Jethro helps me into the passenger seat, his touch gentle. He secures my seatbelt before leaning in to press a slow, deep kiss to my lips. He tastes like coffee and pure, unadulterated joy.
"We are having a daughter." Jethro rests his forehead against mine. "Our daughter."
I smile, tangling my fingers in the soft hair at the nape of his neck. "Our daughter."
The drive back to the pack house is filled with a chaotic, beautiful energy. Ross and Oli sit in the back seat, alreadydebating whose eyes the baby will get. Caleb rides up front with us, tapping away on his phone as he reviews the medical data in the patient portal.
I watch the town of Willowside roll past my window. The fear is gone. I'm truly ready to bring this little girl into the world.
The massive oak dining table in our pack house is completely buried under a sea of blueprints, fabric swatches, and legal documents.
I sit at the head of the table, a mug of warm herbal tea resting near my elbow. I run a bright yellow highlighter over a section of the floor plan, double-checking the emergency exit routes for the third time today.
Safe Haven is finally breaking ground on the new facility next week.
The transition from being a survivor running from my past to becoming the director of a state-of-the-art rescue center feels surreal. When I first arrived in Willowside, I barely had the courage to walk out the front door. Now, I am finalizing the architectural layout for a multi-million dollar compound designed to protect Omegas from the exact same nightmares I escaped.
Caleb sits to my right, his laptop open. A 3D rendering of a delicate silver pendant fills his screen. He taps a key, rotating the digital model to show the hidden compartment on the back. He has been developing the Omega Tags for months, and seeing the final product brings a massive wave of pride.
"I finished the final schematics for the casings." Caleb turns the screen toward me. "The GPS micro-transmitters fit perfectlyinside the silver now without compromising the battery life. They just look like standard, high-end jewelry. Necklaces, bracelets, watch bands. We are ready to send the designs to the manufacturer for full production next week."
"They look incredible, Leb." I lean over to study the pendant on his screen, amazed at how far the project has come since that simple leaf pin he gave me months ago. "These tags give them a way to signal for help, and the new facility will give them a safe place to stay. We are going to help so many Omegas in Willowside."
I look back down at the paper blueprints of my facility. I worked with the architects to design the shelter to feel like a modern, welcoming campus rather than a clinical hospital, complete with a large central courtyard filled with gardens, private residential wings, and therapy offices. "I just need to make sure they included the soundproofing for the counseling rooms."
Ross comes into the dining room from the kitchen. "You've thought of every detail." He and Jethro carry two large plates piled high with sandwiches, sliced fruit, and pickles. The scent of roasted turkey and fresh bread sandwiches follows them in.
"Lunch break." Jethro sets a plate right in front of me. He leans down, pressing a kiss to my temple. "You have been staring at those papers for three hours, Sandra. You need to eat."
I smile, picking up a sandwich. My appetite has been ravenous lately. The baby demands constant fuel. I take a large bite, savoring the roasted turkey Ross spent most of yesterday cooking, and sharp cheddar.
Ross drops into the chair on my left. He steals a grape from my plate, earning a half-hearted glare from me. "You're going to be busy on Monday. The contractors are still set to break ground?"
"They are." I swallow my bite of food, nodding. "I finalized the permits yesterday, the zoning is cleared, and the funding is fullylocked in. I still can't believe how fast the community stepped up." I shake my head, looking down at the blueprints. "The donations from the other packs in Willowside covered almost half the building costs."
"This town protects its own." Jethro pulls out a chair and sits down across from me. "When people heard what you were trying to build, they wanted to be part of it. Willowside is a safe zone: Sandra" are printed in neat black ink at the bottom of the title block. A warm, settling feeling spreads through my chest. I spent years hiding my work, sneaking Omegas out the back doors of shady clinics, and living in constant fear of my father finding out.
Now, my name is on the front door. I have a pack backing me up with unlimited resources, tactical expertise, and unwavering support. I am not hiding anymore.
Oli wanders into the dining room a moment later. He wears a pair of paint-splattered overalls, his golden hair tied back in a messy knot. He smells like fresh laundry and his signature honeysuckle.
"The nursery is officially finished." Oli drops onto the bench next to Jethro with a dramatic sigh. "I put the last coat of sealant on the crib. We are ready for the baby."
"Perfect timing." Ross checks his watch. "Because we have exactly three hours before we need to be at the bar. Tracy texted me five minutes ago. The caterers are setting up the tables, and the decorations are mostly done."
My stomach does a small, nervous flip. The guys decided to host a baby shower at the Lucky Road today. It is going to be the first time I officially step out into a massive social event since Nero showed up in town months ago.
"Are we sure about this?" I look around the table, a sudden wave of apprehension hitting me. "It’s going to be a lot of people. A lot of noise."
Jethro reaches across the table, covering my hand with his massive palm. His smoky marshmallow scent wraps around me, grounding my nerves. "We rented out the entire bar, sweetheart." Jethro holds my gaze. "It is a private event. Only invited guests are getting through the door. You are completely safe."
"You don't have to play hostess." Oli offers a reassuring smile. "You just sit in a comfortable chair, eat cake, and let everyone shower you with gifts. We handle the rest."
I take a deep breath, letting the logic settle my nerves. They are right. I can't let the ghost of my past dictate how I celebrate my future. I have a beautiful, healthy baby girl growing inside me, and I want to celebrate her.
"Okay." I push the blueprints aside and finish my sandwich. "Let's go get ready. I have a baby shower to attend."
Ross grins, standing up to clear the empty plates. "That's my girl. Go put on something nice."
