Chapter 68

"You're all I think about every moment of the day, night, and even my dreams. All I can focus on is how much longer it will be until a see you. I keep racking my brain for how I can gain your trust, express my feelings, and prove that I am different from the jerk you knew before."

I sighed, "you're just allowing the effects of our destined partnership take over yourself."

He shook his head, "I thought that too but it's not just that. I really love you and only you."

I looked out the window as he seemed to rack his brain on how to get my attention again. I began feeling pity towards his desperation, "you seem more put together than in the past. You've definitely grown up."

Jayden parked his car as we reached our destination and I met him at the front of the car. He quickly took my hand and a confident smile came across his face. He led me into a lavish restaurant and walked through a giant waiting area full of people. Jayden went straight to the hostess, who blushed.

"Mr. Peters!" She gasped and quickly grabbed some items.

Jayden put his hand up, "no need for those. Is our table ready?"

She was quick to go around her stand and lead us into the main room. Men and women turned as they felt his presence near them and looked to me with shock. We went to the very far side of the room in an area that was partly closed off.

The round table was encompassed with a booth-like bench, but an elegant version. There was a deep purple curtain partially closed, separating the space from everyone else. Jayden led me by his hand to sit in the booth before he turned to the woman.

"Have Ivan send out the Chateau De Fleur I discussed with him along with two of my usual orders. We won't need anything else."

She quickly nodded before smiling and turning away. Jayden pulled the curtain shut and I was surprised how much of the noisy restaurant was drowned out. He smiled towards me before sitting in the booth. He kept a short distance from me but stared at the space between us.

"You alright?"

He looked up to my face before looking away and pulling his fingers through his hair, "it's taking everything I have not to be directly next to you. I don't want to scare you or move too fast, but I'm struggling."

I smirked, "can you promise to not attack me?"

He looked to me with surprise, "yes."

I chuckled before scooting over so that we were directly next to each other. He tensed as I knew he was fighting to keep his hands off me. I could feel his pheromones beginning to rise.

"I will move closer if you will keep your pheromones under check."

His eyes turned to lovesick desperation as his pheromones died down. I smiled to him before turning away and leaning my body into his chest. He shuddered and I felt his body tense again.

"Do I have to spell out everything?" I asked as I looked back to him. "As long as it has no ulterior motives, you can touch me."

His body relaxed as his arms wrapped around my waist and his head lightly rested on top of mine. He took a few deep breaths as he relaxed further and he rested back against the booth.

I pulled the chain and ring out from under my shirt and began slowly turning it in my fingers. "Why did you care?"

"What do you mean?"

I sighed, "why did you care if I missed having that ring? You wanted me to give it to him."

"That ring became a source of courage, right?"

I looked to him in shock before looking back to the ring. How the hell does he know that?

"I noticed you touched it when you were stressed. I wanted to give you back that support but in an even stronger form. I thought about giving you the gems in just a ring to wear on your hand, but thought it might upset you." He gently moved one of his hands onto my left hand that was in my lap. He began exploring it with his fingers and stopped at the base of my ring finger. He caressed it in a circular motion around it with his index finger on the top of my finger and his thumb on the bottom. "I decided to save this spot for my dedication to you."

I turned to him with annoyance, "I told you, marriage is out of the question."

He gave me a sad smile, "I know but I hope to change that. I will do everything I can to prove myself as a father and as a mate."

We were taken out of our little world when someone spoke, "Mr. Peter's, I have your drinks."

"Please, come in."

A young man opened the curtain with a smile to Jayden. He stutter stepped when he saw me leaning up against Jayden in an intimate fashion. "Chef Ivan sends his regards." He stated as he put down two flutes and a bottle of champagne. He uncorked it and began to move toward pouring the drink, but paused when Jayden put up his hand.

"Don't worry about that. Thank you."

The young man bowed slightly before moving out of our secluded space and pulled the curtain shut again.

I watched Jayden pour the two glasses and sighed with annoyance as he handed me one. "I can't drink you dumbass."

He laughed slightly before startling me by kissing the top of my head, "its non-alcoholic." He said with a smirk as I blushed, "how could I forget our child?"

I took the glass and leaned back into him as I fought my face to cool down. He took a drink before wrapping his arms back around me. This time, he held my left hand with his fingers locked within mine. I closed my hand so that our fingers stayed together and leaned more into his body.

"How have you been feeling? Has the morning sickness been coming as often?"

"I've been having less issues with it." I sighed deeply, "but anxiety makes it flare up so next week it will likely get worse."

He cuddled into me further, "everything will work out. And I will be there to support you."

I set down my drink and took the ring in my clenched right hand, "there are so many factors in this that I can't prepare for everything that might happen." I took a deep breath, "almost everyone is going to be in the same space and I can't do anything about it. If anyone realizes who you are before the procedure, Hunter will refuse and will likely die."

"I will think of something. I don't want to ruin your relationship with Hunter." I turned to look at him and saw how serious he was. "I will take care of everything. You just need to focus on your and our daughter's health. I will protect you and the kids from any problems."

I sat up slightly and kissed Jayden gently. He quickly pulled my body fully against his as he kissed me back. I felt overcome with pleasure, but my pheromones were not spiking. I got lost in the moment and stood on my knees so that we could kiss deeply. I moved my tongue around his as he shuddered.

We were interrupted by the same young man's voice again, "may I come in? Your food is ready."

I quickly got off of Jayden and scooted away slightly. He let out a frustrated breath, "come in."

The young boy delivered the food to us before quickly leaving and shutting the curtain. I began eating the variety of foods on my plate as I felt Jayden watching me. "What is it?"

He smiled to me, "sorry, I just can't stop looking at you."

I scoffed, "those lines might work on others, but not me."

"I've never said that before because I've always had no one hold my interest like you do. You're the first."

Wow, even though they hate each other, these idiotic brothers talk alike.

"Honestly, I've never been with one person at a time. No single person could satisfy me, so I played around." He looked back to his plate, "that was until I finally found you after you hid from me long ago. When you dissapeared for good, I tried to be with other people, but no one could interest me at all. It made it so all I did for six years was try to find you." He looked back up to me and locked eyes with me. "I've been dedicated to you for over six years."

"You couldn't get off with anyone else after that. That's what happens with destined partners."

"Its more than that!" He insisted with sadness, "I don't want anyone else. I can't think of anyone or love anyone but you."

I looked away from him, "I can't trust that," I stated as his face turned to despair, "maybe in the future, but not now." I stopped eating and leaned back in the booth. "I have been betrayed by too many of your gender to trust you so quickly. When we first met, you acted just like the ones of my past that destroyed me. I can't help it."

"Are you referring to your family?"

I shook my head, "they were the least of my problems. They just shut me out. They didn't defile me or torture me."

Jayden's face turned painful, "I didn't know it was that bad. I just thought you didn't trust Alphas because of society."

I looked to my lap, "for a long time, it didn't matter what gender a person was. I only trusted Hunter, no one else. I was traumatized by my high school experiences and lost my ability to trust."

"I knew you were close, but I didn't realize how close you and Hunter really are."

I looked to him with sorrow, "he is the only thing that I have loved and trusted since I became an Omega. He was the only one that didn't abandon me and, before the twins were born, the only person I truly loved."

He gave me a slight smile, "then I am honored to be able to save his life. He is truly an amazing person."

"He is an angel and my rock."

Jayden looked to me with pain, "he and Asher?"

I froze with his name. I looked down to my plate, "no. He was the only other person I truly trusted. No one can hold a place like Hunter."

Jayden leaned over and gently touched my arm, "I'm sorry. I'm trying my best not to talk about him."

I gave him an evil smirk, "jealous?"

He gave me a frown but the corner of his mouth was slightly up. He moved next to me in one quick motion, startling me slightly. He caressed my cheek, "insanely."

I chuckled before turning to him and put my hand over his on my cheek, "such an Alpha."

He looked at me with surprise before leaning in and kissing me. I jumped slightly when he hoisted me into his lap but let him continue kissing me. I felt my body begin to ache and wrapped my arms around his neck. He moved his lips to my neck and began kissing me lightly, causing me to tremble.

"Your neck is one of your weak spots," he whispered before lightly biting my neck. I gasped as I felt myself becoming hard.

I quickly moved to the side of his face and licked his ear. He shuddered and I snickered, "and one of yours is your ears."

I was surprised when he kissed me once more before pulling my head into his chest. His heart was racing and his arms held me with care. He didn't do anything more.

Jayden spent the rest of our time together asking about the kids and their interests but did not let go of me. I was further surprised that the only physical things he did for the rest of the night was light petting, hugging, and kissing. When we finished eating, Jayden drove me back to Elijah's home. He paused when we got there and seemed distraught.

"What is it?"

He took my hand, "my work is increasing right now so I don't know if I can see you for a little while." He gulped hard, "I am trying to get away as much as I can but it's not very likely."

I felt anxious, "you can't miss Sunday, Jayden. That will deter the kids."

"I am going to do everything in my power to keep Sunday open. I have already taken off the second half of next week so everything is being condensed to fit int the next 7 days."

I took my hand from his, "I understand. Goodnight." I stormed out of the car and went inside. I quietly made my way inside and went to my room. I pulled off my suit and got into comfortable clothing. I flopped onto my bed as I felt my mind race.

I know he is trying his best. Then I go and act like a child. Damn it. Why can't I keep my mind and composure when I'm with him?! But he will hurt the kids if he misses their time with him. There has to be a way to solve this.

I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Jayden 'I'm sorry'. I was jolted when my facetime went off. I answered and saw Jayden smiling sadly at me.

"Hey."

"You don't have to apologize, Will. I should have told you before dropping you off."

I sighed deeply, "but I acted like a kid. That wasn't okay. I get that you are doing your best but I just immediately thought about Ashley and Archer. It could break their hearts and I went into a defensive state." I looked to him apologetically, "focus on your work."

"But..."

I shook my head, "the four of us can talk on Skype or facetime on Sunday. The kids will have no problem if I explain it's so you can miss work to help Hunter."

"Its going to kill me to be away from you and the kids so long. I'm struggling when I just think about it."

I smiled and saw him relax slightly, "well after the transplant, I will take care of you. Then you can have my undivided attention for a few days."

His eyes softened, "I can't wait."

I chuckled, "I should go..."

"I love you." He said in a sweet tone, "goodnight."

"Goodnight." I hung up and felt my heart racing.