Page 101 of Omega's Refuge

“Great, then we’ll see you in court.” Rex’s voice was gravelly when he finally spoke. “You abandoned your omega and there were plenty of witnesses who saw you do it too. No court is going to force Tanner to raise a child with you.”

Steve’s face darkened with anger. “Maybe they won’t make Tanner come back to me, but that kid is mine and I have rights. I’ll sue for custody. Tanner is unemployed. I’m pretty sure the court will prefer the kid lives with me since I have a steady job.”

Fear and anger jolted through me at his threat. “Why would you waste time and money fighting me in court, when we both know you don’t give a shit about this baby? This is pure spite.”

“No. It’s the right thing to do.” He gave Rex a cold glance. “I’ll happily fight to get my family back where they belong. Erasing my bite didn’t erase my alpha rights.”

I felt sick to my stomach at his words. He wasn’t wrong. The courts leaned heavily toward the rights of the alpha in situations like these. I didn’t yet have a job, and the courts would absolutely give custody to Steve over me. Then what? He’d have control of our child, but no idea how to take care of it? There was no scenario I could imagine where suddenly Steve was father material.

“You’re seriously saying you want full custody of this baby?” Rex’s voice was hard.

“Yes,” Steve hissed. “Of course I do. It’s my offspring.”

Rex gave a scathing laugh. “Do you have any idea the amount of time and care a baby requires?You couldn’t even handle a vacation on a dude ranch because it was too hard on you, but you think you have what it takes to raise a baby on your own?”

Steve curled his lips. “I won’t be on my own. If you think Tanner won’t come with that kid, you’re naive, Rex.”

I felt sick staring into Steve’s eyes. He knew that it would be impossible for me to stay away from the child. Every omega instinct in me would scream for me to be with the baby. It wouldn’t matter how much I cared about Rex, if Steve won custody, I’d be driven to be where my child was.

“So that’s your plan?” Rex asked softly. “To emotionally blackmail Tanner into being with you? Do you not see how pathetic that is?”

Steve shrugged. “There’s nothing pathetic about fighting for what is rightfully mine.”

“I don’t want to be with you,” I said harshly. “I’m flat out telling you I don’t want you, Steve. I want to be with Rex. I want to raise this child with Rex.”

Rex nodded. “Exactly. That’s the right thing for Tanner and the child.”

Steve scoffed. “I know what’s best for Tanner. I’ve known him a hell of a lot longer than you, cowboy.” Steve curled his lip. “Once that kid is born and in my custody, Tanner will follow. You need to get that through your lunkhead. But I’m happy to skip a big court battle. It’ll be easier onall of us if Tanner just agrees to come back to me now. There’s no need to go to court if Tanner will just do what’s right.”

“I claimed Tanner,” Rex growled. “I’m his alpha now.”

Steve scowled. “Be that as it may, the baby isn’t yours, and I’m going to get custody.”

I let out an angry growl and Rex put his hands on my arms in a steadying gesture. “Tanner is going to have a job very soon,” Rex said. “But even if he didn’t have employment, I do, and I’m his alpha now. So long as Tanner and the child have stable living conditions, the court could easily rule in our favor.”

Steve laughed. “Could. Theycouldrule in your favor, but we both know they’ll probably take my side.”

“Not if I share how you’ve behaved,” I said gruffly. “I know the names of some of the omegas you cheated with. If I can prove you were a horrible alpha, the courts will rule in my favor.”

“Yeah, and your bad behavior isn’t a thing of the past either,” Rex snapped. “The court won’t be impressed to hear about you abandoning your pregnant omega to run off with Tony.”

“Exactly,” I muttered. “Mrs. Rodwell and everyone on that ranch saw what you did. I’m sure they’ll testify on our behalf.”

Steve’s laugh was malicious. “You think Mrs. Rodwell is going to be on your side?” He gaveanother unpleasant guffaw. “Who do you think it was who told me you were pregnant, T?”

“What?” I frowned.

“That’s right. Mrs. Rodwell was also the reason I knew you were here at the apartment.” His laugh was mocking. “That lady doesn’t want you on her ranch. She wants you out of Rex’s life. She said as much to me on the phone.”

I stared at him in disbelief and Rex went very still.

After a few tense moments, Rex cleared his throat. “You’re saying Mrs. Rodwell told you about the baby, and that we’d be here at the apartment today?” Rex’s voice was like sandpaper.

“That’s right.” Steve’s expression was smug. “She’s very old school. She thinks the baby should be with its father. She doesn’t approve of Tanner jumping from alpha to alpha. Especially when he’s pregnant.”

“I didn’t jump from alpha to alpha.You left me. And none of this is even Mrs. Rodwell’s business,” I muttered, anger buzzing through me. “Who the hell is she to butt into this?”

Steve lifted one shoulder. “Wake up, T. She’s a prime example of what you’ll be up against, if you’re foolish enough to let this go to court.”

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