"Holy crap!" Galileo cried, throwing his lanky arms up. "I can't believe it! You? Kamari? Alpha hater of the century?" Galileo remembered I was standing right next to him. "Uh, no offence."
I laughed while Kamari sighed, looking embarrassed. "Yes. I know. It must be a shock," he said. "But trust me when I say this one is different. He's... special."
Warm, fuzzy feelings gushed in my chest. "Aw, Kamari."
Kamari grumbled good-naturedly and elbowed me. "Don't get too full of yourself, wolf."
I grinned. "You got it, boss." We exchanged a silent, knowing glance.
Galileo blurted out, "Wait, so are you staying here, Kamari?"
We'd already discussed where we were going to live and raise the baby. The cabin I lived in with my cousins was already a full house. Plus, I didn't think a bunch of twenty-somethings would appreciate constant baby wailing, in addition to me and Kamari's sounds of intimacy. But the omega haven had the same problem. On top of that, Kamari and I wanted privacy, so we settled on a compromise.
"Zak's family is going to help build us a cabin in the wildlife reserve," Kamari said with a smile. "I won't be far. I'll come and visit whenever you want. I just think it's good for me to take a step back." He put a hand on Galileo's shoulder. "I saw how brave you were back there. You dropped everything to protect the haven, Galileo. I think it's time for you to shine now."
Galileo's eyes went wide as full moons. "Really? You really trust me with it?"
Kamari nodded. "I do."
Galileo's lip wobbled before he threw himself at Kamari, who chuckled and hugged him. I watched with a smile, proud of them both. This was a new beginning, not just for us, but for a lot of people.
* * *
After a lot of walking,the cabin finally loomed into view. I shook the jitters out. They were mostly from excitement but a little bit of nerves, too. I hadn't been home since I left on my big quest. How was I going to explain everything that had happenedanddrop the news about the baby?
"By the way, Zak," Kamari said. "You didn't actuallyaskyour family if they'd help, did you?"
"Nope. Don't have to."
Kamari raised a brow.
"Trust me, Kamari," I said. "They're the most overbearing, obnoxiously loving family you'll ever meet."
"Uh huh," he said, obviously doubting me. I didn't blame him. From what he told me, his biological family didn't sound supportive. But mine was different.
"Yo!" I called out when we were close enough. "Everyone get out here!"
One of the second-story windows cranked open to reveal an unamused-looking Leveret. "Do you mind not shouting? I'm trying to read."
Even though he'd been so annoying when I left, I was happy to see my cousin again. "First of all, hi, Lev. Second, you can read later. Come on, tell everyone I'm back."
"Who's that?" Leveret asked with obvious intrigue, pointing at Kamari.
"Don't mind him, we're working on his people skills," I said to my mate. Kamari just seemed amused.
"Who the hell is yelling outside?" a raucous female voice shouted even louder than me. It came from the window right next to Leveret's. Lupa gasped when she saw me. "Zak! Hey everyone, Zak's back!"
Lupa wasted no time shifting to wolf form and leaping from the window. I realized a second too late that she intended to usemeas a landing strip. She knocked me down as she licked my face.
"Ugh, gross, get off me!" I complained.
Lupa complied, shifting back. "Well, excuse me for missing you!" She noticed Kamari and grinned. "Aw, did I embarrass Zak in front of his new mate?"
"How did you--" I sighed. "Nevermind. It's obvious, isn't it? Anyway, you owe me an apology for saying it'd never happen."
Lupa blinked. "Wait, so you two are really fated?"
My heart leapt in my chest. Hearing it from somebody else felt so good.
