The Forbidden Omega

Chapter five: A Simple Pie

I place the latest batch of chocolate chunk cookies on the tray, sliding the dark brown circles onto the wax paper in the cabinet. It's another rainy day in Coventry, the downpour having gone on for three days continuous as the end of summer draws near.

My wolf still lies close to death, I am barely even aware of his presence now, just the faint glimmer of a memory of my four paws and rich auburn fur. I don't doubt I've lost my shift already, just a week from my mate's rejection of me. He hadn't bothered to drop by, not even giving me a passing thought, if I was brutally honest. Soren wouldn't love me in this pitiable state. I've lost two pounds as I barely could find the enthusiasm to eat.

Even as I half heartedly chew on a cranberry almond breakfast biscuit, I gaze out the storm darkened windows. Even a glimpse of my mate, a whiff of his perfect scent could save me. A single hint that he might care. Even as something less than a mate. Maybe just as a friend. A good friend.

I'd settle for even a simple distant acquaintance. Just a once weekly drop in customer, stopping by for a nibble and a chat. Anything to save my dying wolf.

Imagine my relief as I catch the self same whiff of Soren's unique scent, blown my way by the low heater in front of the front door. I feel my wolf rally his strength, wearily getting to his feet as his life returns. Soren has no idea how important he was, to me and to my wolf, essential for our survival. He smiles vaguely at me, as I remove my oven mitts. I can't see any visible marks, though I wouldn't trust Jason as far as I could throw him. Which is decently far, but that is of no major consequence.

"Hello, Soren," I say, as he pulls down his hood, his wonderful scent only intensified by the dampness of his skin. I take deep, almost gasping breaths, drinking in his aroma. His lavender and hibiscus fragrance douses my body in the hormones my body has stopped fully producing. In acceptance of my mate, my glands slowed down on the necessary chemical productions that keep my wolf alive. My body's delicate balance has been upended by this whirlwind of emotions. Mind affects body, body affects mind.

"Hi…" Soren's enthralling blush once more blooms on his cheeks, and I find myself mesmerized by the pattern of freckles dotting his cheeks beneath the rosy flush. "Can I…" The abominable hesitancy has returned full force in my omega, as he struggles to ask for what he wants, trepidation underlying his floral scent. "Umm, can I… Can I have a slice of pie? The blueberry one?"

His eyes flick up to mine as his pink tongue flicks out and swipes across his lower lip. He looks away, my wolf kerning at the brief connection. I lean forward, a smile forming on my face of its own accord. I can't help but smile around him, the mere proximity of my mate giving my brain a mild serotonin boost, my mood lifting by his closeness.

"Sure thing, Soren," I murmur, "Anything for you." I truly mean it, I would give my life for this man, any task from him the most important job in the world. His happiness is now my priority, my instincts rerouting to drive me towards him. I exist now solely for Soren's happiness.

"How much?" He asks, pulling a small leather wallet from his bag, and looking through its meager contents. He glances up, mischievousness dancing in his silver grey eyes. I long to wake up to those eyes, be the first thing they see in the morning, and the last thing before bed.

"It's two-forty per slice," I tell him, cutting off a large chunk of the blueberry crumble Soren's eyes are drawn to like magnets. "You can eat it here or to go…"

"Here." Soren licks his lips, his scent revealing his hunger, his desperate craving for the sweet treat. "Gods, it's *beautiful."* He almost drools as I plate it up, accepting the fiver he hands out and quickly making change. He seemed to be starving for the sugary confection, shoving the cash back into his bag, and scooping up the plate to hurry to the cafe tables.

I smirk, hearing his startled gasp of pleasure as he takes the first bite. He almost moans as he chews the crumbly pie, and I pause in cleaning the fingerprints from the glass top of the counter. He's sitting in the same seat as last week, an expression of utmost joy on his face as he slowly devours my baking.

"Do you like it?" I ask, my voice shaking with laughter. He seems so gone, in a world of pure bliss, only nodding in response to my query. He was *adorable.*

"Best thing I've eaten all week," he admits around the food in his mouth as I sit down across from him.

His brilliant smile and relaxed scent give me a sense of calm. He's alright, I sense. He's unharmed at the very least. It's the very least I can think of asking for in this situation, but not as good as I would like.

But at least he's not been hurt. Recently.

"You know, Jason doesn't really approve of sweets," Soren tells me, his guard completely down, as he eats. "He says they can cause miscarriages." He shrugs, his fork resting on the half empty plate.

I pause, sweeping the crumbs on the table into a neat pile. "An extreme, regular consumption of sugar can lead to complications," I mutter, forcing the words out as I consider the implications of worrying over a miscarriage. "But just an occasional treat is harmless." I swallow, A cold pit of dread sinking into the bottom of my stomach. "And… and are you carrying his litter?" I ask with numb lips.

"No," Soren murmurs, poking at the jellied blueberry compote, his eyes downcast. "Not yet, at any rate."

***Not yet**. * The phrase that had once been a rallying cry for my inner wolf was now his death knell. The moment Jason plants his despicable seed in my omega is the moment I will lose him forever.

Not ***yet.* **