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Fuck. I should have had this conversation. Finding a mate that I thought I hated has thrown a wrench in my better judgment.
Bear walked over from his perch against the wall and sat on the edge of the couch, letting his legs touch mine. The vanilla mint mixed with Ellie’s sweet tropical scent had every cell in my body coming alive. Just their touch alone was enough to make the rest of the world melt away.
“We’ll figure it out. That’s not important right now,” Bear said, hand on my shoulder.
I gave him a nod. He was always level headed and I was finding I relied on it more and more. It had only been a few weeks since he arrived but he fit in like he’d been here all along.
“Do we know anyone who paints?” I mused, changing the subject to avoid the awkwardness.
“Serenity,” Ezra said. That had Ellie turning to him in shock.
“What? How did I not know this?”
“She doesn’t advertise it,” he said simply. “She made Walter his new logo. It’s something she’s amazing at but never wanted it to be a job, she said it would ruin the relaxing effect it has.”
“That’s fair,” Ellie said with a shrug. “I’ll ask her tomorrow. Tonight I just want to spend together. The rest will come later.”
“It will,” Ezra said as he stood up and turned on the TV, scrolling through to the movie app. “What’ll it be tonight?”
“Something scary,” Ellie said with a grin. Ezra sat down again and continued to search.
“Only you,” Atlas joked. “I’ll grab snacks. Anything you’re craving?”
“Not yet,” Ellie laughed. The sound was lighter than it had been all night and I felt myself relaxing as well.
“I’m grabbing blankets,” Bear announced, rushing off to grab those.
Dean and Atlas went off in search of snacks when I noticed Ellie glance down at her flat belly, rubbing it lovingly. I could almost picture her with a big baby bump and it was a delicious thought. She was going to be amazing through every stage of this pregnancy and the thought of her belly swollen with our baby had the alpha in me rumbling in satisfaction.
Mine.
“You’re going to be amazing,” I whispered. She looked up at me beaming.
“We all are,” she agreed before she gasped.
“What?!” Ezra asked, startled by the change.
“I was just thinking about those pretzels I used to get on lunch break. They were stuffed with jalapeños and cheese. They were so good.” She groaned like it took everything in her to not drool all over the couch.
“I have no idea how to make pretzels,” I said, glancing at Ezra who at least had diner cooking skills.
“I’m not a baker,” he countered. “But I’ll drive three states over.”
“Let’s not get dramatic,” Ellie said, rolling her eyes. “The store will have soft pretzels and we can make some jalapeño dip or something.”
“What’s this about jalapeños? Did I miss the first craving?” Atlas sounded so put out by the thought I couldn’t hide my laughter.
“Good, we have our designated ‘run out at three in the morning because she has a craving’ person,” I said, laughing as his eyes narrowed. He tossed a handful of popcorn at me and I opened my mouth, catching a few of them as the rest showered around us.
“I’ve got the cozy stuff,” Bear sang out as he came in, covering up Ellie with the fluffiest one before dumping the rest on the armchair for everyone else.
“Here, you can have my spot,” Ezra said, standing up and giving his spot next to Ellie to the omega. Bear opened his mouth to say something then snapped it shut and took the seat.
“Thanks,” he finally managed.
“So, did we settle on a movie?” Dean asked as he dipped a chip in salsa. “There’s a new ghost one I just saw advertised.”
“Sold,” Ellie said, snatching the popcorn bowl and munching happily.
