“Speaking of cravings, wanna have lunch at Wings ‘N’ Dip? I heard they have their new line of maple-covered wings. I want to try them with their bacon ranch.”
She barks out a laugh. “Oh, goddess, how the hell did I not realize you were pregnant sooner?”
After lunch, Nora and I hugged about fifteen more times before she agreed to visit me in about a week.
I would have laughed if I weren’t so grateful. I’d love for Nora to check on me and meet Thorne. We agreed to talk on the phone and text more often, and ironically, I get the impression that moving away is going to strengthen our friendship.
The three-hour drive to Stone Joy was an easy one. It was practically a straight shot on the highway. The further I drove away from all the large buildings, the more excited I started to get. And by the time I took the correct exit and drove into town, I knew this place was going to be my new home.
Even though Christmas was officially over, I still blasted Christmas music the whole way, singing along and getting into the spirit as I drove.
As soon as I park my car, I glance up at the cute two-story house with the large wrap-around porch. My hand drifts back to my belly. Are you ready, jellybean? We are about to give your daddy one last Christmas gift! Let’s just hope he loves this surprise.
Chapter fourteen
Thorne
“You need to calm down,” Dimitri says, chuckling. “If this is what a fated mate does to your lion, I think my wolf and I are good.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Just wait until you meet yours, then,” I grumble. “Your wolf is more temperamental than my lion.”
“Thorne, love. Settle down. Come back over to the kitchen and help me place the dishes on the table,” Papa says, and I follow him. Why did I let my omega papa convince me to have a big post-Christmas dinner with everyone? It’s only been two weeks since I saw Hayden, but my family doesn’t feel complete without my mate by my side.
My lion roars, agreeing. Hayden and I have spent the last two weeks video calling and texting so often, itshouldfeel like he’s here with me, but it’s so difficult not being able to wrap him in my arms or kiss his temple. I miss the way my mate melts into my embrace, and the way his intoxicating scent comforts me every time I inhale.
“I can’t take it anymore! My lion is getting restless.” I check my watch. “It’s only 4 PM. If I leave now, I can go and surprise my omega,” I say, determination filling my voice.
“Now, hold on just a minute, son.” My alpha dad claps a strong hand on my shoulder, causing me to wince. Just because he stepped down as alpha of the Pride doesn’t mean he’s old by any means. As a lion shifter, he’s still in his prime. “Your papa slaved away making you a damn buffet. You’re going to sit down with us and your brother and enjoy it. Then, if it isn’t too late, you can go see your mate.”
My lion growls, and I huff. ‘Everyone is treating us like we are adolescents,’my lion says.
‘Well, maybe stop making me act like one.’I quip back. Goddess, why did I let my mate agree to a whole damn month apart?
Just then, Papa’s phone vibrates on the kitchen counter. He reaches for it and reads something that makes him smile. Then, to my shock, he winks at my alpha dad. I sigh. I really don’t want to even guess what they are up to, like I said, still in their primes.
“It’s alright, Thorne,” Papa says. If you feel like you need to go after your mate, then go ahead.
I eye the large buffet on the table and kitchen counters suspiciously. “Are you sure, Papa?”
Dimitri barks out a laugh. “Oh,nowyou’re hesitating?”
I narrow my eyes at him, but he’s already walking away. Deciding I’ve had enough, I grab my wallet and keys and make my way to the front door. As soon as I yank it open, my jaw falls slack with shock. Standing there, getting ready to knock, is my beautiful mate.
He’s absolutely gorgeous, even in a large puffy coat. His hair seems slightly longer and a little shinier, and even his skin seems to look like it’s glowing.
“Don’t just stand there, Thorne,” Papa says, rushing forward and inviting Hayden into my house.No,ourhouse. This house is his now as much as it is mine.
Hayden glances down at the dirt and snow his boots just dragged in, and he pales. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
I step forward to kiss my mate, but Papa blocks me, reaching for Hayden’s coat and helping him out of it before hanging the coat on a hook. “Nonsense, Hayden, it’s just a little dirt. We can clean it up.
Hayden turns around to face me, and I swear, for a moment, my whole world freezes.
My eyes drop to his slightly rounded stomach, my heart racing so fast, I’m afraid I’m going to pass out. Is Hayden… Is my mate…
“Surprise,” he says, giving me a shy smile. Gods, that smile. I missed that smile.
I crouch down on the floor, knees digging into the wet snow and dirt his boots left behind, not even caring that my expensive suit pants are getting ruined. I lean forward and sniff my mate’s stomach. Hayden giggles when his shirt lifts, and I lightly nuzzle my beard against his skin.
