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“Thank you,” I said. “There’s no need for us to rush things at all.”

But the few days seemed to pass quicker than I thought it would. I was sitting on my grandma’s couch as I watched Markus, Owen, and Lio haul my boxes to the trunk of their van. My grandma was sitting next to me, holding a book in her hand and a cup of tea in the other.

“The boys are doing a fantastic job. They’re almost done,” she observed over her glasses.

“They’re moving too quickly,” I said.

“Just as they should for their omega.”

“It’s a good thing Mom and them are out on vacation,” I said. “I wouldn’t know how to explain this.”

“I’m going to miss having you around my child.”

“Hey, don’t say that,” I said, my eyes burning with unshed tears. “We’ll see each other around at the shop. This isn’t goodbye.”

“You’re right, I’m just being dramatic,” said Grandma, setting down her tea and blowing her nose. Markus came up to us and sat next to my grandma.

“We’ll take extra good care of your granddaughter,” he said gruffly, expressing his honesty and commitment. Even though I’ve only known Markus for a short time, I believed him. He was a good alpha at heart, despite his gruff exterior.

“I understand,” sniffled Grandma.

“Are you ready to come with us?” asked Markus, and I nodded as I bit the inside of my cheek.

Was I doing the right thing?

I hugged Grandma, willing myself not to burst into tears. I stared at the vase of roses on the kitchen counter while I hugged her.

My heart pounded hard when Markus took my hand and led me to the door. Lio and Owen were already in the van by the time we reached them, with Owen being in the driver’s seat. I hated change in my life, but this was really happening. Every step of the way. I was only doing this for my baby.

For my baby to have a loving family and fathers who loved him.

As I settled into the backseat of the car between Markus and Lio, I leaned back against the chair and massaged the tense muscles in my belly.

“Lana,” said Lio to my right, and I turned to look at him. “Don’t be sad. You’ll get used to your new life very soon, and with a new baby on the way, you’ll never be lonely.”

I nodded silently. If I talked, I might cry.

Markus silently put his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into him. He started purring with the deep, strong vibrations in his chest, which flowed throughout my body like a life current.

Calming my mind and my soul.

Chapter 21

Four Months Later

Alana

Wakingupbetweenalphasevery morning was something I wasn’t used to, but it felt good.

Markus’s arm was draped over my thigh while he snored behind me in bed, and Lio’s hand cradled the top of my head while he slept. Owen liked to sleep in his own room after our nightly group activities. He claimed he loved his sleep, and no one was going to ruin it for him.

I carefully rolled onto my back, trying not to squish Markus’s arm. At nine months pregnant, my belly had extended far beyond what I could handle. I rubbed my eyes and watched the rain pit-patter against the window on this gloomy day. Ever since I had moved into their house, the pack was careful with me and patient with everything they did with me. It had taken two weeks for me to sleep in the same room as them.

I smiled at the memory of my family meeting Lio and his pack when I first moved in. They were excited for me, especially my little sisters. Adam didn’t have much to say except ‘congrats sis’. But still, no one knew I was pregnant and I asked Lio not to tell anyone. For the last four months after the introductions, I had kept to myself, hiding away at home.

Never leaving the house.

They couldn’t know. No one was allowed to know.