Chapter Twenty

Ayelet

I was willing to try anything just to be with my mates. Even if we had to stay there, it would have been so much better than being anywhere without them. I told myself that. My gazelle agreed, but when we arrived at the penthouse in San Diego, and I was still worried a bit about hurting Magnus’ feelings, our unicorn did not hold back his joy.

And, somehow, that freed his alphas to drop our attempts at control and fall into a laughing heap on the sofa. Magnus had made a big sacrifice for us, no matter how much wealth he had. He’d essentially walked away from a crazy successful gig in the Big Apple because his mates were not comfortable there, and after weeks of all three of us trying to make one another happy by hiding our true feelings, we were back in the penthouse where we’d claimed one another. The West Coast just made me happy.

And it wasn’t because NYC was a bad place or felt icky or had too many people. The change from New Mexico to San Diego was equally extreme. And I enjoyed meeting those I did in both communities. There was no Animals branch in New York, at least not that we heard of, but there was certainly no lack of entertainment.

Late one evening, we’d gone into Central Park, which was so much bigger than I’d ever imagined, and followed Magnus to a huge open field where many other shifters were hanging out and having a great time. Picnics were spread out on blankets, some were strumming guitars, and it could have been a love-in from the 1960s, except with less sex and more wolves. Magical! Who knew that right in the middle of one of the densest urban areas in the US, probably in the world, such things went on.

But we had just begun to explore San Diego, and there was a whole lot here to love. The beaches and mountains and desert were all easy day trips, and there were miles of open country where we could let our animals out, even the dragon, as long as we were aware of our surroundings. Hiking, running, flying… We went whale watching, which my gazelle was puzzled by but I liked. And I was going to learn to sail, something I’d never dreamed possible.

And the restaurants. In addition to delicious Mexican food, there were all sorts of other international options and, of course, plentiful seafood. We went out for that maybe too often because it was so good.

One night not long after we arrived on the West Coast, I snapped awake with the knowledge that one of my mates was not in bed with me. And, from the bathroom, came gagging sounds.

“Magnus?” I shook our dragon’s shoulder. “I think Harbor is sick.”

He nodded, eyes still closed. “I hear. How many of those oysters did he have at dinner last night?”

“I don’t know. I had a bunch of them, didn’t you?”

“Yes. And all the ones I ate tasted great, but it only takes one bad one.” Magnus sat up and dangled his legs over the side of the bed. “I’d better go check on him.”

I scooted off the mattress and reached for my boxer shorts. “I’ll go.”

“No, really, I don’t mind.” He grabbed the robe he kept across the bottom of the bed on these cool mornings. “I was the one who ordered the oysters.”

Shifters are immune to nearly all human diseases, but a bad oyster can take down even the biggest bear. “Let’s both go.”

I heard a chuckle and turned to find our unicorn standing in the bathroom doorway. He swayed a little and we both jumped to steady him. “You alphas are a couple of worry warts. I didn’t even eat any oysters.”

“You didn’t? But they are your favorite thing.”

“Not at the moment. They didn’t appeal to me at all last night. I just ate some bread and butter.”

“Wait.” My head reeled. “We had all your favorites. Shellfish for miles and miles.”

He shrugged. “I think I might be coming down with something. My stomach has been off for a few days.”

“I don’t like you missing meals, omega. If you didn’t want seafood, we could have gone for Mexican.” Magnus started toward him. “Tacos, enchiladas…omega?”

Hand clapped over his mouth, Harbor disappeared into the bathroom, banging the door closed behind him. Gagging resumed.

“What did I do?” Magnus made to follow him, but I grabbed his arm.

“You talked about food. I’m surprised he survived our oyster conversation.” I drew Magnus back to bed. “Let him be. He’ll call us if he wants us.”

It was easy to say but a whole lot harder to do. I linked my fingers on my lap and tried not to panic. Harbor was the healthiest among us, never slowing down for a minute, and I couldn’t remember him even being tired.

“Do you think he ate an oyster and forgot?” Magnus shifted uncomfortably next to me. “Or oyster juice got on the bread or something?”

I shrugged. Didn’t seem likely, but whatever was going on, it was starting to scare me.

After more sounds that turned my stomach and made me want to rush in and save our omega from whatever was making him so sick, I turned to Magnus. “Maybe we need to get him to a healer.” I couldn’t think of anything else. “He sounds really ill.”

“I think you’re right. I’ll go pull the car around.” Magnus was tapping his foot when the bathroom door opened to reveal our unicorn, pale and sweaty.

“Harbor.” I jumped to my feet and hurried to his side. “We are going to take you to a healer and it will all be all right, okay?”

Magnus went into the walk-in closet and emerged in jeans and a hoodie. “You help him get dressed, and I’ll meet you both at the garage exit.”

“Really, there’s no need.” Harbor grinned and held up his closed hand. “I know what the issue is, and it’s going to resolve itself in time.”

“Don’t waste time, omega.” I opened his top dresser drawer and fished out a pair of undershorts. “The healer will tell us what the problem is.”

“I don’t think it’s a problem.” His smile wavered, and he extended his hand and opened it. “At least, I hope you won’t think it is.”

“What’s that?” I looked closer and gasped. “Is it? Do you mean?”

He nodded.

Magnus had his car keys in hand, but I stopped him. “Mate…you’ll want to see this.”

“No, we need to go.”

“Magnus, we don’t. Not yet, anyway.”

He huffed but approached and held out his hand. “What is it?”

Mischief in his sparkling eyes, Harbor dropped the stick in his palm. “You may regret this.”

“What is it…omega? Did you pee on this?”

“I don’t know another way to find out if I’m pregnant.”

Magnus let out a cheer and lifted Harbor, swinging him around in a circle. “We’re having a baby!”

I grabbed them both before swinging turned into something much less pleasant. “Maybe we can celebrate without anything that’s going to make someone dizzy.”

Magnus eased him down onto his feet and bent to kiss his lips. “I’m sorry, omega. I’m just so thrilled.”

I kissed him next. Then I kissed Magnus. Then we all kissed each other again. We would need to go to the healer eventually, but not today. Today, we would celebrate the best day of our lives.