“What do you mean?” she asks.
“Your divorce and custody trial took place in federal court, so any additional attempts by your ex or his family must go through federal court. We’ve claimed you—at least legally—so you’re protected by pack law. That supersedes any rights Colin’s parents would have.”
Manny quickly agrees with me. “You said your ex never showed up at the original custody hearing?” Hannah nods. “There isn’t a single sitting judge at the federal level who wouldn’t laugh his parents out of the courtroom for a case like this.”
“But what if-”
“No,” Shepherd cuts in. “They’re right. I let my anger cloud my logic. This is nothing more than a farce. Neither of them has legal standing to get their hands on you or the kids.” He crosses the room and joins us, dropping the papers onto the table. He presses his forehead to hers, staring deeply into her eyes. The intimacy between them makes me feel like I should turn away, but I’ve found that with my mates, I’m a bit of a voyeur. “No one will take you away from us. Not you. Not Kaitlin. Not our son. All three of you areours.”
Her lip wobbles, tears lining her eyes. She’s been emotional since the labor, and this seems to push her over the edge. I slide my arms between them and take the baby, giving them a moment to comfort each other. It’s obvious they need this. A good cuddle on the couch would be nice, too.
“So, Hot Stuff, what are we making for dinner?” I ask Manny, pulling him away from our mates.
No matter what bullshit Hannah’s family or their cult throws our way, we won’t let them break us. Together, we can handle anything.
Chapter Thirty
“How are we feeling this morning?”Manny leans against the back of the couch, watching as I cuddle my little man. He woke me an hour ago, hungry and angry that I wasn’t feeding him quickly enough.
“We’re great.”
“Tired? My sisters and cousins were always tired during the first year of their kids’ lives.” One of his fingers runs over the baby’s head, flattening his messy hair. “Do you need anything? I have an hour before I have to leave. I could make breakfast, or get you a cup of coffee?”
He’s sweet, and a great cook, if the beef stir-fry he’d made last night is any testament. “Sit with me? I’m not hungry yet, and I had a coffee earlier.” I scoot my feet closer to my body, making room for him to claim the spot beside me. His white tea and sage scent fills my senses, acting like the world’s best anti-anxiety medicine. There’s something about the smooth, earthy notes that makes my brain turn to mush.
When I’d suggested Manny as Foster’s heat helper, I felt drawn to the loneliness I saw in his eyes, as it’s how I’ve felt fighting to survive in my father’s cult for the past five years. I never expected my Omega to fall in love with him; nor did Iimagine Shepherd would feel the same pull. Meeting him after hearing so much about him from my mates, I thought I would be jealous or nervous that he would replace me. What I didn’t anticipate was feeling drawn to him the same way they are. There’s something magnetic about the dark-haired man with the vibrant bluish-purple eyes.
Being pregnant and now with a new baby, I don’t know how to go about building a relationship with him. Not one with the intimacy he shares with our other mates.
“Can I hold him?” I’m pulled from my thoughts when Manny’s arm bumps mine. A smile stretches across my lips as I nod and shift the baby into his waiting arms. He holds him like he’s done this a million times, which isn’t surprising since he told me he has a huge family and tons of littles running around. My heart flutters in my chest, so full of emotion as I watch him gently soothe my son. “Have you picked out a name? Foster said you were close-lipped about it. I can help if you are stuck between options. The one thing I don’t recommend is starting a tradition of naming children after their fathers. My cousin is named after my Tío Luis, and all his children share the same name, regardless of their genders.”
I snort out a laugh, cheeks heating at the loud sound in the quiet room. “That sounds awful for your nieces and nephews. Do they all respond when one of their parents calls for them?”
Manny grins. “The kids came up with nicknames when they were younger, and they only respond to them. My cousin was mad about it for a bit, but he eventually admitted it was easier doing things their way.”
The baby shifts, eyes blinking open slowly. Leaning my head on Manny’s shoulder, I watch him study the world. “I have an idea for a name, but I’m… nervous? Worried it would be too much?”
“Why do you think it might be an issue?”
I shift my head to look up at him and inhale sharply when I realize our faces are only inches apart. The purple in his eyes is much more distinct this close. Periwinkle blue starbursts frame his pupil, pushing violet waves outward in an almost ombre effect. I thought the color was pretty before, but they’re much more beautiful when you see how intricate their design is. Long lashes brush against his chestnut skin as he blinks. I can barely think straight, too lost in the rapid beat of my heart and the thrum of longing whipping through my body.
“E-Everett,” I whisper. “I want to name him after Foster’s brother.”
Warmth fills his eyes, and his plush lips quirk into a half-smile. “That’s a beautiful idea, Mi Corazón. Our Omega will be honored that you thought of his brother when naming your child. I don’t think you would be overstepping. You are their Beta, even if they haven’t physically claimed you yet.”
Swallowing thickly, I snuggle against his side and focus back on the baby. “Everett Alexander Wilson,” I whisper the name, loving the way it rolls off my tongue.
“This is the sight I want to wake up to every morning!” Foster saunters out of the bedroom, giving us a soft look as he collapses onto the couch on Manny’s other side. “My Betas holding our baby and cuddling.”
“You’re up early,” Manny comments, shifting Everett to one arm so he can run his hand over Foster’s hair.
Our Omega purrs, tucking himself closer to Manny’s side. “Wanted to see you before you go to work. Are you coming back tonight?”
“I have a late night at the studio, and an early start tomorrow.” When Foster starts to pout, he kisses him, teeth nipping at his bottom lip. “I’ll be back this weekend.”
“Well, I have good news on that front,” Shepherd announces as he joins us, slipping a shirt over his head and hiding hissculpted pecs. I glance at Manny, giggling when I see matching frowns on his and Foster’s faces. They are not happy our Alpha is covering up. “The realtor called; our bid for the house in Starburgh was accepted.”
It’s my turn to frown. A few days before I’d gone into labor, he and Foster had announced they had found our dream home. Neither of them will tell me anything about it, except that it’s perfect. Not that I feel like I need to be included in the decision, I just feel weird about the secrecy. I trust them, and I know they would never buy a house in disrepair.
