Page 172 of Broken Bonds
“Oh, speaking of children, that reminds me.” I discuss schooling with him and tell him about the volunteer teachers and people wanting to bring them supplies for the children.
“Those are excellent ideas,” he says. “It would help the children to get them back into a routine.” He pulls out his phone and makes a few notes. “As for clothing, hold off for now. I know some of them are bringing items with them. But the games, and arts and crafts, absolutely.”
Alizée rejoins us about twenty minutes later. “That’s a good start,” she says. “I’ll do another, stronger round when I drive back down day after tomorrow.”
“Do you need a place to stay while you’re here?” I ask. “You’re welcome to one of the guest cottages.”
“Thank you. It’d help to have a base of operations for myself. Give me a quiet place to recharge. And my RV can be used for the sentries.”
“Let’s return to my office and set that up now. Have you eaten lunch yet?”
“As a matter of fact, I’m famished,” she says. “I heard rumors from Mike about an amazing pizza place nearby?”
“Absolutely. And it’s my treat. I’ll call Shawn and have him pick it up and join us.” I take their orders, text him the info, and we return to the office.
While my morning started rocky, at least it appears I’ve redeemed myself. Not that I give a shit what people outside our pack think of me, it’s gratifying to know I’m doing something right.
Maybe I won’t be as much of a fuckup as a father as I worry I will.
Shawn brings the pizzas and salads into the office, and we set up at the table in our conference room. When Alizée reaches for a slice, she accidentally bumps Shawn’s hand.
She lets out a gasp and grabs his wrist, freezing, her gaze turning distant.
“Um, Jaaaax?” he asks.
Morning sits up straight, holding up a hand. “It’s okay.”
I bite back the growl wanting to roll from me at her touching my mate without permission, but I let my logic brain remind my Alpha wolf she is a friend, not a foe.
She brightly grins and releases his hand but pulls him in for a strong hug. “Congratulations!” she says, then rounds the table and hugs me even as I sit there.
Shawn understandably looks confused. “Um, sorry?”
She lightly swats my shoulder, which widens Morning’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you are expecting too?”
I force myself not to react. “We’re not advertising it yet, with everything else going on. It just happened yesterday, same mate hunt.”
“And my doctor appointment isn’t until tomorrow,” Shawn adds. “To confirm it.”
She waves his statement away. “Phhphp. You’re pregnant. Everything’s fine.” She jabs a finger at me. “That’s why I picked up a weird vibe from you when we met this morning. I was so focused on Mal and Todd I wasn’t paying close enough attention to you and that.” She grabs her pizza and retakes her seat, leaving me and Shawn staring at each other.
“You…you can tell I’m pregnant?” he asks.
She nods, her mouth full of pizza, and circles the index finger of her free hand in front of her face. “I’m a witch,” she mumbles. “Duh.”
“This has been an eventful morning,” I tell him.
“Oookaaay.” He takes the seat I’d saved for him next to me. “Still having the bloodwork done tomorrow, no offense.”
“Better go baby shopping,” she says.
Poor Shawn, he doesn’t know how to deal with the feisty witch either. “Um, thanks?”
She swallows and takes a swig of water. “I should’ve mentioned I’m a midwife, too. Want to know what you’re having?”
“Uh, I’m having a baby?”
“I meant genders, Wile E. Coyote.”
