Two Days Later

Carys

“ D id Judson call?” I ask Isaac as I step into the living room.

Isaac grimaces and my chest aches. “I’m sure he’s just been busy with work.”

“It’s been two days.” I fall onto the couch next to my beta. He wraps his arms around me, snuggling against my side. “What if something happened to him at work?”

“Swanley would have told us,” Isaac says firmly.

“Are we sure about that?” I ask, only half-joking.

“Yeah...” He grimaces. “Maybe not.”

I rest my cheek on Isaac’s arm, trying not to obsess, but I can’t help it. Judson has been over every night. He’s said and done so many sweet things, even promising me that we’d be together soon.

A hard thud echoes from just outside, and I turn my head, glancing out the window. The flowers sway happily in the breeze and the lake glistens in the afternoon sun. Swanley has been working on that gazebo all day. I wish I knew what he was thinking. Sometimes I feel like he hates Judson, and other times I think he might actually like the young alpha. But today he’s kept our bond closed, keeping me out.

“Swanley seemed really on edge last night when Judson didn’t come over,” I say, thinking about the way Swan lingered near me. He was so tense and alert. “He kept pacing and staring at the front door as if someone was going to break in. And then it took him forever to come to bed.”

“I noticed that too.” Isaac looks out the window, squinting at the shed as if he could see through it to the alpha on the other side.

“Noticed what?” Kofi steps into the room. He looks downright delicious in only a pair of loose gray joggers. I stare at his exposed chest, with his firm pecs and abs that ripple all the way down to that deep-cut V. My clit aches and I press my thighs together. I don’t know what’s happening with my body, but my libido has been going non-stop lately.

“We’re talking about Swanley,” Isaac says. “He’s being really weird today.”

“He needs some time,” Kofi says. “You know how Swanley is. He thinks that everyone is out to hurt, use, or leave him. He’s really struggling with how to approach Jud.”

“What an awful way to live,” I say, feeling horrible for my grumpy alpha. “Isaac told me what happened with his parents. Has he reached out to them? Or tried talking to a therapist?”

Kofi smiles wide, and I can tell he’s resisting the urge to laugh. “I’ve tried many times to get Swanley to work through his past. He simply doesn’t want to talk about it.”

I shift, not happy with that answer, but knowing there’s nothing we can do about it. I mean, I lied for months at Havenfield, telling the doctors that my treatments were working when I was really dying inside. I guess people like me and Swan like to suffer a bit from time to time.

“Have you heard from Judson?” I ask Kofi, not expecting much.

“I haven’t.” He moves around the coffee table, sitting down right in front of us. “Judson has a stressful job, just like Swanley. I’m sure he’s been busy, and we’ll hear from him once he’s done.”

“Is it normal for Swanley to disappear for work?” I look at Isaac.

The beta gives me a half-hearted smile, then nods. “It used to happen all the time, but it’s been a while.”

Another thud hits the air, making me flinch.

“What is Swanley doing out there?” I lean into Isaac, pleased when he smooths his hands over my hair.

“He’s been digging holes in the backyard all day.” Isaac scratches at my scalp. It feels unbelievably good. “He said he’s digging out a tree’s roots, but I think he’s just digging a ditch for the fun of it.”

“Or maybe he’s trying to hide a body,” I snort, but it’s really not funny, so I don’t blame either of my mates for not laughing.

“Don’t worry about Swan.” Kofi moves around the couch, kissing the top of Isaac’s, then my head. “He’ll be okay.”

Isaac looks up as another thud from outside vibrates around us. “Will you check on him?”

“Of course.” Kofi kisses Isaac one more time, before heading out.

Something is off.

Between Judson’s sudden disappearance and Swanley’s weird behavior, I can’t kick the feeling that something awful happened… or will happen . My nerves flare and I rub the back of my neck.

“Am I crowding you?” Isaac leans away from me.

“No,” I pull him back to me. “I’m just a little edgy for some reason,” I huff, then rub my stomach. “I don’t know what my problem is.”

“Do you want to lie in your nest?” Isaac asks, twisting my hair up and off my neck. It instantly cools me.

“Actually,” I turn to my beta. “I kinda want to show you.”

Isaac presses his hand to his chest. “You want to show me your nest?”

“Yes,” I say, jumping up. “Come on.” I tug on his arm. “I think you’ll love it.

We walk quietly down the hall. Isaac looks so bashful and stunned at the same time, and I understand why. We omegas tend to make a big show of allowing our alphas in our nests…or at least, that’s what my friends at Havenfield talked about. They always dreamed of showing their mates their perfectly shaped and scented nests, but I want Isaac to see it first. For some reason, I need his approval before I show it to our alphas.

I step up to the false shelf, tugging on the appropriate book. The lock pops and the wall swings forward. It’s about midday, so the sun sits high in the sky, pouring light into the skylight.

“Come in,” I say, stepping up into my plush cove.

Isaac moves slowly, ducking his head as he steps inside. His eyes are wide, taking in everything from the trinkets on my tiny shelves to the plush pillows that line the walls. I turn on the tiny fairy lights that surround the circular room, then snuggle in.

“Oh, Carys.” Isaac presses his hands to his heart. “You did such an amazing job,” he says, his voice breathy as if in awe.

Pride bursts in my chest, and I hug a pillow to my chest. Lavender, sandalwood, chestnuts and musk dance around me. All it’s missing is Judson’s vibrant, spicy scent. A slip of sadness crawls in, and I press my nose into the pillow. I hope he’s okay.

“Hey,” Isaac says with deep worry in his voice. “What happened?” He moves to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “You look like you suddenly got very sad.”

I shake my head, ready to insist I’m fine, but before I can get a word out, a sharp sensation stabs my gut and I gag. Isaac instantly moves, snatching me up and lifting me into his surprisingly strong arms. He crawls awkwardly through the doorway of my cove, taking me straight to the bathroom. Panic grips me as I clamp my mouth shut, but right as I fear I’m going to get sick all over Isaac, he sets me down, and I throw up right into the toilet.

“It’s okay,” Isaac hums, gathering my hair out of my face. “Just let it all out.” He rubs my back in big circles.

“I’m so sorry.” I lift my head, breathing deeply through my mouth.

“No need to be sorry.” He stands, grabbing a bottle of water out from under the sink . I swear this man is prepared for every situation. “Drink slowly.”

My hands shake as I remove the lid, then I swish and spit into the toilet. Isaac grabs a roll of toilet paper, tearing some off so he can wipe the stray tears off of my cheeks.

“Do you want me to get Kofi?” Isaac asks, smoothing his hands up and down the tops of my legs. He squeezes gently, easing some of the tension in my stomach.

“No.” I shake my head, taking deep, slow breaths. “I’m okay.” My nose runs, making me sniffle.

“Are you sure?” he asks, handing me a tissue for my nose. “You seem a little off lately.”

My eyes go wide at that. “I have?” He nods and I wince. I thought I had been hiding it better than that. “I’ve felt a little…” I press my lips together, trying to find the right words, “...restless.” But that’s not right either. “I just feel weird.”

Isaac leans in, narrowing his eyes at my face. “Do you ache?”

“Kinda,” I drill down my senses, feeling the sensations throughout my body. “My boobs are kind of sore.” I rest a hand on my chest. “Why?”

“Could it be—” he cuts himself off, then drops his gaze. “Never mind.”

“No.” I reach for his hands, squeezing them tight. “Please, tell me. What is it?”

“I don’t want to upset you.”

I pull his hands to me, resting them against my chest. “You could never upset me.”

Deep apprehension flickers across the beta’s face, but then he moves, reaching under the bathroom sink once more. He pulls out a little box, a sheepish look on his face. “Do you want to try this?” He places it in my hand and my heart stops.

It’s a pregnancy test.

“Do you think…” My brain freezes up, unable to finish the thought. I’m too hopeful and scared and everything in between, but it kind of makes sense ...except that I haven’t had a heat in over two years. “Omegas can’t get pregnant without their heat,” I say, but I’m not really talking to anyone.

“It’s very rare,” Isaac says, cupping my face. “You don’t have to take it. It was just a wild thought I had.”

“No.” I sit a little taller, suddenly filled with wild curiosity. “I mean, it couldn’t hurt to just take it and see.” I shrug, trying not to get my hopes up.

“So true. And if nothing else, it’ll just rule something out and we won’t have to wonder.”

“That's a good point,” I say, fully talking myself into it.

The next three minutes are the longest of my life. Isaac and I sit side by side on the edge of the bathtub, staring at the tiny white stick I peed on. It lays there, next to the sink, just a harmless bit of plastic that holds all of my hopes and dreams. Then the alarm on his cell phone chimes and heat rushes to my face.

“You look,” I say. “I’m too nervous.”

Isaac releases my hand, moving toward the sink as if there was a dangerous creature waiting to lash out. Then he slowly lifts the test and his mouth falls open.

“What does it say?” I practically yell, covering my mouth with my balled-up hands.

He slowly turns it toward me, and whispers, “Pregnant.”

Shock rips through me, and I launch myself off of the tub. I grab the tiny stick, staring at the results with wide eyes. And he’s right. In plain text, it says: PREGNANT.

“Wow.” My mind goes blank. It’s as if there’s too much happiness for my body to handle it, and I’ve gone completely numb.

“We have to tell Kofi and Swanley!” Isaac laughs, pulling me into the bedroom.

“Actually,” I laugh as some of my senses return, “I think they’re coming to us.” Their shared confusion for my wild emotions hums in our bond, and I can feel their presence near.

“Omega?” Kofi enters the room first, followed quickly by Swanley.

“What happened?” The red-haired alpha scans the room, his fists curled tight as if expecting a threat.

There’s a moment where all Isaac and I can do is grin like maniacs. Then I hand Kofi the test. He reads, and I wait for him to react.

“Oh my god,” Kofi says, clearly stunned. His legs wobble and he stumbles back, sitting on the foot of the bed.

“What is that?” Swanley snatches it from Kofi’s hand. “Are you shitting me?” Swanley yells, his whole body alive with excitement. “Is this real?” He looks from me to Isaac, a huge smile consuming his face. “Carys!” He rushes me, wrapping me in his strong arms and lifting me up. He spins once, hugging me tight and kissing every inch of my face.

“Put her down,” Isaac says through laughter. “That can’t be good for the baby.”

“Your right,” Swanley’s voice drops, almost panicked. “Sit here.” He sets me on the bed next to Kofi, then he darts from the room.

I look at my pack alpha, unable to stop laughing at the still-stunned look on his face. “Are you okay?” I place my hand on Kofi’s muscular back, and he jerks his head to me as if coming out of a trance. There are actually tears in his eyes.

“I can’t believe this,” He looks at my belly, then up at Isaac. Our beta is practically vibrating. “We’re having a baby.”

“We are!” Isaac says, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Oh my sweet omega,” Kofi wraps an arm around me, moving me up the bed. Then he settles at my side, placing his big hand just under my belly button.

“Are you happy?” I ask him.

Kofi looks up at me, tears clinging to his black eyelashes. “I’ve never been happier.”

“What do you need?” Swanley yells out as he runs back into the room. The alpha’s arms are loaded down with the new throws Isaac got for the couch, six bottles of water, a box of crackers, and a bag of shredded cheese. “What are you craving?” He dumps everything on the dresser, then turns to Isaac as if realizing something. “She needs vitamins. Do we have those?”

“I will get all of that,” Isaac says, reaching for Swanley’s hand.

“Come lay with us.” I hold out my hand for the pair. I know it’s still light out, but I’m so sleepy. “That’s what I need right now.” My heart soars as they take their usual places—Isaac presses to my side with Swanley right behind him. All three of them love and caress my stomach, nuzzling and kissing me as if I am the most precious thing in the world. But I can’t help but wonder, where is Judson?