Page 73 of Knot Your Pawn

Vera’s belly bump seems to be extra pronounced in the dress too. Every time I see it, I want to touch her, hold her, marvel at how her body is changing to accommodate the life growing inside her. I now totally understand what people mean when they say that seeing their partner pregnant turns them on even more than before.

I awkwardly pull on my suit jacket, trying to straighten it out as much as possible. I’m not showing as much as Vera yet, mostly because I’ve got stronger abs and male Omegas tend to show less than female Omegas anyway. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.

Eli also didn’t show much with his first, but did start to show earlier and more with his later pregnancies.

The tailor dropped off a couple of new ‘pregnancy’ suits earlier this week, as the first ones he’d made started to become uncomfortable in the chest and belly areas. The old ones still mostly looked like what I wore before, just lightly modified around the waist area, but the new suits have been adjusted much more and are no longer the ‘slim fit’ that I’m used to.

Today is the first time I’m wearing one of the new suits, and, comfort wise, it’s so much better. I can finally breathe and sit again without things getting tight or worrying that I’m going to pop a button or a seam.

But emotionally, it’s been rougher.

I like seeing my belly grow, watching how my body is changing as the pregnancy progresses, real evidence that I’ve got new life growing inside me.

But when I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror or a reflective window —especially when I’m wearing suits— I can’t help but feel uncomfortable at how ‘Omega’ I look, how my status as an Omega is becoming more obvious by the day.

And, after having lived as an Alpha for a decade, specifically because I don’t look like an Omega, and the advantages that has brought me with the organisation and with getting hired for jobs, it’s hard not to have complicated feeling about it.

And I can no longer use the excuse that ‘I’ve gained a little weight after finding my Omega and establishing my pack’.

By now, it’s very clear that the way my body is changing is because I’m pregnant and not because of a little weight gain from other reasons.

“Derrick is waiting in front of the hospital. What are the plans?” Caleb stands up from the couch, where he was discussing something with Riley, the two Alphas deep in conversation.

“Lunch! I want to go back to the place we went to after our first appointment. I want to have a lake picnic.” Vera pulls Luca along, who’s looking intently at his phone, not even trying to resist the short Omega as she drags him around.

Then he looks up. “I can order two baskets with snacks and some drinks through their online form. They should be ready by the time we arrive.”

“Fine with me.” I go over to them. “What are our options?”

The first time we were at the cafe, having a picnic by the lake seemed like a fun idea, but we’ve not been back yet. The early October weather is nice and warm, so this would be a great way to celebrate today’s good news.

Because it’s still early in the day, there aren’t many people at the cafe, which allows me to relax at least a little. Last time, Jorge rented out the whole place for us. But this time, we’re just normal guests, and that feels a lot less awkward.

“Have you tried one of these yet?” Riley holds out a plate with sandwich bites, though there are only two pieces left. “Before Vera devours them all.” She grins as she looks over to our cute little Omega, who sends the tall Alpha a pretend-glare.

“They’re really good. I’m going to try to make them myself at home. And to do that, I have to try as many of them as possible, you know?” She leans back on her hands as she looks over the lake, her eyes softening, her voice light. “And I’m growing a brand new life inside of me, I need to eat enough. The doctor said so too.”

“Sure, sure.” I pop one of the sandwich bites into my mouth and I immediately understand why Vera likes them so much.

The balance of the flavours is great. The cheese works well with the dressing and the cucumber and other greens.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. These would be great to have on the side when we’ve got a barbecue.”

“Right?!” Vera scoots over and snatches the last bite from the plate, before leaning against my shoulder, letting her honey pheromones flow around us.

“I should have ordered two of that basket instead of two different ones.” Luca laughs as he bites into a berry tart, relaxed. The filling drips out and falls on his chin.

Without thinking, I reach out, run my thumb over his chin to wipe it off, and then suck the sweet berry compote from my thumb.

Luca’s eyes darken with lust, just like his caramel pheromones, as his eyes are fixed on my lips. Next to me, Vera’s pheromones flare too.

Crap. Not the right time…

Trying to divert their attention, I glance into the second basket and shake my head. “I don’t think so.”

While Vera has been making her way through the one with sandwich bites, veggies and dip, the ‘light lunch’ basket, Jorge, Caleb and Riley have finished off most of the other basket, which was more meat and cheese focused, more of a heavier ‘end of the day’ basket.

“I don’t think I’ve tried anything in here that wasn’t amazing.” Caleb looks inside a basket, before pulling out a bottle of fresh apple juice. “We should definitely come here more often.”