Page 23 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

Sascha smiled. “I think so too. Isn’t it strange how you can barely know someone, but because you’re fated mates, you can sense things about them you can’t in other shifters?” Sascha’s skin reddened. “I’m not trying to throw that in your face. Sorry. If it means anything, it’s sort of the same with you.”

“What do you mean, the same?” Cam’s heart thumped so hard he was sure Sascha could hear it.

“I don’t want to sound goofy, but I can sense your goodness as well. I can tell how trustworthy and loyal you are. That you’re very kind.”

It was Cam’s turn to flush. “I don’t think that’s goofy. I get the same feeling about you.”

He was playing with fire, but he couldn’t help it. And anyway, Sascha started it, so it was only fair he reciprocate.

Yeah. Keep telling yourself that, buddy.

There it was. He’d opened his big mouth and now he didn’t know how to fix the big mess he’d just made. There wasn’t the slightest chance in hell he’d be able to live with Sascha, Brandon and the baby without revealing his awful secret.

Sascha took a big bite of his pizza, and through a mouthful of food said, “Why don’t you grab your coffee and join me. Then we can go play Doom in the family room.”

Family room.

Yup. He was screwed.

* * * *

“Did Asha give you a sense of when the baby might arrive?”

Brandon glanced sideways at Nic as he steered them off the main highway. They’d just passed the mile marker that indicated where the unmaintained road was that led to the location of the Yukon Delta Pack. The surly Deltas had always done things their way, gone against what was practical. Something as small as refusing to pave the road to their pack was, in hindsight, a foreshadowing of the pack’s deterioration.

“She said the baby was slightly underweight, but not dangerously so. It’s healthy, and thankfully, so is Sascha—but it still made things difficult to pinpoint. She’s guessing it’ll be a couple more months.”

“Are you prepared to be a father?”

The truck jerked as Brandon’s foot slipped. “Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “Why are you assuming I’m going to be a father to the baby?”

Nic chuckled. “Did I miss something? I thought Sascha was your fated mate.”

Apparently, he was going to have to out himself to everyone sooner rather than later. His and Sascha’s connection must be way too obvious.

“He is. I didn’t realize anyone could tell.”

“Oh man. Sorry. I thought you were happy about finding him. Not that it’s my business, but if it’s because of the baby, just give it some time.”

Brandon groaned. “No, it’s not the baby. That’s what he’d thought too. Look, Sascha is wonderful and I’m a lucky man. But as I explained to him, no one knows I’m gay. Not that I care about that anymore, however, I’m embarrassed to say it made me hesitant at first. I’m going to fix my mistake and come out to the council and my pack.”

“Hey, that’s a personal thing and it’s different for everyone. But I don’t think it’s necessary if you don’t want to do it.”

For the past few days, it seemed like there was a startling revelation every time he took a breath.

“How come?”

“Well, I always assumed you’re gay. And on occasion there’s been talk about whether you’d ever find your mate and if you were going to give the pack over to one of your sisters.” Nic snorted. “Of course, everyone thought only females could get pregnant at the time.”

“Wow.” Brandon wasn’t sure what to say. “All these years, huh? Talk about clueless.” He shook his head, mentally chastising himself. “In that case, I’ll just go ahead and announce that Sascha’s my omega and that we’re about to become proud parents.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Nic said softly. “You deserve finding someone after so long. And it sounds as though the baby not being yours isn’t an issue. Forgive me, I know I shouldn’t stick my snout in where it doesn’t belong, but I’ve been concerned. It was shocking when I discovered I was fated to be with a human, and of course, that he could get pregnant. So I get it.”

Brandon smirked. “Trust me. Everyone was shocked by that.”

They shared an easy laugh. As Brandon approached the main gate of the Deltas, he was reminded again of how separate they’d kept themselves how the pack was so different from all the others. The imposing, wood and stone entrance telegraphed to anyone who might travel down that road that they weren’t to pass through. Brandon took in the surroundings as he slowed the truck. The multitude of ‘No Trespassing’ and ‘Beware’ signs got the point across as well.

“Not very subtle, are they?” Nic pointed to the sign below the latch of the double gates that said in big red letters: ‘Go away, you’re not welcome here!’.