Page 8 of Devotion

Once all four of my men were seated, I clutched theback of my chair and swallowed, desperately trying to get some moisture into my mouth.

Stop it. You have literally faced down an apocalypse. You can tell your mates you’re pregnant.

It might be my go-to reference when I needed to put things into perspective, but it never lost its effectiveness.

“Okay, I was going to make you wait until after dinner, but patience isn’t my strong suit. I have some important news to share with you all. Open your cards.” My voice wobbled, making Kingston reach out and place his hand on my forearm.

“It’s okay, Sunshine. I’m sure whatever we’re going to find out will be amazing. Don’t be nervous.”

Noah narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on here?”

“Just open your damn card, Thorne. Can’t you see she’s on edge?”

With a suspicious lift of his brow, Noah did as he was told. I nearly forgot how to breathe as he pulled the little black-and-white photograph out of the envelope. There was a card too, but it dropped unseen onto his plate.

“Dove?” he asked, wonder filling his voice as he looked from the picture and back to me.

Before I could say anything, Alek let out a whoop, bounding out of his chair and over to me so he could pick me up and spin me around. Caleb and Kingston wore amused expressions as they watched.

“Are you upset?” I asked once Alek set me down, my focus on Noah, who sat there staring at the tiny blip that was most definitely a baby in the sonogram. He wasn’t jumping for joy or even smiling. I hated that I couldn’t read him like I could the others.

His golden eyes flicked up to meet mine. “Upset? Dove, I’mthrilled.”

“Can’t you tell, Sunshine? He’s wearing his happy face and everything.”

Noah immediately scowled at Kingston’s ribbing, which made the rest of us laugh.

Balling up his napkin, Kingston tossed it across the table, and it bounced off his forehead. “Would it kill you to smile once in a while? You’re such a vampire.”

“Hey,” Caleb chided.

“Am I wrong?” Kingston pressed, not afraid of either of them. “You two have cornered the market on broody expressions. I’m surprised you don’t have a trademark on the furrow between your brows.”

Alek’s arms were still wrapped around me, his big body pressed into my back, one palm over my still-flat belly. “Another baby. I can’t believe it.”

“Yes. But this one isn’t a harbinger.”

“Does that mean it’s mine?” Alek asked, nipping at my neck.

“Nope,” Kingston said, smug as fuck as he popped his P. “That one is allll wolf, Viking. Better luck next time.”

Alek’s deep chuckle vibrated through me and made me melt into him. “You’ll get your chance, elskan mín, I promise.”

“Oh, I have no doubt about that, Kærasta. And in the meantime, we’ll have lots of fun practicing.”

I blushed, even as Kingston’s softly spoken words hit my ears. “I’m so damn proud of you, buddy. You rose to the challenge yet again. Way to go, Jake.”

“Are you really talking to your cock at the dinner table?” Noah asked incredulously.

“This surprises you?” Caleb asked.

“Sadly, no. I’m surprised he didn’t hire a fucking skywriter.”

“I wanted a Jake balloon to lead a parade, but Sunday shot it down.”

It was so ridiculous I had to laugh. I’d been far more anxious about sharing my news than I’d prepared myself for, but now that it was out there, now that they were all happy about it, joy spilled out of me.

“Listen, not to change the subject, but I’m fucking starving, and that dinner you made smells so good my mouth is watering. Can we eat and celebrate at the same time?” Kingston asked, his pleading eyes making me smile. He was always hungry. So often, in fact, Noah got him a t-shirt that saidI could eaton the front for Christmas.

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