Chapter eleven

Carlos

When we made our way to this town, I was so prepared for everything to go wrong. I was prepared for my parents to hate me and say they never wanted to see me again. I was ready for my mate to see me for who I really am and run. I was even ready for this fucking rabbit's foot to ruin all of our lives.

Yet, here we are, sitting around a campfire like any other hunt, laughing and chatting and drinking. The relief I feel is indescribable.

Over the last couple of days, we've all had our hands on that damned rabbit's foot. Each of us has done some really stupid shit while in the possession of that thing. If I wasn't a shifter I know I would have so many bruises right now with how often I banged my shins into something. Or how many times I've tipped something over and hurt myself in my attempt to catch it. It's been a real fucking mess.

Thankfully, the worst that has happened to Jude is throwing up. Every single time he's had his turn with the foot, he's tossed his lunch.

Something tingles at the back of my head, whispering that it's more than just the rabbit's foot but I've always been good at ignoring that little voice. Just because we got a scent of something that day in the woods doesn't mean anything. Yeah, it was probably just a skunk or something. Mhmm.

Speaking of Jude, he comes over to the circle, sitting on the ground between my feet. I start playing with his blond hair, looking around at my crew. I love them. They're my family. And it's time I told them the truth. The whole truth.

"Hey, everybody?" They all stop chatting, looking over at me expectantly. I swallow thickly before pushing forward. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Jude's pregnant? We already know," Cooper says with a shrug. "Congrats, guys."

I open my mouth and close it a few times before looking down at my mate. "What?"

Jude turns around, looking up at me with a small smile. "I was going to tell you tonight. Cooper told me this morning. He's able to see when life is formed with his magic."

"Oh my gods. My inner alpha is never going to let me live this down," I blurt out before getting out of my seat and falling to my knees. I pull Jude into my arms, holding him tight. "I'm so fucking happy right now."

Jude chuckles warmly, holding me just as tightly. "I'm so happy too, Carlos."

"Oh shit," Cooper says, rubbing his eyes under his glasses. "I didn't mean to spill the beans. I'm sorry. What was your news, Carlos?"

I sit down in my chair, tugging Jude into my lap. What was my news again? I can barely focus on anything other than the fact that Jude is pregnant. My baby is inside him. Holy fuck. I'm going to be a dad. We're going to be adding to this mismatched family.

Okay, focus.

I tuck my face against Jude's hair for a moment, taking in his crisp scent. It washes over me, calming my facing heart. I'm surrounded by my family, my people who accepted me at my lowest. They love me and it's time I finally tell them the truth.

"I'm a shifter."

Jude takes my hand, squeezing tight. "Proud of you," he whispers just for me to hear.

I look at the guys, gauging their reactions. I wait for them to say something. Anything.

Jeff clears his throat and I look over at our leader. "Do you want us to act surprised?"

"What?" This is not the reaction I was prepared for.

"Oh my gods," Martin says, his voice clearly taking on a sarcastic tone of surprise. "I'm so shocked. Wow. I can't believe you've kept this from us."

"Seriously, you guys? Did you all really know?" Sure, I told them I wasn't human, but I didn't think they clocked that I was a shifter. It seems I'm far more naive than I give myself credit for.

Jeff finally smiles and Ronny nods. "We didn't know for sure and I think none of us knows what type of shifter you are, but Carlos, you're fast and strong and you heal supernaturally fast. We're hunters, it wasn't hard to put the pieces together."

The knot in my stomach unclenches. They know. I've suspected but now that it's confirmed I can finally breathe. They know and they still love me. They're not kicking me out or disowning me or determining that I'm a monster. All of my worries were thankfully for nothing.

"Oh," I say, unable to form any other words. "Umm, okay."

Jeff tilts his head. "I'm sorry to take the wind out of your sails, kid. Were you really that worried? You know we love you."

Everyone nods along, confirming Jeff's words. I sit back in my seat, tightening my arms around my mate. "I'm not sure why I was so scared to tell you. I trust you all with my life, but something was holding me back."

"Maybe you needed to resolve the issue with your parents before you could fully trust us," Ronny says with a shrug. "There's no shame in that."

"We've all had our fair share of issues," Cooper says. "We all work through them at our own pace."

"I think we can all agree we're just happy to see the baby happy," Ronny says playfully, making me shake my head.

"You all have kids, you can't keep calling me the baby!"

"We can," Jeff says, his mate nodding along.

"And we will," Axel adds with a giant grin.

I nod slowly, my chest feeling overwhelmed with warmth. "Thank you," I eventually get out, doing my best to keep my emotions in check. "Thank you all. I love you."

"Awww," Ronny coos, making me roll my eyes and hide my face in Jude's blond hair. Everyone chuckles and murmur their agreements that they love me just as much.

"So, what kind of shifter are you?" Martin asks, taking a sip of his beer.

I swallow, those nerves coming back. I look over at Cooper, assuming he's the only one who'll know what a hellhound really is. I'm sure he's read about my kind in all of those books he has. "I'm a hellhound."

Cooper's eyes widen for a moment before he smooths out his features. Everyone else seems to take this in.

"That sounds cool," Ronny says slowly. "I'm picturing a giant dog that's got flames in their eyes."

"Close enough," I say with a snort. "Legend has it that the very first hellhound was made through a spell to be the companion of an evil spell caster. I have no idea how true that actually is, but I can tell you we're not evil."

"Of course not," Jude says, turning his head and kissing my chin. "You're wonderful. And I think we can all agree being evil is about what actions you choose to make rather than what type of meatsuit you're born into."

I smile so wide my cheeks hurt. "Please never say meatsuit again."

Jude giggles as he stands up, stretching his arms over his chest. My eyes go to the stripe of belly his stretching reveals. I can't believe our baby is tucked away in there, just growing away. Will they be capable of magic? Will they be a hellhound like me? Will they be a familiar? I have no idea but I already love them so fucking much.

"Cooper, it's time to finally finish that box," Jude says, giving Cooper a pointed look. "Let's get to work."

Cooper smiles as he stands up, giving Martin a kiss on the cheek before going. I watch them go, my chest overwhelmingly full of love. I'm accepted and everything is going to be okay. And on top of that, I'm going to be a dad. Holy shit. How is this actually my life? How the fuck did Lady Fate deem so me so lucky?

"That stupid rabbit's foot will be in that box soon enough," Martin says, pulling it out of his pocket and twirling it around his finger. It sails off and immediately falls into his beer. "Seriously?"

Jeff snorts, shaking his head in amusement as Martin does his best to fish the damn thing out of his beer. "At least you didn't cause bodily harm to your mate," Jeff says, nudging Axel with his elbow. I'm sure if Axel was capable of blushing he would be right now.

"It wasn't my fault and you're fine."

"I was wounded deeply, baby."

Axel just rolls his eyes. That stupid thing can't be put away fast enough, and I know my mate and his spark are just the people to take care of it.