Page 38 of Broken Alpha

“The idea hurts,” I responded, shrugging. I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out and placing my hand on his abdomen, running my thumb across his belly. My gaze tilted toward the place where our pup was growing inside him. “But it’s not my choice. I fucked up enough. I’ll support you in any way you want me to, however much you want. If you don’t want me there, thenI won’t be there. If you want to terminate this pregnancy, I’ll support that. If you want to keep it, I’ll support that.”

Aidyn lowered his gaze to where my hand rested, staring at it before he placed his hand on mine. “I can’t keep it, Luke. Even if I wanted to.”

Even if he wanted to? “Do you want to?”

Silence.

“Little fawn. Do you think you can’t keep it?”

“I’m only twenty, and I don’t know if I’m ready to be a parent yet. But aside from that, I’m still in school, have no job, and have a whole career and life planned out. I can’t have this pup.”

“Baby,” I pulled him against my body, nuzzling my face into his hair and breathing in his scent. The floral undertones only drew me to him more, and while different, it was certainly a scent I could get used to. “You’re looking at this as if you’ll be the sole provider for this pup. You’ll still finish college, get your degree, and start your career. We’ll work around that. I can hire a nanny if needed. I won’t lie and say nothing will have to change because a pup will change our lives, but you’ll still be on track for everything. Remember, I have an income, too. I will provide everything you need. We’ll figure it out. No one is ever ready for a pup. We have these ideas of what it’ll be like, but we never factor in that every pup is different and comes with their own personalities. It’s never going to be perfect, and we will doubt our decisions and choices every step of the way. We’ll always wonder if we are doing the right thing or doing enough to help them grow. But I think you’d be an amazing parent.”

Aidyn was quiet for a moment, mulling over my words. “When did Ryan say I’m due?”

“According to Ryan, it’s very rare for male Omegas to carry to term, so the pup will be early. We’d be looking at mid to late April.”

“April. Only a month after graduation. God, I’m going to be huge.”

“You’ll look beautiful.”

Silence filled the void between us again before Aidyn turned around, making his way back into the bedroom. He pulled me along with him, dragging me into his nest as he sat down. Once I was lying down, he curled against me, his leg over my thigh, his hand resting on his abdomen, and his scent tinged with happiness.

“You’ll provide for me?”

“Always. Anything you ask.”

“So, if I asked you to help me look for an apartment that caters to students, would you help me?”

I pulled my upper body back a little, my neck at an odd angle so that I could look down at my mate, forcing him to look at me when I tipped his chin upward with a finger guiding my movement.

“Why do you need an apartment?”

“I heard what Erik said to you yesterday. The walls are thin, and the bathroom is just on the other side of the front door. We got into a big fight this morning, and I realized that our friendship is over. It’s partially my fault, and I acknowledge that. I made mistakes, too. But I don’t think rooming together is such a good idea anymore, and I told him after I visit my family during Christmas, I’ll move out over winter break, so I’ll have a little under a month to find a new apartment.”

“Move in here; the apartment is big enough. I’ll sleep on the couch, but you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to.”

“Why the fuck would you sleep on the couch in your own home? This is your space, and I won’t intrude upon that.”

“You wouldn’t be intruding, I’m offering. I can even sell this condo, and we’ll get an actual home if that’s what you want. I’m not under any illusion that we’re okay and that I’m forgiven forwhat I’ve done. I won’t make you uncomfortable and force you to share a space with me. I don’t know where our relationship stands right now, and that scares me, but I’m willing to do whatever you need me to do. If it’s just to provide financial support, I’m okay with that.”

“Why on earth would you be okay with that? Why would I keep you around for financial reasons? That’s shallow and fucked up. Besides, if I keep this pup, it’ll need a father. Like you said, you’re not magically forgiven, I’m still pissed. But I can’t imagine my life without you, and I certainly can’t imagine having this pup without you.”

“You’ll keep it?” I asked, hope latching on to my words.

“I’ll think about it,” Aidyn replied honestly.

I woke yesterday feeling like I had been hit by a truck, and this morning, like I was drowning in nausea. I had barely rolled over before bile crept up my throat, and I dashed to the bathroom, emptying the contents of my stomach into the porcelain. By the time my body had nothing left to offer, sweat ran down my back and forehead, and I groaned, leaning my head against my arm that was draped across the toilet seat.

“Hey, only one of us gets to throw up in the morning.”

I turned to see Aidyn standing in the doorway in a pair of my black boxer briefs, his face worried.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” I said groggily.

“You didn’t completely. Your phone started vibrating after you dashed off.”

I made a small sound of acknowledgment and leaned against the wall. Aidyn moved to sit beside me, and I glanced at him, worry still etched on his face. I reached over and took his hand, kissing the back of it and smiling weakly.

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