The Omega's Price

Chapter 23: Mistakes

Click. Click. Click.

The sound of the grandfather clock echoed throughout the hall as Gulf's sobs turned into ragged gasps. Time seemed to move in slow motion as sweat accumulated on his body and he sank to the cold floor hoping to soothe the heat billowing from him. Desire swept him up in waves as his body craved his mate and the slight kicking of his children while they tumbled in his belly caused even more tears to slip down his flushed cheeks. Did Mew not want him anymore? Was he going to have to raise four children on his own without support? His only hope for a family and he blew it! How could he be so stupid?

Gulf dozed fitfully for what seemed like eternity before the hesitant pushing of his shoulders startled him awake.

"Gulf? Gulf are you okay?" the soothing, feminine voice whispered to him as his body jerked in alarm.

"Shh, it's okay Gulf it's just me, Jom."

Gulf's eyes blinked as he struggled to escape from the haunting dreams.

"Jom? Where is Mew?", he asked as his throat constricted, dry and uncomfortable.

Jom's look of pity did not go unnoticed as she coaxed him from the floor and guided him towards the bed, "when he's in a bad mood Gulf, it's best to give him some time alone."

"B-but I need him" Gulf's lips wobbled at the confession and fresh tears glazed his irises.

Jom's eyes softened as she brushed the hair back from his fervid forehead and gave an encouraging smile, "I know svakun" she muttered.

"Do you know where he is? Maybe I can go to him?"

Jom shook her head slowly, "I know firsthand how he is when angry. I promise Gulf, he'll come to you when he is ready. I know that's not what you want to hear, but he asked me to come watch over you. He'll come around."

"I don't want to be alone", Gulf whimpered as he curled in a ball on top of the sheets, arms circling his stomach protectively.

"You won't be alone svakun" Jom reassured as she pulled the blankets up to his chin and laid down on the bed next to him, close enough so he could feel her heat but without encroaching on his personal space.

Soft alpha pheromones drifted in the space similar enough to his mates to calming his racing thoughts. It wasn't the alpha he craved, but his body relaxed enough for the constant ache of arousal to abate in the depths of the night and sleep gently overtook him.

The loud ringing jolted Gulf awake as his hand slapped sleepily at the alarm and he grumbled in annoyance. What was the alarm even for? His eyes creaked open even as he nestled deeper into the sheets, arms returning to their position of being wrapped around his belly. He felt surprisingly well rested for how the night had gone. His mind was clear even though a pit of lust was simmering under the surface, but it was manageable. He pulled the cover back up and dozed before the alarm began to blare once again. Sighing he picked up the phone, he must have pressed snooze earlier instead of shutting it off.

*DOCTORS APPOINTMENT*

Gulf wracked his brain. Oh shit! His doctor's appointment was for four in the afternoon which meant he had slept all day. How had he rested after the night he had? Melancholy hovered over his emotions, but he halted the thoughts before he could fixate on the guilt clenching his stomach.

"Can you please shut that off for the love of god, kosdyr."

Gulf's head whipped around to the side as the voice of his mate had his blood pumping and the manageable lust building to a dull roar. Paaka was back!