Page 91 of Secrets and S'mores
“I can’t believe you guys are Alphas,” Marigold says dreamily, cocking her head. “Seems surreal.”
“You’re telling me,” I mutter. Onyx sits and pulls me down across his thighs. My breathing slows to match his, soothing me.
“Well, now that we’re all here, there was something we wanted to share,” Hazel says, clapping her hands together.
My eyes narrow at the nervousness in her voice. Slate’s expression is smug. What on earth? Onyx and Cedar seem as puzzled as I am, but Marigold’s hands cover her mouth, her eyes going wide.
“Are you serious?” Marigold squeaks. I’m definitely missing something.
Hazel’s lip quivers, her mouth curving into a watery smile, but she nods. Marigold launches herself off Jasper’s lap and squeezes her best friend around the shoulders.
“Okay, what the hell, guys?” Onyx asks.
Jasper’s expression shifts from confusion to surprise. “Are you pregnant?”
My mouth falls open.
“Yeah, we are having a pup. Maybe two,” Slate announces. My hands come up to keep my mouth falling open, mimicking Marigold’s reaction.
My little nephew or niece. And a new Heir for the Bracken Creek Pack.
“Congratulations,” Cedar says, looking happier than I’ve ever seen him.
“You guys! A little Hazel, or a little Slate if we’re unlucky!” Onyx says, teasing his best friend. Slate shoves him half-heartedly.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” I say quietly. Hazel turns, taking my hand in hers.
“Thank you. They’re coming into a safer world because of you. I know you’re going to be an auntie, but I’d like it if you and Onyx were also godparents.”
“Godparents?” I ask, blinking.
Hazel nods. “It’s something my family does. Someone else to care for them and help guide them.”
“We’d be honored,” I manage to say, feeling tears burn in my own eyes.
“You too, Marigold,” Hazel says. Her best friend squeals and bounces on the balls of her feet. I step back, tucking myself into Onyx’s side, safe from flailing arms and being wrangled into group hugs.
Word of Hazel’s pregnancy spreads outside of our group in minutes, with dozens of shifters around with excellent hearing. A line of well-wishers forms, and Onyx suggests we get a drink.
Wandering around the outskirts of the gathering, I notice my mate has a shit-eating grin forming on his face.
“Oh, no,” I say, scowling at him. “What are you thinking about doing?”
“Nothing,” he says.
A moment later, he’s tugging me behind the nearest building. It’s the darkest corner of the party, and thankfully devoid of horny couples making out. For the moment, at least.
“Wow, you take me to such nice places,” I say.
“Maybe I just like it when girls are mean to me,” he says, his voice caressing me. He leans against the wall with a devilish grin. The chill in the air nips at my feverish skin, and I step closer.
“You’re such an idiot,” I murmur, smothering my laugh by closing my lips over his neck.
“Yet you love me,” he says, tipping his head to the side with a dramatic sigh.
“Why is that again?” I tease.
With a smirk, Onyx scoops me up, hands against my ass, and turns us until I’m pressed against the rough wood. His chest is solid, his grip stable.
