Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Brooklyn

I wake up with a languid stretch that instantly puts me on high alert. It's not an exaggeration that I can count on one hand the number of times over the last three years that I've woken up on my own. Libby is an excellent alarm clock. On the rare days she doesn't wake me, my phone alarm does.

I panic, struggling to sit straight up.

Damn.

That's getting harder with every passing day.

My nose picks up on Noble's scent.

Even though it's a huge undertaking, I still roll to the side, huffing deep hits of his smell from my pillow.

Okay, so, it wasn't a dream that I talked to him last night.

I shove my legs off the edge of the bed and prepare to check on my kid.

My hand flies to cradle my stomach.

Right after a quick bathroom break, because it's an emergency.

My nose twitches with the scent of breakfast cooking as I make it into the living room.

Holy crap.

Did Lennox actually stay up to let me sleep in a little? I'm going to give her a very heartfelt hug.

I really needed a good night's sleep.

My head shakes as I try to remember the last time I woke up feeling this refreshed.

It's wild.

I can't remember the last time I woke up without a headache and random body aches.

"I can do it," Libby says as I come around the curve that leads to the kitchen. It's open to part of the living room, but the side near my bedroom is closed in.

"That's probably enough, unless you want the world's biggest pancake," Noble says as he helps her pull up the measuring cup.

"I don't mind." Libby's curls bounce as her head shakes.

"I bet you don't, but I'm not sure if I've got the skills necessary to keep that pancake in one piece." Noble laughs, and my freaking heart races.

What in the world is happening?

"I can do it," Libby says with complete confidence.

"Yeah, see, you and me, we've got trust issues," he says, booping her on the nose playfully. "I'm never going to recover from having to pluck your Pull-Up out of the toilet first thing this morning."

"But I did change myself," she says, nodding. "I did."

My hand flies to my mouth as I try to hold back a laugh. Tossing her Pull-Up in the toilet and trying to flush it, rather than tossing it in the trash can, does seem like something my kid would do.

"Ahh, I think Mommy caught us." Noble catches sight of me and winks. "Go say good morning while I handle this." He scoops her up, setting her on her feet. "Morning, Mama." His eyes sparkle.

I'm so transfixed that Libby barrels into my knees, making me stumble backward.

"Morning, Mommy," she squeals. "Noble is making me breakfast."

I bend down and pick her up as my eyes fly to the alpha in question.

"I'm cooking for all three of us," he says, smirking as he flips the pancake.

Libby wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a slobbery kiss. "I got dressed all by myself."

"Wow." I run my hand down her back. "You sure did. Good job."

"Thanks." She wiggles her legs. "I want to get down."

I laugh, setting her back on her feet.

Kids are so blunt sometimes.

It's cute.

You always know what she's thinking.

She runs off toward her bedroom, but I don't know what to do with myself. I'm still in the dress I wore last night.

Luckily, it's Saturday.

I don't have to work until this afternoon. I have a closing shift at the bookstore, and I'm off tomorrow. My upstairs neighbor watches Liberty when the daycare is closed.

I'm still baffled.

Noble not only slept over…

He stuck around to cook us breakfast.

Maybe I'm dreaming?

What the hell is happening in my life?

In addition to cooking for us, Noble also washes the dishes after we eat together.

Libby grabs her cup and takes off toward her bedroom.

I'm going to need to remember to search for that later, so it doesn't get put down somewhere with milk in it. Those are terrible to clean if they sit for any amount of time.

The massive alpha in my kitchen swaggers my way, drying his hands off on a dishcloth.

"You had a hell of a fever last night." He drops the rag on the small table and squats in front of me. "How are you feeling this morning?"

I swallow thickly, studying his dark eyes. "Good. It's strange, but I feel better than I have since…" I bite my lip, trying to remember when I last felt so refreshed. "Maybe since I got pregnant."

He nods, brushing his fingers over my cheek. "You scared me. I panic-called my sister at almost midnight."

I shake my head. "I'm so sorry. I'm okay. Honestly, I have no clue what that was about."

Noble studies my face. "Has that happened before?"

"No. I mean, not that I know of." If it has, I likely burned off the fever while I slept.

"How are you managing the need for alpha pheromones?" He quirks a bushy eyebrow. "You know female omegas need contact with alphas during pregnancy…" His head tilts. "You do know that, right?"

I glance away.

My doctor has mentioned that I might crave alpha pheromones and even semen, which is such an awkward conversation that I've done my best to avoid it whenever she's brought it up since.

Granted, I saw Avan more during my pregnancy with Libby, but it's never been an everyday thing.

We did just fine back then.

I figured the baby and I would be fine this time too.

"Brooklyn," he murmurs, almost sounding disappointed.

"I'm doing the best I can here, Noble," I say, refusing to meet his eyes. "I may have led my doctor to believe my ex and I are still together."

She tried to push me into taking information for volunteer alphas, which absolutely wasn't happening.

The day Avan actually pays attention to one of the bills from my doctor's office is the day my life falls apart.

Everything is one big house of cards. One deep breath, or hell, even looking at it wrong, could topple the wobbly stack.

"Of course, you did." He sighs heavily. "Because you're afraid of how he'd react if he saw you with anyone else."

My lips roll together as I nod.

"No one should have that much power over you," he growls, brushing the backs of his fingers over my cheek. "Especially not when it has an impact on your health."

Before being around Noble's fantastic alpha pheromones, I didn't think it was. I'm also not too stubborn to realize the facts of the matter.

I do feel better today than I have in months.

"I'm just saying." He leans in, brushing his lips over my forehead. "I'm here if you need me."

"Mommy, I have to go potty." Libby runs out of her room, making a right into the hall bathroom. "Real bad."

Noble chuckles.

Yeah.

If that's not the perfect reminder of my reality, then I don't know what is.

No one with any sanity would want to get wrapped up in the mess I call a life.