Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

Arley

“I got the email from the dean and my advisor this morning. It’s official. I have been switched over to the virtual path as of this week. Since all my teachers offer the classes I’m enrolled in virtual format, they are allowing me to just start them up midsemester. I won’t have to wait until the fall and retake my classes. I can finish them all now even while taking care of the babies.” I cocked my head. Excitement and worry warred within me. But wasn’t that the saying? If it worried you, you were making the right decision? “Is it weird I’ll miss going to class though? Most pregnant omegas would be thrilled to not have to leave the house.” I had gotten so used to going, the thrill of being in the city and campus still new, that I knew I’d miss certain aspects of class. It was a new adventure for me and it was fun.

“I would miss it, too, I think. But I do agree this is the best plan of action.” Fen looked down at his phone, reading the text he’d just received. “My parents asked if they could stay with us for a while so they don’t need to deal with the pack’s drama. They don’t feel welcome in town any longer. They are putting their house on the market and want to permanently move up here. But it will take a bit to sell and then find somewhere else to go.”

“If the others in the house don’t mind, we do have the room next to us for your parents to stay in.” I pointed out. “They can turn that room into an in-law suite and not worry about finding their own place.”

“I thought we were making that the nursery?” Fen frowned, his brows furrowing deeply as if I told him no more sex, which just made me chuckle. “I just painted it that light-green color, with the baby-blue accent wall. I’m not sure they will like that color.”

“I think we can make that work with your parents’ style.” I kissed my mate’s chin; he was always so considerate, the best mate ever. “And besides, I think we both know I am not leaving our babies in a room alone for a while. They can stay there for now. We will figure out what comes later when we need to.”

“I love you.” Fen rubbed my shoulders. “Thanks for letting them come out here.”

“I love them. Plus, without my own parents around, they are the only other family I got besides you and these pups.” I relaxed into my mate’s touch. He gave the most amazing massages. “And this way, our kids have their grandparents close by.”

“And I know they will be begging for time alone with the babies. So that means we will have time alone to ourselves. You know what that means.”

“I have an idea, but why don’t you tell me.”

“It means”—Fen leaned in and licked my neck the way that sent tingles straight to my dick—“we will actually get sleep.”

A chortle slipped out of my throat and I smacked him. “That’s not where you had my mind going.”

“Oh yeah? Where were your thoughts headed, my mate?” Fen smirked at me and I licked my lips. There was something about the way he teased me that turned me on and had me losing my mind to lust.

“Here, let me show you.” I could be seductive. I was a sexy man in need of his sexy mate. It was probably the hormones talking at this point, but I was going show my mate just what I meant.

Twisting around, I straddled Fen’s lap, thankful we were already sitting on our bed. Leaning in, I stole a kiss from his lips and then trailed a few more down his chest and lower to his bare chest. My mate should walk around shirtless more often.

“Goddess, that feels so good.” Fen breathed out, his hands trailing down my back, my sides, and finally gripping the globes of my ass and squeezing, pulling me closer to his body as I lost purchase on his delectable chest. Our hard cocks glided against one another, creating the right amount of friction to push me forward in my efforts to bring us both to climax. I wanted the euphoria it would bring me so bad, yet I needed my mate in all ways.

“I need to feel you inside me.” I licked his neck, sucking on the skin I had left my mating mark on. The contact sending shivers through our bond and igniting a more powerful need within us. I could feel his desires through our link and they matched mine in intensity.

I slipped off the bed in one fluid motion, snagging Fen’s jeans in the process. Unfastening them quickly, his hard cock sprang forth and I took a moment to stare in wonder.

Leaning forward, I engulfed the head of his engorged cock and hummed my delight. But it wasn’t enough. I needed more.

Two, three full sucks, I took Fen down my throat before I pulled off and stood before him, actively stripping my clothes. “Take me, alpha. I need you.”

Fen’s eyes were wild with passion as he growled low in his throat and twisted his arms around my naked body.

The air whooshed around me as Fen spun and tossed me up the bed, following swiftly. He walked over on his knees, pushing my legs apart as he hooked over me. I could feel his body heat as if it were my own.

“Please.” Not that I needed to beg as I felt his cock breech my hole. I moaned, neck arching back as Fen ducked his head to nibble, suck, and lick at my mating mark.

Before we even really got started, I was cresting my orgasm, letting the pleasure flow through my veins. This was what I needed.

When I floated back down, the edge taken off, I spied Fen’s feral look and shit-eating grin staring at me.

“Ready for more?”

I was. I so was. Fen owned my body, our pleasure entwining, growing higher. In and out, he stroked harder and deeper before I felt him stutter. He was close.

“Bite me, my mate. Claim me, alpha,” I yelled, my walls gripping him tight. When Fen’s teeth struck, I screamed. A gush of liquid coated my insides and my chest. It was beautiful. It was everything. He was mine.

As we lay there breathing hard, chests sticking together, I felt at one with my mate. Everything would work out how it was supposed to be as long as I had Fen.

Fen

We’d talked to our roommates to ensure they were okay with my parents’ arrival. Of course, they all agreed that it was for the best and that we would make do with the space we had. It wasn’t that our

house was too small to fit everybody in. We just were used to our space as it was, so adding two more people would take a little adjustment. I had already spent time looking at different houses in case we had to move once the kids were here. My friends were great and all, but they didn’t sign up for two o’clock feeding cries. Until then though, we would all be living under the same roof.

“Mom, Dad, I’m so glad that you guys could come out here and stay with us.” I kissed my parents’ cheeks and grabbed their bags. “I know it’s a little bit tight right now in space, but there’s enough room for everyone.”

“Thank you, Fen.” My father followed me down the hall to the bedroom Arley and I had prepared. “We just couldn’t deal with the information that was coming through to us in the pack. Everyone agrees with the decision to make those younger shifters pay for what they were doing, especially after finding out they had been secretly poisoning all the elder members of the pack with wolfsbane in hopes of taking over by force once we were all too weak to fight back. But it’s still a little awkward with their families around.”

Mom placed her purse on the bedside table and took off her light jacket. “It was just better for us to leave.

Plus, with the babies coming, we’ll be here to help you guys. I really can’t wait to be called grandma.”

Arley walked farther into the room and wrapped my mom in his arms. “I am so glad to have you guys here. With my own parents not around, it’ll be nice to have my kids grow up with grandparents.”

“And I’m just glad their plans were revealed. I can’t believe they had gotten some of their men into the local brewery and added the wolfsbane to the bottles. And then added it to the local soda bottling plant as well. They were targeting the whole pack.” I placed all my parents’ bags on the floor near the dresser. “The doctor said the effects of the wolfsbane will disappear completely?” I still couldn’t fully comprehend how and why someone would do that to others. It was cruel, and the thought of losing my wolf? Even worse.

“Mostly.” Dad shrugged as if he was in full acceptance of the situation. Maybe one day, I could be the same but not yet. “There will be some permanent issues for some, depending on how strong our wolves are. They were only poisoning the alphas and we are all hearty and powerful. The doses were small enough that our wolves were fighting it off for the most part and leaving us only with those cold-like symptoms. The doctors all agree that if the dose had been higher, it would have been terminal.”

“And the witches that helped cover up the traces so that the doctors couldn’t tell it was wolfsbane?” I still couldn’t believe Marcus had gone as far as seducing a coven of witches into helping him in his plans. “How are they being dealt with?”

“Since the Global Shifter Council was called and is taking over the investigations and punishments,” Dad explained, “they will be putting Marcus and his men on trial but will also be handling the coven. Their connection to the great packs, covens, and clans allows them jurisdiction over all paranormal now. They will decide if the coven can be redeemed or face permanent disbandment.”

“That sounds fair.” Relief coursed through me that it was no longer just an issue for my birth pack to carry. “I’ve only heard good things about the council and how they keep all paranormal kind in check.”

Enough of the talk about the old pack; it was time to start over. For all of us.

“Mom. Dad. We cleaned out a bedroom for you. It has its own private bathroom so you won’t need to be roaming around the hallways at night. And there is a section that would be perfect to add a mini refrigerator and a microwave if you would like.” I gestured toward the area I thought would fit the said appliances. “No rush though. The kitchen is communal and we are all welcome to use it and whatever food is there. We come together weekly to make a shopping list and throw cash into the pot for groceries we all can use. Nothing is off-limits unless there is a tag on it. And that is usually only if one of us has to follow a specific diet. I just thought it would be nice to have the option. I know I hate having to go all the way to the kitchen for a midnight snack.”

“This is perfect, son.” My father patted my back, after placing his bags on the floor. “I’m sure we will feel comfortable in here.”

“Feel free to make this your own little space, not just a room in a house.” Arley hugged my mom. “We are so happy you are here.”

“You sure you don’t mind?” My mother looked around at the beautifully decorated room, everything a perfect match to my parents’ style. “You really didn’t have to go through this much trouble for us.”

“Oh no, it wasn’t a big deal. And we definitely don’t mind having you. Our roommates are also fully on board with the idea. I think they miss their own parents and so the thought of having you here made them excited.” Arley grabbed a hold of my mother’s hands. “Like a real home.”

“And we also have a little kitchen-like setup in our own room,” I pointed out. “Complete with an ice machine and popcorn maker for our cozy movie nights in bed.”

“Honey.” Arley flushed red and hit my shoulder. “They don’t need to hear about our movie nights in bed.”

“What?” I shook my head and gave a cheeky grin. “I only said we watch movies and have snacks in bed, you are the one blushing and acting scandalized.”

“Shut up.” Arley tucked his chin to his chest, his face growing redder. He scooted closer to the door. “I’m going to go use the washroom. I’ll be back.”

“We’ll wait for you before we go for lunch.” I faced my parents. “I was thinking we could take you to our favorite little café down the block. They have delicious croissant sandwiches and their iced tea is something else. You will love it.”

We continued talking about our lunch plans until Arley returned.

“Have you talked to the doctor? Is everything okay with the babies?” Mother asked and placed a hand on Arley’s stomach. “I can’t wait to be called grandma.”

“And grandpa,” Dad chimed in. “These babies are going to be super spoiled, just so you two know.”

“I’d rather have them bathed in love than in spoils.” Arley shrugged. “But I guess you can spoil them extra in honor of my parents too.”

“I know you wish they were here, dear.” Mom hugged my mate. “But they are looking in on you from beyond. I believe that.”

“Me too.” Arley hugged my mom back. “Thank you for reminding me of that though.”

“Are you having any cravings?” Dad pointed at my mom. “She always wanted pineapple. Couldn’t get enough.”

“Well, Arley is like that with ice. He always wants a cup of ice with him.” I pointed to the cup in my mate’s hand. “See. He has one right now.”

“Craving ice during pregnancy can be a sign of something called pica. I remember reading about that in a parenting magazine once. Have you spoken with your doctor about that?” Mom pulled Arley to the chairs in the corner of the room and they both sat down. “There could also be other reasons like anemia or an iron deficiency.”

“All my labs came back normal,” Arley reassured my mom. “The doctor said that he didn’t think anything was wrong. Honestly, I just think of it as a refreshing little treat. Someone in this house likes it so hot all the time and I need the ice to cool down.”

“Who is turning up the heat?” I hadn’t noticed a change. “Maybe we should call a house meeting about it?”

“Don’t worry, babe.” Arley laid a hand on my arm as I stepped closer to him. “Tori says she has been getting a bit cold lately. If no one else is complaining, I’ll just deal with it and stick with my ice eating. I’m content to stay this way.”

“Well, if there is anything else we can help with, let us know,” Dad said. “We are here to assist you in your pregnancy and when the babies arrive. Don’t be afraid to ask.”

After all,” Mom added in, “it takes a village to raise a baby. Or should I say pack? That’s what we said in my day, anyway.”

“I think that is a fantastic mindset to have. Parenting shouldn’t be a solo adventure. Support is needed. The more love a baby is shown, the better. Maybe that is what goes wrong with shifters like Marcus. Did his parents not allow others to help raise him?” Arley shrugged. “Maybe the pack wasn’t paying the right kind of attention to what was happening.”

“That could be true,” Mom agreed. “In the last few years, the elders of the pack did kind of stop paying attention to what the younger generation was doing. They thought they were wise enough to figure life out on their own. I know there are several pack members who now wish they had paid more attention. There were rumors of the behaviors the younger members were partaking in, but no action was taken quick enough in my eyes. I think some elders were afraid to admit the truth. Luckily now they have proof and help in figuring it out, thanks to Patrick and his pack.”

“Marcus and his friends used threats to get what they want and keep their victims silent.” Arley took some ice from his cup and chewed. “I’m just glad that the truth has been revealed now and the pack can move forward.”

“Us too.” Dad sat on the edge of the bed. “Even though we won’t be there any longer, I still want our friends to have a healthy pack life.”

“I think they will now that Marcus and his friends are dealt with.” I was hopeful the pack could rebuild now that the trash was taken care of.

“So, what do we all think of joining the pack here on campus?” Arley put his cup down and stood, wrapping himself in my arms. “Patrick has invited us to become members of the all-inclusive pack, and I think it might be the best move for us all.”

“I do like the idea of it being a mix of different shifter types. I always thought the old pack’s ideas of separation were outdated and needed to be changed.” Mom nodded. “I am all for joining a welcoming pack like the one here.”

“I think you are going to love it here, Mom and Dad. It’s like a family.” I smiled at my parents and mate. “It feels like home.”