Page 92 of Bonds of Fate

Then, one cardigan.

Another.

A third.

Until finally, he sits in just a white t-shirt.

And there—round, full, undeniable—is a very pregnant belly; it smells like bread and peaches.

And then it hits him.

The bread must be the baby.

Oh. My. Goddess.

Arlo is pregnant. Nix’s mouth drops open, his wolf surging forward with stunned recognition.

“Oh, my—you’re having a baby!” Nix’s smile is so broad his cheeks hurt with the effort.

Arlo rubs his belly again and sighs. “Eight more weeks, we think.”

“Eight?” Nix echoes, eyes widening.

“The Argentinian omega, Fernando, says it’s usually more than forty-two weeks, but this baby is impatient. Fernando has had three children—two alphas and an unpresented boy. They think he might be omega.”

“Congratulations! That’s amazing! But…are you alright?” Nix hesitates. “I have so many questions.”

Arlo laughs. “They’re just active. It takes some getting used to, but sure—go ahead. That’s why I came.”

“I’ll try to keep it PG so we can actually look each other in the eye afterward.”Nix grins. “I’ll try to do the same.”

They spend the next hour with Nix hiding his pink cheeks behind his hands while Arlo does his best not to TMI them into never wanting to see each other again.

As it is, Nix now knows way more about the Kennedys than he ever needed. He figures Arlo must feel the same about the Rhodes pack, thanks to his own questions.

Nix carefully avoids bringing up this afternoon’s orgasm explosion—because, really, some things are just too much.

By the end, though, he’s glad. Glad to have made a friend and, even more so—an ally.

Through the bond, Nix senses his mates growing antsy—Rowan especially hates being kept away.

Nix can practically hear him pacing, but he also knows Nix is happy—and for now, that’s enough to keep him at bay.

It’s no surprise when Arlo finally stands and rearranges his t-shirt, tugging it down over his belly.

“I should go, my pack at home is wondering where we are. Last thing, though, before we face them—well, two things. Firstly, I think you should do whatever your wolf is telling you is the right thing, Nix. They know us better than we know ourselves.”

Hearing Arlo say it like that makes it more real, somehow. “Do you really? They don’t understand.”

“I do. You said it before—we are…more.”

More. Omegas are more.

“We’re stronger. Faster and when necessary, we always do what needs to be done.”

Nix nods, wishing there was more time today for questions about noisy omega wolves.

“We are the original protectors of packs. The bringers of life. The enforcers.” Arlo’s voice is steady. “Fernando—our Argentinian friend—says the Goddess created us to know the value of life in its most basic form: the creation of it…and sometimes, the ending of it.”

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