“I already have my most important things.”
“Good, good. We can get everything else you need; let me be the one to buy them for you.” Hades gave him a sharp smile.
Aaren bobbed his head. “Okay.”
“Tell me if you have any cravings, okay? Or any symptoms that I can help with. This is my fault too. I want to help.”
More nodding. How many other alphas would even offer this much, when their omega was pregnant?
Aaren wriggled his fingers under Hades’, staring at his belly.Am I keeping the baby?
Suddenly, he realized that this wasn’t just any baby. It wasHades’.And Hades had not looked at Aaren’s belly with anything like revulsion.
In fact, Hades kept touching Aaren’s belly like he couldn’t take his eyes away from it.
Hades wanted the baby.
And so Aaren had to keep it.
“Think about this carefully,” Hades said firmly; it was clear that he wasn’t trying to pressure Aaren into a decision, one way or another.
Aaren looked up at him, his throat tight. “I’m—I’m keeping it.”
Hades’ eyes grew round. It was possibly the most surprised he’d ever seen his alpha.
“Y-You are?” Hades said breathlessly, leaning closer.
Aaren nodded. Of all the different choices he could make, this was the path that lit up the most brightly. “I’m still scared, though.”
“Same here. We’ll be in this together,” Hades promised, squeezing Aaren’s hands.
“I trust you,” Aaren said.
Something must’ve shownon his face when he walked into the Wine Shack.
“Aaren?” Olson squinted at him.
“Yes?” Aaren tried to look innocent.
Olson came out from behind the bar, putting his hands on Aaren’s shoulders. He peered at Aaren’s face. Then he sniffed, and his eyes widened. Olson cycled through a few expressions then: Shock, exasperation, maybe a hint of anger. “Did Hades do anything to you, that you didn’t want him to?”
Aaren shook his head. “He’s fine. We, um.”
Olson relaxed slightly. “You know, right?”
About the pregnancy,Olson didn’t say aloud.
Aaren’s heart kicked. “Yeah.”
At that, Olson sighed. “Gods, what am I going to do with all of you? Meeting alphas and having babies.”
“So did you,” Aaren pointed out helpfully.
Olson laughed. “So did I.” Then he focused his laser-sharp gaze on Aaren. “How are you feeling?”
“It’s kind of unreal,” Aaren whispered. “Like maybe I’ve got an alien baby growing inside me, but it’s Hades’.”
His boss snorted. “And your... to-be ex? What are you going to do about him?”
