Chapter 13 Hayden
Chapter thirteen
Hayden
Telling my mother that I would be moving in with my fated mate so soon after meeting him was a lot easier than I could have imagined.
Apparently, Mom met several couples throughout her life who were fated, and she knew how quickly these feelings could develop.
Nora, on the other hand? She’s having a hard time processing.
It’s been a little over two weeks since Thorne and I left the cabin, and I’m starting to go a little stir crazy with how much I miss him.
We decided—well, more like I insisted that he go back to his town to take care of his Pride and check on the businesses.
The two of us were on vacation for three weeks.
Three amazing weeks at our cabin. But he had responsibilities, and I couldn’t imagine him taking more time away from the Pride while I packed and said my goodbyes to my friends and family.
“That was the last box. The rest is in storage,” Nora says, before tugging me into a fierce hug. “Goddess, I’m going to miss you, Hayden. Why the hell do you have to move? Why can’t that alpha come here?” She complains for the millionth time.
I chuckle, giving Nora one last squeeze before pulling away.
“I already told you, he’s the alpha of his Pride.
” Thank goodness Thorne let me spill that secret.
I’m just glad that Nora believed me when I told her shifters were real.
Apparently, her omega mom dated a shifter for a long time.
“Thorne can’t just leave. And even if he could, I don’t want him to.
How many times have we wished we lived in a small town? I’m tired of the city, Nora.”
“Screw small-town living, what about me?” she whines. I’m honestly surprised she isn’t stomping her foot.
My hand drops to my stomach protectively. I unconsciously rub it tenderly before she catches the movement. She arches a brow, and my face heats as she eyes me curiously. “No fucking way!” she cheers. “You’re pregnant?”
I give her a sheepish smile and unzip my puffy coat. I’m not huge by any means, but I’m starting to show. “I guess that’s what happens when you’re human and mate with a lion. The pregnancies are a lot quicker than nine months.”
I already suspected I could be pregnant thanks to my very short heat, but when I got nauseous so quickly, I was a little worried.
I called Thorne’s omega Papa, not wanting to scare Thorne.
He confirmed that when paired with their fated, it’s common for an omega’s body to change or adapt to the shifter.
He directed me to a local shifter doctor here in the city, and it looks like I had nothing to worry about.
I’m a healthy pregnant omega. Goddess, I can’t wait to tell Thorne.
I wanted to do it in person, and we agreed I would move in within a month, but I’m getting too eager to see him.
Screw the month timeline. I want to see my alpha—now.
“Oh my goodness! No wonder you were craving pickles and Hot Cheetos the other day! I can’t believe you’re preggo before me!”
I grin. “Have you tried getting knotted for three days while in heat?” I ask.
“Oh, you naughty little omega.” She laughs.
“Speaking of cravings, wanna have lunch at Wings ‘N’ Dip? I heard they have their new line of maple-covered wings. I want to try them with their bacon ranch.”
She barks out a laugh. “Oh, goddess, how the hell did I not realize you were pregnant sooner?”
After lunch, Nora and I hugged about fifteen more times before she agreed to visit me in about a week.
I would have laughed if I weren’t so grateful. I’d love for Nora to check on me and meet Thorne. We agreed to talk on the phone and text more often, and ironically, I get the impression that moving away is going to strengthen our friendship.
The three-hour drive to Stone Joy was an easy one. It was practically a straight shot on the highway. The further I drove away from all the large buildings, the more excited I started to get. And by the time I took the correct exit and drove into town, I knew this place was going to be my new home.
Even though Christmas was officially over, I still blasted Christmas music the whole way, singing along and getting into the spirit as I drove.
As soon as I park my car, I glance up at the cute two-story house with the large wrap-around porch. My hand drifts back to my belly. Are you ready, jellybean? We are about to give your daddy one last Christmas gift! Let’s just hope he loves this surprise.