Calder’s inner alpha lit up at Zinn’s brave words. He didn’t know if he could erase the omega’s bad memories, but he vowed to do everything in his power to make new, better ones.
That was why he’d rented this small house for the month. Sure, it was extravagant considering they’d only need it for less than a week, but the thought of being with Zinn in a heat services hotel did not sit right with him. He also didn’t want to have Zinn in his home, so close to the bakery and potentially in earshot of Jordie and Ked.
Lolo would take over Calder’s duties at Felton’s so he could stay with Zinn for his entire heat, uninterrupted. Lolo had also agreed to stay at the house to monitor the boys.
Calder put fresh sheets on the bed and laid towels in strategic locations around the living room. He’d bought bubble bath and soothing oils for the bathroom and packed the fridge with fresh fruit and sandwich fixings. Most omegas weren’t particularly hungry during the first few days of heat, but by the third day, Zinn would be ravenous.
Especially if Calder bred him.
Calder seized the kitchen counter as he thought about the part of this there was no way to plan for.
He’d kept busy renting this house, buying supplies, and talking through logistics with Zinn. He wanted to give the omega as much pleasure as possible.
But he hadn’t let himself dwell on what would happen after.
He knew they’d be okay in terms of work and not letting this affect their relationship.
The bakery staff would not make an issue of it. Although he and Zinn hadn’t broadcast their intentions to the crew, Calder was confident they would figure it out. But he trusted everyone to be discreet and respectful.
He also accepted that Zinn might never develop an interest in pursuing something romantic between them after this heat.
Ultimately, no matter what, their friendship would be fine.
Work would be fine.
The part ofwhat happened afterhe couldn’t wrap his head around was what he’d do if he gave Zinn a baby. He’d already signed the agreement, and he wouldn’t go back on his word. But how would he ever live with that decision? His temperature rose at the thought of Zinn round with his child, his seed taking root in that gorgeous body. He would want that child. He did want that child. A low growl formed in his chest thinking about it. How could he walk away?
A knock at the door shook him from his reverie. Jordie and Ked walked in.
Calder had texted his children asking them to meet him at the little house. It was a rare afternoon when Jordie wasn’t scheduled at the pizzeria and Ked had no afterschool activities.
As betas, the boys didn’t have the same biological instincts as the other genders, but they’d received alpha/omega sexual education in school and understood Zinn’s dilemma. Calder had worried they might have strong reactions when he told them his plan to service Zinn’s heat, but their answering “okays” had been the verbal equivalent of shrugs.
It had been a few days since that talk, and Calder wanted to check in now that they’d had more time to think things over.
Since Denni passed away eight years ago, they had been a cozy family of three. Jordie and Ked never expressed feelings about Calder being with another omega because it hadn’t been an issue. Calder had never dated anyone seriously and had kept his casual encounters away from his sons. Those were rare events, anyway, only enough to keep him from going crazy. He’d never come close to investing his heart.
Jordie stood and glanced around the compact living room, crossing one arm over his chest to hold his elbow. Ked was moreanimated, making a lap through the house before stopping to examine the contents of the fridge and cabinets.
“Cookies and brownies? Don’t you get enough of that at work?”
“Omegas can be very particular about what they like to eat during their heats. I just want to cover all the bases.”
Jordie dropped his arm. “It’s a good thing you’re doing this, Papa. For Zinn. It’s really, really super-duper weird. But it’s good.” He looked at Ked before continuing, “We’re just confused why you asked us to come here and…see this place. It’s not like we want to have a clearer visual of what’s about to happen between you two.”
“Yeah, hard pass on the specifics,” Ked added.
Calder snorted. “I’m glad you approve… And I’m serious about that. It means a lot to me that you’re old enough to understand what’s going on, and also that you haven’t made this difficult. Just the opposite, in fact.”
Ked rolled his eyes. “Why would we make things difficult? We love Zinn. We wouldn’t want to risk him having to be with some asshole alpha during his heat.”
“Watch your language, son.”
“Sorry. But it must suck being an omega and having to deal with all this.”
Calder nodded. “None of this has been easy for Zinn. Heats are difficult for omegas in a lot of ways.”
“That’s why we’re glad you can help, Papa,” Jordie said. “But I still don’t understand why Ked and I had to come here.”
