“Good. And Cal? Jacobi? Are they okay? They’re coming home with you, right? I already made up a room for them.”
Could this man be any more perfect?
“I love you, River.” Nix moved further away so he could speak freely. “I know this is probably a lot, being newly mated, but we can make it work, right?”
“Nix, don’t even think about that. Of course, we’re going to make this work. The room is already set up and waiting. I got a temporary crib for Jacobi in Cal’s room, but we’ll get the sleeping arrangements in place. You just come home so I can meet the new members of our family. I’ll see you soon!”
“How’d I ever get so lucky?” Nix asked.
“I’m the lucky one. Now, I better go so I can make a welcome dinner … or lunch … I was thinking lasagna … or maybe tacos … Maybe I could make stew and biscuits?” Nix listened to his mate babble, a smile on his face. “Oh, you’re no help. Just get here soon, okay? Love you, babe!”
“Love you too.” Nix hung up the phone, the grin on his face still there. He walked over to the others and handed the phone back to Ryder. “Thank you!”
“Of course. Trust me, that’s a reunion we’ve been waiting for.” He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “I hate seeing River sad. And since you left … Well, trust me, there’s an anxious, excited mate waiting for you.”
Was that jealousy he heard in Ryder’s voice?
Before he could ask, Maddox came towards them with Zander by his side. They’d gone back to the warehouse to see if there were any belongings the omegas wanted. And any files Tre might have had. “What were you doing in that place all by yourself?” Zander asked.
Nix shrugged. “I needed to come and get my family. Y’all would have done the same thing.”
“Probably,” Maddox agreed. “Although next time, trust your team, it coulda been worse than a graze.” His tone was pointed. Still, he glanced at Cal. “I’m glad it all went alright there.
“Finn said we’re waiting on someone called Reuben,” Zander added. “Apparently, he’s Wildwood’s funeral director. He’s got incinerators.” He lowered his voice. “For the bodies.”
Nix nodded. As much as death was never the first choice, sometimes it was the outcome. And since they didn’t need humans in their business if they could avoid it, this was a necessary step.
“Alright, well, let’s get all this stuff packed up, huh,” Zander said and Maddox groaned at that.
Nix moved over to ask Cal to help him take his tent down. But Dax was beside him and offered to do it after reminding Nix he was meant to take it easy. It didn’t take long before everything was gone, and the van was packed and ready.
When they were finally on the bus, Nix let out a breath. This was real.
Nix was standing up, looking at all the omegas and kids. “Ready to go home?” he asked.
Everyone loudly agreed. Yeah, he would bet they couldn’t wait to get as far away from this place as possible. They were homeward bound. Nix had found a home in Wildwood, and he had no doubt the same would happen to each of these men. However that version of home would look to them.
Chapter Thirteen
River
River just wanted to spend time with the family once Nix and Nix’s brothers got home. He was grateful for Ollie’s and the twins’ company, but he also knew that he needed to say goodbye to them, so Ollie could be home when Ronin got there.
He watched for the vehicle to pull up in front of the house and drop off Nix, but the moment it did, he was overcome with emotion. He threw open the door and ran out of the house and into Nix’s waiting arms as the rest of the team drove away from the house.
“I’ve missed you,” Nix whispered, breathing the words into River’s ear.
“I missed you too, so much,” River said.
He parted from the embrace, and Nix looked to River’s stomach. “You’re starting to show,” his voice was filled with awe.
River looked down at his stomach. He hadn’t even paid attention to the fact that he had popped out a little bit. He blushed and looked back up. “Yeah.” He took Nix’s hand and placed it on his belly. “We’re so happy you’re home. Safe,” River added. He immediately looked at the short, slender man next to Nix, who looked like a pint-size version of his mate. “This must be Cal and Jacobi.” River smiled at the young man with a baby in his arms hiding behind his mate.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Cal’s voice was soft. He looked at Nix like he was seeking his approval.
“Do you mind if I hug you?” River asked, not wanting to crowd the man.
When he got a small nod, River moved in and gently pulled Cal into a hug, careful not to squish Jacobi. The baby made some cooing sounds, and that got River and Nix chuckling. River kissed the top of his head. “You’re so cute.” River brushed Jacobi’s cheek smiling down at the baby in Cal’s arms. He then focused back on Cal. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too. You’re family now, and I look forward to getting to know you better.”
