I squinted at it. When I pinched it between my fingers to test the texture, I wrinkled my nose. “Gods, no. Too plasticky.”
“Artificial fleeceispolyester,” Taylor pointed out.
“No, absolutely not,” I protested. “I need the highest quality materials. I won’t stand for anything subpar.”
The corner of Taylor’s lip curled. “Shockingly, we actually agree for once.”
A loud, rambunctious voice called from across the room: “How ‘bout this, Alaric?”
Taylor and I turned to see Muzo shaking a beat-up corduroy pillow like a dog with a piece of roadkill.
“No, thank you,” I said. As much as I appreciated his enthusiasm, I should’ve known better than to ask a canine to assist. Our sensibilities were on a different level, to put it politely.
“That pillow has seen better days,” Taylor said, grimacing at the pitiful object. “Maybe I should re-upholster it in my spare time.”
Matteo chuckled from behind us. He was picking through a stash of nicer pillows. “You’ve got spare time, Tay? Me and Thystle’s hands are both so full with Heather, I haven’t had a minute to think about songwriting since they hatched.”
“I shamelessly hand Ruby off to Crimson when I feel the urge to sew,” Taylor admitted. “Or to Viol.”
Mylo sighed wistfully. He sat on the floor, organizing our few collected items by softness. “Viol is such a lifesaver. I don’t know what I’d do without him. Even though Saffron helps too, rearing twins is a handful.” He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “But I can tell the girls tire out Viol more than the other kids.”
“Double trouble,” Muzo agreed with a nod. “What about you, Alaric? How many do you want?”
Restlessness had nagged me ever since I confirmed my pregnancy. I had a feeling it’d only disappear when the egg was successfully laid and hatched. I couldn’t imagine how agitated I’d be if I was expecting twins.
“I’m content with one, at the moment,” I replied.
“It’s a lot of work, even with a full family ready to help,” Taylor said.
I paused, suddenly struck by his words:a full family.
Jade was my one and only fated mate. Yet he wasn’t the only person in this house that I loved.
I knew I was difficult, bitchy, and hard to get along with. But in spite of all my flaws, every omega here had accepted me, and wormed their way into my heart. I could finally admit to myself that they were my closest friends. And as the mates of Jade’s brothers, I realized we weren’t just friends—we were family.
The one I’d always dreamed of.
My breath hitched. A tidal wave of emotion swelled in my chest.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, I couldnotcry right now.
Taylor—my fellow perceptive feline—noticed the slight shift in my expression. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Fine,” I said past the tightness in my throat.
Matteo and his literal eagle eyes didn’t miss my face, either. “It’s all right, Alaric. It’s normal to get emotional when you’re pregnant.”
“I amnotemotional!” I snapped, my voice cracking. Rest in peace, my failed attempt at hiding it.
“Aww, Alaric,” Mylo said sympathetically. He looked like he wanted to hug me, but was too shy.
I groaned. Throwing my pride to the wind, I pulled him into it. Muzo leapt on board, throwing his lanky arms around us. The scent of ferret and wet jackal surrounded me, but it was oddly wholesome.
There was one noticeable absence, someone who probably needed a hug more than anybody. But he wasn’t here. Yet.
“Alaric? In a group hug?” Taylor said, pretending to be shocked. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Should we buy a lottery ticket?” Matteo teased.
