Page 22

The cheerful music from the pack’s annual spring festival filters through the open windows, and I hear Harper downstairs running around, desperate for us to get out to the fair so she doesn’t miss a moment, her laughter and enthusiasm filling the house. I hear Callum’s voice telling her to wait for me, and I’ll be down soon.

I stand up from where I’ve been hovering over the bowl and splash water on my face. We’ve all been looking forward to it so much, and I’m supposed to be helping run the refuge stand and judging the bake sale, so I need to pull myself together. Just then, my phone beeps, and it’s Becca. I asked her to pull some blood yesterday to confirm my suspicions, as conventional tests aren’t always accurate on shifters so early. She promised to send me the results first thing this morning, though after another surprise bout of sickness before I could even contemplate breakfast, I think I already have my answer.

Opening the text, I keep my fingers crossed as I scroll down.

Congratulations, Mama, you’re pregnant!

My heart swells as I reread the message and then fire off a reply thanking her and saying I’ll see her at the fair but won’t be telling everyone just yet. She replies that my secret is safe with her, and I know it is. I look at myself in the mirror, amazed that even though I still feel nauseous, happiness is radiating from my face. Even the sickness feels momentarily worth it as I lay a hand on my still-flat stomach and feel a rush of love wash over me. I finish drying my face and quickly apply some blusher to bring my skin back to life.

I’m tempted to run downstairs and tell them both the news, but as I hear Harper’s impatience about getting to the fair, I decide to hold off and let her enjoy her day out. I know she’s going to be excited, but that can wait. I want the focus to be on her. She’s doing so well in the pack, attending nursery, making new friends, and controlling her gift admirably. It’s more than I ever could have hoped for.

I find myself thinking back to the bedtime stories I used to tell Harper every night. About how we would escape, flee the island, and build a new life far away. We’d have our own home and a garden where she could play and be safe. My emotions threaten to overwhelm me when I consider how her reality is now so much more than this—more than I could have dreamed for her.

I wipe my eyes, brushing the tears aside as I chuckle. Pregnancy hormones are obviously already wreaking havoc. I take a deep breath and head downstairs, where I find them in the kitchen putting the last of the lunch things into our basket. Callum turns, and a look of pure appreciation crosses his face. I know it’s because I’m wearing the blue sundress he likes, and I blush at the way he can make me feel beautiful with just one look filled with heat. I almost tell him about the pregnancy there and then, but we’re running late, and there’s so much to look forward to today. Harper has already shot past me toward the door.

“You feeling okay now?” Callum asks as he walks around the island.

I nod, picking up the bag of supplies I packed earlier. “I’m fine. We’d better get going, though, or we’ll be late.”

Callum laughs, “No chance of that with Harper on our case.”

She's way ahead of us as we walk across the park, heading to the stalls. I look to the skies for any sign of danger. I can’t help it. Ever since we learned about Malik’s shapeshifting ability, I keep looking. The island is big enough for him to hide, and although some are hopeful he went back to the mainland, there are still incidents of magical beings being targeted, many seeking refuge closer to town or trying to hide their abilities. Plus, the rogues seem more affiliated with him than ever, as though they are loyal followers of a cult.

We owe the witches a huge debt for helping us defend our borders, but even they’re running out of ideas. Being female-led, they’re happier dealing with me, so I’ve set up a committee of women to help them research new protection methods using combined magic. It appears it’s not only Malik who can use more than one gift. Perhaps that is our best way forward. To beat him at his own game.

But today, the skies are clear, and the festival is just getting started. Hundreds of happy faces mill around the stalls, playing games, buying sweet treats, and enjoying the music. It was never like this when I was young, and it makes me so happy to see all that Callum is achieving as alpha. The town is prosperous and happy despite the challenges from the rogues and Malik.

I head to the refuge stand, and as the morning wears on, I distract myself from any lingering sickness by interacting with the rest of the pack and watching in amusement as Callum and Byron run the kids' mini-tournament directly across from me. I try and fail to control all the pups, including Harper, who hasn’t stopped running around all day so far.

Around lunchtime, I see Callum holding his hands up in mock defeat and handing them over to the next group. He waves before stopping off at a stand and picking up some drinks for us before walking over.

“I probably need this even more than you,” he laughs, taking a sip. I do the same, but the sweet cinnamon reignites all of my previous sickness, and I quickly put it down. He looks concerned. “Are you okay? You look green.”

I nod, almost afraid to speak. “Hmm,” I reply. “I’m fine, honestly.”

I force a smile to reassure him, but he doesn’t look entirely convinced. Just as he’s about to say more, Sara comes over to grab me for the bake sale judging. It’s just an honorary position as luna, but I’ve had so many people stop me in town to talk about it this week; I know it’s going to be a lot of fun. I just hope my nausea stays away long enough for me to taste the cakes.

***

The baking contest is a huge success, even more so because I manage to eat very little, nibble ginger biscuits, and keep my sickness at bay. As the afternoon wears on, the heat intensifies under the midday sun. The scent of barbecue fills the air along with the laughter of pups and adults alike as they dance to music from a local band.

By four o'clock, Harper is finally starting to slow down, but she’s not alone. Most of the pack is winding down for the day, too, after a day filled with fun and games. I’ve just finished packing the refuge stall away when I see Callum carrying Harper over toward me, his large form dwarfing hers as she lays her head on his shoulder, falling asleep. I watch him cradling our daughter, his muscles flexing beneath his shirt. He's been so attentive today. Knowing about the pregnancy, it's almost impossible not to fall in love with him all over again.

"She's completely done," he says with a grin, gently placing her in my arms. “I think she's finally had enough. Let’s get her home. The stalls are staying up until tomorrow, and Byron said he’d help finish up."

I smile back at him, feeling his love for our daughter radiate from him. As we start walking back toward the house, the cool evening air starts to settle in, and I can feel my energy returning. The day has been a success; pack morale is high, and summer is well on its way.

Back at the house, Callum heads straight upstairs to get Harper settled, and I walk into our ensuite to wash my face. My stomach is feeling much better and I’m relieved to have made it through the day. I hear Callum enter our bedroom and turn to find him stalking toward me.

“Now, are you going to tell me how you’re really feeling?” he asks, stepping closer and caging me in against the counter. “You think I can’t tell when my mate is putting on a brave face?”

I take a deep breath, my heart beating faster as I look up into his amber eyes. “I’m pregnant,” I whisper, feeling the words leave my mouth.

His mouth drops open for a moment before he pulls me into his arms and kisses me passionately. His lips are warm against mine, tasting like the sweetness from all the festival treats. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest as he holds me tightly. When he finally pulls away, he searches my face for any signs of uncertainty or fear.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, cupping my cheek in his hand.

"I am now," I reply with a small smile, leaning into his touch. “I was going to tell you earlier, but I only just found out, and Harper was so excited about the fest—”

He kisses me again, cutting off my train of thought and short-circuiting my brain. Pulling away, he looks down at me, grinning. “I am so damn happy,” he smiles, running his hand over my stomach.

He takes my hand and pulls me toward the bed, turning me so I sit on the edge as he pushes my dress from my shoulders. The fabric pools around my waist; I don’t wear a bra, so my breasts fall free, and I see his eyes darken with desire. As he cups my breast with his rough hands, I immediately notice how much heavier they feel, and as his fingers flick over my nipple, I hiss at the increased intensity, the sensation shooting straight to my core.

Gently, Callum nudges me back until I lie down, and he settles on the floor in front of me, kissing my calves and spreading my legs. My stomach tightens in anticipation of the pleasure I know he will give me, and he trails kisses all the way up my thighs before gently sucking my clit into his mouth.

I gasp at the sensation, lifting my hips off the bed in an attempt to get even more contact.

I watch as he looks up at me, his eyes dark and intense, and I feel myself almost melting under his gaze. He continues his assault on my sensitive nub, licking and sucking until I’m squirming beneath him, trying to conceal my moans. The feeling of his tongue circling my entrance only heightens the ache growing between my legs. He pushes a finger inside me slowly, before adding another, stretching me while he continues to tease me with his tongue.

When he adds a third finger and begins to pump them rhythmically, I can't contain myself any longer. My back arches off the bed, and I cry out as waves of pleasure wash over me. His fingers pump in and out of me in time with his mouth on my clit, sending shockwaves through my body until I can feel it building up again.

"Callum," I whimper, my voice hoarse from all the pleasure. "I'm going to—"

Suddenly, I feel the pressure build up inside me and then release in a powerful surge. I’ve never felt anything like it, and my whole body tenses as I squirt all over Callum’s fingers and mouth.

“Fuck, that’s so hot, baby,” he murmurs reverently as he shrugs off his pants quickly and mounts me. He leans down, and I taste my desire on his lips as he kisses me roughly; his hard cock lays impossibly erect between us, and I can almost feel his desperation. I reach down and stroke his steely velvet length before he quickly stops me. “I’m gonnaf explode, Ava.”

I chuckle at his tone, but when I look up, I see the truth in his eyes. He’s almost completely undone. I reach up and kiss him, whispering, “Then take me.”

It’s all he needs to hear before thrusting forward and filling me in one hard movement, his cock stretching my walls more than his fingers ever could. I grip his broad shoulders as pleasure threatens to overwhelm me immediately. He starts slowly, burying himself as deep as he can, but then picks up the pace until his hips are slapping against my own.

The bed creaks under our movement, and I’m dimly aware of the sound of rustling sheets as we push harder and faster. Our breaths come in ragged gasps, mixed together as we chase our release. Callum’s grip on my hips tightens as he plows into me relentlessly—it feels like heaven as his cock hits that sensitive spot deep inside. His mouth is pressed against my neck when I finally feel him on the verge of coming; he tenses, groaning my name and filling me with his liquid heat.

The ecstasy of the moment overwhelms me, and I bury my face against his shoulder, muffling my scream as I come hard. My body tightens around him, my insides rippling with each pulse of pleasure. We collapse together, sweaty and sticky, but unable to move for what feels like an eternity.

Finally, Callum pulls out of me gently and rolls us onto our side, his hand instantly finding my belly and holding me gently. "You are so fucking amazing," he murmurs, kissing my shoulder. “I don’t deserve any of this, but I thank the goddess for you.”

I turn slightly to look at him. “That’s where you’re wrong,” I say quietly, “you do deserve this, and so do I. We deserve to be happy.”

He smiles, his eyes bright with emotion. "I love you," he says simply. "More than anything."

I reach up and cup his cheek, my fingers tracing the lines of his stubble. “I love you too,” I whisper, turning in his arms to kiss him softly. "And I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together, being happy."

*****

THE END