The Lucky Road looks unrecognizable.
I step through the heavy wooden front doors and stop dead in my tracks. The guys transformed the rustic, dimly lit bar into a bright, welcoming venue. Strings of warm fairy lights drape from the exposed wooden beams. Large bouquets of pale pink and white roses sit in the center of every mahogany table. A massive banner reading "It's a Girl!" hangs right over the polished bar top.
Jethro stands behind the counter, shaking a cocktail mixer with practiced ease. He pours a bright pink, sparkling mocktailinto a tall glass, garnishing it with a sprig of fresh mint before sliding it across the wood toward me.
"Pomegranate and mint spritz." Jethro winks at me, his hazel eyes bright. "Zero alcohol, one hundred percent delicious."
I take a sip, the sweet and tart flavors bursting on my tongue. "It's amazing, Jethro. The whole place looks incredible."
"Only the best for our girls." Ross walks up behind me, resting his hands lightly on my hips. He wears a crisp button-down shirt that stretches tightly across his broad shoulders. He scans the room, his blue eyes tracking the small groups of people already mingling near the buffet table.
The door chimes, pulling my attention away from the bar.
Sophia walks in, balancing a massive gift bag in one hand while her other hand wraps around the tiny fingers of a waddling toddler. The rest of her pack follows right behind her. One of her Alphas quickly steps up to scoop the busy little boy effortlessly onto his hip, joining another Alpha who is already carrying his fraternal twin brother.
Sophia spots me and her face breaks into a massive, welcoming smile. She drops the gift bag on a nearby table and hurries over, pulling me into a warm hug.
"Look at you." Sophia steps back, her hands resting lightly on my shoulders as she takes in my bump. "You look absolutely glowing. Welcome to the Willowside mom circle, Sandra. It is exhausted, chaotic, and wonderful."
"I am definitely feeling the exhausted part." I laugh, resting a hand on my stomach. "Thank you so much for coming, Sophia."
"I wouldn't miss it." She gestures to the nearly two-year-old twins trying to escape their fathers' grips to inspect the tall bar stools. "Enjoy the quiet moments while you can. Once they start walking in two different directions, you never sit down again."
Before I can respond, another familiar face steps through the door. Lacey arrives with her pack, her arms full of beautifullywrapped packages. She wears a soft, flowing dress, her gentle demeanor radiating a quiet strength.
Lacey walks over, offering a warm, sweet smile. She carefully sets the packages down on the gift table. "I hope you don't mind handmade things. I crocheted a few blankets for the nursery, and the rest of my pack put together a basket of their favorite bedtime stories."
"Lacey, that is incredibly sweet." My heart swells at the gesture. "Handmade gifts and books are the absolute best. Thank you. The baby is going to love them."
The afternoon shifts into a beautiful, chaotic blur of laughter, food, and shared stories. The Alphas naturally gravitate toward the back of the room, standing in a large circle.
I sit in a plush armchair Jethro dragged out from his office for me. Oli sits on the armrest, fielding the endless stream of guests and making sure I constantly have a fresh mocktail and a plate full of appetizers.
The front door opens one more time.
Ruby walks in, flanked by her massive Alphas. She carries a baby carrier strapped to her chest. She spots me and navigates through the crowd, her bright, energetic personality lighting up the space.
"Sandra!" Ruby stops in front of my chair. She unclips the carrier, gently lifting a beautiful, chubby-cheeked four-month-old baby out of the fabric. "I brought the newest addition to the pack. Meet little Leo."
I look at the infant. He has a shock of dark hair and big, curious eyes taking in the fairy lights. A sudden, intense wave of emotion hits me.
"He is beautiful, Ruby." I keep my voice soft, almost afraid to startle him.
"Do you want to hold him?" Ruby offers him forward. "It's good practice. You are going to be doing this constantly in a few months."
I hesitate for a fraction of a second, my hands trembling slightly. I nod, reaching out.
Ruby gently settles the baby into my arms. I adjust my grip, supporting his head. The weight of him is solid and warm. He smells like baby lotion and clean laundry.
Leo looks up at me, blinking slowly. He reaches a tiny, uncoordinated hand out, his fingers brushing against the fabric of my dress.
A profound, life-altering realization clicks into place.
I’m holding a child in a room filled with people who care about me. The heavy, protective presence of my pack hums in the background. The community of Willowside surrounds me with genuine friendship. The nightmare of my past is truly over. I’m safe and loved.
This is what my daughter is going to be born into. She’ll never have to be taught how to steal cars to survive.
I look up, my eyes finding Jethro across the room. He watches me; a small smile pulls at his lips as his gaze flits between me and the child.
