Page 3 of Omega’s Oath

Chapter 2

Omega watched Hawk tip his new wife over his head, his lips tipped up at the corners. He was happy for his friends. They’d had the courage to go after what they wanted and now, after all the shit they’d faced, the bounty of life together stretched out before them. His eyes searched the room until he found Rose. She was talking to Mack and Hattie, her head thrown back as she laughed at something Mack said.

Taking a sip of the champagne, he felt the bubbles on his tongue and knew it didn’t hold a candle to the taste of her. Even now, eight months later, he could still remember the sweetness of her skin, the way she felt like silk against his hands. She wore a navy, knee-length dress that was off the shoulder, showcasing her creamy skin and had satin pumps on her feet. He was glad to see they were a lower heel than usual. It wasn’t an overtly sexy dress, but on her it was sensual and, combined with the curves of her pregnancy, the glow of her skin, and the way her long, rich, chestnut-colored hair waved down her back, she looked stunning.

He’d made many mistakes in his life, too many to count, but walking away from Rose all those months ago had been the biggest. She’d been excited when she’d told him she was expecting a baby. He’d been elated that the choice had been forced upon him, making him face the fact he was in love with his friend and colleague, but the blows kept coming. She’d told him he wasn’t the father and the pain had been unbearable.

She’d asked for his friendship though, and if it meant staying in her life, he’d give her that. He’d supported her through her pregnancy and would always be there for her and the baby. A child he wished with all his heart was his, but as she’d assured him, wasn’t. Rose told him she’d given up on love and had used a donor for the child she wanted so much.

Well, she hadn’t so much as told him as the team. As if she’d needed to get it out there to stop the questions and speculation. Rose was the most intelligent person he’d ever met, and she knew there’d be questions, so she’d been brave and got out in front of it.

Omega placed his glass down and walked toward the women, not able to stay too far away from Rose for long. She was like a magnet and he was just a piece of scrap metal pulled toward her gravity. “Can I interest any of you ladies in a dance?”

Omega didn’t usually dance but he wasn’t going to give up the chance to have her in his arms. Hattie and Mack demurred; their excuses lost to his ears as he only had eyes for Rose. She was breathtaking, her hair tucked behind one ear with a clip that shone with crystals of some kind, the long arch of her graceful neck on display. He’d give anything to lay his lips against that pulse and taste her again.

“Fine, let’s dance, but don’t moan when I step on your toes. I can’t even see my feet these days.”

Rose held a delicate hand to him, and he took it, leading her onto the dance floor of the barn before pulling her into his arms. He didn’t have to try to keep a respectful distance between them; her bump did that for them. He loved how it grazed against his abs, the life she nurtured inside her connecting with him as it moved.

Her eyes met his, shining with warmth. “Fee looked absolutely beautiful, didn’t she?”

Omega dipped his head. “She did, but she doesn’t hold a candle to you, Rose. You look breathtaking.” He used the word he’d thought earlier because there really was no other word to describe her tonight. She took his breath away every time he looked at her.

Rose dropped her head, but he saw the small smile curve the corner of her mouth. “Thank you. I feel like a whale but it’s good to know I have mad make-up skills.” Her laugh was free as Omega swayed her in his arms. “You look very handsome, too.” Her fingers swirled through the hair at his collar and he fought the shiver her touch brought.

“I’m relieved Hawk didn’t leave.”

Omega took his cue from her with the change of subject. “Me too. He’s too integral to the team for us to lose him, but I understand why he felt the need to reevaluate his life.”

Rose glanced down at her belly. “Yeah, I do, too. I wonder how it will work when the baby comes.”

Fear at the thought of not seeing her every day rippled through him. He tried not to react with an emotional response. Instead, he twirled her under the fairy lights strung throughout the barn and over the dance floor. Couples pressed close around them, laughter spilling across the air. “You have some time once he comes to decide.”

“True, and I really need my job if I want to give this little guy the life he deserves.”

“He already has the most important thing. The best mommy in the world.”

Rose’s eyes flashed to his and the doubt and worry were clear as day. “Do you think I’ll be a good mom?”

Omega frowned, his jaw tensing. “Are you kidding me? You’ll be an amazing mom. You already are.”

“Thank you for saying that.” Rose’s head dropped before she lifted her hazel eyes to his, the flecks of green bright in the muted light. “I didn’t have the best role model and it worries me.”

It was the first time she’d spoken of her family and Omega hung on her every word as the song moved into the next, the band playing a slow tune, which allowed him to keep her in his arms. “I don’t believe for one second you’ll be anything but wonderful.”

“Thank you, Aide.”

He loved how his name sounded on her lips. She was the only one who called him that and it felt special.

She fought a yawn, covering it with the back of her hand.

Omega chuckled. “I know I’m boring, but seriously?”

Rose laughed. “Sorry, my little bean is draining my energy.”

“Not surprising. You only have what, four weeks to go?” he asked but he knew down to the hour how long until her due date. He’d fucked up once and lost the chance to have her in his life how he wanted; he wasn’t going to lose her friendship too. He’d prove to her she could count on him.

“Yes, four weeks and two days.”