Chapter 20
Grace
T he two pink lines staring up at me from the pregnancy test had bile rising in my throat, though I wasn’t sure if that was from looking at the test or the morning sickness I’ve been battling for close to a week.
The first time was with the girls, and it seemed Avery was spot on.
Drew had to have noticed but he didn’t call me on it and I’d tried my best to be discreet. It helped that he didn’t know my normal eating and sleeping patterns.
Fuck, I was pregnant. Only half my pack was home. Our packhouse was a construction zone.
Oh god.
The panic started to rise. Something that was happening far too much without them. I was always dying for a pack, but I never wanted to be this reliant on them. Yet, the half-formed bond was not being kind.
My hands shook as I pulled up the group chat I had with Avery, Sydney, Oriana, and Wren. We’d all become such good friends and right now, I needed them in the worst way.
The video call was ringing and I knew that I looked like a hot mess from the way that each one of them answered, concern etching their beautiful features.
Then Avery’s eyes narrowed and a slow smile spread across her face.
Sidney wasn’t there yet, her angry voice echoing through before anyone could say a word.
“Grace, what’s wrong?” Sidney asked. “Whose ass do I need to kick?”
Instead of finding words, I simply put the test up to the screen, the bright pink lines saying everything I didn’t need to.
“Guess Avery won the bet.”
All of them started talking at the same time, a mix of excited squeals and so many questions. Too many to keep up with or make sense of.
“And let me guess. Still no pack?” Wren asked, looking livid on my behalf.
“They said they had news about an hour ago, but nothing yet,” I admitted. “In other news… I have this now.”
I pulled back my shirt to show off the new bite mark that was still a bit swollen and red, but healing nicely.
“Did you go into heat during the wedding?” Oriana asked. I shook my head.
“I couldn’t imagine riding out a heat at that venue. Most places have rules against that. No, it was just a one night stand with newly found mates. Hell, Drew and I didn’t even do anything until this,” I admitted, waving at the bite mark. “We didn’t use protection but I was on birth control.”
“That can happen the first time finding scent matches. It kick-starts our biology,” Avery said. She was right, I knew it, but her soothing was making me feel fragile and I felt that way enough lately.
“The real question is, how do I tell them all?” I asked. “Is it weird to go to an appointment first? Get the pictures?”
“That depends on if you think Drew would be okay being excluded even though he’s bonded you and is in town,” Oriana hedged.
He might not have found me yet when I got pregnant, but he was all mine now. Fuck, this just got even more complicated.
“What if he doesn’t want it?”
Ugh, when did I get so fucking insecure.
“You know what, fuck that,” I said. “He bonded me. There’s no going back.”
Oriana’s expression turned dark for a moment before she fixed it, a dark reminder that alphas can walk away.
In the end, the one that walked away from her, or pushed her away, came back.
Mine were coming and Drew promised. I wasn’t going to let the weird hormones, that made a little more sense now that I knew I was growing a tiny human, dictate my excitement.
“Guys. I’m pregnant,” I said again, testing out the words. A smile crept across my face and my hand splayed over my still-flat stomach.
“Is Drew busy?” Sidney asked. From the growing excitement I knew they were already scheming.
“He is. I can definitely sneak out,” I admitted as I peeked out of my adjoining bathroom to make sure. “I needed to do some nest shopping anyway. Where are we meeting?”
“Everyone else, I’ll text the details. Grace, I’ll swing by for you,” Sidney promised. “Just bring your cute ass out front in ten!”
The call ended so abruptly I was still reeling for a second. My gaze dipped back down to the test I was clutching. My hands were clammy and my stomach just a hint of queasy but now I knew it had to do with nerves.
Yet, I refused to be down anymore. This baby was mine and I was insanely excited to be pregnant. This is what I always wanted and my pack was coming back any day now.
Drew would be over the moon. I just knew it.
Pulling on a fresh outfit and spraying some water on my curls to fluff them back up, I hurried downstairs to find my mate.
The bond had been quiet, as if he was working on something in secret, so I made noise walking through the house.
Drew popped out from the back room, dirt smudged on his cheek and a grin on his face.
“I love that I can feel you coming,” he said. “It’s like I have this brightness in my chest.”
“No more hide-and-seek,” I laughed, relieved I hadn’t let my anxiety hit him.
“Now, I wouldn’t go that far,” he teased, sweeping me into a sweaty hug that had me laughing and shoving him back. Of course, he didn’t miss a chance to tease over my bite mark.
“Stop, I have plans,” I gasped, breathless and putting distance between us now. Though, he’d effectively scent marked me so his earthy scent was clinging to my minty sweet.
I really did love that.
“What plans?” he asked as he brushed off some of the dirt clinging to him.
“Shopping with the omegas,” I explained. “We may grab dinner, too, if that’s okay.”
“You don’t need my permission,” he said easily before digging in his wallet. “But use my card? I already have you as an authorized user. No worries on amounts. I doubt you’d hit anywhere near worrying numbers.”
My eyes widened at his easy laughter and grand gesture. “I have my own money, Drew.”
“I know.”
I took a breath and nodded. It wasn’t a money issue, nor did I have reservations. I just wanted to make sure he knew I wasn’t going to take advantage.
Everything this man did was so easily dominant and sweet. Without having to think he added my name to his card. He integrated our lives without question and here I was doubting him.
His nose wrinkled for a second as he pressed the card in my hand. “Did you try a new perfume?”
“No,” I said, pulling my shirt out and giving a sniff. “Do I stink?”
He snorted. “No. I don’t think that’s possible, omega. It’s just your scent is a bit different. It has a slightly floral edge it doesn’t usually have.”
“Maybe bonding changed it,” I shrugged. Though, I knew damn well what changed.
The baby.
He shrugged it off and waved me out. “This is honestly perfect. I’m working on a surprise and it’s much easier when I’m not constantly checking into the bond to make sure you don’t walk in yet.”
“A surprise?” I perked up. He’d been sticking to the big meeting room in the back he’d turned into his workshop. I wasn’t sure what it could be with this much dirt, but I was excited either way.
“Patience,” he sang out, giving me a sound kiss and sending me on my way with a gentle ass slap.
Laughing, I slipped the card into my bag and hurried outside. Letting go of the stress and knowing the source of my hormones made it so much easier to breathe. I closed my eyes and let the afternoon sun warm me from head to toe while I waited.
Tires crunching on the drive had me opening my eyes to see Sidney driving Maverick’s big truck. She was grinning like a madwoman, I was almost scared to get in.
Of course, the moment I did she pounced, crushing me in a hug.
“I’m going to be an aunt!” she sang out. “And you, my friend, are glowing.”
“I think just accepting the fact they’re coming back, and trusting the pack is making me feel so much better,” I admitted.
“Good. Let them show you, Grace. You have a great pack and I just know those guys are moving mountains to get back to you,” she said with a confidence that bolstered my own. “Now, nesting store first.”
I absolutely adored the local store. Pack Paradise was busy so we slipped past the workers to explore while we waited for the others. My recent favorite decor vibe was sunset colors. Those gorgeous blends of pinks, oranges, and purples.
Snagging one of the shopping tablets in the front, I started ticking things off as I shopped. It made it so much easier, even though Sidney brought the truck.
For once, I didn’t hold myself back. Our new packhouse needed an omega touch and I was dying for new cozy things until I cleared out my storage unit. I was putting it off until we had more of the house finished.
Sidney talked about the babies and pack life while we shopped and I soaked it in, taking notes of things I loved about their dynamic. I was so out of touch that even when my guys were home I didn’t want things to get awkward.
By the time we reached the front counter, Avery, Ori, and Wren were walking in. I handed over the tablet to the girl, paying for the purchases with my alpha’s card.
Then I was being swept off to the baby store, the real star of tonight’s hangout. I don’t think it really sank in until I was standing inside, taking in all the tiny clothes and sweet furniture.
I’m going to be a mom.
I let myself imagine what it will be like to hold a tiny baby. Thinking over the kinds of things I’d want.
It was hard with our house in shambles, but when my eyes landed on a single, small elephant, I couldn’t resist picking it up. It was so soft and had a soft, baby powder scent. I held it tight as tears burned in my eyes.
My girls didn’t say a word as they moved closer, giving me a group hug.
“Hormones are crazy,” I grumbled. “And I’m so out of my depth.”
“Every new mom is,” Wren chuckled. “It comes with the territory. The beauty of a pack and friends like us, is that you won’t be alone.
Just like we did for all of us, we’ll have meals going for you, come in and clean and help where we can.
Plus, you have an amazing pack that is going to spoil this little nugget rotten. ”
“That they are,” I laughed, picturing the insanity to come. “I’m almost afraid to see how they handle it.”
“I say you get the elephant. Your first purchase for the baby. But come check these out first,” Avery grinned. She hooked her arm in mine and led me back to a whole section of over the top dad gear.
“Stop, what about hats?” Oriana laughed, picking up a faded ballcap that said ‘#1 Dad’ on it.
“Only Drew would like it, but Beck would love this tie,” I said, glancing around. Then I found a shirt that would absolutely fit Cade, and a small mug I got for Spencer. Each one unique, a bit gaudy, but perfect.
“Now, someone feed this baby,” I groaned as I walked toward the counter. “I’m thinking that pasta sounds incredible. Maybe I’ll finally make it through a meal in one piece.”