“And if his family objects?”
Vance shrugs slightly. “He’s over twenty-one. There are no signs of abuse. He wasn’t purchased or traded. Legally, it doesn’t matter what his family thinks.”
That settles something deep in my gut.
“But if you anticipate interference,” Vance adds, “we can recommend legal counsel.” He opens another drawer, pulling out another sheet of paper filled with names and phone numbers. “If there’s a missing person report on your mate, then his family will be notified of his mating once everything is filed. If you think your mating will be an issue…”
I hand the paperwork back, then wave off the list of lawyers. “I’m confident it won’t be an issue.”
He gives me a knowing look, making sure I don’t want to change my mind.
“I was just curious,” I add.
Vance nods once, then puts the paper back. “Of course. But I’d like to recommend that your mate tell his family in person. It would go a long way if they choose to take this to court and claim your omega was forced into a mating.” Helets out a heavy sigh. “Some parents struggle to acknowledge these kinds of matings, even when no one did anything wrong.”
I nod, then glance back at the monitor again.
Jude is all alone now, fidgeting while he waits, but he doesn’t look afraid. In fact, our bond feels pretty settled.
And soon, on paper and in law, he’ll be mine in every way that matters.
Twenty minutes later, I wrap an arm around Jude’s shoulders, leading him out of the agency and into the bustling city street. He looks up at me, his big blue eyes wide. “Are we going home now?”
“Yeah,” I say, pulling him closer. “We’re going home,”
A wave of pure, unadulterated bliss flows through our bond, and Jude leans his head against my arm. I kiss his hair, breathing in his sweet scent.
My mind is still reeling from what Dr. Vance said.
Pregnant.
The thought is a fucking lightning strike. Jude could have my baby in his belly right now, a tiny life growing inside him, a product of our frenzied, desperate mating.
Of course, we won’t know for sure for at least a few more weeks, but I can still hope. The idea of having a family with him fills me with a warmth I’ve never felt before. I tighten my arm around him, a fierce protectiveness swelling in my chest.
Mine.
All mine.
Chapter Nine
Jude
We walk home, Pace’s fingers thread with mine. I can feel my alpha’s wild happiness flooding our bond. It’s a bright, effervescent buzz that makes me feel lighter than air.
“Why are you so happy?” I laugh as I look up at him.
He smiles down at me, a genuine, breathtaking smile. “Just thinking about the future,” he says, placing his large hand over my stomach, right where a baby might be growing.
I can’t fight my own smile as my heart skips a beat. “I’ve been thinking about it too,” I admit. “Ever since the nurse took my blood.” I pause, my other hand wrapping around his forearm. “I don’t really feel any different, though. I might not be.” I bite my lip, then ask the question that’s been really nagging at me. “Will you be okay if I’m not…pregnant?”
“Of course,” Pace says, his voice soft but sure. His eyes don’t waver from mine, steady and open, without a singlehint of doubt in them. Then his smile shifts, growing more playful. “It just means we can keep trying.” He winks.
That makes me blush furiously, and he leans down to kiss my temple.
I can’t help but beam as we walk the rest of the way home, a comfortable silence settling between us. A few minutes later, we reach our little apartment building and step into the elevator.
Pace presses the button for our floor, but before the doors can even close, he’s on me.
