Page 252 of Labor of Love

“Because he, or she, would be an heir. Just like me. Eventually they would have come for me if I didn’t tuck my tail and come home, but this ups the stakes.” Tears filled Reeds eyes. “I don’t want to go back there.”

“Nope.” He grabbed Reed again, this time to hold him, offering comfort. “You’re not going back, honey. I won’t let them take my mate and my baby.”

“But politically…”

“Des and Starry won’t let you go back, either. Not ever.” Hamish knew it to be true. But he would need to talk to Des. He was the second in command, and they would need to up security again.

Babies could complicate things like peace agreements.

“I love you, honey,” he told Reed. “It will be all right.”

“Promise?” Reed asked.

He took one more kiss. “You have my word, baby.”

And his word? Was his bond.

2

“Starry, I have to tell you something,” Reed said to his boss, his best friend, and his closest fellow omega.

He was super-nervous, because he didn’t want to get sent back to his original clan, who had always been so… severe. Kinda mean. Okay, a lot mean.

Alistair glanced at him, baby Crispin in one arm, pen in the other hand as he signed a grant for a charity that needed books for classrooms. Crispin’s twin, Allison, seemed content to sleep in her Pack ‘N Play, but Crispin was fussy. “Is it good news?” Those bright green eyes narrowed at him.

“Yes?”

Starry set his pen down, pursing his lips and staring. “That is a vague statement.”

“I know.” He hopped up because he needed to pace, and his heartburn was so bad he might barf. “I’m pregnant.”

Alistair was up out of his chair in a heartbeat, coming to give him a one-armed hug. Baby Crispin burped. “But that’s wonderful! Congratulations.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

“You don’t sound like you appreciate it.” Starry grinned at him.

“I know.” And he felt kind of awful about that. “I’m--I’m just a little freaked out.” Reed shrugged. “I want to be happy. Iamhappy. The idea of being with Hamish and having his babies makes me thrilled, actually, but what about my family?”

Now Starry frowned, lines appearing between his eyebrows. “What do you mean ‘and what about your family’?”

“I mean what if they come for me? I know that Des negotiated peace with my father when you took me from the Galandel clan, but I don’t think he’s ever been happy about it. My father, I mean. I know him too well. He’ll want to use me and the baby for political alliances.” The thought of going back to his wing made Reed sick to his stomach, and okay, so that might be morning sickness, but still he couldn’t help the nausea that rose in his throat every time he thought about his father and about subjecting his baby to that kind of hardcore dragon clan ambition.

“You’re not going to have to worry about that,” Starry said. “There’s no way that Des and Hamish will let you go back there.”

“They may not want to, but what if they have to so that can keep the clans safe?”

Starry shook his head, bouncing the baby when he squawked a little bit. Reed had a feeling that Starry’s tension was pushing itself into little Crispin. “I promise that you are part of this clan now. There is no way anyone is going to let someone hurt you or your baby. You need to relax and enjoy the process. You and Hamish. Alpha and omega.”

“I want to do that. I really do. I think Hamish is super crazy happy.” And didn’t that make his heart beat faster?

“Of course he is,” Starry said. “Why wouldn’t he be? He loves you. He’s been all over you since the moment he met you. You’re fated to be together.”

“I know. I felt the same way the moment he picked me up.” That had Reed smiling so much his cheeks stretched. “I neverthought I would have anything like this. I really never did. My father always said?—”

“Nope no more about what your father used to say about you.” Little Allison started to cry, and Starry handed Crispin to Reed while he moved to her Pack ‘n Play to pick her up. “You’re better than that, Reed. Your father is a dick. He just tries to cut you down so that you won’t rise up against him, but now you don’t have to worry about that like I said. I’m so happy for you!” Starry bounced Allison until she quieted. “I can’t wait to plan all the things. Like your shower, and I want to help you with the nursery.”

“You want to do all that?” His eyes went so wide that they pulled at the corners.

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