My smile doesn’t diminish as we shut the water off and sneak into the closet to get dressed. Shepherd even helps me pick an outfit to wear for my at-home date with Manny. He helps me slip into a pair of dark brown leggings and fuzzy white socks after I slip on my nursing bra. I watch him walk closer to the bedroom, wondering what he is searching for when all of my shirts are down here, but then he grabs an oversized black sweater from his shelf.
The material is worn, clearly one of his favorites, and buttery soft against my skin. It drops to mid-thigh; the sleeves hang so far over my hands that I have to roll them several times to make them fit. “Perfect. I love the way you look in my clothes, and the combination of our scents can tease Manny all night.”
Snickering, I push past him and head out into the bedroom when I hear the baby start to cry. “You could scent-mark Manny, you know.”
“I like that idea!” Foster startles me when he meets me at the bedroom door, passing a cranky Everett into my arms. He leans in and presses his lips against my pulse, inhaling deeply. His groan skitters across my skin, raising the hairs on my arms. “You smell good enough to eat, Angel.”
Another loud cry has me rushing to sit on the couch and lift the sweater so I can feed my little man. “Next time.” I wink, laughing when Foster places one hand on his heart and the other over his forehead, playfully complaining about my rejection. His grin tells me he doesn’t mean it, as does the sloppy kiss he presses to my lips twenty minutes later. “Have fun with Manny tonight, Angel.”
They leave, pulled out the door by Kaitlin, who barely throws me a wave in her rush to get to the library. She’s decked out in her superhero costume, mask and all. I sigh, burping Everett again as he finishes eating. My little bug loves her new dads. She whispered to me late last night, telling me how happy she wasthat Colin wasn’t her dad anymore. Tears had spilled down my cheeks as she gushed about how much time my new mates spend with her.
Listening to the joy in her voice, it’s clear we’re on the right path.
The one Fate always meant for us.
A few minutes after the guys left, Manny texted to let me know he was leaving Starburgh. Excitement wars with nervousness as I wait for him to arrive. This is the first time we will have spent just the two of us, and Everett, of course. Though my sleepy little man isn’t much for conversation at this age.
I tidied the apartment while I waited. Sorting Kait’s toys and rearranging the pillows on the couch a dozen times. Busywork to try to calm my growing anxiety.
My eyes fly to the clock when someone knocks on the door. Manny is a little sooner than I expected. Traffic must have been light, which is surprising for a Saturday evening. Running my sweaty palms down over Shepherd’s sweater, I swing the door open, a smile pulling at my lips.
It falls away when I find myself eye-to-eye with my ex-husband. Pain explodes through my ribs as he forces his way into the apartment, elbowing me in the side to knock me further into the living room. Air refuses to fill my frozen lungs as the door swings shut, but it doesn’t click closed. All I can hope is that a neighbor will pass and see it partially ajar.
“You vile bitch!” Spittle hits my face as he screams. The loud noise startles the baby and makes him cry. Colin doesn’t care,doesn’t even spare my son a glance. His rage is focused on me. I glance at the coffee table where my phone rests. If I can make it there, I can call for help.
Raising both my hands, I try to keep space between us and subtly back toward the couch, but he anticipates my reaction and slams his foot into my knee, sending me crashing to the floor. One hand digs into my hair, searing pain lighting up my scalp as he forces me to look up at him. “How dare you leave me for a pack! You’ve ruined my reputation acting like a whore and spreading your legs for these abominations!”
Clawing at his hand, I raise one foot and kick him, hitting his hip close enough to his groin to make him back up a few steps. “You ruined your own reputation by buying into my father’s lies,” I cough. Holding my head up straight, I stumble to my feet. “Being brainwashed by a cult is a bad look.”
Fury pinches his face as he raises a fist to swing at me, but he stops himself, finally noticing Everett’s wailing. His eyes lock on the baby swing, lips twisting into a smirk that makes my stomach sink. “You know, we wouldn’t be in this situation if the monstrosity you call your sister knew her place. She had to stick her fucking nose in your father’s business and get him arrested. I’ve spent weeks tracking down all of his prominent backers and fighting to get them to see reason. Those cowards refuse to do anything to help him get out of the bogus charges those idiots at the FCDA have charged him with.”
His attention swings back to me, eyes narrowing as he takes a menacing step my way. “Let’s make a deal. I know my parents are going to win custody of our kids when you go to trial. I mean, who would ever side with a pack whore over a child’s loving, monogamous Beta grandparents?”
He’s delusional! And he doesn’t know their case has already been dismissed.
“I’m going to take my son, raise him to become a proper Montgomery heir, and in exchange, I’ll let you keep your filthy Omega sister and the first brat you bore for me.”
Something cold slithers through my veins, stealing the fear from my body. I stand straight, shoulders square, and hands clenched at my side. I willneverlet him have my children. He’ll have to kill me to take them, and I’m not going down without a fight.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Fixingthe collar of my black dress shirt, I wait for the elevator to drop me on the Wilson’s floor. My date with Hannah has been on my mind all day. The heart of this gorgeous woman draws me to her. Being around her when I visit makes it hard to focus. Something Foster greatly encouraged me to explore further. When we’d gone to his nest a few nights ago, he had nearly sucked the soul from my body when I admitted I was attracted to her.
I’m still nervous. Despite the clear welcome their pack has given me, I still feel like an outsider. According to Mamá, that is of my doing. She believes I am keeping them at arm’s length, not allowing myself to go all in, because I still fear they will not choose me in the end.
She might be right, but letting my anxiety go isn’t easy. I wish it were as simple as waking up and choosing to believe that Foster, Shepherd, and Hannah truly accept me as their packmate.
When the elevator stops on their floor, I take a deep breath and focus on the now. I can ruminate about our future later. I adjust the flowers in my hand as the doors open, my grip onthem tightening when I hear a baby screaming. Then a man’s voice rips through the air, hate-filled and angry.
Taking a cautious step into the hall, I let the flowers fall when I see the Wilsons’ door cracked open. My hand flies to my phone, dialing the police.
Hannah’s raised voice floats out of the apartment, and I swear beneath my breath. “You lost any right to my children months ago!” Her ex-husband must be the one screaming.
I quickly explain the situation to the dispatcher, asking if they can call the security downstairs and alert them to the issue. When they agree, I shove my phone in my pocket and push the door open. My expression turns thunderous when I see Hannah’s disheveled hair and torn leggings.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” The words rumble from my throat, almost as deep as an Alpha’s growl.
Her ex whips toward me, a pathetic scowl on his face. “Who are you? Nevermind, it doesn’t matter. My conversation with my wife isn’t any of your-”
