11

Daniel pulled up into the cramped parking lot, the sweltering summer heat making his shirt stick to his back and pits even though he'd just come down from the heavily air-conditioned airport. He joined the throng of tourists moving up the stairs with their luggage and went straight to the bulky receptionist with graying side hairs behind the thick mahogany desk. She had to be somewhere between forty and fifty and she looked at him with guarded suspicion, perhaps judging his persona from his appearance.

"Good afternoon Sir and welcome to Finland Hotels. How may I help you?" She pushed back the dark-rimmed glasses she had on, which were falling over the bridge of her nose, and offered him a forced smile. Daniel suddenly felt out of place, but Sawyer's face flashed through his mind and that seemed to encourage him.

"I'm looking for the omega presently occupying Room 34."

Her eyes narrowed. "Okay. Is he expecting you?" she picked up the white intercom and began dialing.

"Ah…no. it's a surprise visit," Daniel lied, He didn't feel too good about giving out so much information and the lady's curiosity wasn't flattering. He sensed that she was a human because she wouldn't question him that way if she knew his status as an Alpha.

After a few dials with no answers, she dropped the receiver and sighed. "I'm sorry but I don't think he's in at the moment. You have to come back later."

Daniel's face paled in disappointment. He'd expected to meet Sawyer and get things over with, then take the omega back home with him. At least the Pack Elders might reconsider their stand on the merger and give Spencer's idea a thought if Sawyer was present and they felt Daniel's close bond with him. "Do you have any idea where he might have gone to? Did he leave his room key?"

The lady's gaze turned fleetingly annoyed. "Yes, he left his room key. But he didn't mention that he was expecting anyone so I'm not giving it away. You can choose to wait for him though, but I have no idea when he'd come back."

"Could you at least give me his phone number? Let me at least notify him that I'm around." Daniel dug out his phone and slid his thumb across to unlock it.

The lady maintained her stubborn pose. "I thought you know him personally. You're supposed to have his number, moreover, it's against our company's rules and regulations to give out sensitive information about our tourists. It's all confidential."

"Come on, now. It's only a phone number." Daniel was really losing his patience. If he growled at her, it wouldn't take a second for security to come running. And he really needed to be on a low throughout the hours of his stay here, however, it might last.

"I'm sorry I can't help you with that. It's against our hotel's policy."

Daniel bunched his teeth and bunched up his fists, but there was nothing he could do. He was helpless as the wolves residing in Mexico weren't found commonly in this part of town. Except for wolves that had flown down from Manhattan due to the ban - Sawyer was one of such. "Alright fine," he sighed in defeat, reaching back into his wallet to pull out a business card which he tossed across to her. "When he returns, tell him to call. It's urgent. He knows me."

The lady took the card, fitting it into a book beside her, not even taking a glance at it. "Noted sir. Thank you," she said somewhat dismissively.

Daniel nodded, heading back outside, his shoulders heavy. Beside his car now, he paused and took in a deep breath – his vision and sense of smell sharpened. Sawyer's scent lingered in the air. He could sense the omega nearby like the back of his hand.

Just then Spencer's call came in. "Hey, buddy. Did you find him?"

Daniel inhaled calmly, running a hand through his hair. "No. he's not in."

"Shit. What are you going to do now?"

"I dunno," Daniel shrugged, resting his back on the car. He could still perceive Sawyer's scent…in the direction of the hotel. Could it be that the old hag had lied through her teeth to him?

"Should we reschedule the meeting with the elders since you aren't returning any soon then?"

"Yeah. That'd be best. I might as well check in at the hotel myself."

"No, no, Dan. That'd be creepy," Daniel's brow shot up at his beta's cautious tone. He didn't understand what Spencer was trying to say here.

"Why?"

"It's odd, you fool. He might feel cornered or think that you're stalking him."

"But we haven't spoken ever since I knotted with him. It's not nice to rule that out."

"It's still not enough reason. Find another hotel to stay for the night. Then come back tomorrow very early so you can catch him on his way out. I didn't think he could've found something to do given the fact that the ban only became effective last week Sunday. Something is not right."

Daniel could fit the puzzles together now. His instincts were never wrong. "Well, even if you're right, the old hag at the reception won't let me past. I think he's in but doesn't want to see me. Which is strange because I can bet on my life that he knows nothing about my arrival."

"I don't know, man," Spencer said resignedly. "You have a point, but what can we do? I'd suggest you don't push things further today. Give him time and check in back tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Give it a rest now, Maddie," Sawyer glared at his best friend, pushing the showcase's louvers aside to fit in some cakes. "I'm not calling any goddamn Alpha. And I'm not letting you handle the shop alone. No. that'd be so irresponsible of me."

"But it's obvious you're not fine. And the workload isn't good for the baby," Maddie said in protest, trailing behind him as they went back to the kitchen to take out the candies. Even though Sawyer felt heavy, and his back was starting to hurt with regularity which was why he hadn't been coming to the shop ever since the ban was lifted, he knew he couldn't give in to idleness. His short vacation away in Mexico was enough rest, baby, or not.

"I'll be fine, sweetheart. You simply worry too much."

"At least let me set everything up while you just sit behind the counter and rest," his waist was hurting and he finally gave up, allowing Maddie to lead him to the nearest chair. "I hate it when you're so stubborn. Now I'll have to give you a massage."

Sawyer hummed in gratitude as she plucked the small jar of olive oil from the shelf and squatted. He dutifully lifted his tank top and Maddie applied the balm slowly to the center of his lower back, chuckling as he hissed in pain. "That hurts. Ow."

"You'll feel better at least. Stop complaining because you brought it on yourself."

"You'd make such a strict aunt," Sawyer closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of Maddie's soft hands as they worked at the tight muscles along the sides of his spines.

"Probably," Maddie's voice held a tease, and then she spoke what was really on her mind. "You know, I don't think it's fair of you to keep the father from at least knowing that you're pregnant. It's been a month since you fled after finding out that he visited your hotel in Mexico in search of you. How much longer will you keep hiding? It's so damn suspicious."

Sawyer let the shirttail drop now as she was done, then watched her tuck the oil away once more. He felt more at ease now. "I can't believe you're the one saying this, Maddie. After all, you read about us in the paper. I know him better than you do, and I'm telling you that he's the biggest playboy around. That evening you called and I found out that I was pregnant, I did some digging as regards the cover story in which I was featured. Daniel Sturm doesn't stay with one omega for two weeks. He changes then consistently. I know I'm just another notch on his belt, but that's where it ends. No more."

"But you can't deny the fact that you felt something for him that night. it's written all over, and I know he feels the same way since he took out time to come look for you in Mexico."

Sawyer flattened his palms now on his bulging stomach, leaning even further back on the kitchenette chair. "You know I've always been independent, Maddie. Ever since Mrs. Angelini passed on, it's always been me. I don't want that changing anytime soon. Sometimes I wish I was human. Then this wouldn't have to be a thing at all."

Maddie scoffed. "Trust me that would be worse. You'll have to wait nine whole months before you get to see your prince," she poured out some coffee into two mugs and then joined Sawyer at the table, passing one across.

"Each time I remember that I'll have to get married and have my children, I panic. Nine months of hell isn't fun, at all."

"Sweetheart, I wouldn't even be pregnant. The emphasis is being a human and male."

"True. But that's not you're life so quit dreaming. We'll get past this."

"We? I'm the one with the baby bump and lethargy, Maddie. Of course, I'll get past this."

Maddie reached over to hold his hand, which was burning hot. "I know you can and you will. But you don't have to push everyone else away, Sawyer. That's all I'm saying. Let me help out in any way I can. Since you don't want the father, I can support you."

Sawyer's cell phone trilled on the table, just as a customer hollered from out front. As Maddie sauntered off to go attend to the lady and her little boy, Sawyer slid his thumb over the screen to answer. The number was a private line. "Hello?"

"Sawyer? Is this you speaking?"

Sawyer's blood ran cold. Oh no! His hands were trembling now. "Y-Yes?"

"Oh my God, Sawyer," the voice yelled excitedly, heightening the omega's curiosity. "It's me, Daniel. I'm actually out in front of you – "

He dropped the phone, breathing heavily as he struggled to get up, and took a peek outside. Sure enough, Daniel's BMX was parked out front and he was heading towards the shop.

Maddie rushed in now, brows creased in worry. "Are you alright? What's happening?"

His lips wobbled as he tried to get the words out. "It's him…oh God, he found me!"

"I don't understand. Who found you?"

"Daniel. The Alpha I knotted with!"