Page 4 of Whole in His Arms

“You are very sexy, mate of mine, and I don’t know how I know, but I do.” Nix looked down at his belly, then met his gaze again. “I’m pretty sure that you are carrying our child inside of you. Or children.” River placed his hand on his stomach. He felt it, too, but he was still going to see Ryder to get confirmation.

Nix looked down at River’s hand, which was still on his stomach, then he touched it, and their eyes met. River smiled.

“I hope you’re right.” Even though he was like 99.9% sure, a part of him still feared that maybe he was just hoping way too hard.

“I am. Trust me.” His mate’s hand on his belly soothed him.

“I want to be there when Ryder gives us the news. Even though we both know what the news will be.” He winked at River, and that had him smiling. He loved Nix’s confidence.

“I love you.” River made sure his mate felt just how true that was through their bond.

“I love you too,” Nix replied.

River moved into Nix’s body and placed a kiss on his lips before settling against his chest. They would know for sure soon enough, but right now, between the two of them, they already felt what was happening inside of River. Their family was about to grow, and in just a couple of months, they would be parents.

Mating Nix had been the happiest day of his life, but River knew that their pups would make them even happier than they already were.

Sometimes he thought he was dreaming, but then he felt Nix’s heartbeat next to him or just that little part of him that was always with River since he’d claimed him, and he knew his dreams really had come true.

It didn’t take long for Ryder to confirm their suspicions. “Congratulations, brother”—then he looked from River to Nix—“and I guess brother, too. You guys were right; you’re pregnant.”

Nix leaned down and placed an almost reverent kiss on his lips. “I love you, baby.” His mate’s voice was thick with emotion as they looked at the screen of the ultrasound. River couldn’t really see what Ryder saw, but it didn’t make him any less happy.

“I love you too.” River sniffed. “We’re going to be parents.”

When he looked over at his brother, it was to find a smile on his face. Ryder was clearly happy for them.

“You’ll make an amazing papa, Riv. Plus, with all the new little ones around here, you can get practice in, that’s for sure.”

Ryder wasn’t wrong. Ronin and Ollie had their twins, and Jax had a little baby girl.

River chuckled. “It’s hard to believe Ollie gave birth just two days before Jax did. The family will only continue to grow.”

“I know, and Papa is on cloud nine with all the new little ones,” Ryder said.

He wasn’t wrong. Their dad was always with a baby in his arms.

River nodded in agreement and made to sit up, but Nix was immediately there to help him.

“Speaking of Ollie and Ro,” River started, “we were just about to head over there and have dinner with them and visit with the pups.”

“Sounds nice,” Ryder said. “Be sure to give them my love and kiss my niece and my nephew for me.”

“We will,” Nix replied as he wiped the gel off his stomach and helped him get on his feet. “Ready to go and share our great news with them?”

“Better believe it,” River said.

He took Nix’s hand, and they followed Ryder to the door, which he opened for them. Ryder gave him a hug before they walked out of his office.

“Congrats, bro. I’m so happy for you.” Ryder smiled, but there was a slight sadness in his eyes. River glanced at Nix, silently asking if he saw it too, and his mate nodded. Neither one of them brought it up, though. He knew Ryder would say something when he was ready.

“Thanks, Ryder.” River hugged his brother again. “We’ll see you later.”

Ryder smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You know you can call me anytime, but make sure you take care of yourself.”

River smiled up at his mate. “I will, but I’m confident that Nix will be sure to watch over me and make sure I do.”

Nix wrapped his arm around River’s waist. “You know I will.”