James laughed. “Little giant. I like that nickname.”
Blake chuckled. “Don’t tease the baby in front of Kee and Mase. They will murder you. To be honest, the increase in their level of protectiveness is suffocating me. I can’t even lift a piece of paper without them jumping down my throat and telling me to put it down. And don’t even get me started on the other things that bug me. I can’t go to the toilet on my own because they’re terrified I’ll slip and fall. I’m also not allowed to reach the top part of the pantry because I may topple forward and bump my head or stomach. I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”
James chortled. “Alphas are like that, though. You just have to get used to them.”
“I know, but I’m this close to killing them.” Blake lifted his hand, pointer finger and thumb almost touching.
“As if,” James scoffed, the disbelief apparent in his tone. “You love them so damn much.”
“I do,” Blake admitted. “It doesn’t mean that I don’t think about doing it.”
“Let’s change the subject. When’s your next checkup with the doctor?”
“Saturday. We will have an ultrasound to determine the gender of the baby.”
“First ultrasound?”
“Second, but the first one is used to determine my due date. The baby’s heartbeat was a bit off, but it was loud and strong. The doctor claimed he or she is healthy. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Tony and I are delighted for you.”
“Thank you. Anyway, have you guys talked about adding another mate?”
James nodded. “We’ve just gone on our third date with Alan last night.”
Blake beamed at James. “An omega male?”
“Yeah.”
“How is he? What is he like?”
“A bit shorter than my six-foot height with a slim, athletic build.”
Blake noted the joyful blush on James’s face. “Holy shit! You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”
“I am. So is Tony.”
“What’s the problem then?”
James rubbed his palms together before lacing the fingers, which Blake knew was a sign of his best friend’s nervousness. “What if he doesn’t want us?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Alan is four years older than me, but he’s four years younger than Tony. He was involved with another alpha-beta pairing before he walked away from them. He never divulged any of the details to either Tony or me, but I could tell his previous relationship wasn’t great.”
“A broken bond?”
James shook his head. “They were only dating. I mean, the alpha and beta were mated, but Alan was about to be bonded to them. Something happened, and they broke it off.”
“Oh, I get it now. Alan is wary of you and Tony.”
James bit his lower lip for a second or two. “It’s not obvious, but he would become rather stiff and uncomfortable around Tony and me, especially when we tried to shower him with affection or hug him.”
“As a fellow omega, I can understand him. Omegas are a lot more sensitive. No matter how independent he or she is, there’s no escaping the fact that an omega will always be more vulnerable. An omega isn’t as physically powerful as an alpha or a beta for the most part. An omega is also more in touch with his or her emotions. If you and Tony are certain Alan is the omega for you, the two of you need to be more patient. It will take a while for him to trust you.”
“You don’t seem to be like that with Mase and Kee.”
Blake shrugged. “Everyone’s different.”
James leaned against the back of the chair and sighed. “True. Anyway, do you want more orange juice?”
“Yes, please. Also, can you get me a slice of chocolate cake from the fridge? Cut a large one for me. I’m craving chocolate at the moment. Oh, honey, and some vanilla ice cream, too.”
“Anything else, Your Majesty?”
“That will be it for now, my loyal minion. Now, scoot!”
James bowed at Blake before giving the omega the middle finger. “Right away, Your Majesty.”
Blake yelled at James’s retreating back. “If I were a real, blue-blooded royal, I would chop your head off for your insubordination!”
James turned to him and stuck his tongue out. “Ooh, I’m so scared.”
“Fuck you, James.”
“No, thanks,” James shouted back while heading toward the kitchen. “Your alphas would cut my dick and balls off with a blunt knife if I even dared to lay a finger on you.”
He snickered in amusement. “I can’t deny that.”
A few minutes later, James returned to the table in the backyard, carrying everything Blake had requested. He offered to share some of the food with James, but his best friend refused.
“I’m terrified of standing in the way of a pregnant omega male and his cravings.”
“Good call. Will it disgust you if I mash the chocolate cake into the ice cream and pour honey all over the mixture?”
James appeared queasy at the image, but shook his head. “Go ahead.”
Blake beamed at his best friend and proceeded to combine everything. Then he lifted the bowl of blended ice cream, cake, and honey and slurped it down in less than a minute. He put the bowl down and leaned against the chair before patting his stomach lightly.
“I’m full.”
“You should be. You just ate enough for two or even three alphas.”
He narrowed his eyes at James. “Is there a hidden implication behind your second statement?”
James put up both hands. “Of course not.”
He glared at James for a few seconds longer before glancing down at his protruding stomach and smiled. He was content and ecstatic. This would be his first child with Kian and Mason, and he hoped to have two or maybe three more. That would be a dream come true. Blake was certain
