Page 24 of Matched in Mayhem

Eventually we did enter the party. We slunk in while everyone was talking and eating, sliding into our seats at the main table. Slyvin was the first to notice us. He slid a bottle of ginger ale and orange morning sickness gummies under the table. I set them on the floor between my and Alby’s chairs just in case he needed them.

Daisy was the second person to notice us, wiggling out of her seat and shifting to jump up onto my lap and put her paws on my shoulders.

“Rawr!” I made a playful sound at her.

She growled back at me and let out a little roar. The room broke into applause as everyone else realized we had arrived and she scurried back under the table, not liking to be the center of attention. Everyone laughed a little and to their credit they didn’t crowd instantly around us.

It was Alby’s parents who came over first, hugging us both tight. From everything I saw during our claiming vows it felt like I knew Amstead and Carn already. Ashley came next with Clyde in tow. He hugged both of us too and whispered something in Bennie’s ear that I didn’t quite hear. It was about the babies, though. I introduced Alby to Ryder, because he’d already met Slyvin the night Daisy snuck into the house. Then I introduced him to some of my older siblings.

The day blurred by in toasts, food, introductions, and of course dancing. It wasn’t usually my favorite activity but I’d do anything to hug Alby close to me where nothing could hurt him. Maybe a good slow dance wasn’t that bad after all. To our credit we waited almost until sunset before we tiptoed out the backdoor and down the steps to my car.

“Alby!” Clyde’s voice called after us as my hand closed on the passenger door to open it for him. We both laughed like teenagers caught skipping school. Alby shushed me, motioning for me to hurry, but we were already spotted.

“Hi, Grandpa,” Alby said when Clyde made it to the car a few seconds later. He laughed like he was drunk but given the circumstances neither of us drank while we were at the feast.

“Do you have everything you need at home?” Clyde asked.

“We’re good,” I said and then remembered Chad Boston. Alby raised a brow at me, wondering if I’d tell him and I did because whether or not he believed me was moot. The more people who knew that Frost said something that could be interpreted as a warning the better. Clyde listened without speaking and nodded.

“Sounds like a Moonscale dragon,” he nodded. “Cryptic as fuck and thinks he’s being helpful.”

“Grandpa!” Alby protested.

“He’s allowed to say what he wants about Frost. If it hurts his feelings, Frost can deal with himself,” I said, echoing the words I’d heard from Slyvin at least a million times growing up.

“He can take it up with me personally if he wants to,” Clyde shrugged.

“Grandpa!” Alby said again.

“I’ll keep my ears open,” Clyde said. “Have you told Raziel or anyone else?”

“Not yet,” I shook my head. “Should I not?”

“Eh, it probably won’t hurt either way,” Clyde shrugged. “Just trying to figure out.. Just trying to solve for X based on how you react. If Frost thinks he knows your patterns, how you responded to it might give us a clue.”

“I didn’t tell anyone right away,” I said as Alby slid into the car.

“Grandpa, we’re going home now. We’ll see you later,” my mate said.

Clyde rounded the car and hugged Alby. He congratulated him again and reiterated that we should call him if we needed anything at all.

Chapter 12

Alby

The Hemlock Wolf Pack, Star’s Territory

Back at the house, we stripped down to our underwear at the door like we normally did. As soon as the door was shut and locked, Bennie pulled me into his arms. I nuzzled into the crook of his neck and let my brain go fuzzy for a long moment. I loved gatherings but not if they started with my vomiting. Still, I had enjoyed myself. It was nice to meet Ryder and have Bennie meet my family too. Only now I was tired and woozy and wondering just how many babies Bennie had put in me. What started as a joke had morphed into something that felt more like a prophecy.

“I didn’t get you that pregnant,” Bennie said, no trace of humor in his voice.

“It feels like it,” I said and nuzzled him again. “I think I just want to lay down and not exist. Maybe turn on an audiobook or something.”

“We can do that,” he nodded. “Do you want me to carry you upstairs?”

“I’m okay,” I shook my head and crinkled my nose. “I think all the jostling would be worse for my stomach.”

“Do you want me to come with you or would you like some time alone?” he asked.