Chapter Eleven
Duncan
I take the tea bags out of the tea, tossing them into the trash. With a warm mug in each hand, I walk to the bedroom.
Viktor is still in bed, his face all smooshed against the pillow. It looks like he was reaching for me in his sleep and couldn’t find my chest so he decided to cuddle the pillow instead. He’s so fucking pretty.
All of this feels so unreal still. How could the last couple days be my new reality?
I set the mugs down on the bedside table. My hand reaches for my neck, touching the mark that Viktor had left behind. It’s not the same as the bite I left on his shoulder, but it’s a mark nonetheless. He was able to brand me using his magic.
I’m claimed. I’m mated. I’m his.
It all feels so overwhelming but at the same time, it all feels right. I was meant to go to that ball. I was meant to meet Viktor.
There’s still so much to figure out. All of the unknowns make me want to run to the bathroom and throw up, but I’m doing my best to hold it together. We’ll talk everything out once Viktor’s heat has passed.
“Duncan?”
“Hey. I’m here,” I say softly, carefully getting into bed beside Viktor. He wraps his arm around my middle, putting his face in my lap. I run my fingers through his hair, warmth surging through me.
“Where did you go? I missed you.”
I chuckle softly. “I went to get you some tea.”
“Breakfast in bed? You’re so sweet.”
“It’s what you deserve. I wanna take care of you.”
Viktor turns so he can look up at me, his big hazel eyes blinking slowly. He reminds me of a cat when he blinks like that. It’s adorable.
“I think the heat is over. I don’t feel like I need to immediately start humping you.”
My cheeks flood with warmth and the back of my neck prickles. “That’s a good sign.”
“Very,” he says, letting out a giant yawn and sitting up. He leans against the headboard, leaning his shoulder against mine. He does a grabby hands motion and I pass him his tea.
Viktor takes a sip, humming to himself. I pick up my own and do the same.
This all feels so domestic and wonderful, but at the same time, I can’t stop overthinking everything.
Is this okay? Did I overstep by going through his kitchen?
Does he want me to stay or should I hit the road now that his heat is over?
“I can hear you overthinking,” he says softly, leaning his head against my shoulder. “Stop it, Duncan.”
“Sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize. Just tell me what’s going through that beautiful brain of yours. We’ll talk it out and then we’ll go take a shower together.”
My heart skips a beat. If he’s offering to shower together, that means he doesn’t want me to leave. That’s a good sign. I feel myself relaxing the longer we sit here.
“I’m just wondering what happens now?”
Viktor makes a questioning noise. “What do you mean? Like the logistics of us moving in together or do you mean like, what should we do for lunch?”
I lean my face against the top of his head, feeling silly. Why was I so anxious just a moment ago?
“I was worried you’d want me to leave now that your heat is over,” I confess softly.
“Why would I want my mate to leave me? Duncan,” he says, his voice having an edge to it. “We won’t do anything you don’t want to do, but I want you. All of you. Forever.”
“Forever?”
“Good lord…Yes,” he says, turning his head to bite my shoulder. I yelp and he smiles. “Forever. You’re my mate, dumbass.” Dumbass sounds like the sweetest pet name with how much affection is laced with the word.
“Okay,” I say with a nod. “I can’t promise I won’t overthink again but I promise I’ll talk to you about my feelings.”
“Perfect,” Viktor says, kissing the spot he just bit. He finishes his tea and grins up at me. “Now, time for that shower?”
I set his mug on the table and touch his chin, bringing his face up so I can kiss him. He makes a happy little noise at the back of his throat, a sound I would be willing to do just about anything to hear again and again. I kiss him until my head is spinning.
“Now we can go shower,” I say with a grin, helping Viktor up off the bed.
He pinches my ass. “Tease,” he says with a giggle.
***
“This is the last box,” I say, setting the box down on the floor in our bedroom. Will I ever grow tired of calling everything ours? Our bed. Our shower. Our home.
“Finally,” Ellie says with a whine. “It’s time for beer and pizza!”
“Hell yeah,” Brock says, practically skipping as he moves out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area where everyone else is waiting.
That just leaves Viktor, Aiden, and I in our bedroom. Aiden keeps sending Viktor worried glances that I have no idea what they mean.
It’s been about a month since the masked ball. In that time, I’ve been able to meet most of the pack including Aiden, the pack alpha. We sat down for a long talk. It was terrifying, but in the end, I really shouldn’t have been worried.
Aiden asked me to officially join the pack. I’ve never had a pack of my own before. I submitted right then and there. I’ve never been happier, being surrounded by so many wonderfully supportive people.
Viktor and I decided we wanted to move my stuff in as soon as possible. We wanted to be able to celebrate Christmas together, living in the same home. Thankfully, the pack were willing to help me pack everything up and then move it over here.
“About the beer and pizza,” Aiden says softly, ducking down to meet Viktor’s eyes.
“What’s up? Do you want me to order it?” Viktor asks, pulling out his phone.
“No, that’s not it. It’s the other thing I’m worried about.”
“The beer? No worries, I already have a pack in the fridge.”
Aiden says, running a hand through his hair. He looks around at everyone, making sure no one is paying us any attention. “Viktor,” he says slowly. “I don’t think you should be having any beer for a while.”
Viktor’s eyes widen and he looks down at the floor.
“What’s going on?” I ask, reaching for my mate. He quickly steps into my arms, wrapping himself around me.
“Nothing bad,” Viktor says right away. Then he looks at Aiden. “Are you sure?”
“I can smell it and umm, I can feel it too. Perks of being the alpha,” he says with a shrug.
“Okay. Cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool. Solid. Sick. Love that. Okay.”
“You’re freaking me out,” I murmur only to have my mate start to hysterically laugh. I look at Aiden with wide eyes who just shakes his head. He gives me a thumbs up and leaves the room.
“This is fine. Everything is totally fine. No need to be freaking out. Mhmm.”
“What aren’t we freaking out about?”
“Shit. Sorry. I know your anxiety must be through the roof right now.” Viktor takes a deep breath before looking up at me. “Everything is actually fine. I promise. I’m just surprised but also not really because duh, of course.”
“Can I know what’s going on please?”
“Duncan,” he says softly, grabbing my wrist and moving my hand. I’m suddenly struck with the night we first kissed. He did the same gesture but instead of going to his cock, my hand lands on his stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
My brain completely blacks out for a moment. It takes it a second to come back online.
“Okay,” I say, needing to push out some words so Viktor doesn’t worry that I’m freaking out. He’s pregnant. Viktor is pregnant. With my baby.
Oh my gods.
We’re going to have a baby. My mate, the man that I’ve fallen so hopelessly and overwhelmingly in love with, is pregnant with our baby.
“Oh Viktor,” I breathe out before pulling him into my arms, hugging him tight. “I’m so happy right now. We’re going to have a baby.”
“We are,” he says, his voice shaking with emotions. “Duncan, can I tell you something really, really important?”
“Of course,” I say, turning my head and kissing his cheek once. Then again. Then once more just because I can. “You can tell me anything.”
“I love you.”
And there my brain goes again, blacking out. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything sweeter than that.
He loves me.
Viktor loves me back.
“I love you too. I love you so much, Viktor. I’ve never felt anything like this and every single day I wake up, it’s a downright privilege to be your mate.”
“You’re such a sap,” he says with a giggle, cupping my face in his hands. Somehow, he always knows exactly how to make me feel treasured. I hope I do the same for him.
“Your sap.”
Viktor grins before pulling me down and kissing me softly, pushing all of his feelings and emotions into the kiss. Every press of our lips whispers I love you, I love you, I love you.