Page 64 of When She Needs Them Most

My mouth goes dry. There’s no way all of this is for Luna, right?

I was wrong.

Apparently, that mountain of boxes is what it takes to have everything on the new baby checklist.

Not that it’s overwhelming or anything.

Nope, not at all.

Kase won’t let me help him carry them at all, so they stay on the porch while we eat, and I retreat upstairs to work on the last two projects that are due before I give birth. Once these are complete, I’m done until after my maternity leave, which is an incredible feeling.

My focus isn’t the best, but the majority of the work is done. I just need to finish cleaning up a couple of files and complete the project information sheet with all the specifics on their fonts and color choices.

Then I’m free.

It’s hard to focus with the throbbing ache in my lower back, but I manage. Sending them off feels really good, but now, my instincts are obsessed with what’s in the boxes.

I’d love to have the chance to examine everything and put it away in its own place. I’m still not sure where exactly home is, which is hard, because I’mbonded, but I also freaked out on Lincoln last night.

Setting my laptop aside, I bury my face in my hands. They were so nonchalant aboutmurder. Normal people don’t casually discuss killing someone…right? I think it’s just part of their world, so it comes off as normal to them.

At the same time, they’ve treated me better than anyone ever has. Lincoln and I are now permanently tethered, and there’s no taking that back.

The door opens and closes, and like I summoned him with my thoughts, Lincoln swaggers closer.

His long brown hair falls over his forehead as he approaches.

The way his pointy canines dig into his lower lip makes my brain melty. He’s in a short-sleeve black Shadow Security T-shirt that shows off his multitude of tattoos. They cover both arms and even peek out around the neckline.

Seriously, did he make sure to look extra sexy before coming in here? The way his jeans mold to his thighs like they were made for him reminds me that I’m ridiculously pregnant. It’s kind of a miracle he’s attracted to me at all, but I don’t doubt that he is. The bond may be to thank for that, but I appreciate the reassurance it offers.

“Hey,” he says in a low, growly tone that sends a freaking shiver down my spine. His apprehension fills the link between us, and my head tilts. He takes a seat facing me on the edge of the mattress. “I missed you today.”

“Me too,” I admit. “Did you have a good day?”

Oh. My. God.

This is so awkward.

“I did, but I rushed through my work, so I could get home to you.” He pulls a veiny hand over, swipes back the comforter, and teases it over my stomach.

My cheeks heat when I realize I’m in his T-shirt that I stole last night to stash in my nest.

“I’m sorry.” He speaks before I have the chance. “I should have told you about the full scope of what we do before tying you to me for life.” His sincerity radiates in the bond, and my chest gets tight.

I’ve heard stories of alphas and omegas bonding before names were even exchanged, but I never thought I’d be one of those omegas who ended up with a claiming bite quite so fast.

“I agree that you should have,” I admit, because the last thing I want to do is start a habit of lying about important feelings. “I also understand why you didn’t, and I’m sorry I rushed you into bonding me.”

“I’m not,” he says, staring straight into my eyes. “I get that it’s quick, but my instincts didn’t want to risk letting you get away.” He twists even farther, bringing his other hand up to brush my cheek. “All I want is to be here for you. You just have to let me.”

My heart thumps so rapidly that I feel like it should be possible to see it smacking against my skin from the inside out.

“I also understand why that’s hard for you,” he says. “I told you about how I grew up. I’d never wish that on anyone. I spent so many hours daydreaming about what life would have been like if I’d grown up in a pack. That way, maybe one of my nonexistent other dads could have stopped him. Or even if they didn’t, I still would have had someone left to take care of me. I want you and the baby to have that kind of support.”

“I want that too.” My hand lands over his on my cheek, giving him a squeeze. “And I’m so sorry you went through so much as a kid.”

He shrugs, glancing away for the first time. “I survived. I need you to understand, I’m nothing like him. I would never hurt you.”

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