Chapter Twenty-Four

Baxter

It can be done. I suspected as much, though that doesn't mean I'm automatically pleased.

Within days, the courts have lifted their restraining orders from Flora and Lucille, as well as Pack Coffs. Whatever time I felt my packmates and I needed to wrap our heads around this adjustment, we're not getting it.

" You could at least try to sound glad, " Francis says to me over the phone. " If not for my sake, then for Eve's ."

It's not often someone calls me out. Then again, it's not often I'm so transparent.

"Noted," I tell her. "Thanks again for your help."

" No thanks needed. It was a surprising painless procedure ."

Surprising, maybe. Painless? I'm not so sure. At least, not from here on out.

I put Thorn to work following up on all things Carson—pulling digital footprints, gauging how much contact they've had with their daughters, and how long it's been since they were last in the city. He confirms they've been off-grid for the better part of four months, sequestered to the peninsula. Also that Lucille did seek refuge with them following her rejection from Pack Deakin, but has since relocated to the city.

Thorn tells me he doesn't know why she came back, but that deep dark flicker in his eye makes the insinuation clear enough.

If Pack Deakin doesn't want Lucille, Carson sure as hell doesn't want her either. She is nothing more than a botched investment.

Upon hearing the news, I'm worried Eve's first instinct will be to high-tail it back to the city, but she's surprisingly reserved.

"So … I'm allowed to call them?"

Despite Thorn's intel, my gut says to stay wary. Eve's family—sisters included—have done nothing but get her hurt. Even so, I give her the space she needs, shutting the study door behind me.

"Woah." Red springs up from the couch. "You're leaving her alone?"

"She wants to make a phone call," I say tautly.

"Bax," he groans, then, at my look, " Baxter. Are you completely, totally sure about this? 'Cause I'm not."

I sigh, continuing into the kitchen. "We've been over this."

"Those omegas are bad news."

"Maybe so," I return, "but that doesn't mean we get to stop Eve from having a relationship with them."

"Isn't that our job?" he snaps. "As her alphas?"

"Our job is to protect her. We can't dictate her choices, but we can minimize the risks."

" Within reason . Isn't that what you always say?"

"My reason," I shoot back, reaching at the end of my tether, "is Eve's autonomy." I glare down at my packmate, leaving the warning unsaid: In Maddox, we respect our omega, and her wishes.

I know Red knows this. And I know, in his heart, he wants the same thing—even when it's hard.

He bows his head. I dismiss him, and am relieved to see him slink outside. God knows he could go a few rounds on that punching bag. Or, better yet …

I shoot a text to Thorn.

When you get a break, head to the gym

Red could use the company.

Thorn doesn't send me so much as a thumbs up, but the message appears as ‘Read' almost instantly. Rest assured, he's on his way.

The study door creaks open, Eve padding out into the living room. I greet her with a sports drink.

"Hey, little one. How'd it go?"

She purses her lips, shifting her phone between her palms like a hot coal. "Flora was good. Lucille … didn't want to talk."

I quirk a brow. "Lucille's still staying with Pack Coffs?"

"Yeah. Though, she got pretty mad when Flora mentioned it."

No wonder Coffs were so willing to bring Flora to meet us. Even with the restraining order over their heads, they knew they had to do something about the extra omega crashing at their den. Maybe they were even hoping to pawn her off.

"Flora says thank you, by the way. She also wanted to apologize for, well …" she smiles nervously. "I'll let her do that part herself."

"She wants to speak to me?"

"Mm-hm. That's the part her alphas got pretty mad at, though."

I don't blame them. The way Thorn stared down Pack Coffs is enough to make most grown alphas run away with their tail between their legs. Not to mention my other packmates, all formidable in their own right.

"It was weird talking to her," Eve confesses.

"Weird is good. Means you haven't let you guard down."

"I'm not sure I can. At least, not while I'm like this." She feels her stomach, her palm skimming the fabric of her shirt.

Something sparks in my chest.

I take a step back, examining her more fully. Same pale blonde hair. Same narrow shoulders. Her breasts I've already noticed—slightly fuller, slightly pinker. She squirms under my scrutiny.

Then I realize.

"Do that again," I whisper.

Eve pauses, uncertain, then hesitantly puts her hand back on her stomach.

My knees nearly buckle. How did I not see it before ?

"Alpha …?" she asks worriedly.

"Your stomach," I say, closing the distance between us. "You've grown."

Eve stiffens, then blushes, then melts, all in an instant. "Oh. Yeah, I–I figured it must be noticeable by now, but no-one's said anything. Maybe they were trying not to offend me."

I recoil, bewildered. "Offend you?"

"Because I'm getting fat. Or at least, it might look like fat, if you didn't already—"

A growl escapes me before I can help it. I put my hands on either side of her stomach, marveling at how one bump can be so small and so big all at the same time. As if the entire universe was contained between my palms.

"Stay right there, my omega." I drop a kiss on her head. "I'm getting Thorn."

She blinks. "Thorn?"

"He's the only one of us who can take a photo worth a damn."

A photo for every day , I tell myself, striding down the hall. No. Every hour. I want to see it all—every last snapshot of the life that's blooming right before our eyes. The fact I've already missed out on … god, four months , is unacceptable.

I burst into the gym. Three heads snap to me—Thorn, Red, and Riley all taking turns sparring.

Riley drops her fist. "You alright, boss?"

I lock eyes with Thorn. My heart pounding.

"Get your camera."