Chapter 31
Thirty-One
ANYA
Two weeks later, the sun beats down on my shoulders as I sit across from my mother at the little outdoor café, a gentle ocean breeze ruffling my hair.
“I still can’t believe it,” I say, my voice catching as I place my hand over hers. “I keep thinking I’m going to wake up and this will all be a dream.”
She turns her hand over, squeezing my fingers. “Not a dream,” she says, her eyes shining with tears. “I’m really here, and your wonderful pack saved my life. I had no idea how long I was going to last and how long I had left to live.”
It’s been two weeks since I watched my mother walk through our front door, alive and whole and free.
I’d thrown myself into her arms, sobbing so hard I could barely breathe, my face pressed against her shoulder as I inhaled her familiar scent, which is slightly faded but still unmistakably hers.
She’d held me just as tightly, her body shaking with silent tears, her fingers digging into my back like she was afraid I might disappear if she let go.
Now, sitting here in the sunshine, watching her blow gently on her steaming cappuccino, it’s hard to believe we ever spent a day apart.
“How did you meet Dad if you were an omega?” I ask, the question on my mind for days now.
She smiles, a soft, private expression that makes my heart ache.
“It was at the library,” she says, stirring her drink absently.
“I was hiding out in the back, trying to read and stay warm—it was February and freezing outside. And there he was, this tall, awkward man with the most serious face, sitting at the same table, poring over these massive architecture books.”
“He didn’t know what you were?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
She shakes her head. “No. I was careful. The scent blockers I bought off that dealer worked pretty well, but they didn’t last as long as the pharmaceutical ones.
But they kept me hidden.” She takes a sip of her coffee, her expression thoughtful.
“Your father fell for me anyway. Not because I was an omega, not because of my scent or what I could give him. He loved me for me.”
I swallow hard, staring at the foam art on top of my latte.
“Dad’s not the same without you,” I say quietly. “Sharon and her kids... they’re his family now. But he’s never really been there. Just... going through the motions. Like he’s hollow inside.”
My mother’s face falls. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I never wanted that for either of you.”
I shrug, though the casual gesture feels forced. “It’s not your fault.”
“How was life with the step-mom?”
“I left as soon as I could,” I continue, the words tumbling out now that I’ve started. “Right after graduation. I slept on friends’ couches, working odd jobs here and there.”
“This was all my fault,” she says as tears spill down her cheeks. “If only…”
“It’s okay,” I say quickly, grabbing her hand. “Really. It’s okay now.”
And it is, I realize with a start. For the first time in my life, I’m not alone. I have my pack—five alphas who look at me like I’m precious, who would burn the world down to keep me safe.
“I have my alphas now,” I say, feeling a smile spread across my face. “And a little one on the way.”
My mother freezes, her coffee cup halfway to her lips. “What?” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Then, louder. “A baby?! You’re pregnant?”
I nod, unable to contain my smile any longer. “Yes, I just found out.”
“No!” she exclaims, half-standing in her excitement, nearly knocking over her coffee. “Oh my god, Anya! A baby!” She’s practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes wide and shining. “My first grandchild! I’m going to be a grandmother!”
Her joy is infectious. I’m laughing now, my earlier sadness forgotten in the face of her exuberance. “Oh my god, Mom. The whole café doesn’t need to know.”
“Sorry, sorry,” she says, dropping back into her seat, though her grin hasn’t diminished. “I’m just so excited! The pack must be so excited.”
I fiddle with the handle of my mug. “Actually, I haven’t told them yet,” I admit. “I wanted to tell you first.”
She gasps, pressing a hand to her heart. “Oh, honey...”
“And I was wondering if maybe you’d help me?” I continue, suddenly shy. “You know, with the announcement? I thought maybe we could do something special.”
Her eyes light up.
“Yes,” she says immediately. “Yes, absolutely. We’ll go shopping today—get a onesie, some balloons, the whole works.
And then...” She leans forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
“I have that little cottage by the ocean, just down the beach from Ryker’s place.
We could set everything up there and have them all come over tonight. ”
The idea is perfect. I can already picture my five alphas crowded into my mother’s cozy living room, their faces lighting up as they realize what’s happening. The thought makes my chest warm with anticipation.
“That sounds amazing,” I say, already gathering my purse. “Let’s go.”
My mother stands, tossing a few bills onto the table.
“We have so much to do,” she says, linking her arm through mine as we head for the street. “Baby stores, party supply shops...” She glances at me, her expression suddenly serious. “I’m so proud of you, you know. For finding your pack, for building this life after…after everything.”
I squeeze her arm, blinking back sudden tears. “I had a good role model. You were an amazing mother.”
She stops, pulling me into a tight hug right there on the sidewalk. “I love you,” she whispers against my hair. “So, so much.”
“I love you too, Mom,” I whisper back, holding on tight.
As we pull apart, her smile is blinding. “Come on,” she says, grabbing my hand. “We’ve got a grandbaby to plan for.”
I collapse onto my mother’s plush sofa, my feet aching from hours of shopping and decorating.
The living room looks like a party explosion happened.
Blue and pink balloons float near the ceiling, streamers in matching colors hang from the doorways, and a banner reading “Congratulations” stretches across the far wall.
On the small coffee table sits a beautifully wrapped gift box containing the tiny onesie we bought, a perfect little outfit in soft yellow that reads ‘Loved by the Pack’ across the front.
My hand drifts to my still-flat stomach, unable to believe there’s actually a little person growing inside me.
“It looks perfect,” my mom says, dropping down beside me with a tired sigh. “Those boys are going to lose their minds.”
I grin, leaning my head against her shoulder. “I hope so.”
Through the wide bay window, I can see the ocean stretching to the horizon, waves crashing against the shore just yards from my mother’s front porch.
The cottage is tiny but perfect. It sits on a secluded stretch of beach, just a five-minute walk from Ryker’s massive mansion.
Ryker didn’t even bat an eyelid, allowing my mother to live here for free for as long as she wanted.
“It’s beautiful here,” I say, watching the sunlight dance on the water. “So peaceful.”
My phone rings, and I smile when I see it’s Ryker.
“Anya?” His voice is tight with concern. “Are you okay? Where are you? Do you need me to come get you?”
“I’m fine,” I say, unable to keep the laughter from my voice. “You don’t have to be on high alert all the time, you know. I’m allowed to leave the house without sending up smoke signals.”
He grunts, the sound equal parts frustration and relief. “After everything that’s happened? Letting you out of my sight is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I’m trying. I promise I’m trying to relax more.”
My heart melts a little at his earnestness. “I know,” I say, my voice softening. “And I appreciate it. Really.” I glance at my mother, who’s watching me with a knowing smile. “Actually, I’m calling because I’m at my mom’s place. And I was wondering if you and the guys could come over tonight?”
“Sure,” he says, though I can hear the confusion in his voice. “We’ll be there. Is everything alright?”
“Everything’s great,” I interrupt, laughing again. “Just be here, okay? All of you.”
I hang up before he can ask any more questions, tossing my phone onto the coffee table with a satisfied sigh.
“He’s so cute when he’s worried,” my mom says, nudging me with her elbow. “All gruff and protective.”
Warmth spreads through my chest at her words. It’s true my alphas treat me like I’m their princess and the center of their universe. After years of being treated as an afterthought, as something to be tolerated rather than loved, their devotion still sometimes feels like too much to believe.
“So,” my mom says, leaning forward to pour us both another glass of strawberry lemonade. “Any thoughts on names yet?”
“Not really,” I admit. “I thought maybe we’d wait until we know if it’s a boy or a girl. And even then...” I shrug. “I have five alphas’ opinions to consider.”
She laughs. “Good luck with that. I had enough trouble agreeing with your father, and he was just one man.”
We’re still laughing when a knock sounds at the door. My heart jumps, anticipation making my skin prickle with excitement.
“That was fast,” I say, already on my feet. “They must have broken every speed limit on the island.”
I hurry to the door, throwing it open to find all five of my alphas crowded on the small porch.
Ryker stands front and center, his massive frame nearly blocking the others from view.
Behind him, I can see Alaric’s tall form, Lorenzo’s golden skin glowing in the evening light, Rex’s spiky red hair, and Marcus’s broad shoulders.
“Come in,” I say, smiling at the sight of their curious faces.
They file into the cottage, filling the small space with their presence.
Ryker and Alaric duck slightly to avoid the hanging streamers, both of them shooting curious glances at the decorations.
Lorenzo and Marcus exchange puzzled looks, while Rex’s eyes light up with sudden understanding, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“Mrs. Rosewood,” Ryker says, turning to my mother with a respectful nod. “It’s good to see you again.”
She smiles, rising to greet them. “Please, call me Amanda. And it’s good to see you too—all of you.” She gestures to the living room. “Please, sit. Can I get anyone a drink?”
They decline with varying degrees of politeness, settling onto the sofa and chairs with the careful movements of men who are used to breaking furniture if they’re not careful. I perch on the arm of the sofa beside Ryker, unable to contain my excitement any longer.
“So,” I say, watching their faces. “You’re probably wondering why I asked you all here.”
Alaric’s eyes dart to the banner, then to the balloons. “Is there a party we weren’t informed about?” he asks, his tone carefully neutral. He’s the most introverted person I’ve ever met.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Not exactly.” I point to the gift box on the coffee table. “Open that.”
They all stare at the box for a moment, then at each other. Then, as if on some unspoken signal, they lunge for it simultaneously. There’s a brief scuffle of five massive alphas trying to reach the same small box at once before Ryker emerges victorious, the package clutched in his hand.
“Got it!”
“Children,” my mother mutters, though she’s grinning.
Ryker carefully removes the wrapping paper, setting it aside before lifting the lid of the box. Inside, nestled among blue and pink tissue paper, is the tiny onesie and, more importantly, the positive pregnancy test I took this morning.
For a moment, there’s complete silence. Then…
“Holy shit!” Rex exclaims, jumping to his feet. “You’re pregnant? We’re having a baby?”
The room erupts. Alaric and Lorenzo are high-fiving each other, both of them grinning like fools.
Marcus lets out a whoop that’s loud enough to make the windows rattle, pulling Rex into a back-slapping hug.
And Ryker is completely still, his eyes fixed on the tiny strip of plastic, his expression unreadable.
“You’re...” he starts, then stops, clearing his throat. “You’re sure?”
I nod, suddenly nervous. “Yes, babe.”
The others are still celebrating, already arguing about names and who gets to teach the baby to shift first, but Ryker has eyes only for me. He sets the box carefully on the table, then rises to his feet in one smooth motion.
“I was going to do this another time,” he says, his voice low enough that only I can hear. “Somewhere more romantic, with flowers and candles and all that stuff you’re supposed to have.” He drops to one knee, reaching into his pocket. “But this feels right. More right than anything ever has.”
My heart stops. The rest of the alphas crowd me, watching me with bated breath.
Was he seriously about to propose?
“Anya,” Ryker continues, pulling a small black box from his pocket.
“I love you. More than I ever thought possible. And if you want to go home and you want to leave the island, leave us, start over somewhere else—I’ll understand.
All I want is for you to be happy.” He opens the box, revealing a diamond so large it catches the light from every angle, throwing rainbow prisms across the walls.
“But if you’ll have us, I’d be honored if you’d be my wife. Our wife.”
Tears fill my eyes, blurring my vision.
“You’d really let me go?” I whisper, unable to believe what I’m hearing. “If that’s what I wanted?”
Ryker nods, his expression solemn. “I’d hate every second of it,” he admits. “But yes. Your happiness comes first. Always.”
Something breaks open in my chest—a dam of emotion I didn’t even know was there. They love me that much.
I let the pause stretch just a beat longer, enjoying the way their faces fall, the hope fading from their eyes. Then I throw myself into Ryker’s arms, nearly knocking him over.
“Yes,” I say, the word bursting from my lips. “Yes, yes, yes! Of course I’ll marry you!”
He catches me easily, his strong arms wrapping around my waist as he rises to his feet, lifting me with him. His mouth finds mine in a kiss that steals my breath, that pours every ounce of his love and relief into me.
When we break apart, Alaric kisses my cheek, Lorenzo presses his lips to my temple, Rex claims my mouth for a brief, fierce moment, and Marcus brushes a gentle kiss across my knuckles.
Each of them, in turn, places a hand on my stomach, their touch reverent, awed.
“I love you,” Ryker says, slipping the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly, the diamond catching the light with every movement.
“I love you too,” I reply, then turn to include the others. “All of you. So much.”
My mother is crying quietly in the corner, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. “Oh my goodness.”
We move to the kitchen then, opening the bottle of champagne my mother bought for the occasion with sparkling cider for me, toasting to our future, to our family, to the life we’re building together.
As I look around at the six most important people in my world, my heart feels so full I’m afraid it might burst.