few moments. “So he’s more your mate than I am.”

“Are you serious?” Rohan asked, his head whipping to the side. “Not even close.”

“I saw the way you looked at him over the lunch table.”

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