Page 56 of Galaxy Between Us

“Is it wise to open an Omega department knowing that all of you will need to go on leave every time you…y’know, do as nature intended?”

Laughter and murmurs erupt and I swallow nausea. Her chubby cheeks and floral blouse fooled me. That wasn’t a very nice question at all. I open my mouth to answer, but Knox leans forward and snatches the arm of the mic.

“No personal questions for Arius. Let’s remain professional, and not be derogatory to an Omega’s basic anatomy,” he scolds her swiftly, being the bigger person.

The crowd hushes, and she sits back down with embarrassment as she now looks like the immature fool.

“Next question, please,” I mutter softly into the mic, wishing I had the grit to bark out orders like Knox. Nothing makes me hornier than the way he runs his business meetings with his commanding, no nonsense presence.

“Alphas and Omegas in the same setting are going to be a bad mix, as you’ve already proved,” another Alpha with a suave demeanor speaks up without being called on.

The laughter picks up again as everyone remembers the elevator incident that we thought we buried. I try my damned hardest not to cry. My fists clench on the podium as I take deep breaths through my nose.

“That wasn’t a question,” I manage the words, earning my own set of “Ooo’s” in the room for talking back to an Alpha.

“If I should be so crass, what’s the procedure when Omegas start going into heat and bonding with our most important Alphas?” he bites back.

Murmurs of agreement pick up. Knox tugs at my elbow, but my pregnancy irritation kicks in and I brush him off. I’ve fucking got this. This is my time to be heard. If these are their honest questions, then I’ll give them the damn answers.

“Exactly as nature intended,” I respond boldly, hushing the crowd. “Get mated, have a baby, and then get right back to work carrying Comet XI to the top. It has always been me and Knox’s dream to come here and study the universe. Together. Alpha or Omega, our son or daughter will work here right beside us someday because we want them to achieve anything they set their mind to regardless of oppressive doubters.”

I can see Gomez turn pale as a ghost on the edge of the crowd. From one headline right into the next. Uproar ensues as Knox ushers me off the stage, proud of me, but worried for my safety now that an angry crowd is shouting at us.

Chapter XXIV

As I ease into conversation with my father across the dinner table, Ari gets up to help my mom grab the final dishes.

“Oh, honey, you don’t need to do that. You stay right where you are,” Mom stops him, setting a hot bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. “It’s not good for Omegas to be…running around while pregnant.”

That’s the second jab tonight. My parents don’t like that Ari is choosing to work through his pregnancy. Half of the media doesn’t like it either. They think he’s harming the baby by simply walking around and sitting in meetings all day at Comet XI. Do they think he’s doing jumping jacks and front flips or something?

The most exercise he gets is when we have sex. Even then, he just kind of lies there, too swollen to move. I’m the one who gets a workout.

“Actually, Dr. Raul said he needs more exercise,” I grin at my mate, pinching his chubby cheeks. “Pacing the executive hallways isn’t cutting it.”

“Well, I’m sure he has his work cut out for him assembling a nursery at your house,” Mom takes her seat, eyeing us with a hint of a question in her words.

“We’ve both been working on it in our free time. It’s coming together nicely,” Ari responds as I glare at my mother. I thought when they invited us to dinner, it was because they approved of us finally sealing the deal. Who knew an Alpha and an Omega getting happily mated would become everyone else’s worst nightmare?

“I’m surprised Knox has any time to be involved with that,” my dad snorts. “Just wait until he installs a shelf too high for you to reach. Then you won’t want him in there, right Hun?” he nudges Mom who chuckles at the memories.

Neither Ari nor I join their forced humor. We let their degrading chuckles fall to an awkward silence. Under the table, I reach for my mate's thigh only to clash hands with his reaching for mine. It’s a challenge not to smile wide as we intertwine our fingers.

“We’re exactly where we’ve always dreamed of being and that’s all that matters,” I remind my parents while gazing deeply into Ari’s eyes.

Finally understanding that we’re not following anyone’s lifestyle other than our own, they concede and focus on the food. Dad eases into small talk about some house renovations he has planned. I can tell the baby is giving Ari hell when he settles his fork and remains politely quiet. Rubbing his back while Dad talks my ear off, I try to tell him through our bond that he doesn’t need to suffer in silence.

He doubles down, picking up his utensils to try and clear his plate.

“You feeling alright?” I pat his back with worry, making him pause with the fork raised.

“Of course! The food is wonderful by the way. I’ve always appreciated meals here when I was a kid.” He smiles kindly at my mom.

Mom beams, but I can see the sweat dripping across Ari’s forehead.

“Come with me for a minute,” I demand, unable to keep an edge of dominance out of my voice.

Sensing my agitation, my parents don’t intervene as we excuse ourselves and I guide Ari upstairs.