Page 34 of A Bunny for the Bear
He rushed over and swept his baby up, bouncing him until he quieted.
"Is that all it takes?" I asked incredulously.
"Is that all?! It's a little trickier than that, but sometimes the baby just knows when their parent is around. There's a bond, and it's scent related, kind of like how an Alpha can smell when their Omega is pregnant,” Judy said.
I tilted my head to the side. "You could smell it?"
The Alphas around the room nodded.
"Huh that's strange. My Alpha didn't scent me."
Chris whistled. "Could have something to do with the bunny side of you. The rest of us are wolves and bears, you know, large animals. There's a distinct part of our animal side that is scent driven. Are bunnies that same way?”
I put my hands together and stuck them between my legs suddenly shy with all the attention focused on me. "To be honest, I don't really know. Most of what I understand is from books and learning videos online. I didn't grow up around any other bunny shifters."
The reminder of my past made their expressions softened. It wasn't pity that I saw. More like they understood that I wouldn't have the same resources they did. I didn't grow up in a pack nor did I have parents who would have taught me all the intricacies that come with being a bunny shifter.
"That's okay." Chris said, interrupting my wandering thoughts. "You've got us now, and we'll help you figure it all out together whether that be the scent or any other thing you need."
I smiled my thanks and said that we would be in touch. I spent the rest of the night observing the group. My mate showed up as evening fell and brought us all dinner from the diner.
As soon as he set the food down, he swept me into his arms and kissed me soundly. I sank into the touch, grateful to have him around.
"You missed me?" I teased when he pulled back.
"I sure did. I wanted to be with you every minute that I was gone."
I ran my hand along his jaw, and he squeezed me tighter. "I know, but it's a good thing you're getting our house in order and getting our family set up."
He hummed. “Doesn't mean I can't miss you.”
"Are you two gonna join us or are you just gonna make moony eyes at each other?" At the words from Clynt, I blushed and ducked my head.
"You're one to talk," my mate replied. "Didn't I catch you and your Alpha in a compromising position in the bookstore recently?"
I looked between the group and chuckled. It was very clear that that's exactly what had happened. Clynt didn't appear all that bothered though.
Despite the deep blush in his cheeks, he held his head up and stared my mate down. "And what's your point? I'm a pregnant Omega. I have needs."
"Exactly." Hutton told him. "And so does mine. If that means kisses and cuddles when he sees me, then so be it."
Maklihn decided to pull his Omega away before they could get into a deeper conversation. As soon as they were gone, Hutton buried his face in my neck and took a deep breath.
"You smell amazing." His gruff voice moved between us. “I can't wait to get you home later and spread you out."
I shivered. His words lit me up. I wanted that very much.
After a full day of learning about babies and trying to take in as much information as I could, I needed the release that came from being with my mate. We had to get through dinner first though. I couldn't just bail on everyone.
While I knew they would understand, I felt like our connection hinged so much on the time we spent together. I wanted to have more of it. More of them. And if that meant putting aside my sexual desires for a few more hours, then I could do it.
During dinner, we laughed and spoke about how the day had gone. My mate was eager to pick up pieces about how I had spent my time. He smiled when he realized that I struggled as much as he has when we were reading all about the babies. "You were so confident, Omega. What happened?”
At his words, a shiver ran up my spine. Despite suppressing my desires, I still felt a surge of slick move through me at his teasing tone. He took a breath in and froze. His bear came to the front, those eyes glowing.
“We have to go,” he declared far too loudly.
The group turned our way and with several sets of knowing smirks, I was lifted and rushed out of the room. They whistled and catcalled us. It was all background noise to the sound of my mate's heart beating beneath my ear.
