Chapter Twenty

Sutton

It had been a few months since I arrived at the compound, only a day before my omega walked in, risking his life for mine.

It was time to move out of our cabin one way or another.

Raven was up and fresh out of the shower. I watched his every move. His belly was round now, and he was almost six months pregnant. Between a bear and a jackal, we figured he could have the baby any minute or in a few months.

Still, I could look at him like this forever.

“What are you staring at?” He turned, flushing from his cheeks to his lower chest.

“My mate. Look at you. You’re glowing. I didn’t think you could get more beautiful, but here you are.”

“Yeah? Just wait until I get fat.”

“It’s not fat. It’s growing a child inside of you. After you get dressed let’s talk about something.” I held up my hands, realizing he would have anxiety about that. “It’s nothing bad, I promise. You and I are solid.”

“As long as that’s true, then I’ll take on anything.”

He got dressed and came to sit at the table. We’d swapped coffee for herbal tea, which he wasn’t happy about but knew was best for our cub.

“What did you want to talk about?” He sipped his tea.

“I think it’s time for us to move out of this cabin. So, either we leave here, which we already discussed not doing, or we have to talk to the team about moving back into the compound.”

Raven shook his head. “I always feel like I’m pushing myself on them. While I think they’ve forgiven me, living in their space could be perceived as an invasion.”

A bit of anger rose up in me. Not at him. “If they can use you as bait to get to alphas on a mission, then certainly we can sleep down the hall in a proper room. You and I living here is one thing, but we are going to be a family of three soon.”

“Are we a family of two now?” he asked.

“Yes. Mate. Omega. Partner. The other half of my family.”

“You are a part of their team, Sutton. We decided to fight for what’s right.”

I let out a long breath while scrubbing my hand down my face. He was right. It did feel like an invasion.

Even though we’d been mostly accepted, my bear continued to feel on the outskirts.

“I’m going to ask. I came here temporarily but I think both of us should be on this team.”

“I’m coming with you.”

The team would be having their morning meeting, so I intended to interrupt it with a request. I wasn’t sure if they would deny us or not, but I had to try.

If not, we would have to find another situation. I had the means and the want to give my omega a stable place to live and thrive. He deserved that.

We walked in and stood against the wall. Raven fisted my shirt in the back.

As Hammer finished up, I cleared my throat. “Is it okay if I ask something of the group?”

Hammer nodded. “Of course.”

“I came here as a temporary member of this team. I find myself in a place where my omega needs some stability one way or another. Raven and I wanted to ask the team if there is room for us here—permanently. But his need for stability shouldn’t sway you. Please make your decision based on the value we would offer the team. If possible, we would like our answer as soon as possible in the event we need to move on.”

Tyrus stood. “You just got here.”

Of all of the teammates, he had been the most supportive. Maybe it was because he was a bear and I was a bear. Who knew why? He was simply good people.

“Yeah. But I have to do what’s best for Raven. I love this team and what we’re all fighting for but, in the end, he comes first.”

All the alphas in the room grunted their agreement.

“I don’t think we need time to think about this,” King said. “Let’s take a vote now.”