Page 1 of Manny's Surprise Baby

Chapter One

Pierce

Hitching my bag higher on my shoulder, I left the bus terminal. The sun was warm and soothing after the chill of the air-conditioning. The bus driver had been a heavyset woman probably in her midfifties. Maybe she had the air cranked because she was having hot flashes or something. Who was I to judge? It could easily be me suffering from out-of-whack hormones one day in the future. I was a solar eclipse omega after all.

It’d been a long ride, and my back ached from the crappy seat. I scanned the row of parked cars where people waited to pick up their loved ones. Colin had told me his car was a red four door, so I scanned the parking lot for a vehicle matching that description. Someone waving at me caught my eye. My stomach sank when I recognized Colin’s alpha, Riley. I’d assumed Colin would come and pick me up, not his alpha.

I stepped into the street and weaved through the cars toward Riley. As I neared, he smiled and held out his hand. “Is that your only bag?”

“Yeah.” I let him take it from me.

I’d met Riley when he and Colin came to the compound in the mountains to give birth to their baby boy, Garrett. I’d known Colin from before, but Riley I was still trying to get used to. He seemed pretty cool as alphas went. But I didn’t trust alphas.

Riley closed the trunk and walked to the driver’s side as I climbed in the passenger door. “Colin planned on picking you up, but just as he was walking out the door, Garrett threw up on him. It was like something out ofThe Exorcist.”

I grimaced. “Eww.”

“That’s toddlers for ya.” His cheek curved in a smile. “How was your trip?”

“Oh, you know, they were the typical bus people.”

“Were they wearing slippers and mumbling to themselves?”

“Pretty much.”

“Tinfoil hats?”

My lips twitched. “It’s like you were there.”

He chuckled. “Colin is so excited that you’re coming to stay with us. You should have seen him. It was like the queen was visiting.”

I shifted to where I could see him. “How about you?”

He frowned and gave me a quick glance. “What do you mean?”

“You have two weeks off from your tour. Maybe the last thing you needed was a houseguest.” I fiddled with the little pine tree air freshener that dangled from the rearview mirror. “Just for the record, I wanted to stay in a hotel, but Colin insisted I bunk with you guys.”

“I know and I’m glad.”

“Right.”

He sighed. “I don’t have a problem with you, Pierce. I feel like you think I do.”

“I doubt you’re fond of me.” I clasped my hands in my lap.

He laughed gruffly. “I actually like you when you’re not glaring at me and making snide comments.”

“Which is kind of never.”

“I keep hoping you’ll warm up to me.”

“You seem too good to be true.”

“I’m not. I’m merely a regular guy who’s doing his best. I love Colin more than anything in this world. I’d never do anything to hurt him. Never. I know you’ve had some shitty encounters with alphas over the years. But I’m not them.”

“We don’t have to talk about this.”

“I don’t mind.”