We’ve kept it quiet, holding it close like a secret too sacred for anyone else yet. Only the healer knows.
But now, as I glance at Blair and see her hand drift to her stomach, the truth slams into me all over again. I wink at her, and she bites her lip, sending blood straight to my cock.
Even pregnant, I want to ravage her. Shit,especiallypregnant. She’s fucking glowing.
She catches my stare and leans in, her voice brushing my mind through the bond.Stop looking at me like I’m fragile. I’mpregnant, Calix, not broken.
My wolf rumbles his approval, and I swallow hard.You’re everything,I send back.But I’ll be damned if I don’t protect you and our baby with everything I’ve got.
Her cheeks flush deeper, and for a second, it’s just us, the crowd fading, the future we never thought we’d have pressing in between us.
But safety is paramount. We must make the land safe and eradicate all enemies.
No matter what.
Alpha Asher meets my gaze and says, “I have a request.”
I already know what he’s going to say, and all I can hope is that Azra understands and can one day forgive me.
“She joins my pack.”
I nod instantly, watching as Blair frowns at me, shooting her question through the mind-link.
Who?
I know I should’ve spoken to Blair first, as she and Azra were close, especially after what they went through. But this isn’t for us to get involved in. Something deeper is happening between Asher and Azra.
“You have my blessing, but you’ll need hers.” I nod at Blair, who glares at Asher.
“Who?”
Alpha Asher looks uncomfortable for a moment, but then he turns to her and requests, “Can I speak to you alone?”
I shake my head, but Blair nods, her hand pressed to my chest. I don’t care how well I know Alpha Asher—Blair is carrying my child, and I am fiercely protective.
Alpha Asher leans close, and the two of them step away to speak in low voices, and I watch them with my whole body.
Today is the day Blair wants me to tell her about Faolen and her mother. She wants to know everything, and I have to tell her. I’m worried about it affecting the baby, but she’s assured me nothing will touch our baby.
Our baby.
Goddess, I want to weep at the thought of having my own family. We haven’t told the pack yet. Blair wanted to wait until after the ceremonies, until the dust settled from Faolan’s death. She said we’d earned one small piece of peace before the world claimed it from us. Only the healer knows. But soon… soon the whole pack will.
My wolf is ecstatic.
Watch him,he commands as Blair speaks with Asher.
I scoff in response. I don’t take my eyes off my mate. She looks deep in thought, and when our eyes meet, I hear her voice in my head.
Azra’s his mate, isn’t she?
I shrug, not knowing the answer, even though I suspect as much. Things work in mysterious ways in the wolf world, but I hope for Asher’s sake she is, or he’s about to make a huge mistake.
Blair finally nods and glances at the crowd, her face paling.
Don’t feel bad. She’ll understand eventually,I tell her, reaching out as she walks closer.
Alpha Asher addresses the crowd.