Page 52 of The Reluctant Alpha

But I knew I’d be crap at it. I’d always wanted to be a teacher but look how that had turned out. I always managed to screw things up.

"It means different things to different people," Emery said. "For me, it was about finding a balance—accepting my instincts without letting them define me."

"What instincts? I don't feel any different."

Emery smiled. "Give it time. You might notice subtle changes—heightened protective feelings toward pack cubs, increased awareness of pack dynamics, maybe even a stronger sense of smell or hearing."

"Great," I muttered. "So, I'm turning into a superhero. Do I get a cape?"

"The sarcasm means you're feeling better," Emery observed dryly. He hesitated. “And there’s the other obvious thing.”

I gazed at the ceiling for inspiration and groaned. “What other thing?”

“If you’re exactly like me.”

I met his uncomfortable gaze. “What do you mean, ‘exactly?’”

The back door opened before I could respond, and Bayer stepped in, his massive frame filling the doorway. My body reacted instantly—heart racing, skin warming, a pull deep in my belly that had nothing to do with the fading heat and everything to do with the bond we now shared. I felt both annoyed and comforted by his presence, which was confusing as hell. Tia let out a squeak as Em bounced her, and I smiled. She was really cute.

And then it hit me.

I jumped off the stool so fast it toppled over. “No,” I shook my head quite violently. “No, no, no. Absolutely not.”

“Well, we don’t know…” But Em didn’t sound convinced.

“No!” I shrieked again. “I don’t do throwing up. You know that, Em. We always split the accidents at school. I can do blood and pee. You do vomit.” I almost gagged at the word. “And swollen ankles,” I continued without stopping for breath. “And I’m little,” I continued desperately, not drawing breath. Have you seen Bayer? I haven’t got room down there for a Care Bear, never mind a mini-Sasquatch.”

“Danny, calm down,” Emery said soothingly.

“Who in the history of forever calms down when they’re told to?” I demanded. “No. I’m going home.” I tried to take a gulp of air, and nothing happened. “Pretty sure Minton Elementary isn’t going to give me maternity leave.” I tried to gasp in air again, but nothing happened. “I can’t, Em. I can’t.”

“Danny?” I recognized the voice, but by then my world was blurring around the edges, and I did something I’d never done before in my life—I passed out.

Bayer

“Danny,” I cried, reaching him just in time to stop him from cracking his head on the floor and scooping him up.

“I’m sorry, he panicked,” Emery said, handing off Tia to a startled Phoenix, who’d come in behind me. “Get Esther,” he instructed his mate, and followed me to my rooms. I wanted Danny with me. Em jogged in front and opened the door to my mini suite, and I went right to the bedroom. Em pulled the comforter down, and I sat. I wasn’t quite ready to let him go yet. “Baby,” I murmured, cupping his white cheek. I glanced at Em. “What happened?”

Emery ran a hand through his hair, looking guilty. "We were talking about what being an omega means, and he...well, he realized he might be able to get pregnant. Like me."

I blinked, momentarily stunned. The possibility had never occurred to me during Danny's heat, but it should have. "And that's what caused this?"

“He got overwhelmed," Emery said, perching on the edge of the bed. "The bond, having to live here, potentially losing his job...he’s worried about his mom. It all hit him at once."

I looked down at Danny's pale face, his chest rising and falling steadily now. "I never wanted this for him," I admitted quietly. "Not like this. Not without choice."

"He chose you," Emery said gently. "Maybe not the timing or the circumstances, but he chose you, Bayer."

Emery sat next to me. “You’re both so alike it’s ridiculous.”

A soft knock interrupted us, and Esther entered with what looked like a knitting bag, but I knew it held all sorts of concoctions. Emery stood, and she moved to Danny's side, checking his pulse and pupils.

"He just fainted," she said after a moment. "His blood pressure dropped suddenly. He'll be fine when he wakes up, though he might feel a bit dizzy."

"Is he..." I hesitated, unsure how to ask.

Esther met my eyes, understanding my unspoken question. "It's too early to tell if the heat resulted in conception. We'll need to wait a few more days for that, and as his alpha, you would know first."