Page 74 of Shades of Scars

Just then, my phone rings, cutting through the calmness I’d been working so hard to achieve. Sighing, I grab it from where I’d placed it beside the stack of paperwork in front of me. “Hey.” I pick it up on the second ring.

“The shooter doesn’t know anything useful, but an… acquaintance of mine gave me an update on the inner workings of the omega ring.” Caito says by way of greeting, and I feel my blood pressure instantly skyrocket at the mention of the omega trafficking ring we’re in the process of digging up information on. I hate it with every fiber of my being, but this is the most logical way to go in order to get Scarlett away from Erossi and his fucked up plans for her. Straight up killing the bastard isn’t an option unless I’m willing to deal with the legal fall out of it all.

“The shooter was just trying to cash in the hit.” I surmise, and Caito grunts. “What’s the update?”

“I’d rather give it back at the penthouse for security reasons. No one can know who I’m working with on this.” He says a bit cryptically, and I feel a muscle in my jaw tick. Caito has always been secretive about most things in his past. I just hope that he hasn’t brought more trouble to our door by enlisting help from this so-called acquaintance.

“Fine, I’m done here anyway. I’ll head home now. I have an update of my own on Raven.” He knows I mean my sister and not the club.

He’s silent for a moment before he responds. “Pick up a strawberry milkshake from Pippa’s on your way home. Scarlett is craving one.” Then he hangs up without acknowledging my warning.

Sighing, I rise to my feet. The paperwork will have to wait. I can’t open the club back up until it’s cleared by law enforcementsince it’s still an active crime scene. Until then, everything else can wait.

My omega wants a milkshake, and nothing short of death will stop me from getting her one.

47

Scarlett

My first week living with the pack is spent situating my nest and going over design plans for the nursery Caito wants to build. Thanks to Kars, the anti-nausea medication has been helping me immensely, and I’m back to stuffing my face full of anything I can get my hands on. My appetite really amuses both Lark and Caito, who have absolutely no problem getting me every little thing I mention that I’m craving.

Currently, I’m sipping on a blue raspberry slushie in the back seat of the pack’s SUV, on our way to our first real doctor’s appointment for the baby. “You know, I could have gone by myself or with just one of you. I don’t think this new doctor is going to appreciate so much testosterone in her exam room.”

Wren gives me a look in the rearview mirror where I’m wedged between Lark and Apollo right in the middle of the bench seat. “There is no way any of us would miss an appointment for our pregnant omega who’s carrying our child. The doctor can deal. She’s being paid well enough to keep her opinions to herself.”

I roll my eyes. Overbearing alphas. It only takes another minute or two before Wren is pulling into the side parking lot at a much bigger clinic than the one Kars runs. Curious, I ask, “If Kars is endorsed by you, then how come his clinic is tiny compared to this one, which is also endorsed by you.”

“This is an obstetrician’s clinic,mo chroí. Kars has a smaller client base than lady doctors do.” Caito responds, and I can’t help but smile at his description.

“Lady doctor.” Apollo snorts before slipping out of the car, reaching his hand back in to help me slide across the bench and outside. Caito immediately muscles the other alpha out of the way so he can wrap his arm around my waist as we walk to the front doors. The little bell above the door gives a soft chime when we enter, and I blink around at the mostly full waiting room.

There are pregnant people everywhere.

Some are so swollen with a baby that it looks immensely uncomfortable, and now I’m starting to get concerned for my well being. Wren checks us in at the receptionist’s desk while my other three alphas lead me over to a section with fewer people. Most of the women have one or more guys with them, but there are a few spotted throughout that don’t appear pregnant and are alone.

The moment I’m pulled down into Caito’s lap, I feel eyes on us, but I do my best to ignore them, sipping at the remnants of my slushie. Caito nuzzles my cheek affectionately, and I feel a blush creep across my face. I’m still not used to the way they’re all so openly affectionate with me.

“They’re a little behind with appointments, but I was assured it shouldn’t be too long.” Wren joins us in our little corner of the waiting room, looking like some avenging viking god warrior. The way his muscles shift beneath his tight black dress shirt as he crosses his arms over his chest makes my mouth water.Calm the hell down omega hormones.

“It’s not the end of the world to wait for something.” I tease him, but he just huffs like an overgrown, rabid bear.

“We own this clinic,” Apollo says as he leans back in his chair, propping his feet up on a nearby coffee table with variousmagazines spread out over it. “We shouldn’t have to wait even a second.”

My brow arches. “You endorse this clinic. I don’t think those two things are mutually exclusive.” I turn to Lark then. “You agree with me, don’t you? Your pack mates are just being dramatic.”

The alpha literally flushes when all eyes turn towards him for his answer. He swallows hard. “We can definitely be patient and wait.” He confirms, obviously not wanting to get on my bad side. I smirk, smug as hell. until Caito’s tongue darts out to flick over the shell of my ear.

I jerk so violently that I damn near toss my precious slushie at Wren.

“Stop that.” I hiss, batting him back, but he just smiles like he’s the cat that got the cream. I can feel the gazes of other omegas on our little group huddle, but I keep my focus on my alphas and my slushie so my anxiety doesn’t get the better of me.

“It’s alright, Dream girl.” Lark leans in to kiss my cheek from his seat to the left of Caito. “You don’t need to be ashamed to be here with us.”

I shake my head, because he’s interpreted my reaction all wrong. “I’m not ashamed. I just don’t like being stared at. I’m… excited about this baby.” I admit. I don’t think I’ve mentioned that to them yet, but it’s true. Already I can’t wait to feel the little one jostling around inside of me. “I’m not excited about pushing him out, but I am about the other things.”

“Him? You think it’s a boy?” Apollo leans forward in his chair to give me a radiant smile.

I shrug. “Just a hunch.”

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