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She pulls her lip between her teeth and looks up at me, her big brown eyes swimming with indecision, something I’m not used to seeing on her face. “What is it Nat?”
She doesn’t get a chance to tell me as laughter spills into the office, and the energy changes completely. Mason and Maddox stride in looking more serious than I’ve ever seen them.
“Reporting for duty, boss man, sir.” Maddox gives me a salute while Mason rolls his eyes. Natalie groans.
“You’re a long way from duty, yet.” Giving my mate another scorching kiss before I reluctantly pull away, I give her a look that says we’ll finish this later. I mean the conversation, but from the way her cheeks pink, that’s not what she’s thinking.
“Impressive.” Beau walks in slowly, casting an assessing gaze over the space. I take the three men on a tour of the training facilities, accommodation for both staff and clients, and the equipment that’s been delivered so far.
“Tempted to join us?” I’ve had numerous conversations with Beau, but he clings fiercely to his independence after having fought so hard to get it from his father. “Even as a contractor?”
It’s not an offer I’ve made before, and I see his eyes light up. “That might be something we could discuss. Solo gigs only.” His pointed look at the twins tells me all I need to know about the challenge I have on my hands. “Unless you can get Bodhi on board. I’d work with him, or your guys.”
But not the twins goes unsaid. Nodding, I say nothing. Little does he know Bodhi is already on board.
“Hate to break it to you, bro, but you might not have a choice, not when he’s not around all the time,” Maddox pipes up.
“What are you talking about? I hate to break it to you, but I’ll always be here. There’s nothing I won’t know about.”
These bears are going to have to get used to having me all over every aspect of their lives if they want to work here. Probation periods are here for a reason. This kind of work is not for everyone.
Maddox shrugs and points to Natalie, who looks equally confused. “Yeah, but she’ll kill you if you don’t take some time off for the baby.”
My gaze snaps to Natalie, who sits frozen, perched on the edge of my desk.
“Out,” I demand. When nobody moves fast enough, my alpha voice sounds in a way I didn’t know was possible: “Get the fuck out now.”
Everyone scrambles, except Natalie, who continues to remain unperturbed by my orders.My heart hammers in my chest.
Every single aspect of my life has changed in the last few weeks. I’ve gone from a stubbornly single, angry loner to happily mated and whipped, with an ensemble cast of family and friends, inherited via Natalie and my sisters. Our house is always full and I don’t hate it, all the time. I’m a new man.
Natalie tugs on her lip with her teeth. “I was trying to tell…” Before the words are out of her mouth, my lips are on hers. It’s true. We’re having a baby.
CHASE: We’re having a baby?
Natalie smiles against my lips and pulls my hand to her still flat stomach, nodding ever so slightly. Picking her up, I burst out laughing, spinning around as she tosses her head back and giggles. A mini-Walker. Another person to love and protect.
It should be stressful, but it’s not. Even if I never get a wolf, my mate is enough of a badass to take care of us all. I’ve seen her do it before.
“Happy?” Natalie asks when I finally set her back down and step back.
“This is the best news I’ve ever had.” Without missing a beat, I drop to one knee and pull the tiny square box I’ve been carrying with me out of the pocket of my combats. Natalie’s eyes go as round as saucers as she realises what’s going on.
“Chase… you don’t have to…”
I drag her down to my lap, pulling her in for another kiss before pulling back to stare into her eyes.
“I already had the ring, Natalie. It’s got nothing to do with a baby, and everything to do with you being the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
She smiles shyly as I open the box and pull out the diamond engagement ring, slipping it onto her delicate finger.
“Will you do me the honour of marrying me? I’m yours already, but call me old-fashioned, I want the paperwork, too.”
Natalie chuckles, and nods, pressing a kiss to my lips as she admires the sparkling ring over my shoulder. “You old romantic.”
Growling, I stand with her in my arms and a massive grin on my face. “You're mine now. I’m making doubly sure there’s no getting away.”
CHAPTER 49
