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I touch my hand to my stomach, blinking away my tears before they can spill, watching my sisters leave with our mom. Their mom. She’s no longer mine.
But sometimes, you have to cut off what hurts the most. I owe her nothing. Blood doesn’t make a family. Love and respect, appreciation and time—the things that help build the foundation of a pack, and I will cherish every brick I put together for my alphas and myself. Starting now. With this pregnancy and all of our future children.
They are why I won’t stop fighting for change. Why I plan to teach them how to finally stand up against these ideals of what is right.
Because no one can know what that is for another, and that’s why Sage Steele struggles so much. I’m not my mother’s daughter, after all. I’m like my sisters, born of steel, but forged from the challenges we have faced.
And no one can take that away.
Absolutely no one.
32
Scarlett
New Beginnings
“Thecreativityflowingthroughthis room is absolutely magical, amore. Your vision enchants me. I could watch you work forever.” Ezra stands in the doorway of the empty classroom. He offers a dreamy smile, turning his gaze back to the outline of the new mural for my soon-to-be boss and art director, Talia.
“She’s incredible. Surprises me every minute.” Talia wipes her hands off on her paint-splattered jeans. “I’m so happy to have her coming onto our staff. I can’t wait for her to be eligible for a teaching position.”
“Unless she decides to color the world instead. She’s quite sought after.” Ezra steps forward, holding his hand out to me.
I take it, letting him spin me in his arms. He rests his hands on my growing belly, now peeking out from my raggedy shirt. “There’s always the summer for that.” Because I desire to share my love of art with whoever I can. Teach those who’ve been denied creativity and help them express their own visions in a world of conformity.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” Talia waves her paintbrush, flicking teal paint in my direction.
I laugh and reach for the spray bottle of water, squirting her in retaliation. “I’m just so thankful for this. For everything.”
“You’re thankful? I’m thankful. The new changes Pack Hart is introducing—well, you know. You have somewhere to be, don’t you? I’ll clean up here if you want.” Talia waves the paintbrush again.
I bob my head and smile. “Thanks, Tal. I’ll do the clean up tomorrow.”
Ezra holds his hand out, scooping me into his arms. “Come on, amore. We have to hurry, or we’ll miss the announcement.”
I kiss his cheek. “Then run.”
“It is with great pleasure that the board of trustees announces Dominic Hart as the new dean of Clearwater University and all satellite campuses.” A man in a suit stands at the podium in Clearwater Hall, waving his hand out to Dominic.
“What?” I whisper, peeking over at him. “You guys didn’t tell me this. I thought this was to award Adrian for the expansion.”
“We didn’t want to say anything until the contract was final.” Jonah presses his lips to my ear. “Dominic has wanted to move from the math department for years and into administration with Adrian. He’ll finally get to focus on the changes we need to make.”
I clap my hands, bouncing in my seat far more excited than the rest of the stuffy room of some of Clearwater’s most prodigious.
Leo joins me, whistling. “Yeah, Dom!”
We might sound foolish, but I don’t give a fuck. I’m so happy for Dominic. For everyone. He’ll be incredible.
Dominic shakes the board member’s hand and acknowledges the crowd. My stomach flips and flops in anticipation, my heart filling with incomparable happiness. Jonah rests his hands on my belly, feeling what I do, and he motions to Ezra and Leo to join him. I bite my lip to stifle my coo and catch sight of Adrian standing off to the side of the stage. He tips his head to the door, and the second Dominic finishes, Jonah lifts me up with him. I guess there isn’t more for us to see or do because I’ve never seen my guys rush so fast from a building.
Leo’s laughter echoes through the air, the cool spring night flourishing with the scent of blooming roses from the huge, luscious gardens around the building.
“What’s the rush?” I ask, clinging onto Jonah as he spins me around, more lighthearted than I’ve ever seen him.
“This is where the true celebration begins, Lettie. We have a surprise for you.” Dominic snatches me from Jonah, cradling me in his arms to curl me up to kiss my belly. “We couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”
Ezra brings the SUV to the curb, and we all climb in. I sit in the front seat as Adrian covers my eyes from behind. I tremble with excitement, my heart beating wildly. I have no idea what they’re up to. Now I wonder if they arranged for me to help Talia early so they could be the sneakiest cute alphas. Their excitement reminds me of children on their birthdays, the joy of the special day unforgettable. They act like giddy teens even, laughing and joking around, kissing me and teasing me.
