24. ELLIE

ELLIE

The pants are tight. The shirts are tight. Nothing fucking fits.

I’m bloated and irritated, and my stomach is queasy. Standing in front of the Astor’s door, however, seems to mute all the stress and discomfort of my pregnancy. Finding out that my favorite leather pants no longer fit this morning was a bummer so I donned a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt. It doesn’t follow my usual style but Dr. Kelly mentioned something about comfort and if I’m trying to keep this pregnancy under wraps, looser clothing is the way to go.

The problem is the slight curve to my belly. It’s barely noticeable but it’s firm and it protrudes enough that I recognized it in the mirror. The other problem is that I can’t stop fucking touching it as if I’m in disbelief that I’m carrying a child. My doctor’s appointment is scheduled for Wednesday, a little earlier than planned at Carleen’s request.

Apparently, I shouldn’t be showing this soon.

Which means twins.

Or goddess forbid, triplets.

I swallow the bile that follows that thought and type in the new code Macon texted me yesterday. It’s been a strange few days, between the conversation in the bathroom and the following conversations since then. Macon isn’t like any other Alpha I’ve met. He’s soft and understanding but fierce when he needs to be. Savin’s texts are airy and light, the words coming across the screen constantly making me giggle.

And despite that, I’m constantly thinking about the first night we spent together, how I fit with them, how they felt inside of me. I blame the goddamn pregnancy hormones because need burns through me and I find myself craving a cock or two.

I’ve fucked myself on that dildo so many times since Friday and goddess, I might beg for Macon’s cock when I step inside. Professionalism, Ellie. Keeping business and our relationship separate will be difficult but I’m here to look over Macon’s new proposal. As enticing as it sounds, I’m not sure I’m the right fit.

My line of thought has me grimacing at the clothes I’m wearing again. I reach down to massage my stomach, the slow slide of my hand across my skin soothing my rising panic. One deep breath later, I push open the door and pause to see Savin pressed against Macon as the Alpha sits on one of the barstools. They’re both staring at me, my cheeks flushing at the attention.

“Ah, the party is here.”

Macon’s stupid joke breaks through the anxiety and I grin, pushing my way inside and slipping off my shoes. Savin is there in the next second, peppering kisses all over my face. I lean into his chest, not realizing how much I’ve missed them. “You smell like candy,” he whispers before taking my lips. Savin’s presence is overwhelming but very much needed as he walks us back into the front door, pressing me against it. His hands start to roam, starting at my shoulders and then moving down till they’re at my waist, thumbs playing over my belly.

I untangle myself from him, shedding my backpack and then holding up the bag of ice cream that I carried inside, trying to distract him. “I’ve brought presents!” I say a little too loudly. Savin finds it hilarious, dragging me to the living room while waving Macon over. I didn’t sign up for cuddles but the fact that they make it seem so normal keeps me from protesting. Savin plops into the corner of the couch before pulling me onto his lap and stealing the bag in my hand.

“What is it? It’s… lemon lavender ice cream?”

I nod, reaching for the bag to pull out three spoons. The artisan ice cream shop a few doors down from my apartment has never been my favorite. That all changed on Saturday morning when I had a craving and Carleen brought back a few pints to try. It was supposed to be a joke but now they’ve become my comfort food. Lemon lavender and rose chocolate are by far my favorites but I’m sharing the chocolate one with no one. Hell, I nearly slapped Carleen yesterday when she tried to take the last one from the freezer.

Savin stares at it for a few moments, Macon sitting beside me and drawing me into a soft kiss. “Hello, sweetheart.”

“Hi, Alpha.” Just one of many things I’ve adopted in the last two days. It feels comfortable leaning on these two in a way that I thought was just ‘an Omega thing’. It still confuses me as I can’t seem to tell my brain that these feelings are real and not a result of a forming bond, that the bond is only strengthening our desire. I’ll get there.

Savin rips a spoon from my hand, digging into the ice cream. He sags into the cushions, groaning happily. “This stuff is amazing.” I silently agree as I dip my spoon into the purple cream, sucking on the spoon as the flavors explode in my mouth.

“Alpha, do you want some?” I hand him a spoon and his face contorts in disgust. I was expecting that reaction, however, sending me into a fit of uncontrollable giggles which only get worse when Savin gives me an alternative.

“Spill it on yourself and ask him to clean it up. Hell, I’ll spill it and-”

I cut him off. “No wasting the ice cream, Savin.” I rip the pint from him, scooping a healthy serving into my mouth before doing a little jig. I hum through several more bites before noticing that they’ve gone quiet, Savin and Macon staring at me strangely. Staring down at myself gives me no clues, Macon leaning forward to cup my cheek in his large hand.

His thumb massages the skin and my excitement settles into a calm comfort. “We don’t know each other well, Ellie, but this is the happiest I’ve seen you. I love it.” Macon’s touch disappears in the next second and I watch him return to the kitchen. Savin pulls me a little closer, nuzzling his head against mine while fighting me for more ice cream.

Macon isn’t wrong. This feels right. Comfortable. Perfect.

And as terrifying as it is, I know I need to tell them. I will. Just… after my appointment.

“There’s a contract, right?” I ask, breaking the silence. I twist around to see Macon returning with a small stack of paper. “Why are there so many pages? Isn’t it just for Savin’s PA?”

The Alpha chuckles. “There’s a lot of legal jargon in here that makes sure you’re both protected. It might sound stupid but handling it after the fact might be detrimental to the both of you.” I hum my yes through another spoonful of ice cream. “Our lawyer is on call if you need him to explain anything to you and you can take as much time as you need to look through it. If anything needs to be changed, let me know.”

Macon has slipped into a business persona, the personality in stark contrast to the Alpha I spent time with on Friday during Savin’s heat. This version of him is slightly terrifying and fierce in a way that I’m sure would have me flattened against a wall, a dark look in his eyes as he fights between fucking and belting out his anger. Heat bleeds through me at the fantasy, Macon’s nostrils flaring at the change in my scent. Savin tugs me a little closer, his nose dragging along my cheek.

“You’ve gone all sweet again. Makes me want to lay you out and fuck you, Ellie.” His cock thickens against my ass and I squirm, trying not to let them know just how much I would enjoy that.

No.

I came to look at a contract. Now that I’ve had my ice cream, I can focus. Pushing the container to Savin to finish, I wiggle my fingers for the papers. Discomfort wiggles into my chest and I try sliding off Savin’s lap to sit in a chair. That’s more professional, right?

Savin wraps a firm arm around me and tugs me back against him. “And where are you going?”

“Just to sit-”

“You have a seat, Ellie. Right here. Are you not comfortable?” Savin waits for my answer and I sigh, sucking in my bottom lip. I should have known that Savin wasn’t going to let me move. “Ok, good. Stay here. I like holding you.”

Macon chuckles and stands up, taking the trash from us. “I’ll be in the office if either of you need me. Be careful, sweetheart. Finding shit like this is going to make you his new favorite person.” He leans down to press a kiss on each of our heads before disappearing and I set my attention on the papers. Macon wasn’t lying about legal jargon and I have no idea what 90% of this even means. I’m sure I can trust this man not to fuck with my life but I also need to do my due diligence.

The lawyer’s number is on the bottom of the page, relief flooding my chest when it says he’s available for text. Thank fuck. I don’t really want to talk to anyone.

My attention is stolen by Savin who is currently running his nose along my cheek, one hand gripping my waist, the other splayed across my stomach. It moves upward, massaging one of my tits and I let out an embarrassing groan as I twitch in his lap. Goddess, those are sensitive. Yet another reason why we moved the appointment sooner.

Betas might start experiencing symptoms early but none of this is following the ‘normal’ pattern as Dr. Kelly put it. Carleen discreetly tried to ask our parents about my mother’s pregnancies but now they’re convinced my sister is pregnant so we nipped that conversation in the bud.

“Savin,” I breathe out, trying to keep my wits about me. He doesn’t stop, growing more incessant. This isn’t his heat so the desire building between us doesn’t make sense, especially not the way I’m craving release. Bold, even for me, I move the papers to the side and grab his hand from my tit before guiding it south and into my pants.

When those long fingers swipe through my folds, a shudder tears through me, my back bowing forward. Increased libido was what the pregnancy pamphlet said. It’s worse with mates apparently and the need to come is taking over my rational mind. Savin doesn’t seem to mind though, plunging a finger into my sex. His tongue drags along my cheek and jaw, Savin picking up his pace as I writhe on his lap.

The Omega starts to perfume, his attention becoming more fervent until I shatter on his fingers, the warmth of his release seeping into my legging-covered ass. We both sigh, relaxing into each other but I’m confused at how suddenly my need for him crept up. Savin’s fingers are still gently pumping inside of me, teasing me onto another smaller orgasm when his lips meet mine.

It’s a soft kiss as we sup from each other until I wiggle my way off his lap, Savin leaning back to suck my release off his fingers.

“I… I need to change,” I mumble.

“We both do. I haven’t come in my fucking pants since I was a teen. I’m not even sure why… it was just like I needed you right then.” Savin frowns, eyes flitting across the room. He stands and guides me to the hallway, rushing me past the office. The sweetness of his scent fades slightly, almost as if he’s worried something is wrong. “If he knows, he’ll come fuck us into oblivion. I just, I don’t know what happened,” he whispers, his voice pained.

He points to the guest bedroom for me to clean up and then he dives into his own. I’m not sure what to make of what just happened. I kind of want it to happen again but I also know that I need to explain why it happened in the first place.

Just tell them, Ellie. What’s the worst they can do?

The worst they can do is sever the budding relationship and the comfort I’ve drawn from them.

The worst they can do is chalk all of this up to biology and say that the feelings weren’t really there.

The worst they can do is blame me for entrapping them into a life they don’t want.

I step into the attached bathroom, warring with my own thoughts because the pregnancy isn’t the only thing I need to tell them about.

I’ve left out a few details since we saw each other last.

Like the shutter of a camera that seems to always be there when I return to my apartment.

Or Nathan Fox harassing me again Saturday night, telling me that Macon and Savin will drop me like a hot potato when they’re done with me.

Macon said this would only work if I tell him what I need, what’s working, and what isn’t.

Which means they have to know.

Everything.

Somehow I convince myself that I don’t have to say anything until Thursday.

It’s a terrible plan.