“Wait, what?” Ethan asks.
Both of the Alphas look at the ceiling, like I’ll ever forget what I witnessed. Plus, I definitely will continue to push this button until they start kissing more.
“No, we can talk about that later,” Bram waves off, and I smile.
“We want to formally become a pack before we tell your family,” Max says. “My mom and Ethan’s dad will immediately be excited and over the moon. But your dad, I just feel like coming to him as a more united front may soften the blow a little,” Max says.
“Formally, as in submitting with the state or as in bonding?”
“Both,” Bram says. “All of us,” he says, glancing at Ethan. “Especially now that we know it’s safe,” he says, looking at my bond mark.
It’s a silvery sheen against my skin. I can tell that Bram is jealous but nowhere near the jealousy I used to see from him with Max.
“You leave for some away games in two days,” I say, glancing at Max.
I cuddled so hard with him last night, and I might be having an internal fit about him having to go to work today. My rational mind understands he has an important job and he doesn’t want to leave me, but my newly bonded, outwardly pregnant mind needs him here to hold me and tell me he loves me repeatedly.
He must realize all my feelings as he comes behind me on the stool and wraps his arms around me, kissing the top of my head.
“I know you need more from me right now. That’s why Bram wants to wait till we get back.”
Bram is clutching the countertop like he wants to break it but nods his head.
“I wish it were the offseason.”
“Me too. I hate that we have to be away from you right now,” Max says on the top of my head.
“Max and I should bond before you leave,” Ethan says confidently.
He’s been so patient, so understanding of my wants and needs, I’m proud of him for expressing his. Ethan’s cheeks heat as he rubs the back of his neck.
“I just think that I’m here with Sloane more, and if we’re connected in that way, it would help everyone feel more at ease. Plus, it’s inevitable anyway, isn’t it?” Ethan asks, glancing over at Max.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Max answers, and I nod my agreement.
When I glance back at Bram, he looks like he’s pouting. I sigh and round the island and wrap my arms around my sweet, needy Alpha.
“Such a patient Alpha,” I say, and he swats my ass hard.
“Don’t push me, Sloane. The only reason I’m waiting is because I know you need more nesting time with your Alpha after bonding.”
“So thoughtful,” I say, and he swats again.
Now all I want for breakfast is a heaping size of Alpha dick, but Bram is pulling away from me and grabs my face to give me a kiss.
“Speaking of nests,” Ethan says.
“Right,” Bram says, shaking his head. “The contractor is coming next week to discuss what you want. We’ll be home in time. I think we’ll need to make more adjustments to accommodate our new life,” Bram says.
I can’t help myself as I wrap my arms around him and squeeze even tighter.
Bram kisses the top of my head, even though I know my scent is going haywire and all I’m doing is tempting him. I kiss Max next as they leave for practice.
“It’s just you and me, kid,” Ethan jokes as the Alphas leave.
“How do you feel about being an absolute menace?” I ask him. If I don’t stay busy today, I’ll contemplate looking up the news about us online. Maybe I need to find a hobby because I know my pack is right, I can’t keep putting myself through reading those articles.
I feel freer now that everything is out on the table, and I’m not going to do anything to mess this up.
