“But how can you do that if you think I’m crazy or lying?”
I clenched my jaw and moved toward him. “I told you I’m following my heart. I believe you. If you say you’re carrying my child, I believe you.”
“No you don’t,” he said, sounding on the verge of tears.
My heart ached, and I approached him, feeling calmer than earlier. I loved him so much. What could be worse than losing him? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. If he truly carried my child, that would be just one more wonderful thing we would share. Because I wasn’t ever leaving his side. Even if he sent me away, I’d find a way to stay close. Dylan was the end of the road for me.
I wrapped him in my arms, and he stiffened. “I love you. I’m sorry I hurt you.” I kissed his hair and continued to hold him. “You can be mad at me if you want. You can even yell at me, but I’m not leaving. I’ll never leave you. I wasn’t abandoning you earlier. I just needed to talk to Gabriele.”
“You think I’m a freak.”
“Never.”
He lifted his face to mine, and his eyes were filled with pain. “I can’t help what I am.”
“Stop apologizing. I’m the one who is sorry.” I tightened my arms around him. “I overreacted. If I’m honest, I’m a little scared about being a dad. I had a terrible role model, but the idea of you carrying my baby is actually kind of a turn-on.”
“You didn’t look turned on, you looked horrified.”
I winced. “I’m sorry. I was just stunned.”
“I knew you’d be upset.”
I sighed. “Dylan, this won’t be the last time I overreact or let you down. I’m not perfect. But I know I fucked up, and I’m trying to say I’ll do better. Okay?”
“This might be too hard for you. If you’re going to go, it’s best you do it now.”
“I don’t want to go.” I sighed. “I need to be here. With my omega.”
“Don’t call me that just to be nice.”
I smiled weakly. “You know me. I’m not nice just to be nice.”
“True.”
“Please, Dylan. Let me love you.” I closed my eyes, worried he might try and send me away. What would I do if he did? There would be a gaping hole in my heart without him. I wouldn’t be able to move on, not now. I loved him too much.
When he slipped his arms around my waist, I could have cried with happiness. “I don’t want you to go.”
A lump rose in my throat. “I’ll be a good alpha. I swear.”
He nodded and then leaned into me as if exhausted.
“Come on. Let’s get you to bed.” I led him to his room, and I was relieved he no longer seemed mad.
I helped him undress, and I crawled in beside him. He stayed on his side, but when I scooted over, he curled into me as if he craved my touch. I held him, listening to his soft breathing. I really was worried about what kind of dad I’d be. Could you be a good parent if you had no idea how to do it? Would it come naturally? It hadn’t to my dad. But Dylan would be a natural. Of that I was certain. He’d make up the slack for me, hopefully.
I put my hand gently on his stomach. He tensed, but then he relaxed. “I love you, Dylan,” I whispered. “Please don’t give up on me.”
There was a slight hesitation, and then his hand covered mine. “I won’t,” he said softly. “I couldn’t if I wanted to.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Dylan
After our blowup, things were even better between Lex and me. If he doubted I was pregnant, he kept that to himself. He made sure I ate all my meals and took my prenatal vitamins. He forced me to go for walks even when I grumbled about it. He was the perfect alpha—attentive, affectionate.
By the end of the first month, it would have been impossible for Lex to deny I was pregnant. My stomach was visibly rounded, and my cravings increased. He made me anything I wanted, no matter what time of day or night. I felt kind of bad because I wasn’t sure what I brought to the table. But he seemed content simply to be with me. His hunger for me seemed insatiable, and I felt the same toward him.