Page 62 of Bite for Sore Eyes

Lana turned back to her mates, who were watching her with matching expressions of affection.

"Ready for that adventure now?" Rath asked.

Lana looked at these two magnificent men who had become her everything—Rath with his quiet strength and protective intensity and Torren with his easy confidence and intuitive understanding. And through their bond, she felt their love surrounding her like a warm embrace, steady and unshakeable.

"Let's go," she said brightly.

The mountain trail wound steadily upward through groves of purple-leafed trees, their branches swaying in the crisp afternoon breeze. Lana's hiking boots found steady purchase on the well-worn path as she climbed between Rath and Torren, her breath coming in measured puffs that crystallized briefly in the cool air before dissipating.

Hours into their hike, a flutter of nerves began dancing in her body—but for once, it had absolutely nothing to do with her healed illness. The secret she'd been carrying for days pressed against her chest like a physical weight, growing heavier with each step up the mountainside.

Tell them, she coached herself silently. Just tell them.

But every time she opened her mouth, the words seemed to evaporate. How did someone announce news this monumental? Especially when that someone had spent months convinced she'd never live long enough to experience anything like this?

Her father knew, of course. She'd confided in him three days ago, sworn him to secrecy, and watched his weathered face transform with joy so pure it had brought tears to both their eyes. But telling her mates felt different. More real. More terrifying. More wonderful.

Ahead of them, the trail opened into a small clearing where a wooden bench sat positioned to take advantage of the mountain setting. Rath paused, wiping perspiration from his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Rest stop?" he suggested, his green eyes scanning her face with that protective intensity she'd grown to love.

"Yes, perfect timing," Torren agreed, already shrugging out of his backpack straps. "My legs are feeling the elevation."

Lana settled gratefully onto the weathered bench, immediately flanked by both men as they dropped their packs and reached for their water bottles. Through their completed bond, she felt their contentment radiating warm and steady. Rath's quiet satisfaction at a well-executed hiking plan. Torren's simple pleasure in the mountain air and her company. Both men utterly unaware that their world was about to shift on its axis.

She took a long drink from her own water bottle, buying herself precious seconds to gather courage. Finally, she spoke softly. "I need to tell you both something."

The change in atmosphere was immediate and electric. Through their bond, she felt both men's alertness spike as Rath's water bottle froze halfway to his lips and Torren's easy posture straightened into something more guarded.

Of course they'd assume the worst, she realized with a pang of guilt. After everything we've been through.

"It's not bad," she said quickly, watching tension flood their features. "It's very exciting news, actually."

Neither man looked convinced. If anything, they appeared to be bracing themselves for catastrophe.

She took a steadying breath. "You know when I had my check-up with Kelly and Emry last week? To confirm everything is still normal with my bloodwork and brain scans?"

Both men nodded, their attention laser-focused on her every word.

"Well, they actually did discover something."

Rath shot to his feet like he'd been launched from a catapult, his water bottle clattering to the ground. Torren was only milliseconds behind him, both Alphas suddenly looming over her with expressions of barely controlled panic.

"What did they find?" Rath demanded, his voice rough with fear. "Is your illness back? Is something abnormal?"

"Lana, what is it?" Torren added urgently, his blue eyes dark with worry. "What's wrong?"

The fierce protectiveness radiating from both men would have been overwhelming if it weren't so deeply moving. These magnificent Alphas, ready to fight any enemy—even one they couldn't see or touch.

"Nothing's wrong," she said firmly, standing up to face them. "I told you it's not bad news."

Her hand moved instinctively to her belly, settling there with a gesture so natural it felt like her body had been waiting months to make it. Through their bond, she felt the exact moment both men's eyes tracked the movement, and saw understanding begin to dawn in their expressions.

"The bloodwork showed I'm pregnant."

For a heartbeat, the mountain seemed to hold its breath.

Then Rath's face transformed completely, the fear melting away and replaced by something so bright and joyful it made her chest tight. Torren's expression shifted just as dramatically, wonder and excitement chasing away every trace of worry.