Riley #2
"I imagine it did." Gerri's smile turned mysterious. "Though I have to say, congratulations are in order."
"Thank you," Riley said automatically, assuming Gerri meant the wedding or the gym opening. "We're really—"
"Oh, I don't think you understand what I mean, honey," Gerri interrupted with a knowing wink, her gaze dropping pointedly to Riley's still-flat stomach.
How could she possibly—
"What?" her mother Tammy's voice pitched higher with sudden alertness. "Riley? Are you pregnant?"
The question hung in the air like a challenge. Riley felt Adrian's protective instincts surge through their bond, his body shifting slightly to angle between her and the group. But there was no hiding from her mother's laser-focused stare or Lila's suddenly wide eyes.
"I—" Riley's voice caught. She'd planned to announce it after the grand opening, in a more controlled setting. But Gerri's supernatural intuition had just blown that plan.
"Yes," she said finally, the word coming out stronger than she'd expected. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
The silence lasted exactly three heartbeats before chaos erupted, and her mother and Lila hugged her at the same time.
The wave of congratulations crashed over Riley, her mother's tears mixing with Lila's excited squeals as they finally released her from their group embrace. Her mother's hands fluttered over Riley's face with maternal wonder, as if she could already see the grandchild growing within her daughter.
"I can't believe you're going to be a grandmother," Riley said, her voice thick with raw emotion.
Mark cleared his throat, his green eyes twinkling with mischief. "So does this mean I'm going to be Uncle Mark? Because I've been practicing my spoiling techniques for far too long."
The laughter that bubbled up felt natural and right, washing away Riley's earlier nerves about the announcement. This was her family—chosen and blood—and sharing this moment with them made everything feel more real.
"Come on," she said, wiping at her eyes. "Let me show you what we've built."
The tour began in the soaring lobby, where natural light poured through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting geometric patterns across the polished floors.
Riley's chest swelled with pride as she watched her mother take in the sleek reception desk, the comfortable seating area, and the wall of photos showcasing both human and shifter athletes who'd found success through disciplined training.
"The main training floor," she announced, leading them down the wide staircase.
The space opened up before them like a cathedral dedicated to controlled violence and personal transformation.
The regulation-size ring dominated the center, surrounded by state-of-the-art equipment that gleamed under the carefully positioned lighting.
Heavy bags hung in perfect rows, their surfaces already showing the loving wear of early training sessions.
Speed bags waited like patient metronomes, ready to teach rhythm and precision.
"Wow, Riley," Lila breathed, running her hand along the pristine surface of a weight bench. "This is like the gym equivalent of a five-star hotel."
Her mother moved toward the ring with reverent steps. "Honey, this is everything you ever dreamed of and more."
It was true. The space felt alive with potential, humming with the energy of fighters who would find their strength here.
"The upper level houses specialized training rooms," Adrian explained, his alpha confidence evident as he gestured toward the mezzanine. "Including spaces designed for... unique training needs."
Mark's eyebrows lifted knowingly. The shifter-specific areas were carefully hidden from human view but accessible to pride members who needed to train in their true forms.
Riley felt Adrian's hand settle on her back, the simple touch sending warmth through their mate bond. His pride in what they'd accomplished together flowed through the connection like liquid sunlight, and she had to resist the urge to lean into him.
We did this, she marveled. Together.
They stood in a facility that represented the perfect marriage of her vision and his resources, her training expertise and his business acumen. It wasn't his gym or her gym—it was theirs, built on the foundation of mutual respect and shared dreams.
"The equipment alone must have cost a fortune," her mother observed, though her tone held admiration rather than concern.
"Money well invested," Adrian replied simply. "Riley's vision deserved the best."
The casual way he spoke about the substantial investment made Riley's heart squeeze. He'd never once made her feel like she owed him, never held the financial aspects over her head. Instead, he'd treated her dreams as if they were his own.
Gerri had remained unusually quiet during the tour, but Riley caught her studying the space with those unnaturally perceptive eyes. When their gazes met, the matchmaker's smile held layers of satisfaction that went far deeper than simple approval.
"You've built something special here," Gerri said finally. "A place where strength comes in many forms, and everyone can find their own path to power."
The words resonated through Riley's chest like a bell. That was exactly what she'd wanted—not just a gym, but a sanctuary where people could discover what they were truly capable of.
Adrian's fingers traced along her spine in a subtle caress that made her skin tingle. Through their bond, she felt his desire to pull her aside, to share this moment of triumph privately before the celebration continued.
"Why don't you all explore a bit more?" Riley suggested, her voice slightly breathless. "Adrian and I need to check on a few things before the official opening."
Lila's knowing smirk suggested she wasn't fooled by the excuse, but she simply waved them away. "Go do your couple thing. We'll try not to break anything expensive."
Adrian's hand found hers, his fingers interlacing with practiced ease as he guided her toward a quiet alcove near the back of the facility. The moment they were out of sight, his control slipped just enough for her to see the raw emotion burning in his blue eyes.
"I'm so proud of you," he said softly. "Of what you've built, what you've become. Watching you transform your dreams into reality has been the greatest privilege of my life."
Riley's breath caught at the sincerity in his tone. "We built this together," she corrected softly. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."
"You could have," Adrian insisted, his hands framing her face. "You would have found a way. But I'm grateful I got to be part of it."
The truth of his words flowed through their mate bond, untainted by false modesty or ego. He genuinely believed in her strength, her capability, her worth—not as his mate, but as Riley Kael, the woman who'd earned every success through blood, sweat, and unwavering determination.
"You're the best Alpha this pride has ever had," she whispered, rising on her toes to brush her lips against his. "And the best mate I could have asked for."
His response was immediate and claiming, his mouth covering hers in a kiss that tasted like triumph and true love and the promise of forever.
She could feel his tiger purring through their connection, could taste his satisfaction at having his pregnant mate in his arms, surrounded by the physical manifestation of their partnership.
When they finally broke apart, his forehead rested against hers in that gesture that had become their signature.
"Our future looks pretty perfect," Adrian murmured, his thumb tracing her cheekbone.
Riley just smiled, her heart too full for words in that magical moment.