MARLOW #5
Am I sensing something new coming from him?
After all, the mating bite is meant to change the scent of a person's pheromones, signaling to others that the person is mated and taken.
I'm still not sure what exactly I'm picking up from him.
My blockers are wearing off, so it may just be his natural Allure scent pushing through.
It has a… hmm, faint cherry note? Like mine. A curious thing.
Well, there will be more time to explore it later. But now I have something extremely important to tell him.
"I have the best news possible," I whisper into his ear.
"Oh, yeah? Hit me with it!"
I continue in a celebratory tone. "Dr. Lee called. Listen…" For a moment, I want to tease it out, stretch it a little longer instead of saying it outright, but no, it slips out of me on its own, almost like an excited cry.
"Rupert isn't the father of my children!"
Fenn blinks.
He obviously has a similar moment to the one I had before.
"What?"
"Yeah! You are the father. You!"
I let go of his arms and start bouncing up and down like an idiot, grinning from ear to ear in sheer euphoria. "The blood tests confirmed it. Dr. Lee double-checked it!" I shout the words out joyfully, each sentence punctuated by a wild jump.
Fenn’s face looks like never before, confused, shocked, and amazed as his purple eyes stare at me.
"The twins… they're my biological children?"
"Yes, Fenn! They are!"
I see a flash of happiness on his face, as if a ray of sunlight had broken through the clouds and fallen across it. His eyes brighten, and he swallows, visibly moved.
"This is wonderful news, Marlow!" he exclaims, then suddenly hesitates. "But Marlow, listen." He frowns a bit. "I want you to know that I was telling the truth before. I would've loved them even if they weren't mine, because they would still be a part of you. And that means everything to me."
"I know, Fenn!" I keep jumping like an idiot. "And thank you for that. It makes me love you even more."
I stop suddenly because I realize what I just said in my exhilaration.
Fenn blinks in shock, and I gape too, matching his stunned expression.
This was my first confession, and I almost wish it had happened in a more romantic way, but his mouth breaks into a wide grin.
"Really?"
Sudden shyness overtakes me. I bite my lip and nod, my face probably bright red.
He closes his eyes for a second, as if breathing in my words and savoring them. Then he lets out a slow breath and smiles broadly again.
"And I love you, Marlow… So much."
The solemnity of the moment makes me a little fluttery. My cheeks warm as I raise my hands and place them on his glands in a possessive gesture.
"So, Fenn… it's official now. Wow. We're going to be parents… you and me." I stare at him as I say it, celebrating each word.
Incredible.
We're gazing at each other, grinning like a couple of lunatics, while bees buzz over the flowers around and a sweet scent of cherries drifts in from the orchard.
I capture this moment.
Build it into myself.
Make it my life.
◆◆◆
An hour later, we’re still riding a permanent high, acting like two complete idiots, running from room to room as we plan the décor on the fly, debating over wall colors, toys, furniture, and everything we could possibly add.
We throw baby names back and forth, speculate about what secondary genders they'll have, and do it all in a frantic rush because Fenn has to leave soon to drive over to Renato Santoro's place.
We wolf down breakfast at full speed. I boil him a couple of soft-boiled eggs, peel them while he's still getting ready, and feed him spoonful by spoonful. We can't stop laughing.
Eventually he rushes out to the car, promising he'll be back before eleven because I have an appointment with a man whose parakeet has started plucking out its feathers.
After he drives away, my excitement doesn't fade.
I grab the garden hose, water the flowers, clean up the kitchen, and make myself a second breakfast, my thoughts spinning the entire time like a carousel at a country fair.
And then I perch on the porch for a moment, fixing my eyes on my phone. Time to spread the good news, starting with family.
I send a double text to my parents first.
"I found my fated mate… and we're expecting twins! I'll call tonight so we can talk properly."
A response comes in literally a minute later.
"Oh my dear Fate! What wonderful news, Marly! The best there is! I’m so happy for you, son, please call, we’ll be waiting impatiently…"
My face instinctively breaks into a smile, but then something shifts in my thoughts and doesn’t let go.
For a moment I stare at the screen, then I send a separate text just to my dad, frowning a bit.
"I think this is the moment when I can and want to tell you. I’m a cat shifter and he’s a mantis shifter. I hope we can talk about it. I’m at a point in my life where my family history matters to me, because I’m starting to shape my own as well."
This time I wait much longer for a reply.
After about ten minutes, a message appears on the screen.
"Alright, son. I agree, this is a good moment. If you want, we can talk about it. And maybe relieve ourselves of this burden of secrecy that has been hanging over us way too long."
What? So he’s ready too?
Something in our family has thawed; some kind of block has broken and set us free? Feeling a wave of relief and joy, I reply: "Absolutely!"
After that, I message Gabriel and Blue.
"Reporting that everything went according to plan. Your lawyer brought Fenn here and I… I'm pregnant. Also, we're fated mates! Can you believe it?"
Right away, I even text Mr. Davos, inviting him over to our place for tea, saying that Fenn and I would be glad if he could come by when he has time.
Then I notice two more messages on my phone asking to schedule veterinary appointments.
Wow. Everything is taking off!
Once again, I wander into the room we've chosen for the babies.
An overwhelming urge comes over me to make something for them, to build, to prepare, to arrange everything, even though they are not here yet.
For years, I kept telling myself I shouldn’t do it. I held myself back, because I was an alpha, and no one would accept it or understand. I kept suppressing that need, pushing it out of myself
Now, something inside my soul is practically clawing its way out. On the bed in the nursery, I arrange two tiny nests out of blankets, quilts, and little throw pillows, smiling the whole time.
The hell with it! I’m an alpha… but I still want to build a nest! And nobody can stop me.
Wait a minute.
Maybe I should make one in our bedroom too. Let’s go all in!
The thought alone sends a thrill racing through me.
I walk into our bedroom and stare at the bed. It's empty. Too empty. Flat and plain. Something's definitely missing.
I open the closets. Well, of course. Mr. Davos's son is an omega, so naturally there are nesting supplies tucked away in here that he left in a hurry: colorful throw pillows, bright scarves, silk wraps, gorgeous fabrics in every imaginable shade.
Biting my lip, excited like a little kid, I throw myself into it, picking things out, rummaging through fabrics, spreading everything out to match the colors, and then working for over an hour with complete focus, so absorbed that I lose all track of time.
I never thought I'd be capable of building a nest. Never thought I could awaken that uniquely omega instinct, that powerful, potent energy that can mend relationships, soothe broken families, strengthen positive emotions, and tone down the negative. It was always reserved for omegas.
My hands tremble as I fit pillows together with blankets, scarves, and woven belts, and damn… it's working. That deep part of me, the one that always believed I was an omega inside, finally rises to the surface, blooming through me like a flower opening to the sun.
I know my hormones are changing. People say that when two betas find each other, as fated mates, one becomes an alpha and the other an omega. When two omegas discover they are fated mates, one turns into an alpha. And when two alphas find each other… one becomes an omega.
So that's going to happen to me too? Another dream coming true? Am I really going to transition my subgender?
Well, in any case, the nest is finished. Complete, beautiful, high, sturdy, and perfect. And so full of colors, with purple as the dominant shade!
I'm very proud of it and so immersed that I don't hear the footsteps on the stairs, quiet and light, as though the feet carrying such a large man weigh nothing at all.
I turn around, and our eyes meet.
Fenn first looks at me, then slowly shifts his gaze to the bed. For a long moment, we both simply stare at it as if it were a breathtaking painting, beautiful enough to enchant anyone who laid eyes on it.
"I… made this," I mumble at last, suddenly embarrassed.
But Fenn doesn't look at me like I'm crazy. Instead, he slowly walks closer, takes my hand, and says quietly, with unmistakable respect, "It's beautiful… Marlow. Stunning."
He shakes his head slightly, as if in disbelief but also admiration.
Like every alpha, he knows that a nest binds relationships together, heals them when needed, strengthens them, that it lies at the heart of every deep bond between AOs.
"Something changed in you too," he whispers.
I raise my head to him, our eyes locking.
"Yeah… I think another dream of mine is about to come true. Thanks to our Bond."
His hands touch my face, gently cupping my cheeks.
"Your body will finally match your soul."
"You think so?"
"Yes, but you know what? It isn't really a change. It's just a flower finally opening."
I close my eyes, moisture gathering behind my eyelids. I had that exact thought; we are truly on the same wavelength!
"I'm so happy, Fenn… So happy. Dear Fate, I feel like flying," I whisper, grinning silly, clutching the front of his shirt and resting my head on his chest.
"Would it be too much if I added two more incredible pieces of news to today?"
I raise my head again and peek into his eyes.
"Okay! Let’s hear it!"