“Yes.” The possibility made Doc’s heart quicken.
“Wait,” Gavric squawked. “Wait. You’re—You’re pregnant? You literally just ran away!”
“That’s what I said,” Crush muttered.
“That sure was fast,” Titan said.
Titan’s omega, Mathlin, rolled his eyes. “Like you didn’t knock me up within the first week.”
Killian sighed. “It’s our fate,” he whispered. “Something in the water.”
“If it were really something in the water, I’d also be pregnant right now,” Joe said dryly. “But I’m not.”
“Don’t jinx yourself,” Ottis blurted. Then he smacked his face. “Fuck. Maybe we’ll get a whole new litter of baby siblings.”
His brothers exchanged uncomfortable looks with each other.
“Anyway!” Joe cleared his throat loudly. “We’re really pleased to hear about your pregnancy, Ottis. Congrats!”
He pulled Ottis into a hug, rubbing his back. Ottis beamed.
Quietly, Joe whispered to Ottis, “You’re really okay?”
Ottis nodded into his dad’s shoulder. “As long as no one tries to kill Doc.”
“Hey, we should at least get a chance to threaten him,” one of his other alpha brothers said. “Fight to the death!”
“No one is fighting to the death,” Ashton said with a pointed look at his son. “Let’s focus on the good news.”
Joe turned back to Ottis, ruffling his hair. “So, you’re not coming back for now?”
Ottis scowled. “I’m stayingawayfrom my brothers. Other people have helicopter parents. I have helicopter brothers.” He made a disgusted sound.
“Yeah, we love you too,” one of the alphas said.
Ottis hugged his dads and pack. There was a movement at the corner of Doc’s eye.
Joe came up to him, reaching up to clap him on the shoulder. His crow’s feet deepened when he smiled. “Thanks for taking care of Ottis. We’ve been worried about him for a while.”
Ottis whined. “Dad!”
“It’s true,” Crush said dryly. “You have aterribledating history.”
“Hopefully it’ll be less terrible now,” Doc said. “I’m building him a nest.”
Ottis’ parents lit up. The pack murmured with approval, smiles all around. Doc stood straighter.
Mischief flashed through Joe’s face. “Do you need some pregnancy tips?” he asked Ottis. “You’ll have to mate three times a day to keep your hormone levels balanced, and to keep things tightened up to stop the fluids from gushing—”
Ottis turned bright red, yanking himself away from his alpha dad. “Oh gods, no. I don’t need tips!”
“Speaking of tips,” Ashton said with a grin that matched his omega’s. “Keep them moist and polished. Dry tips can cause discomfort—”
Ottis wailed and barreled into Doc. “Please take me away. Oh gods.”
“But there’s still so much more that you don’t know,” Joe said innocently. “Exercise is very important in all three trimesters. You should keep your muscles well-stretched.”
Ottis scrambled up Doc’s chest and wrapped his legs around Doc’s waist; Doc had to hold Marcie away so Ottis didn’t crash into her. “Great stallion, take us away. Please.”
