thirty-three
Xenia
Two Months Later
The marks on my body tingle delightfully as I get up from my nest, stretching. My tummy pokes further out now, evidence of my pregnancy.
The fact that I’m pregnant still hasn’t fully landed, but every day I get a bit closer to accepting it.
“Are you ready to go into town today? We can wait if you want to.” Wren watches me from the doorway, chewing his bottom lip anxiously.
Through our bond, I can tell that he is nervous.
“I need to make this appointment, the doctor said she had good news. And on top of that, I no longer want to haveany association with the Rossis.” Changing my last name is something I have been looking forward to for the last few weeks since Wren set up the appointment at my request.
Wren cocks his head in amusement, a rush of happiness flowing to me. “Yes, ma’am. Pierce and Luther will be meeting us at the doctor’s office. Take your time getting ready and breakfast is out here for you.”
Dressed, fed, and in the car, we make our way down the long road to the main road. As we make it to the hill, my hands squeeze into fists as I attempt to stem my anxiety.
Wren, noticing my discomfort, slows even further on the way down. “Behind me there’s a box for you. I was going to wait, but I think you should open it now.”
Listening to him, I reach back and tug out a…
My heart warms and tears form in my eyes. “Is this for me?”
A blush splatters across Wren’s cheeks as the man's hard façade crumbles. “Yes, I made it for you.”
My hands cup the Boodle he has crocheted with the oversized eyes that in some way reminds me of myself. “Thank you.” It is the first time anyone has evergivenme a gift, let alone made it themselves.
My emotions are already haywire, but this shoves them over the edge and I clutch the Boodle to my chest as I sob.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry!” Wren is panicked now and pulls the car off to the side of the road to wrap me in his arms.
“Thank you, thank you so much. This means so much to me. I see you. I love you, Wren. You are such a sweet man, please don’t ever be ashamed to show me how kind you are.”
Wren holds me a few more beats before pulling away and pressing his full lips to mine, consuming me. His love presses against my very soul as he cups my face in his large hands. He gives and gives and gives.
My scent fills the car, mixing with his in an intoxicating manner. The grapefruit is so strong, it is both sour and sweet, and I want more than anything to lick up and down him to taste every bit.
Finally breathless, he releases me, offering one last peck to my nose before putting the car in drive and continuing us along.
“Thank you, Xenia. Your very existence has rewritten the worst parts of myself. I will forever be in your debt. I cannot wait to raise our child together.”
Humming my contentment, I lean against the car window to cool my hot skin. It takes everything to not launch myself at him, to force his knot into my aching core, but I know if I do that we won’t get anything done.
Instead, I reach out, tangling my hand in his.
I have successfully submitted the paperwork to change my name from Rossi to Bentley and we are now at the doctor’s.
When Wren helps me out of the car, I am greeted by the intoxicating sight of Pierce in full gear. Leather pants and jacket, leaning against the wall. From a distance, he appears intimidating, and everyone offers him a wide berth, but as soon as he sees me, his face lights up, his energy warms.
“There you are!” His attention catches on my buns and then the overalls. He reaches for me, carefully tugging me to his side before whispering in my ear. “This reminds me of when you first made your way back to us.” Pierce places a kiss on the tip of my nose. The soft act is at odds with his hard facade. “Luther is inside getting you checked in. You get your name changed?”
Pierce is the epitome of a kitten with claws.
Swallowing down a laugh at the thought, I answer, “To the pack name. Bentley.” I incline my head, offering zero resistance as Pierce gathers me closer to him, rubbing his scent across my body. His tongue lashing out to the mark he left on my shoulder. My toes curl in my shoes, and I make it my mission then and there to corner these alphas when we get home.
With a hand on the small of my back, Wren leads me inside and there’s Luther at the desk. He must scent me, or maybe he feels my approach, because he spins around on his heel.
