Chapter Fifteen

West

I collapsed into a heap right there in my bedroom. Alex moved to catch me, but I was too fast. In my hands was the white plastic stick with the two lines that had just changed our lives with a bit of biological testing.

“Everything is going to be okay,” Alex said, sitting beside me. He wrapped me up in his arms, and I melted against his warmth.

My wolf was beyond pleased.

We were having pups—something I thought was out of reach for me for so long.

“I’m pregnant,” I whispered the obvious, hoping that saying it out loud would lessen the blow.

“You are,” he cooed.

“I have something to tell you,” I said.

His eyebrows raised. “You do? Tell me.”

“You’re my mate. I know I said I didn’t know or was confused, but I’m sure now. You’re mine. And I’m yours.” I pulled his hand from my back to my stomach. “And this cub or pup is ours.” Tears ran down my face. “You’re mine, Alex. You have been since that night in your office.”

Alex gathered me up in his embrace and pulled me into his lap. He tended to do that when I was upset, and in this moment, there was nothing I needed more. He always knew when to touch me and when to refrain, which wasn’t often. “I’ve been yours since you came into my office. That night will be one of my most cherished memories.”

“You’re not mad because I took so long to know? That I made you wait?”

He cupped my face with his gentle hands. “Never. I would’ve waited as long as it took. Now you’re making me wait on something else.”

“What?” I asked, letting out a laugh.

“Are you happy, omega mine? Are you happy to be carrying my child?”

I nodded. “I’m ecstatic. I always wanted a family and babies, but Emile…I didn’t think it was in the cards for me.”

“Well, that’s all changed now. And I’m going to spoil you rotten, both of you.”

“Are you?” I asked and then paused. “Will it fade?”

Alex tugged me closer, splaying his hands on my back. “Will what fade?”

“The way we feel right now. Will it fade and we will become like roommates? Will we walk past each other with a strained smile? Stop making love? Stop caring? Never whispering good night before we fall asleep?”

“Not if I can help it. I’ll try every damned day to remind you of how much you are loved and adored and cherished.” He paused. “Is this something you’re concerned about because of Emile?”

“Yes,” I admitted. It was one thing to make a promise to myself not to bad-mouth Emile. After all, I didn’t want to be that omega, bitching and moaning about my mate behind his back, especially after he was gone. But sharing this part of my life with Alex was different. He was my alpha and my mate, and there was nothing I would keep secret from him. “He was tender at first. Caring. Doting. Always touching me. After our mating ceremony and honeymoon, it all dulled.”

“I never knew,” Alex responded. “From the way he spoke, he treated you like a prince. I wondered why you never had children but it wasn’t my business to pry.”

“He was never mean, not often, at least, but I felt invisible. Like a piece of furniture he passed every day without notice. To everyone else, he was so charismatic and kind, but to me…we hadn’t had sex in months. Months.”

“Mmm,” Alex growled, rubbing my back. “No wonder you are so starving for affection, omega.”

“I am. I can’t get enough of you or your touch. So you see why I’m scared.”

“I won’t let that happen to us, mate. I won’t. We will have to work at this like every mated couple but I’ll never stop trying. I can’t foresee a time when I’m not on fire for you.”

“And now we’re going to have a family,” I said, putting my palms on my belly. “Want to spend the night? I don’t think I can sleep without you.”

“Didn’t plan on leaving. Mind if I cook for you?”

We got up, and I placed the pregnancy test in a plastic bag. I would keep it with some other things, commemorating our relationship and family. “I would love for you to cook for me. I haven’t been keeping a lot down during the day, but at night, I can eat okay.”

“How about some chicken pot pie?” he asked.

“You can make that?”

“I can.”

I pushed off the table where I had been leaning. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

“There’s more where that came from. How about I run my omega a bath?”

Alex got better and better.

That night, we ate and spent the night loving each other. It had to be strange for him and his wolf to be here, surrounded by Emile’s scent and where we spent our time, but he never complained. Not once.

“West?” he prompted as we went downstairs for dessert. “Will you run with me? We can drive out to a field or something but my wolf needs to bond with his mate.”

My wolf wanted to as well.

“That sounds like a good idea. Tomorrow, I need to make an appointment with a healer.”

“Let’s run and we’ll find you the best healer in this city.”