Page 155 of Broken Bonds

Because as I stare into Todd’s eyes, I already feel…something.

Different.

Changed.

Beyond what I’ve already felt since yesterday morning.

“We’re having a baby,” Todd whispers, the horror on his face changing to blissful wonder.

I… am at a loss for words.

Jax drags himself to his feet and walks over, nudging Todd’s ass with his foot. “Congratulations, motherfucker. You got him first.”

But in this way, at least, I can tell Jax isn’t upset, especially when he smiles.

Todd looks up, his smile fading. “I’m sorry about all that, sir, I?—”

Jax snorts and drops to his knees next to us and hugs him. “Dude,” he gently says, “stop with the sir shit. You’re my best friend. I know it was an act, okay? I will admit the spitting was especially inspired.”

“Blame your mate for that one. I just followed orders.”

Jax glances back at Shawn, who’s still lying in the grass, and tips Jax a weary two-fingered salute from his temple.

Jax focuses on me but he doesn’t touch me. “Are you okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“I am not injured,” I say, “but don’t ask me if I’m okay because right now my brain is scrambled. Are you sure you guys aren’t just fucking with me? If so, let’s call it right now, because it’s not funny.”

I mean, in my gut I know they aren’t, but I…

Well, denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, as they say.

Todd cups my cheek and kisses me again. “We’re not kidding, baby.”

“This isn’t something we would joke about with you,” Jax says. “And I need to call Pops about this.” Jax stands, walking over to Shawn and helping him to his feet. “Like I need to call him right now.”

Davis finally steps all the way out from behind the tree, the rifle strap now slung over his shoulder. He tosses Jax a set of keys and then points. “About fifty yards down the trail that way. Can’t miss it.”

“Thanks.” Jax takes off at a lope.

Then Davis gets on his radio. “This is Davis. It’s over and everything’s safe. Jax is back. Everyone, stand down. Repeat, everyone, stand down. Make sure all safeties are on and guns are unloaded and put in cases. Jax is on his way to get his truck. Walk the course, retrieve all marking tape, and return to base so we can check in the tranq guns and radios and have a debriefing.”

Davis tsks, then looks over at us. “Guess the two teams of guys who volunteered for mating heat fun will be sorely disappointed.”

“Tell them I said sorry,” Shawn says. “I was looking forward to it, too.” He walks over and smiles down at us. “Well, at least you won’t be going through it alone. Either of you.”

Todd kisses me again. Sweet warmth breaks through my shock, flowing through me, making me cling to him and never wanting to let him go.

Never wanting him to let me go, either.

We’re still sitting there a few minutes later when I hear the rumble of an approaching vehicle. Davis already picked up the cones marking the outer boundaries of the clearing, and he unloaded and returned the tranq gun to a hard-shell rifle case he had with him.

Jax parks the truck and climbs out while Todd stands and helps me to my feet.

From the way he nearly just scooped me up in his arms instead of letting me stand, I get the distinct impression he wants to start carrying me everywhere.

“Before we jump to conclusions, can we get a doctor’s confirmation?” I ask, even though in my heart I already know the truth. “Maybe the concoction just wore off faster than you thought.”

“I doubt that,” Shawn says. “I checked you once I started seeing the signs, and you were absolutely slick and loose. I probably could’ve fisted you with very little effort. You were definitely deep in a mating heat, so I’m positive you caught. Takes about forty-eight hours before a blood test will show it in canines. From what I know, the only thing that’ll short-circuit a mating heat in a canine omega—male or female, and especially an intense first heat—is catching, or death.” He smiles. “And you don’t look dead to me.”