“Let me be in charge. Let me carry the burden.”
“You’re in a fucking hospital bed.”
He glares at me. “Yeah, right now I am. I can kick your ass when I’m not feeling like shit though.”
I shake my head and sigh. “It’s like the fucking therapist said. We need a hierarchy in the pack. Let me be pack Alpha, make most of the decisions, and take care of the pack.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, the deep inner Alpha part of me not knowing if I can submit to another Alpha like that.
“I’m not saying you’re not capable, Max.”
He says my first name, which garners all my attention as I look at him, bruises and all.
“I’m saying I like it. I like making decisions and feeling that responsibility. So let me have it. They need you as an Alpha just as much as they need me, but I feel like being head of the pack is my place. If we’re really doing this, this is how we move forward.”
“All I had to do was save your life for this revelation?”
“Apparently,” he grumbles. “Think about it. Send Sloane back in. I need to hold her a little longer before I go to sleep.”
When Sloane comes back in the room with tears in her eyes, it’s clear she’s been listening to the whole conversation.
“Jesus Christ, come here,” Bram says.
Sloane sobs into his chest—the side that wasn’t bruised in the accident.
“Well, hypothermia may have been worth this extremely precious Hallmark moment,” Ethan whispers into my ear.
For the first time since the accident, I laugh. Maybe we’ll survive this after all.
CHAPTER 37
“How much longer do we have to keep it a secret? It’s killing me on the inside,” Ethan complains.
“I know. Me too. It’s just, they’re getting along. I don’t want to ruin it.”
Ethan’s brows furrow as he leans his hip against the counter. I’m currently making Bram soup.
He’s not taking it well that he needs lots of rest this week, but it was doctor’s orders. He needs to rest for the next few weeks and do a few routine physicals. His bruising from getting hit on his left side is severe, but nothing was broken. As for his head injury, it was minor, but they did give us some anti-seizure medication, just in case. In all honesty, I’m slightly terrified that he will push himself too far to try and get back on the ice. Max is not lacing up, but he is going to practice, which is where he’s at now.
“Why would this ruin it? It’s the best news,” Ethan says, rubbing my flat stomach.
My heart does a little flutter, and I wonder if I’m not giving my Alphas enough credit.
“They just started getting along. I worry they might argue.”
“Over what?” Ethan says, totally not getting where I’m coming from.
“Whose it is.”
“Who gives a shit? It’s our baby,” Ethan says.
I stop stirring, and I hug him tightly. I’m not sure if it’s hormones, all the emotional turmoil, or just knowing I’m pregnant, but I’ve been a complete emotional mess. I cry, and Ethan sighs, holding me tight.
“You're making us all dads. To be honest, Sloane, if they fight about this, I may just fucking lose it.”
“Can we wait till Bram is back on his feet again?”
He sighs but nods.
