“Fuck yes!” Foster cheers, startling Everett where he was sleeping in Manny’s arms. “Sorry, Little Man,” he coos, stealing him and walking him back and forth behind the couch. He’s too cute, even if having a baby has been an adjustment. Despite his work at the community center, Foster doesn’t have much experience with babies. Everett has already peed on him twice during diaper changes, which was amusing for the rest of us. Not so much for my Omega.
Manny’s watch beeps several times, and a glance at the clock tells me it’s time for him to leave. I’m sad he won’t be here tonight, wanting to enjoy these peaceful moments with him a bit longer, but I understand how rough the commute from here to Starburgh is when he works late. He silences the alarm and scoots to the front of the couch. Violet eyes turn to me. I watch as he swallows thickly. “Would you let me cook you dinner Saturday night? The two of us, and the baby. Shepherd and Foster are taking Kaitlin to the library for their superhero event, and I would like a chance to get to know you better.”
He wants to take me on a date? Well, an at-home date with a needy baby third-wheeling, but still. “I’d love that,” I answer shyly, cheeks burning when he feathers his lips over my cheek.
“Saturday, then.” I can’t hide my smile as he kisses Shepherd and Foster before heading to work, leaving us staring after him, our joint longing filling the air.
“When can we move into the new house?” Foster grumbles. “I need that man with us permanently.”
Shepherd laughs, patting him on the shoulder on his way into the kitchen. “If they push the paperwork through, next weekend.”
A little over a week until this mystery home is revealed, and we finally have enough space for our whole pack. I can’t wait.
My phone rings in the early afternoon with a video chat from my sister. When Shepherd had called Donovan from the hospital to deliver our good news about the baby, he’d informed us that Omen had gone into heat. She’s glowing with happiness, and a little exhausted, with her long black and purple hair pulled into a messy bun. “Hello, Gremlin! How was your heat?”
“It was exhausting, but nice.” Red covers her face and ears as she thinks about the past few days. I’m thrilled to see her so happy. Ever since her mates started to make amends, to prove that they aren’t going to reject her again, she’s regained the spark their original rejection extinguished. She deserves to be loved and cherished, and it’s nice that Pack Graves has stepped up to be that for her.
Omen focuses back on me, eyes flooding with tears. “I’m sorry I missed-”
I cut her off. No way is she going to apologize for being in heat when I went into labor. “I know you would have been hereif you could have been. Plus, you’ve never witnessed a woman giving birth before, so I’m not sure you would have enjoyed it. It’s gross.”
“Beautiful! She means beautiful,” Foster calls from the kitchen, where he’s washing up from lunch with Kaitlin’s help. I roll my eyes, not disagreeing with him. Labor is both gross and beautiful.
“Have you spoken with Donovan at all?” I ask, wanting to know what she’s heard. The day she went into heat, our brother and a group of mercenaries broke into their house to kidnap her. Pack Graves and their security team stopped them, and Ben was finally arrested. Omen was coherent for that part, but everything else would have been found out while she was in heat. So, I’m not surprised when she says she called me first. Avoiding our family is something she’s learned to excel at.
A sigh slips through my lips before I can stop it, wishing one of us had insider information to share. “They haven’t told me much yet, but Shepherd has been an overprotective menace for… well, ever, but even more so than usual over the past week.”
Everett cries from his swing. I watch from over my shoulder as Shepherd scoops him into his arms and wrinkles his nose, chuckling at whatever stinky mess our son has made in his diaper. Life with a newborn has been so different with him than it was with Kaitlin. Aside from obviously not being trapped in a cult, Foster, Shepherd, and Manny all jump to help with the baby at any chance they get. I have to fight them for baby snuggles sometimes. It’s adorable as hell, and a little overwhelming.
Omen explains about our brother’s attempted break-in. When she tells me they were targeting her to force her to continue the Montgomery line, I fake gag. That’s despicable and gross as hell. There was a time when I loved my little brother, but as soon as he was old enough to think for himself, it quickly became clear he had inherited our father’s cruelty and hatred.He grew into a man I couldn’t recognize. I’m glad he’s been arrested and can no longer threaten others. He’s too unstable to be allowed to roam freely in the world.
“Can I visit tomorrow?” She asks as we end the call.
I light up at the thought of seeing her. She needs a hug, and I need her support to reveal the baby’s name. “Of course! I’ll let Foster and Shep know, so that we can have lunch together!” As the line goes dead, I realize I should tell her about Manny tomorrow. He’s important to our pack, so the important people in our lives should know about him, too.
The next day is chaos. Kaitlin convinced Foster to play dress-up with her, leading to a morning full of princess-superhero dance performances. Watching the two of them dance to her kid’s music is hilarious. I record a few clips and send them to Manny, sharing our laughter with him while he’s at work.
Omen and her pack arrive right before lunch. “Ignore the mess,” I tell them as I usher them inside. I don’t mind the toys strewn across the living room, but I don’t want them to trip over anything. Skirting around everything, I lead my sister into the kitchen to steal Everett from his carrier on Shepherd’s chest. My Alpha glares at us for interrupting his baby time, but I don’t let his grumpiness stop us. He lives here, so he can get baby cuddles anytime.
“He’s beautiful, Hannah,” Omen whispers. “Everyone is going to have to fight me for baby and kid snuggles now. I have a lot to make up for.”
I scold her, not wanting to hear another apology. “We never would have gotten out of New Hampshire if you were still there with me.” My words shock her into silence, and I hope they open her eyes. She has nothing to be sorry for. Getting away from our family was for the best. For all of us.
“What’s his name?” she asks, looking from him to me.
“She hasn’t told us yet,” Shepherd grumbles from where he’s readying lunch at the counter. I feel my cheeks heat and curse myself for always blushing. They can read my reactions too clearly when my face flames every time!
Instead of answering, I lead her into the living room so she can sit down. Once she’s settled, I slip the baby into her arms, helping coach her on how to support his head. She rocks gently, attention moving from him to me. “Wanna share what that was about?”
“I did something,” I admit, glancing back to the kitchen and pitching my voice low so that the guys cannot hear me. After talking to Manny yesterday, I finished the paperwork to name the baby. “I don’t know how they’re going to take it.”
Fear isn’t the right word to describe how I feel about telling them, because I’m not afraid of my mates. Justnervous? To the point of possibly puking at the thought?
“Tell them while we’re here,” she suggests. “If they react poorly, you can come home with us.” She sounds certain that it won’t happen, which bolsters my confidence. This is why I wanted her here. She’s always made me feel invincible.
“Come eat!” Shepherd calls out.
I push to my feet in time to watch my little bug come around the corner, shaking water from her hands. “Dry your hands, little bug; don’t shake them!” I give Omen an apologetic look and leave her to carry the baby to the table while I take Kaitlin back to the bathroom to dry her hands properly. Hopefully, she breaks this habit before school starts next year.
