29. SAVIN

SAVIN

Macon has me pinned beneath him, the warmth of his body seeping into mine. It’s just at the edge of being uncomfortable and I squirm, trying to get free. He mumbles something incoherent as I struggle to breathe, my body needing a quick dash of cold. Whether that be ice, AC, or a cold shower, I really don’t care at this point.

“Fuck, Macon, please,” I whine, pushing at his chest. This position was comfortable as fuck a few hours ago when I passed out in pain, yelling through one of the worst cramps I’d had in a while. It felt like every muscle in my body pulled tight, holding me captive as I tried to think of anything other than the pain. Nothing worked until Macon draped himself over me, providing a blanket of security from the world.

A mixture of his and Ellie’s scent settled around me and the pain became a dull throb that I could handle. Barely. Unfortunately, now, it’s not comfortable anymore.

I slip from under him and lean over the side of my nest, sighing as a cold blast of air from the vent hits my face. Bile sits at the back of my throat, threatening to bring up the little bit of food I scarfed down before I climbed into my nest. Thankfully, nothing happens as I draw in the cool air, taking several needed gulps. I sag against the cushions, Macon moving to sit beside me, his hand rubbing up and down my back.

“Hey, baby.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. This isn’t anything we haven’t dealt with before. Do you need it to be colder or is this okay?” I twist to look over at him, reading his tired expression. I expect to see annoyance or disappointment on his face. Neither one is there. Just love. And adoration. And concern for my health. “Let me go fiddle with the-”

“It’s fine,” I say, turning fully to curl into his side. “I just needed a moment. It passed. We can go back to sleep.” I don’t want to discuss whatever is going on with me. It definitely has to do with Ellie’s scent and how its added presence helps soothe the pain. A small vibration steals my attention and for a moment, I think that one of Macon’s toys has made it into my nest. I’m not expecting to see my phone light up on the pillow by the nightstand.

I frown and crawl over to it, eyes widening when I stare at the picture that is sitting on my screen. I swallow nervously, unlocking my phone and read the name of the sender several times. Ellie.

Ellie sent me a picture.

A picture of babies.

Of her babies.

I clutch the phone to my chest, trying to figure out what she means by sending me that. Is it for me? Are they mine or Macon’s? Was it a mistake?

“Baby, what is going on?”

I dart from the nest, unsure of where I want to go. Does she need help? Is this a call for help or is she just letting me know? I can’t focus on any one thing as I pad around barefoot, bursting down the hall and into the kitchen only dressed in a pair of boxers. Macon catches up to me easily enough, pressing me against the wall.

“Savin! You’re running really warm.”

Do I show Macon? Am I supposed to? Surely Ellie will explain. I turn the screen and show my Alpha, Macon’s face contorting in a mixture of anger and disbelief. “Who the fuck is sending you an ultra—Ellie?” His expression morphs into confusion. “Is she pregnant? How long have you known?” A whimper tears from my throat as he steps forward, his scent hardening when he asks again. “Savin, have you been keeping this secret from me?”

I want to be pissed at Macon for taking his emotions out on me but I can’t. This man has been through everything with me and I didn’t tell him my suspicions. The worst of it is that Macon used to talk about kids all the time before my health declined. His dream was to have little bodies running around the house, demanding our time and energy. We even spoke with an adoption agency at one point but that didn’t pan out.

And now, I’ve kept my suspicions to myself, knowing full well that Ellie might truly be our dream come true. “Macon, I need you to hear me out before you make any assumptions.” My Alpha grits his teeth before he nods, swallowing his anger so I can explain. “I suspected a few days ago but I didn’t know. I swear. She never said anything to me and so I didn’t want to make it a thing if it wasn’t. But then she sent that. I don’t think it was on purpose.”

Macon grunts and dials her number from my phone. We both hear the dial tone drop off and then the call ends. She just hung up on us. I try to find another explanation when six little beeps echo through the foyer, reaching my ears. “Wrong code,” echoes after it, six beeps following it before the door is thrust open, Ellie standing there drenched and half-dressed.

Her usually full curls are sagging against her shoulders, fear racing through her expression as she holds her hands up. “I can explain.” Ellie draws in several breaths but I can’t get past the fact that she looks like a drowned rat. My heart goes out to her, my need to draw her into my arms and take care of her overshadowing everything else.

The problem is that Macon needs to say his piece before this goes anywhere, even as harsh as I know his words will be. “We’re all ears, Ellie. When were you going to tell us you were pregnant? I’m assuming it’s one of ours.” His clipped tone has me jabbing him in the side but his anger doesn’t dissipate.

Ellie bends in half, placing her hands on her knees as she tries to catch her breath. “I can explain,” she repeats. “Just give me a minute.” Her breaths are getting heavier as she drops to her knees, Macon beside her in the next second. He scoops her into his arms and carries her to the couch, nodding at me to grab a few towels to dry her off.

Once again, I’m surprised by my Alpha as he crouches in front of her, one of his hands reaching up to her to caress her cheek. “Tell me they’re his,” he whispers.

I nearly miss the nod she gives him, my entire body responding to the revelation that those babies are mine. That she’s carrying my children. We never thought that would be possible. I run off to the linen closet to grab towels before I end up pouncing onto our Beta with enough excitement for the three of us.