25. SAVIN

The day passes by in sweet kisses, giggles, and impromptu naps, Ellie continually telling me that she has to focus before cuddling up against my side on the couch again. Mondays are usually my day off but before when I’d be at the house alone, there’s now someone here to spend time with. I know it won’t always be like this but the added presence of this gorgeous Beta has definitely made this day more exciting.

Just after 5 pm, I shoved myself into a pair of dress pants and a sweater for this evening’s event, excited to meet some of the stars in Macon’s new film. However, I’d rather spend the rest of the day here with Ellie and Macon.

Unfortunately, this event is more than just a meet and greet. It’s a chance to put out our narrative. I mentioned to Macon that instead of printing a response, we should show it. Show that I’m not this villainous Omega keeping my mother-in-law from her son. I find it funny that Aalya hasn’t tried to contact us but that’s probably for show as she waits for us to start the conversation.

Ellie is once again dozing off in my lap and I’m starting to worry. She mentioned that she hasn’t slept well the past few nights and I want to be selfish, thinking that it’s because she isn’t sleeping next to us. That isn’t it, though. There’s something else. Something that’s… off. My phone buzzes at my side and I open a text message, frowning when it ruins my relaxed mood.

Dude, what the fuck are you doing fighting the Astor witch?

I haven’t heard that name for Aalya in a while but it isn’t far off. Ellie shifts in my lap, placing a hand on my chest to draw my attention to her. Half-lidded hazel eyes stare up at me as she silently asks me for the reason for the change in my demeanor. Sometimes I forget how sensitive an Omega’s scent is, the way it fluctuates with every emotion I have. “It’s nothing.”

She pats my chest again as she sits up. “Don’t believe you,” Ellie mumbles and then groans, staring at the papers scattered across the floor. She’s been working through the contract most of the day, texting our lawyer with every question that comes up. I have no idea how far she has gotten, too distracted by her presence in my arms.

I let out a deep breath, wondering where to start. Showing Ellie the text doesn’t explain anything so I either have to tell her it’s nothing and not to worry or give her a different view of just how unglamorous our lives truly are. There’s no good way to begin this story so I decide on a cliff notes version of how Macon and I met and then how Aalya and I crossed paths. I speed through the happy times, staying focused on why Aalya is a thorn in my side.

By the time I finish, I’m pent up on unspent emotions from the last time I saw Aalya and that stupid article where she tried to turn the public against us. That’s not even why I’m angry. It’s that she keeps trying to use my helplessness against Macon. At one point, I was almost ready to tell Macon to leave me behind but for what? We would both be miserable and Macon has never expressed his desire for more.

“Hold on, explain that again,” Ellie demands as she crawls off my lap and sits beside me. Her arms are folded across her chest, eyes glaring at me as she waits for me to explain. I hadn’t planned on spilling the beans about Macon’s mother. Ellie tilts her head to the side, her earrings moving with her as her forehead creases with concern. “Macon knows how you feel about his mother, right?” Her hands fall to her lap and I’m sure she doesn’t mean for me to see the way she caresses her lower belly with a care that belies Ellie’s rough personality.

“Yeah, he was the one who took her access to the house away. She made it this big thing, wrote up an article, and now we have to respond so the world doesn’t think I’m this piece of shit stealing away her son. We’re going to make a statement tonight that will “accidentally” get recorded by whoever is there.” I hate having to play Aayla’s game and I knew it was wishful thinking she was out of our lives.

Ellie looks at me in disgust—not at me, more at the situation—but I can see that she doesn’t like Aalya anymore than I do. She runs her tongue along her bottom lip, almost contemplating a plan. “You mentioned that she doesn’t think you’re enough but what if you play into the fact that you’re trying your best?”

“What do you mean?”

“Savin, I think it’s noble to let everyone know the reality of your health but you shouldn’t have to. Instead, use the fact that you’re hiring a PA and trying to manage your time better even if it’s not entirely true. Show the steps you’ve taken to be more present to overshadow everything else, to show everyone that she’s wrong.” Ellie wiggles in place, rubbing her belly again. I can’t tell if she’s uncomfortable or if the ice cream we ate this morning isn’t agreeing with her.

I realize that we haven’t eaten lunch and derail the conversation. “You didn’t eat lunch, Ellie.”

She shrugs and stands to her feet. “Not hungry. Shit, give me a minute.” She disappears into the hallway bathroom in a rush and I stare, confused. There’s too many thoughts going through my head but I try to focus on her suggestion.

Pretending that I’m doing my best. Unfortunately, it won’t work because Macon leaves events early in order to take care of me. Too much stress and my body fails. Too much excitement and my body gives me the middle finger. My body’s temperature fluctuates dangerously during my heats. My biology is working against me and I’ve already accepted that the world is going to find out. Aalya is going to look like the evil woman that she is and maybe the entertainment industry will give me some grace when it comes to my work.

Ellie returns, face a little flushed, her scent sweet and heavy in the air. “Sorry. I don’t know what hit me. Maybe too much ice cream.” Her words are hurried as she grabs the papers and moves to the kitchen, resuming her review of the contract. I’m about to interrupt her when she pulls out her phone, burying her head into the document again.

What the fuck? Is she ashamed? I resituate onto my knees, leaning over the back of the couch as I watch her, Ellie very obviously trying to avoid any conversation about what just happened. My heart constricts, something akin to pain growing in my chest. It’s panic, but it’s not mine. Ellie, what’s going on? I mutter to myself. It hurts to see her this flustered as she runs a hand through her curls, repeatedly licking her lips.

“Ellie-”

“I need to finish this, Savin. Just a few minutes.” Ellie is hiding something.

Macon emerges from the office a few moments later, stretching as he emits a loud groan. His gaze falls on me and he cracks a tired smile before heading to the couch and drawing me into a passionate kiss. Next, he seeks out Ellie, the Beta freezing and then relaxing. Her face lights up as she tilts her head back for a kiss, Macon granting it while drawing her into his chest. It’s a testament to this thing between us but the niggling feeling is still there.

There’s something lurking beneath her expression that wasn’t really there on Friday and definitely wasn’t there three weeks ago. I run through all the scenarios I can drum up, not understanding the connection between them. Ellie is jumpy and needy and sore. She ate nearly that entire pint of ice cream although she brought it for me. And when we just had to have each other a few hours ago on the couch, she was so sensitive and her belly…

I hold my breath, refocusing on Ellie who is currently pressed up against the counter as Macon kisses her softly, no doubt about to take it further. Her scent sweetens again and I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.

Ellie is pregnant.

That’s the only explanation for everything that’s happened today. The only reason that I keep plastering myself by her side. The only reason that her scent keeps going sweet like mine.

My question is when.

Because… if it was that night with us three weeks ago, then she’s pregnant with our child.

I don’t know what to do with this information. I don’t even know if I’m right.

“Savin, baby, you look like you’ve seen a ghost. Do we need to cancel for tonight?”

“Huh?” I blink a few times, seeing Macon in my direct line of sight as he leans over the back of the couch. I didn’t even hear him move from Ellie’s side. He’s cradling my face in his hands, searching my expression for any signs of discomfort. For the first time in a while, there isn’t any. There’s the usual lingering pain but nothing I can’t handle. “No, it’s fine. I just…” I stop speaking, worried that I’ll blurt out my thought process. Ellie isn’t saying anything for a reason.

And she might not even be pregnant and then how embarrassing would that be?

“Nothing. It’s time to go, right? Is Ellie coming?” I’m doing a terrible job of bottling my emotions, no doubt my confusion plain as day on my face. Macon is about to address it when I push off the cushions and hop over the back of the couch, stumbling toward the kitchen. “Ellie, are you coming?”

She looks up, eyes wide. “Coming to what?” Her pen hovers over the contract and my belly goes for a loop. She’s going to stay with us. Ellie glances between Macon and me, taking a few moments to catalog our business casual dress before catching on. “Right, the event.” Ellie sucks in her bottom lip, tapping the counter with the pen for several seconds. “What kind of event?”

Macon sighs as he rounds the counter to stand beside her. “A meet and greet of sorts between the cast and crew. There will be a few brands and some advertisements. It might be a bit much as far as first events go.”

Her brows furrow and the silence that fills between us starts to become uncomfortable. Macon presses a kiss to the top of her head, whispering words I can’t hear even though I’m a few feet away. I’m about to make my case when she starts signing the contract again, flipping through the pages, and then straightens up, smiling. “Yes. I can go. I have something that might work.”

This time, it’s my confusion as I watch her walk over to her bag and unearth a maroon outfit that I already want to tear off of her.

“I… is it not dressy enough? I always carry a second pair of clothes just in case.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s perfect. People just wear whatever. You’re really coming?”

“Yeah.” Her attention turns to my Alpha as she scrunches the dress in front of her. “As long as you were serious about the publicity stuff.” Ellie sees what she needs to in his expression as she disappears into the hallway bathroom.

I turn to my Alpha, waiting for an explanation. Macon’s shoulders fall as he leans on the counter. The stress of the day is taking a toll on him. “Baby, I promised to keep her out of the limelight as best as I could. She doesn’t want the cameras or the fame. It comes with the territory, I know but I’m determined to protect her from it as long as I can.”

“Your mother will find a way to find fault with her presence at my side.” That wasn’t the right thing to say, evident by the way Macon’s expression fills with dread. “I just meant-”

“I know what you meant, Savin and you’re not wrong. Our world isn’t easy. Ellie knows that. I’m just hoping she doesn’t run when something happens. Because it will happen and I’m not sure I can handle Ellie deciding that this relationship isn’t worth it.”

I rush over to my Alpha and snuggle into his arms, both of us content to hold onto each other as Ellie changes. I never expected to be here with a Beta that’s our mate and if she’s pregnant with our child? It’s perfect. I just need Ellie to see it the same way.

“You smell like you had a wonderful day,” Macon chuckles, referring to the day full of ‘cuddles’. There’s no way he missed her little moans or our scents exploding around the room but I love that he gave me a little time with just Ellie and me. “How are you feeling, baby?”

“Amazing.” And this time, I meant it.