Page 103 of Abel's Omega
“Becca would kill me if I got Bram going about babies again.” A rumble of discontented conversation drifted across the room, raising my hackles.
“Fair enough.” Abel patted my hand, then reached for his wine again, but even in that short-lived contact I could feel the tension in his body. Or maybe it was the way his power curled in on itself, as if preparing for battle.
I took a cautious glance over my shoulder, but didn’t see anything.
“It’s a couple in the middle of the room,” Abel said quietly. “Older, not the best dressed in the place.” He sighed. “Yep. They’re complaining about us.” He reached for his glass. “Drink your wine if you’re going to. We may end up having to eat whatever pizza is left.”
I shook my head, my appetite gone, and tears fighting for escape. Dammit. Could I not have one romantic fantasy fulfilled?
The host came over to our table. To give him credit, he seemed embarrassed when he told us, “I’m sorry, I’m going to have to ask you to go elsewhere.”
I snorted. Elsewhere meant back to our rooms—there wasn’t enough time left to go to another restaurant before curfew. “That’s fine. I’m not hungry anymore.” I stood up and waited for Abel.
He looked slowly across the room. “I don’t think we should have to leave. We have a right to be here—there’s no signs posted.”
“No, we normally encourage shifters to eat in the breakfast bar area, but it’s closed for cleaning right now. Sir, please…” The host looked anxious now, and I didn’t blame him. Abel’s frustration was easy to read, and the disparaging comments from the human couple were getting louder.
“Abel, let’s just go. I’m fine with pizza.” I tugged on his arm until he finally stood, though once he had I wondered if I’d made a mistake. He loomed, and it was more than his ramrod stiff stance and severe expression, but the way his power rolled off him, heavy enough that even the humans seemed to feel it. “Let’s go back to our room. I’m tired,” I added desperately.
He began walking toward the door, following a path that would take us directly past the troublesome table. The host followed nervously behind us, as if he too could sense the looming disaster.
“Abel, don’t do this,” I pleaded quietly.
“I’m not going to do anything. I’m taking my mate out of a situation that I think is too stressful for someone in his condition.”
“Abel…” But it was too late. We were right next to the couple who had complained. I threw a nervous glance in their direction, then looked away.
The man’s voice followed us as we passed. “Creatures like you don’t belong here anyway. I don’t know why they ever let you out of your cage.”
Abel froze and I stepped between them. “It’s okay.”
“No it isn’t,” he said. “How does change happen if no one ever questions the status quo?”
“I swear to the moon, Abel, if you get yourself arrested tonight, you’ll be sleeping on Mac’s couch until long after this pup is born.”
“Go on, get out,” the human shouted, waving at us as if we were insects bothering him.
I lost my temper. “You’re not helping,” I snapped at the human.
“How, how dare you speak to me like that!” His face went red.
I didn’t give a fuck any more. “Grow up.” Then to Abel, “Let’s go.” I shoved at my mate, trying to move him toward the door.
Ice cold water drenched my back and side. The ice cubes that went with it bounced off the side of my face and cracked on the floor. I froze in stunned disbelief.
“When my dog misbehaves,” the human said in maddening tones. “I have a spray bottle to squirt him with. Now get back where you belong.”
Abel’s power swelled out of him and, in desperation, I caught it somehow in mine, making a cup that his could gather in, swirling in massive waves as it slapped at my power in its desire to get to the human.
“No,” I said, quietly but in the same tone I used when the pups just wouldn’t give up. “Outside. Now. Stay there, please.” I shoved my startled mate toward the door and turned to the human. “You’re lucky I don’t press charges. That’s assault. And shifters aren’t going to stay on the sidelines forever—you’ll have to get used to us at some point.”
He stared at my belly, unmistakable with the wet cloth clinging to its rounded lines. “What the hell are you?” he asked in horror. His wife clutched at him, her eyes like saucers.
“Omega,” I said firmly. “Keep your eyes open. You’ll be seeing me around.” Guess Iwasgoing to be Abel’s salesman. I walked firmly toward the door, catching Abel as I went. His hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists and he glared at the human, then wrapped his arm around my shoulders to lead me to the elevator.
Dale followed us out into the lobby. “I’m so sorry for that,” he panted as he ran up to us.
Abel was still tangled up in the mess our respective powers were becoming, so I answered. “Thank you, but we always kind of expect it. I would have liked to have had the steak though,” I finished wistfully. “The pup is hungry.”
