“I'm also not willing to keep our child from their heritage, but I’m not just your mate and our baby’s omega dad.”
His honesty was refreshing, even if there was still a smidgen of doubt about our future. He leaned into my touch. “You really want this baby, don't you?”
“More than I can say. But what matters more is that you want it too. That this is not just something that happened to you.”
He was quiet for a long moment, his eyes on the heater. “It feels right. You and me, the baby, the mountains, even the pack.” His eyes locked on mine. “I want our baby and you, and this is where we belong.”
Taking a moment to let his words sink in, I gathered him into my arms and pressed my face into his hair, inhaling his unique aroma. He was staying and we were a family.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything.”
THIRTEEN
INDIGO
“You need to consume more red meat.”
“No, no, protein is important, but you should eat a balanced diet and include plenty of fruits and vegetables.”
“Ginger tea with honey every morning will help with the nausea.”
“Forget tea. You need a small piece of raw liver each day.”
Pack members surrounded me in the lodge dining room and were telling me what to eat, and I smiled as they tossed well-meaning advice at me, though the mention of liver made my tummy heave. That had nothing to do with being pregnant. I just hated liver. I decided to eat lots of red meat, fruit and vegetables, and drink ginger tea so they’d stop offering advice.
I was six months into my pregnancy, and I cradled my bump as I thanked everyone. The baby was awakeand listening to the uncles and aunties hovering over me, and I wished Riven was here, because when the baby moved, he’d put his lips to my belly and talk to our little one.
But Antonia arrived and shooed everyone off, telling them to let me eat my lunch.
“Sorry. They mean well. There hasn’t been an heir born since…”
“Riven?”
“I guess, yes.”
“I’m fine with them telling me what to wear, how to sleep, and what to eat, but I object to them saying I should howl at the moon to strengthen the baby’s lungs.”
She choked on the fry she’d stolen from my plate. “Who told you that? That's not a thing.”
I wasn’t sure whether to believe her, but she bustled off, and I finished my lunch with no liver or tea in sight.
“Hi.”
My mate appeared as if by magic. He kissed my brow and brushed a hand over my belly before sitting. This was the same mate who gave me space when I needed it, cooked most of our meals because he was a better chef than I was, and massaged my feet when they ached.
“How are you?”
“Hungry, or I was.” I tapped my empty plate. “The baby wants everything except liver.”
“Oh, liver. I’ve heard that’s good for the baby and the omega dad.”
No, no. I had to put a stop to that. “Our child and I are boycotting liver as of now.” Or since I was a kid.
Perhaps it was my fierce expression but Riven held up his hands in surrender. “Okay. Got it.” He ordered a sandwich and mentioned our appointment at three.
I might have baby brain, but I’d never forget a scheduled doctor’s visit.
“I wanted to talk to you about something first. What would you think about taking a short trip before the baby comes?”
