20. Garin

Chapter 20

Garin

We decided it was safer to stay at our place than Nate's. There were too many rooms and too many points of entry there. We were safe, or at least much safer than before. The prosecutor was in talks about a plea deal, and that was an excellent sign.

As the weeks passed, it was easier to feel the bond between the three of us growing and strengthening. Our scents combined, and I could sense when either of my mates were nearby. I could also sense how they were feeling when there was something major going on with them. I never understood how deep the bond could be. It was everything.

There was definitely something going on with Nate. He hadn't said as much, but all of the signs were there.

At first, he was just sleepier than usual, more likely to doze off during a TV show or any time we were in the car. In fact, he nodded off on the way home from the ice cream shop with his entire cone smooshed on his shirt. And bedtime? If he made it until seven pm, I was surprised. I wondered if I should be concerned or if it was still him coming off of the stress of the entire situation.

Recently it was different, though. About a week ago, I noticed a change in his scent. It was subtle at first but had been getting stronger with each day. A pungent mix of me and Trig blended together, and suddenly everything clicked. It was more than just the mating bond responsible. So much more.

Nate was pregnant with our child. Maybe pups. Maybe cubs. Maybe just a sweet human baby. Whatever he was carrying was a part of all of us, and it made my wolf preen with pride and excitement.

I waited for Nate to tell us himself, but he didn't seem to realize what was happening with his body. The poor bear just hadn't spent time with enough shifters to recognize the signs. Either that or he was planning a big reveal. That wasn't his style, though, so probably not.

When Nate was in the shower, Trig pulled me over to where he was doing laundry and asked in a low whisper, "I'm worried about our mate. Do you think he needs to see a doctor?"

I nodded, and he folded and refolded the socks that were just out of the dryer, his hands not getting the messages his brain was trying to send.

"Yeah, I think so, but not urgently."

He frowned and turned fully toward me. "Why not now? I think it's safe enough. I heard him throw up this morning. I think there's something really wrong with him, Gare."

I pulled Trig into my arms and held him against my chest. Licking over the shell of his ear was one of my favorite things to do because it elicited the most desperate sounds from my big, strong alpha mate. It was also the perfect position to whisper right into his ear so our keen-hearing bear didn't catch it. "He's pregnant, Trig. Can't you sense the changes in his body?"

Trig pulled back and looked right into my eyes and then closed his as he inhaled deeply. When he opened them again, they were glassy with unshed tears. "How did I miss that?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Why hasn't he told us yet?"

I turned Trig so he could watch Nate as he came out of the bathroom with my arms wrapped around his middle. I wasn't giving up a chance to see him with damp hair and nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

"I don't think he knows yet, babe. Maybe we should tell him?" This was whole new territory for me. Was there a protocol on this?

He sniffed and nodded against the side of my face. "Yeah, we should. Can we do it now?"

Coughing out a laugh, I squeezed him even tighter. "Over laundry?"

"No time like the present—and besides, he's mostly naked. It will make it easier for us to celebrate." He turned and smacked a wet kiss on my cheek before dragging me to our omega. "You get the honors since you figured it out."

"Figured what out?" Nate looked back and forth between Trig and me. "Everything okay?"

Trig was the worst at keeping secrets and couldn't help himself. "Everything's great, little one. So great."

Nate's towel fell to the floor, but he made no attempt to retrieve it. "Well, don't keep me in suspense. What's so great about…everything?"

Trig pursed his lips together to keep them from talking, and then he looked at me with encouraging eyes.

I laughed and pinched his ass. "Okay, okay." I held my arm up, and Nate rushed right into it, crashing against me and Trig as his arms closed around both of our necks. "If you really want to know…"

"Garin, please!" Nate licked across my mark and then kissed the skin. "I need to know what's so great!"

Instinctively, I pressed my palm to his flat belly. "You're pregnant, Nate. You're carrying our baby."

He looked down at my hand and placed both of his hands over it. "You think?" His gaze bounced from mine to Trig's. "How can you tell?"

Trig pulled him in for a kiss, unable to keep those lips still. "We can smell it on you, little one. And…we can feel it. Can't you?"

He pulled back and concentrated. "Yeah, actually. I can. That's incredible." He looked up at me. "You knew this and didn't tell me?"

"I just figured it out myself, but I'm so fucking happy about it."

"And I'm so naked… Just saying… If we wanted to recreate what brought us to this point, I'm game."

Like either of us could turn that offer down.