Epilogue Part Two

NOW PLAYING: I Will Never Let You Down- Rita Ora

My stomach rolls as I disentangle myself from my sleeping mates. Keeping this secret has been far easier than I ever imagined. As possessive and over-attentive as they are, they can be oblivious some times. So far only Hannah knows. Her advice has been immeasurably helpful while navigating the small changes to my body over the past two months.

Slipping into the kitchen, I find a pack of crackers and a bottle of water to take onto the porch with me. The sky is a light blue, fading to darker colors where the sunlight hasn’t stretched across the sky yet. Warm cedar and violet fills my nose as a body presses against my back. “You’re up early, starlight,” Cal whispers. His nose bumps by jaw, seeking my scent gland. He melts against me as he inhales, bringing a smile to my face. They’re as addicted to me as I am to them.

“Couldn’t sleep.” It’s a partial truth, but not an outright lie so I don’t feel bad.

“Your stomach?”

I glance to the side with wide eyes, scowling when I see his raised brow and cheesy grin. Maybe I haven’t been as successful with my secret keeping as I thought. “Yeah.” My shoulders slump as I eat another cracker, hoping the salty carbs will help curb the worst of the nausea.

Cal’s hands slip around my waist, one palm splaying across my soft stomach. My heart flutters at the possessive, adoring grip my beta mate has over our baby. “I’m nervous,” I admit. We’ve talked about having kids in the future, but what if they aren’t ready yet? They just finished their third world tour and are still growing in popularity with every new album they release.

“Starlight, they’re going to be thrilled. We’ve been talking about taking a couple years off of big tours after this so we can settle down at home with you. Be closer to our families and just relax for a while.”

Digging my teeth into my bottom lip, I think about what he’s telling me. My thoughts are derailed when a phone rings inside the house. Nebula stalks out a moment later, the device tightly gripped in his hand. His dark blue eyes meet mine and he takes a steadying breath before answering.

“Hello?” The call is switched to speaker as his arms wrap around me and Callisto, pulling us against his chest. My ear rests against his heart, hearing the racing beat thump when a woman’s voice fills the air.

“Weston,” she sighs, “I’m so glad you answered.”

“Mom. What do you want?”

My heart aches for my alpha mate. It’s been well over ten years since his parents spoke to him last. They were too lost in the grief Elizabeth’s death caused and they abandoned their only remaining child when he needed them most. Anger wars with my mate’s pain at the memories of the way they ghosted him.

“You’re angry. Rightfully so. We’ve been terrible parents to you. After your sister died, we lost ourselves and you bore the weight of that loss. I’m so sorry we left you behind. You deserved better from me. From both of us.”

Shuffling fills the line seconds before a gruff male voice speaks. “We just wanted you to know we’re proud of you, son. You and your pack. You’ve done great things with your life. Accomplished things we never could have dreamed of. Your sister would be proud too.”

Tears drip down Nebula’s cheeks, his face buried in my hair. I call feel the weight lifted from his shoulders in our bond as they continue to apologize and praise him for all of the wonderful things he’s done over the years. He grabs the phone and goes to sit on the steps, taking the call off of speaker. It’s cathartic, I think, to release the anger and hurt he’s held over their abandonment. Whether they will work toward repairing their broken relationship is up to my alpha. No matter what path he chooses, I’ll be at his side to help him. We all will.

“Let’s head inside. Think you’re up for more than just crackers for breakfast?” Callisto whispers, taking my hand in his and guiding me inside to let Nebula speak to his parents alone.

My stomach has settled a lot since waking half an hour ago, but I doubt eating a heavy breakfast will help. “Maybe something light.”

Cal smiles and it lights up his entire face. My sweet beta mate, so caring and supportive. He’s come so far from the tentative, nervous person I’d met all those years ago. Watching him take charge and make demands of our alpha’s quickly became one of my favorite things. I know he always has my back, and we can torture our other mates together. It’s wonderful, this life Fate has gifted me.

“Mornin’ firefly,” Titan greets when he sees us step back inside. He has an energy drink in one hand and an unopened pack of bacon in the other. Nausea churns my stomach imaging the smell of the greasy meat filling the air. Callisto squeezes my hand, winking at me over his shoulder before grabbing the pack from Tee’s hand and sliding it back into the fridge.

“Omen and I are going to make breakfast today.”

Titan’s brows jump, but he raises his hands and lets us take over the space. He pauses to press quick kisses to our lips before venturing to the living room. When we hear the TV turn on, I relax. I definitely need to tell the rest of my mates today. Hiding the nausea is getting more difficult every day.

“How does a breakfast smoothie sound?” Cal asks, pulling fruits and veggies from the fridge. When he grabs several of the Greek yogurts I love, my eyes light up. I quickly nod, grabbing the blender on the counter and plugging it in. We slice everything and get to work on blending them up, tailoring each smoothie to our mate’s preferences. It isn’t anything restaurant worthy, but it will fill our stomachs until lunch, later.

When the last batch is in the blender, Cal sends me to the bedroom to wake our sleeping alpha. I peek beneath the blanket, yelping when he snatches me around the waist and flips me beneath him suddenly. “Gorgeous, I’m starving! You gonna let me—“

Pushing Nexus to the side, I dive off the bed and into the bathroom. Barely making it to the toilet before emptying my stomach. Sudden movement when I’m already nauseous is apparently a no-go. Concerned hands gather my hair away from my face. When I’m finished I meet his warm brown eyes and sigh. I guess my time is up.

“You okay, sweet girl?”

I accept the glass of water and cool rag from his hands. Nodding, I down half of the cup before pushing to my feet. He watches me with a furrowed brow as I brush my teeth. I offer him a shaky smile and guide him into the kitchen. Callisto pushes my smoothie into my hands and presses a reassuring kiss to my temple.

Sipping at the slightly sweet blend, I work up the courage to confess my secret to my mates. Thankfully Nebula is still outside, so I have a few more minutes to work out what I’m going to say.

“What’s wrong?” he asks as soon as he walks in. The way he studies me has my heart beating frantically, like he can see every thought racing through my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I sit my glass on the counter and twist my fingers together. Cal’s warmth at my back steadies me. Meeting each of my alpha’s eyes, the words blurt from my lips. “I’m pregnant.”

Silence settles in the room, weighing down on me heavily for several long seconds before all three men laugh. My lips turn into a frown as I glance between them. They’re laughing? Do they not believe me? I look at Callisto over my shoulder to find him pinching his nose and staring up at the ceiling. “Idiots,” he mutters.

I’m caught off guard when Nebula’s strong arms sweep me into a tight hug. Our faces so close I can feel each puff of his breath against my chin. Seeing the confused hurt in my eyes, his expression turns serious. “This is great news, babygirl.”

“We’re thrilled, firefly, promise,” Titan adds from my right.

“You’re gonna be the best mommy, sweet girl,” Nexus cheers from his spot on my left. Pressed between the four of them, hearing their excitement and feeling it reflected in our bonds, a smile stretches across my lips. A new chapter in our happily ever after is about to begin. I’m scared I will mess this whole motherhood thing up, but knowing I will have my mates at my side makes the fear less oppressive.

“Thank you, starlight, for giving us the family we always dreamed of,” Cal whispers against my ear. I can feel his tears soaking the top of my shirt. These men all faced their own challenges. Our found family means the world to them, and it means even more to me. This pack is everything I never imagined I would have, a Fate I’m still not sure I’m worthy of.

“Fuck am I really glad our connection is skin writing and not shared pain,” Nexus groans sending us all into peals of laughter.

Primordial Covenant’s music may have guided me to them, but it was their hearts and their devotion that saved us all.