Xan shrugged with a smile. “No problem. I take it you found yourself an Alpha, then?” He gestured to my baby-bump.
It was my turn to smile. “And an Omega, too.”
“Man, and I thought one mate was a handful.” He laughed, then paused. “Wait…”
I followed his glance to see Fletcher walking towards us, his pace quicker than usual, worry knitting his brow.
He didn’t hesitate; dropping his bags at our feet, he came up beside me and wrapped a protective arm around my waist.
“Hey, love. Everything okay?” he asked, and I let out the breath I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding.
I looked at Xan. “Yeah,” I murmured. “Everything’s fine.”
Xan offered Fletcher a bright smile. “Congratulations, Fletcher. Sounds like you and Adam are getting the family you’ve always dreamed about, plus one.”
Fletcher laughed softly, squeezing me to his side. “That we are.”
“I’m happy for all of you. You’ll have to bring the baby around once she’s born. I can’t wait to meet her.”
We both hesitated, but Fletcher was the one to speak up. “Your mother?—”
Xan flapped a hand. “Meh, don’t worry about it. She needs to get over it; Kace and I have already talked about it. We’ll work on her, you have my word.” He grinned. “I’d better get back before River has a conniption. Good seeing you both. Ta.”
With that, he turned and strode off, Canyon bouncing on his hip.
Once he was gone, Fletcher turned his attention back to me. His fingers smoothed over my wrist. “Are you okay, Sky? Be honest.”
“Yeah,” I told him, and I meant it. “Yeah, just…letting go of old wounds. Trying to make room for new memories. For us, and for her.” I touched my stomach.
Fletcher smiled and kissed me gently. “Then let’s go home.”
52
SKY
I lay on the couch,staring up at the popcorn ceiling and fiddling with the pop grip on the back of my phone case.
I was supposed to be waiting tables today, but with the swelling in my feet and ankles, Fletcher deemed me “unfit for work” and told me to take the day off to rest.
Which would’ve been great…had I not been home alone and restless as hell.
Adam and Fletcher were both at work. This was their last week, officially, before they took paternity leave for me and the baby, and honestly? I was so relieved. To have them home with me twenty-four seven? At my side, knowing I was safe? I couldn’t wait.
I tucked my phone into my pocket and got up, pacing the floor of the living room. Back and forth, my heart pounding in my chest.
Maybe I needed some fresh air.
Pulling my phone back out, I sent the group chat a text:Going for a walk in the backyard. Need to stretch my legs a bit.
Fletcher:Be careful, it’s muddy out there. Don’t slip and fall!
I know, I’ll be careful,I texted back, then went searching for my jacket and my boots. I went out the back door and went down the steps, immediately splashing into a puddle of mud.
Fletcher hadn’t been wrong.
I glanced around the backyard, scouring the forest that surrounded it. The sky was overcast and gray, threatening more rain despite the standing water in places. I drew a deep breath, held it for a moment, then let it back out.
There was no one out here but me.
