Page 61 of Galaxy Between Us

“No problem.”

Leaving him to his work, I walk around the room, overseeing the trainers and operators.

Maybe it was just a part of a dream. Or my own brain reminding me to get up but using my mate’s voice for some reason. The mind is a mysterious place.

Chapter XXVI

As soon as I pulled out a chair at the meeting table, I’ve had an odd sensation tingling throughout my body. Something familiar, yet brand new. Something that tells me I’ve done this already, but I haven’t. I’ve never met Alpha Dan and his Alpha mate Kelly. They’re both new board members who have climbed some impressive roles within the company as quickly as I did.

But I can’t shake the distracting sensation in my veins throughout our meeting regarding the upcoming changes within certain departments at Comet XI.

“So as we shift away from the old StarPoint software, we’re trying to invest in a new and improved application that utilizes three-dimensional rendering which will help us mitigate all the wasteful materials and open up space for testing beta equipment,” Kelly explains, pointing to data projected on a screen.

It really is an impressive plan they’ve laid out before me, and I agree with their projections. Cutting back on physical equipment to use three-D models is a cost-efficient upgrade.

“And if I can add on to that,” Dan interjects, “Phasing out these smaller, entry-level departments will open the job market to some of the most highly skilled Alphas in search of working in these fields. It’s a short-term loss for long-term intellectual growth for Comet XI.”

My mind drifts in and out of their presentation. Most of it is information that has already been discussed over the phone. My colleagues are already aware of Dan and Kelly’s innovation skills, and it all checks out so far. I see no reason to turn down their plans to implement these minor changes for the benefit of the company.

As they slide some paperwork in front of me, smiling wide since they already know they’ve got my signature, the weird sensation within me intensifies. I cough to clear my throat and reach for a glass of water on the table. My other colleagues mutter amongst themselves, asking Dan and Kelly questions while signing the plan into place for the next fiscal year.

I wonder if something is wrong with Ari? Is that why I feel this odd sense of dread?

While pretending to read through the paperwork, I focus on my bond to him. He still has a pulse, so does our daughter. He’s somewhere upstairs, though. Not on the lower level with the onboarding crew. Is he looking for me?

Concentrating harder, I get a strong whiff of pineapple juice, and suddenly I can see the picture as clear as day. The corner of my mouth lifts as I imagine it. He had a craving and sourced out the juice I left for him in my office. I can see it perfectly.

The weight of his belly making him sweat. His sense of relief when he walks into my office and sees the cold drink. Taking a seat to rest for a minute after realizing just how tired he is from walking around all day. I can imagine him falling asleep, and I think I can even feel through our bond his slow and steady pulse, but I know he’s got important work to do right now.

Baby, wake up, I think to myself before pushing away my daydreaming about my mate and resuming my paperwork.

I sign the deal for Dan and Kelly to go through with their changes. They’re a smart couple and have a keen sense of detail. By the time the day is over, I’m ready to go home and vent about it with Arius. I’m curious to know how his day went, too.

After a shower and one last business phone call, I meet him in the nursery of our home. Wearing one of my shirts because none of his fit, he’s standing indecisively, staring at the wall in deep thought. My arm wraps around his waist and I kiss the top of his head.

“Which color should the walls be?” he holds out a few small cards with different shades of purples and greens.

Familiarity rocks through me with a prickling sensation up my arms. With ease, I pick the lilac purple shade.

“This one.”

Arius blinks at my selection.

“Yeah, but… What about the other ones? You can’t just pick a random one, Knox, I want an honest answer.”

“It is my honest answer.” I stare at the card, slowly remembering where I’ve seen this color.

“You don’t think a pastel green would be more fitting? I like the purple, too, but I was also thinking of painting some animals and stuff so green seemed like it would represent grass?”

I see the vision, but I know it’s not what either of us wants. And I know he doesn’t have time for painting extra stuff like animals when he looks like he’s about to burst any second now.

“I think I had a dream where you were painting the wall purple,” I tell him. “Seemed pretty happy about it, too.”

Arius looks up at me with deep assessment, opening his mouth but closing it again as if searching for words.

“I had a weird dream about you, too, today,” he whispers. “Don’t you feel like our bond is stronger than most couples’?”

“Of course it is,” I wrap my arms around him from behind, resting my hands on his baby bump, “We’ve known each other since forever, and no one could ever love their Omega as much as I love mine.”