Chapter 36 – BEAU
BEAU
Bodhi's house is a twenty-minute drive deeper into the property. Lisa's been here before, for the wedding, but the land is so vast that there are many ways in and many ways out, and as we drive, she stares out the window and takes in the stunning scenery I’ve lived with for years.
Emma opens the front door with a huge smile, a dish towel over her shoulder and flour on her cheek. She pulls Lisa into a warm hug and ushers us both toward the kitchen where coffee is already on.
Bodhi is at the table, reading something on his laptop, a frown on his face. He stands when we walk in, and his eyes go straight to the mark on Lisa's neck. One eyebrow lifts.
"Can't say I'm surprised." He extends his hand to Lisa, who takes it, her slim fingers dwarfed by his. His handshake is brief and firm, and his eyes flick to me to check how I’m dealing with another man touching my newly marked mate. "Welcome to the family, Lisa. Officially."
His nose twitches as he releases her hand, but he says nothing, just gives me a look over Lisa's head and a knowing smile.
"We were up at the cabin yesterday," I tell him while accepting the coffee Emma pushes into my hands, filling Bodhi in while Lisa asks Emma how life has been since the wedding.
"Amber's doing well, or as well as can be expected. Eating, sleeping some, and she’s starting to talk about what happened. Zara's been great with her."
Bodhi nods, settling back into his chair and pushing some freshly made bread in my direction. "And the wolves? Have they been back?"
“Chase spoke to them. Aaron agreed to wait, but we know that won’t last forever.” I sigh, feeling torn. We can’t pressure Amber into anything she doesn’t want to do, but knowing how incredible the bond is, the power of finding your mate, I feel almost compelled to help them both experience it.”
Especially when it could save his life.
“I'll set up a meeting when she's ready. If she’s ready. Ben's got Mason and Maddox watching the cabin in the meantime, in case they get impatient."
Which seems likely the more days that pass.
"Good." Bodhi sips his coffee. "Keep me posted."
The front door bangs open, and Natalie appears in the kitchen doorway, coming to an abrupt stop as she scans the room, flushed and slightly out of breath, like she ran here.
She steps forward and opens her mouth, arms wide to hug me, to congratulate us, but then nose twitching, she freezes mid-stride, her gaze dropping straight to Lisa's stomach, hands still hanging in the air.
"No way." Her gaze snaps between Lisa's belly and the mark on her neck and back again, and she rocks up onto her toes, both hands pressed over her mouth.
Lisa sighs and looks up at me. "She knows, doesn't she?"
Natalie squeaks from behind her hands, practically bursting with excitement.
Emma looks between Natalie, Lisa, and me, frustration lacing her tone as she grabs Bodhi’s arm and pulls his attention back to her. Not that it ever leaves her for long.
"Knows what? What am I missing?”
Natalie removes her hands long enough to blurt out, "Lisa's pregnant."
Emma squeals too, and then she's hugging Lisa again, tighter this time, and the kitchen fills with questions and laughter.
Bodhi claps me on the shoulder, hard, and shakes his head, never understanding the fuss but enjoying it anyway, if it makes his mate or his family happy.
Lisa catches my eye across the chaos and grins nervously, not used to all the hugs and kisses from the girls, but she's laughing too, and everything about it just feels so right.
When Lisa starts to tire, Emma touches her arm and nods toward the hallway. "We've got a spare room made up. You two are welcome to stay. Or you can take a nap if you need to."
Lisa declines and looks at me with a shy smile. "Thanks, but we need to get going.”
Much less reluctant to share our good news, I proudly announce, “I've got some unpacking to do."
Bodhi frowns. "Unpacking?"
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull Lisa to me, needing to touch her. "At Lisa's place. I’m giving up my rental."
Lisa's hand finds mine, and she entwines her fingers, squeezing tightly. "Our place."
My bear doesn't make a sound. She’s not only accepting me into her den, her bed and her life, but she’s offering it to me freely, without hesitation. It’s more than I could ever have dreamed of.
“Let’s go home,” she whispers, and I bend down and kiss her, savouring the moment, ready to go and start our new life together.