Chapter Fifty-One

Red

Whatever Eve said to her sister, it must've been pretty damn convincing.

Lucille is gone by week's end.

Thorn didn't tell me much, except that he overheard them talking in the living room late one night after everyone else had gone to sleep. They finally had the heart-to-heart Eve's been chasing.

Lucille gets a proper farewell party—Baxter, Thorn, and Eve all make the second drive out to Bishop Den. Papers signed. Funds transferred.

Baxter made it clear he didn't want any money to be involved, but at Lucille's indignance—someone whose entire existence has been founded upon an omega's monetary value—they agreed: Pack Bishop will pay a small courting fee, to enter into a new bank account. Not in Maddox's name, but in Lucille's.

It was less than a month—well, almost a month—but damn … time does not fly around the oldest Carson sister.

Eve gets home, dragging her feet through the front door. My inner alpha snaps at me to carry her straight to the nest when Riley shoots me a warning chuff.

Only then do I register Eve's paleness. I know that face. It's the I-am-very-carsick face.

"Aw, baby," I coo. "Want your bucket?"

She purses her lips. "No thank you, alpha."

Baxter leads her to the couch by the small of her back. She hasn't nested out here in a couple days, so the blankets and pillows are all pretty stale. I take the initiative, dragging my scent along everything I can get my hands on.

Eve gives me a weary smile. "Thank you."

Seems crazy that she should be the one thanking me, what with her pup bump on full display, stretching out the t-shirt that used to be two sizes too big.

"We need to get you some new clothes," Riley announces.

My inner alpha disagrees. "No we don't."

Riley frowns. "Everything's getting tight, or haven't you noti—" suddenly she stops, realizing. "Oh."

"Oh?" Eve glances between us. " Oh what?"

Riley smirks. "I think our resident sex pest is enjoying your new figure a little too much."

I shrug. "I like to see the bump. That a crime?"

Eve blushes. Fucking beautiful.

Marcus is working late tonight, so I check on dinner—still slow-roasting—as I grab Eve a quick snack. It's never been easier to get food into her, and I do not intend to waste the opportunity.

"So," Riley says as Baxter walks in, carrying Eve's meds. "Everything go okay?"

"Without a hitch." He passes Eve a handful of tablets and I pass her a glass of water. She tries not to make a face with each swallow.

"Good girl." I beam. "Now finish your cupcake."

She doesn't even argue. These cravings are a total godsend.

"Normal contract rules apply," Baxter goes on. "Regular updates for the first six months. We're entitled to visit Bishop Den and speak with Lucille privately, or with her alphas, once a month. Other than that, it'll be up to them."

"Up to her," Eve corrects, resolutely.

Baxter nods. "Up to her."

"Do you think she'll reject them before the six months are up?" I ask. "You know—get some payback."

Riley's eyes are like a steel trap closing in on me. "Pack Bishop aren't the ones who rejected her in the first place."

"I know, but … wouldn't put it past her."

By the time it occurs to me that Eve might be offended by this, she's laughing. "Wow, alpha. I'm guessing Lucille didn't rub off on you after all."

I make a face. She laughs again.

Another great thing about Eve's pregnancy? Naps. She spends barely fifteen minutes looking at maternity clothes online before her eyes start to get heavy. I offer to take her upstairs, but she just puts her head in my lap, content to fall asleep right here.

My heart quivers like it's trying not to burst.

Eve's sleepy vibes are contagious, sending warm and cozy signals out to everyone in a five-mile radius. Baxter puts his phone down, his body sinking into the armchair. Riley's head lolls. I pass her a blanket, which she lazily tugs over her legs. Only Thorn seems somewhat alert, fiddling with a gadget I don't recognize, making sure all the parts are in working order.

He catches me looking. Smirks the way he always does, like he has a secret.

Just gonna rest my eyes, I tell myself, just … gonna … rest …

***

"Oh!"

I startle awake with a not-so-charming snort.

On the floor, propped up against the couch, Riley does the same. "Huh?"

What time is it ? The room is a different shade than I recall. Longer shadows. Cooler tones. Oh, god. How long have I been out?

Thorn rises, rounding the coffee table with a lethal glint in his eye. Even my sleep-drunk self senses the danger.

I sit up straighter. "Thorn, what're you—"

"Oh my gosh." Eve is still in my lap. She puts both hands on her stomach, her eyes wide. "Oh … wow."

"What is it?" Baxter demands at the same time as Thorn crouches down, frantically scanning Eve's face.

"It's—" Eve tries to sit up. "I don't even know."

I search for her bond, try to gauge what's happening, but the information isn't there. Or maybe there's just too much of it—love and fear and panic and excitement all rolled into one.

Thorn puts two fingers beneath her jaw. "Your pulse is elevated."

"Tachycardic?" Baxter demands. Thorn shakes his head.

"Eve, honey, talk to us," Riley says.

Fuck, I don't like this—sleep still a thick fog around my head, making me wonder if I've stepped out of one dreamscape and into another.

Eve's mouth hangs open. Her hands never leave her stomach, palms spread wide.

"I'm calling Marc," I announce. "Or. Wait. Should we just go to the hospital?" I can't handle another scare. I don't think my packmates can, either.

Thorn shoots up. "I'll grab a bag."

Baxter also stands. "Red, Riley, get Eve to the car."

All stations are go. Just like the last time, Riley and I leap to our orders. I take Eve's left arm while Riley goes for her right, the two of us pulling her to her feet.

"Wait." Eve resists. She calls out to Thorn, "Just—wait a second!"

Baxter growls. "We're not taking any chances."

"No, seriously. Wait ."

It gets his attention, if only for a second. Eve reaches out, silently asking for Baxter's hand.

Baxter casts his gaze to Thorn, begrudgingly signaling for him to pause. He approaches, and without warning, Eve pulls him closer, placing his open palm on her stomach.

She whispers, "See?"

For a moment Baxter just frowns. Then, suddenly—

His breath catches.

"Baxter," Riley demands. "What is it?"

Slowly, Baxter's face softens. His amber eyes are as wide as I've ever seen them.

I can't take this anymore. Growling, I feel around Eve's stomach. Almost instantly I feel it.

Thud.

I pull back with a gasp. "Holy shit!"

Eve laughs. "Yeah."

"I mean, holy … shit !"

Riley has her hand on Eve's stomach now, too, getting a feel. "Oh my god. Is that—?"

Eve nods. "I think so. I–I mean, if it's not , then that'd be pretty weird, right?"

"Thorn," I call, "get your ass over here. You gotta feel this."

I need him, need all my packmates, to be a part of this moment. Already my very blood is aching, knowing Marcus isn't here. He's going to be so damn pissed when he gets home and finds out he missed it.

Thorn approaches, looking skeptical. I grab his wrist and pull him in.

There's a brief pause. Stillness. Quiet.

Then, thud.

Thorn's lips part ever-so-slightly. Slowly, he raises his gaze to Eve.

"They're kicking," she whispers. "Finally. Finally kicking."

It's the confirmation I didn't know I needed to hear, my own eyes watering at the thought. The feel. That's our tiny little pup in there, kicking up a tiny little storm. That's our family.

"Eve," Baxter rumbles hoarsely. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," Riley sniffles. "It's … this is … this is such a gift. I love you so much."

"Love you both," I add defiantly. My omega. Our pup. I would tear the world apart if that's what it took to protect them—even just to protect this soft flutter in Eve's stomach.

No-one can take their hands off of her.

And only some us can withhold our tears.