Page 49 of Omega's Fire

“It changes nothing.” He steps further into the office but maintains his distance. “I’m here about the protest ban. Your press conference with Jones.”

My brain struggles to shift focus, still reeling from the confirmation that Leo is carrying my child. “The press conference wasn’t my idea. I didn’t know—”

“Save it.” Leo cuts me off, arms crossing over his chest. “You literally stood next to him while he announced it.”

“I know. And I’m trying to figure out how to mitigate the damage, but right now—” I gesture toward him. “This is more important.”

Leo’s eyes flash. “Not to me.”

I take a deep breath, forcing my alpha instincts to calm. To focus. “Leo, please. Let me process all of this for a moment. You’re pregnant with my child.”

“No, not yours.” His voice rises slightly. “This baby is mine. I’m carrying it. I’m giving birth and I’m raising it. Without you.”

“Our child,” I correct gently. “And I have no intention of fighting you for custody if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Surprise flickers across his features before he schools his expression. “Good. Because I’ll win.”

“No, you wouldn’t,” I say gently. “You’d want to win but you know the system as well as I do. You wouldn’t have a chance but I don’t want a legal battle, Leo. I want to be involved.” I set the papers down on my desk, careful to keep my voice steady. “I want to support you both. However I can. You’ll be an amazing dad. I’m not going to take that away from you, but I do expect to be involved in the raising of my—our—child.”

Leo looks skeptical. “You want to waltz into life and play daddy with me? After everything? Are you mad?”

“I think we created a life together, and I have a responsibility to that life. To you. You can’t stay in that squat, Leo. It’s notsafe, not healthy. Not for you or the baby. “ I run a hand through my hair and draw in a deep breath, breathing the gloriousness of him in with it. “Besides, you’re about to be evicted. Jones is organizing it.”

His posture stiffens immediately. “So that’s what this is about. Your way of forcing me into compliance?”

“What? No!” The accusation stings more than it should. “I have nothing to do with it. I’ve told him I disagree with it.”

“Right.” The skepticism in his voice is palpable. “Just like you had nothing to do with the protest ban?”

“I didn’t initiate it, no but Jones did bring me here specifically to trigger protests so he had an excuse to get rid of you all.” The admission tastes bitter.

“That’s what I thought” Leo’s eyes are hard.

“I have little choice.” I choose my words carefully. “My position here is... precarious.”

“Poor Dr Thorndike.” Leo’s voice drips with sarcasm. “Forced to comply with authority. How novel for you to experience what the rest of us live with daily.”

My patience frays slightly. “Right now, I only care about you and our child, not people who prefer to shout than to listen.”

“I don’t need your protection,” Leo snaps, but his hand drifts to his midsection again, the gesture seemingly unconscious.

“Maybe not, but you will need proper housing. Prenatal care. Financial support.” I take a careful step toward him. “Move in with me.”

Leo barks out a laugh, stepping back to maintain the distance between us. “Are you insane?”

“I have a spare bedroom. Two bathrooms. It would be temporary—just until you find something suitable.” I press forward, knowing I’m pushing too hard but unable to stop myself. “You need a safe place, Leo. Clean. Stable. With heat and reliable plumbing.”

“What I need is for you to stop trying to control my life!” His voice rises, color flooding his cheeks. “First you try to force a bond on me, now you’re trying to use my pregnancy to what? Move me into your territory? Mark me with your scent? Make me dependent on you?”

“That’s not—”

“This is not my fault. I’m not the one causing shit on campus,” I interrupt, anger finally rising through me. Leo shuts his mouth and stares at me. Through everything, I’ve never shouted at him. Maybe I’ve been an asshole in other ways but he’s never seen me angry. “Tell your activist friends to stop destroying university property. Someone smashed a stained glass window in the humanities building last night. It was over a hundred and fifty years old, irreplaceable. Admissions have dropped by over thirteen because students don’t know if you’re going to block them out of lectures. How is Jones supposed to react to that? Yes, he’s a dick but what is he supposed to do? Give you a pat on the head? Bring you tea and cake?”

Leo’s brow furrows. “He can give us what we’re asking for. It’s not complicated. And I haven’t smashed any windows. Don’t put that on me.”

“Then you won’t have a problem denouncing it,” I counter. “Help me help you, Leo. If you can get people to tone it down, then the administration won’t push back so hard. I’m on your side here. I’m happy to help but—”

“But I need to do as you say,” Leo shakes his head. His eyes narrow. “No thank you. I’d rather take my chances with the eviction.”

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