“Have you met his dad?” he said, poking my chest. “If anyone’s gonna give him snarky-inheriting genes, it’ll be you.”
19
Skylar
I knew this day was coming, and I knew it had to happen, but it didn’t stop it from feeling intensely bittersweet.
I planned to move out of me and Kaden’s shared apartment a month before my due date so we had plenty of buffer room, timing-wise. Neither Rafael or I--or Kaden, for that matter--wanted to deal with a potential early-birth situation, because the idea alone was stressful. Living with Rafael well in advance of my due date was the most logical solution, so moving out had to happen.
I pouted as I picked up the little things, like clothes and paperback books, since I was too heavily pregnant to do much heavy lifting. Not that therewasmuch to be done--I was leaving the furniture and big appliances with Kaden, since Rafael’s apartment was fully stocked with all the fancy stuff.
“Oh, come on, Sky,” Kaden said, patting me on the back. “You seem more depressed about this than I am.”
“You’re never depressed about anything,” I muttered. “You’re like a weird robot.”
He laughed, totally unfazed, just like always. “Okay, I know you’re just being mean because you’re upset.” He leaned down to pick up Trouble, who hung limply in Kaden’s grasp. “Look, you’re making Trouble sad. Aren’t you?” He spoke in a higher-pitched voice. “I’m so sad, Skylar!”
“Is that what Trouble’s voice sounds like?”
Kaden wagged Trouble’s paws, and the cat looked increasingly annoyed. “Yes!”
I didn’t notice the door opening because Trouble hissed. Having enough of playtime, Trouble leapt out of Kaden’s arms and directly into Rafael’s way as he came out of my room carrying a large box.
“Whoa!” he cried.
At the same time, two men rushed forward to help steady Rafael. One was Kaden, and the other was Cash. I was surprised to see the other alpha here.
“Whew. Thanks,” Rafael said, wiping his brow as he set the box down in the living room with all the other stuff. “Uh, who are you, random helpful stranger?”
“Oh, right, I forgot you and Skylar spend all your spare time getting busy and don’t talk anymore,” Kaden teased. He ignored my blush and explained, “This is my new roommate, Cash.”
“Nice to meet you, man,” Rafael said, shaking his hand.
“Likewise.”
I smiled at Kaden, who returned the gesture. After meeting Cash in person a few more times, Kaden told me he felt comfortable enough around him to accept him as his new roommate, regardless of whether he was an alpha or not. And strangely enough, I was comfortable with him too.
Who knows?I thought.Maybe the two of them will fall in love like some fairy tale, too.
I snorted at the idea.
“What’s funny?” Kaden asked.
“Oh, nothing.”
Rafael clapped his hands together and surveyed the amassed boxes with a satisfied sigh. “Well, I think that’s everything.” He suddenly gasped. “Wait. We’re missing one very important thing. Quick, hand me that box over there.”
I raised a brow but reached down--with substantial effort, thanks to my huge belly--to grab an empty medium-sized box and tossed it at him. That little workout definitely counted as my exercise for the day.
We all watched curiously as Rafael turned the box upside-down, then crept through the wreckage of the living room. I raised a brow.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
Demon noticed Rafael acting strangely and stared at him with her big curious eyes, her tail looping side to side.
“I have to capture the dangerous predator in our midst to transport her to the increased-security facility,” Rafael said, putting on a horrible Australian accent.
I put my palm over my face and laughed. “Oh my god.”
