Page 47 of Labor of Love

“No, it could be because you’re rich.” But Shiloh was smiling, and he hadn’t moved out from under Corbyn’s arm.

“Hey, if it gives me brownie points, I’ll take them. I just hope that you’ll come to see that your needs will always come first. Yours and Nora’s. That’s all I want. It’s what I was born to do. To look after you and our sweet little girl.”

Corbyn hoped Shiloh could hear his sincerity. He’d waited hours for Shiloh to wake up and had done a lot of thinking in that time. Saying he was going to be a responsible alpha, mate, and father was one thing. Doing it took a lot more than words. Corbyn was lucky because he knew his family would help him. They adored Shiloh and Nora already.

“I can’t believe I got so lucky,” Shiloh said. “I think I’m going to end up with bruises because I’m sure I’m going to keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not still asleep. I know it might not mean as much to you, but even little things, like the care your mom showed me. That sort of concern is so foreign to me. It’s not something I’ve experienced in my life at all.”

“That’s something you’ll have to get used to,” Corbyn said with a chuckle. “Mom has always been a caring person, and she’s definitely got a soft spot for you and Nora. You’re part of our family now, don’t you understand?”

“As I said, that will take some getting used to, but please don’t ever think I’m not grateful for what you did, for what youdid yesterday, for what you’ve done today, for what you’re doing tonight. It is still the same day, isn’t it?”

Corbyn nodded. “Barely, but yes. Speaking of the time, I imagine you’re probably feeling hungry. Is there anything in particular that you’d love to eat? Something that perhaps you’ve seen or had before that brings you some comfort or something that you’d really enjoy?”

“I honestly can’t think of anything,” Shiloh said. “There was a time, back when the original Nora was alive, we used to talk about the meal we might have if our alphas ever found us and took us away from that place. She used to be a baker, so she would describe what sounded like the most incredible cakes. They really sounded delicious.”

“I’m sure I can get you a cake. Any kind you like.”Don’t bakers get up early?

But Shiloh was shaking his head. “I never had the heart, in two long years, to let her know I was never really a fan of cake. Her talking to me was a gift I will cherish for life, and if all she wanted was to talk about cakes, then I was happy to listen.”

No cakes then, right.“I’m partial to puddings,” Corbyn said. “Have you ever had a trifle?”

“I don’t think so. That has a lot of custard in it, doesn’t it?”

“That’s the best part – all that custard.”

“Hmm, you know what I would love? You mentioned comfort food. I’d love a big bowl of beef stew and a pile of freshly made bread. You know, the white bread that people will tell you is no good for you, but it always smells so good when you walk past a bakery. Lashings of butter, thick slices of bread, and a beef stew with a rich, thick gravy.” Shiloh licked his lips. “Goodness, I can almost taste it just thinking about it.”

“I’ll order us some.” Corbyn had a friend who owned a restaurant in town. He was certain the man would have some stew left over from the night’s menu and that man did crazyhours. Pulling out his phone, he quickly sent a text and within a minute had a positive reply. “Stew is on its way,” he said, putting his phone away. “It will be about twenty minutes.” He hesitated and then added, “There was one thing I thought you and I should clear up between us, if you’re up to it before the food arrives.”

“I’m not up anywhere,” Shiloh said. “I’m still in bed. What surprises me is that you’ve only got one issue with me. You look like the type of man who’d make a list.”

“Just the one thing,” although Corbyn was chuckling. His mate wasn’t wrong. He liked lists. But the issue he needed to discuss was serious.

“I do realize that you were under a lot of stress when you accepted my necklace,” he started to say, but Shiloh quickly interrupted him.

“Please don’t go down the direction I think you’re going,” Shiloh said. “Our wolves already know that we’re meant to be together, and in case you’re thinking that I only accepted your necklace so I could keep Nora, then please know I would never do that to you or anyone.

“At the time, I did think you were very handsome. I’d be blind not to notice. But even in that moment, if I hadn’t thought it felt right, I wouldn’t have accepted your necklace. I would have told you to wait, and I would have continued to fight Janice for the right to keep my baby.”

Shiloh sighed. “But this does feel right, and you feel right. My only worry is that I can’t be the mate that you deserve. With the things that I’ve gone through...”

It was Corbyn’s turn to interrupt. “Again, Shi, we don’t have to talk about that ever if you don’t want to. That’s in the past.”

“You don’t even want to know about my life before I was taken?” Tilting his head, Shiloh looked at him. “Did you know I used to be an excellent coder back in the day? Admittedly, it’s been a long time since I turned up for work. I’ve probably beenfired by now, but I was gainfully employed for quite some time in my life…before.”

Yet more people that didn’t sound like they looked for him when he was gone.Corbyn widened his smile. “Well, the wonderful thing about being mated to a Stone is you don’t have to work. However, if you’re keen, you could help me with some suggestions on how we can make improvements at that birthing facility. I’d like to think the next time a rescued omega finds themselves in the same position as you were yesterday, they might be treated with a bit more respect and dignity and, above all, have their choices respected. What do you think?”

“Definitely.” Shiloh glowered. “When I was taken to that room, I don’t think they realized, or maybe they did, and it was deliberate, but I could see into the other rooms as they took me down to that one you found me in. Can you imagine how that felt, seeing all those lovely painted walls, and the comfortable beds and all the equipment imaginable, and then you get taken into your room which is white walled, stark and containing nothing but a bed frame and a thin mattress?

“There was no comfort. There was nothing in the room that suggested I even had a right to be there. And that wasn’t fair. All I was focused on was the baby. But for a lot of other omegas, that could be the final straw for them, if they’d been through what I went through. They should be treated the same as any other omega, whether they have a mate or not, whether they’ve been abused or not, they deserve to be treated the same.”

Corbyn could hear the passion in Shiloh’s voice, and his heart lifted. His mate was tired, ill, and it was going to take him a while to regain his confidence, but he could still speak up when he saw things that weren’t right.

“Then you have got the perfect alpha,” he said, leaning over and taking a risk, pecking a quick kiss on Shiloh’s nose. “Because I can make sure the things you want changed can happen.Between us, we’ll see to it that a system is put in place for any omega to be safe and cared for, not just for while they’re giving birth, but for as long as they need.” Corbyn lifted his head, hearing the front doorbell. “Sounds like our food’s arrived, probably just in time for Nora to wake up. I’ll grab a bottle while I’m downstairs.”

“Corbyn,” Shiloh said as he got up. “I do promise I’ll work hard to be the omega you deserve.”

“I think you’ve got things around the wrong way.” Corbyn grinned. “I’m going to be working hard to be the mateyoudeserve, and you’re going to work on just being yourself. Do we have a deal?”

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