I glanced at the clock when I was done. Jaxon had been gone twenty minutes. Pushing from the chair, I took my cup to the sink. Where had he gone? He said he wouldn’t be long, but where did someone dart off to at nearly four in the morning without explanation?

  I busied myself with making a grocery list, figuring I should at least not waste the quiet time before Liam woke up. It wasn’t like I’d be going back to sleep any time soon. But forty-five minutes later, Jaxon still hadn’t returned. He’d been gone just over an hour already. Maybe I should go ahead and take a shower and get ready for the day. I had plenty of time to cook breakfast for Liam at this rate. We wouldn’t be running late for once—though being late hadn’t been an issue since Jaxon had been around taking care of us.

  I sighed and started to trudge toward the bathroom, but then stopped when I heard the front door. Jaxon scurried inside, shutting it quietly behind him. He smiled when he saw me and rushed up, gathering me in his arms and kissing me, a little less urgently this time but no less passionately. Seriously, what was going on?

  I broke away. “Where did you go?”

  Jaxon grinned and held up a small paper bag. “Sorry I was gone so long. I thought I could run down to the corner store, but you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find a shop at this hour that sells these things.”

  He reached into the bag and pulled out a box. My eyes widened. I laughed nervously. “Is that what I think it is?”

  Jaxon beamed. “Yep. A pregnancy test. Here. Take it. Let’s find out.”

  I was stunned. Speechless, even. Jaxon thought I was pregnant? No way. I shook my head slowly. I couldn’t be pregnant.

  “Just take the test,” Jaxon said, excitement radiating from him. I took a second to process that. He was excited about the idea of me being pregnant.

  “Jaxon, I—” I swallowed hard. “I couldn’t be…”

  “Come on.” Jaxon laced his fingers with mine and pulled me into the bathroom. He pushed the little box into my hand and wrapped my fingers around it, then gave me an encouraging smile before slipping out the door and shutting it behind him.

  I stood there, staring down at the box, my mind reeling. I could hear Jaxon pacing outside the door of the bathroom.

  “How’s it going?” he asked in a stage-whisper.

  “Um,” I whispered back. “Fine.”

  Fine. That was the opposite of how I felt. Honestly, I didn’t know how I felt about the likelihood of being pregnant. I’d never actually considered being a father—other than to Liam. I’d pretty much resigned myself to it just being the two of us. Then Jaxon had come along and flipped everything I knew on its head. In every way, apparently.

  I continued staring at the box, wondering how this was possible. I mean, I obviously knew how, technically, but how had I been irresponsible enough to not take precautions? I remembered I’d only briefly thought of condoms that night I’d been in heat. Right before I’d become completely lost to the sensations Jaxon sparked in me. Every time after that I’d become equally lost in him. Fully wrapped up in everything about him, losing all sense of reason. I blew out a breath. And now I was about to find out what exactly that meant for me.

  Jaxon rapped lightly on the door and twisted the doorknob. “Are you okay?” His voice was anxious, and I had to laugh a little.

  “Yes. Now can you please go stand somewhere other than right outside the bathroom so I can actually do this thing?”

  His warm chuckle trickled through the thin door. “Right. Okay. I’ll be right here on the couch then.”

  I listened as his footsteps faded, then stared dubiously at the box. I had no idea what to do with this thing.

  “Well, here goes nothing,” I muttered, ripping open the packaging and pulling out a sheet of instructions. “What the hell?”

  The instructions were printed in the tiniest of fonts, covering both sides of the paper. Surely it wasn’t this complicated to take a pregnancy test. Right? I sat down on the closed lid of the toilet and found the English section, and then read over the directions three times.

  Exhaling slowly, I set the paper aside. Okay, I could do this. Meticulously, I followed the instructions. Didn’t want to allow any margin for error. Then I washed my hands, set a timer on my watch, and set the test on the back of the toilet before walking out of the bathroom.

  Jaxon bolted to his feet and immediately came up to me. He took both my hands in his, his gaze scouring my face for some clue. “Well?”

  I managed a smile. “It takes three minutes.”

  “You’ve been in there for ten,” he exclaimed.

  I shrugged. “Yeah, well… I wanted to make sure I did it right.”

  We stood there, staring at each other silently, and I tried to understand his reaction. Ever since he’d jumped up from the kitchen table an hour and half ago, he’d seemed nothing but enthusiastic.

  “Jaxon, how are you okay with this?” I finally forced myself to ask.

  “Are you kidding me right now?” He pulled me close to him and stared down at me, piercing me with his emerald gaze. “I told you, Bryce. I love you. I want a life and a future with you, and all that comes with it.”

  “Yeah, but it’s all so—”

  “Soon?” He chuckled. “Yeah. You’ve mentioned that before, but when you know, you know.”

  He’d said that before, when he’d said we were fated mates—his version of soul mates I guessed. But hearing him say it again filled my heart with warmth. All my doubts from earlier seemed to evaporate as I stood in front of him. The man I loved. Who apparently loved me too.

  We might be having a baby together. It was crazy, but I couldn’t help feeling some of Jaxon’s enthusiasm pouring into me. What would that be like? To be a real family with Jaxon? It was more than I ever could have dreamed for myself.

  “Okay, I can’t wait any longer,” he said abruptly, pulling me back toward the bathroom.

  I glanced at my watch. “We still have another minute to go.”

  He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”

  He strode right into the bathroom and picked up the test. He frowned at it, then looked up at me. “What do two blue lines mean?”

  Oh. My. God.

  I grabbed the instructions just to be sure, and it was there plain as day.

  “Positive,” I whispered. “It means I’m pregnant.”

  Shock flooded my body, along with a warmth that swirled through my chest.

  Jaxon let out a loud whoop, grinning like a loon and gathering me up in his arms. I could feel his heart pounding against mine. I laughed. I didn’t know how else to react, the mixture of amazement and joy filling me.

  “Oh my god, Jaxon,” I said, pulling back to look at him.

  His smile broadened, then he crushed his mouth to mine. I lost myself in his kiss. It was sweet, but also hot, teeming with passion. I kissed him back, pouring all my emotions into it, completely overwhelmed. Jaxon seemed elated, and I had to admit, even though I’d never thought about having a baby, I was just as excited now it was starting to sink in. My heart was so full of love for this man I thought it might burst.

  Jaxon broke the kiss just as Liam’s door creaked open. He stood there in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes, his blond hair sticking up all over the place.

  “What’s all the noise?” he asked, his voice groggy.

  Jaxon went right to him and knelt down in front of him, placing his hands on Liam’s shoulders. “Liam, Bryce and I just found out some amazing news.”

  That got his attention. Liam’s swiveled his head between the two of us, his eyes alert now. “What? I wanna know!”

  Jaxon grinned. “Bryce is pregnant. We’re having a baby!”

  13

  Jaxon

  “What!” Liam’s screech filled the room, and I had to laugh.

  “Yep. You’re going to be a big brother,” I said, grinning so much I thought my face might crack.

  Liam’s eyes went wide. “A big brother…”

  He would be. Because we would be a true family. I’d move him and Bryce out to the homestead on the pack lands, into my house. We’d also have a new addition to our little family. It seemed too good to be true.

  Then Liam was throwing himself into my arms. “I’ve always wanted to be a big brother.” He sounded choked up, and I had to swallow a couple times.

  Bryce came over to us, resting his hand on Liam’s back. Then he knelt down beside me. I reached out for him instinctively to help him down, but he didn’t seem to need too much help at the moment. I put my arm around him and pulled him to my side, and he wrapped his arms around both me and Liam.

  “I’m glad to see you’re thrilled about it,” he said softly to Liam.

  “Thrilled? This is the best news ever!” He pulled away from our hug and started jumping around the room. “I hope it’s a boy. Then I can teach him everything about baseball. Or wait, no. I hope it’s a girl! Then I can be a protective big brother. No, wait…”

  I laughed. “You’re going to be a great big brother no matter what.”

  Bryce turned to me, his eyes shining in wonder. He shook his head slightly, like he was still trying to process this. I was still a little in shock myself, but I’d had a little more time than him to get used to the idea. As soon as I realized he’d been nauseous for the last three days, I’d started to suspect. He’d also had something a little different about his scent. I’d picked up on that Saturday, and occasionally throughout the day yesterday, but I hadn’t recognized it for what it was. His pheromones had changed. I knew that now. And when I’d taken a good whiff of him at the kitchen table this morning, it had pretty much confirmed my suspicions.

  Reaching down, I placed my hand gently on Bryce’s lower abdomen, still flat and lean-muscled. Soon I’d be able to feel my baby in there. My baby!

  The idea of finding my mate and becoming a father in such a short time might have scared some men, but this was everything I’d ever hoped for, and I’d found it with Bryce, the strongest, most selfless man I’d ever met.

  I leaned in and captured his lips in a soft but innocent enough kiss since Liam was present. “I love you,” I murmured against his mouth, and I felt him quiver. He looked up at me again as I pulled back, his eyes shining with emotion.

  Liam was chattering away about how much help he could be, and I chuckled as I stood and helped Bryce to his feet. “Be careful about volunteering, or I may just put you on diaper duty.”

  He grinned, not at all put off. “Does this mean we can move in with you now?” He turned to Bryce. “Please?”

  I wrapped my arms around Bryce from behind, letting my hands settle on his belly, rubbing soft circles. He leaned back against me, relaxing a bit.

  “We’ll see what happens,” he said.

  They’d end up living with me, there was no question there. It was just a matter of timing now. I just needed to figure out when. A dark cloud started to hover over me as I remembered I’d hoped to have all my secrets out in the open by now. I had to tell him for sure, and I couldn’t wait long, but I was uncertain how to go about it. I shoved the cloud away, wanting to enjoy this moment and not think about anything else for the time being. I’d figure it all out later, somehow.

  “I can’t wait for you to move out to the homestead,” I said, assuring Liam. Bryce didn’t object, so that was something.

  Liam ran off to get ready for school, and I turned Bryce to face me. I couldn’t stop touching his stomach. I knew I was being a sap, but who cared? Not me. I was freaking ecstatic. I didn’t think Bryce minded the attention either by the way he was grinning at me.

  I pulled him into another kiss now we were alone. Slower, deeper. Full of tenderness. I wanted him to know how happy I was about this. Leave no room for doubt in his mind. He’d doubted things between us enough already, and I wanted to reassure him I was here to stay. That we were meant to be, and that I was more than thrilled about this baby.

  Bryce pulled back suddenly, then yawned widely, his hand coming up to cover his mouth.

  “Tired?” I asked.

  He nodded, his eyes sleepy now. “Guess I’m not used to waking up at three in the morning.”

  “Come on, let’s get you back to bed. I’ll get Liam off to school. You need to get your rest.”

  He leaned against me, as if his tiredness was hitting him hard all of a sudden. I swept him up in my arms and carried him right to his bed.

  “I can walk, you know,” he said wryly before yawning again.

  “Yes, but you’re exhausted. After all, you are growing our baby in there.”

  He smiled up at me and murmured, “Our baby.”

  I didn’t miss the spark of joy in his eyes as he said it. I kissed him again, then settled him on the bed before taking his hand. I really wanted him to be sure of how much this meant to me.

  “Bryce, I couldn’t be happier to have you as the father of my child,” I said, staring into his eyes. “I love you.”

  He smiled. “I love you too.”

  I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing that.

  “I need to run some errands after I drop Liam off at school. But you get some sleep, and I’ll be back in just a few hours, okay?”

  Bryce nodded, his eyes already sliding shut.

  I headed to the kitchen and got breakfast ready for Liam. When he came in, dressed for school, he came up to me and threw his arms around me again.

  “I’m so happy, Jaxon.”

  I ruffled his hair. “Me too, buddy. I can’t wait.”

  “And we can really move into your house?” he asked.

  I nodded. “You really can.” I just had to figure that part out. I knew my father wouldn’t want humans who weren’t aware of shifters living on the homestead. I’d just have to talk to him, hope he could help me figure out the situation.

  I got Liam off to school, then turned my car onto the road leading out into the woods where the lodge was located. I knew I’d find my dad in his office at this time. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I told him he was going to be a grandfather. He’d be excited too, no doubt.

  As I drove down the two-lane road into the forest, I thought about what I would say. What he might tell me. I definitely needed his guidance. This changed a lot of things. Before, I’d thought I’d have plenty of time to talk to Bryce about the existence of shifters. I mean, I’d planned on telling him yesterday, but at that point the only reason was because I wanted to move him out to my place. I was simply ready for that next step in our relationship.

  But now we had a time constraint and things weren’t so simple, not with the way Bryce was so upset about the accident and his sister’s death. And that wolf. I sighed. Yeah, things were complicated, alright.

  Plus there was the issue of Bryce’s health. He seemed strong enough, and he got around okay, but what if his injuries complicated things with the pregnancy? That could be a huge stressor for his body, and I didn’t want him under any more strain than necessary. Telling him I was a wolf shifter would definitely do that.

  But I couldn’t exactly keep it a secret forever. After all, our baby would be a shifter.

  I needed to eliminate any anxiety for Bryce, especially now he was pregnant. However, I also had our child to think of. Things would be a hell of a lot easier if I could move everyone out to the homestead. I could take care of everything. I knew Bryce didn’t like that there were things he couldn’t do for Liam. I could do those things. Yes, Bryce was proud and wanted to do everything he could himself. He definitely wouldn’t want me taking over, but I’d do everything in my power to do what I could. It was just a matter of telling him I was a shifter and moving him out there. Hah. Easier said than done.

  I didn’t have any answers by the time I pulled up in front of the lodge, so I headed straight back to my father’s office. Thankfully, it was empty other than him.

  “Jaxon! Another surprise visit?” He smiled as he turned from the window he’d been staring out of.

  “Hey, Dad,” I said with a small smile. “Guess I just know where to go when I need someone to talk to.”

  His smile faded slightly and he frowned. “Is everything okay?”

  I sighed. Everything was wonderful. If I could just figure this out.

  “I have some news for you. Maybe we should sit down. It’s a big one.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Bigger than finding your fated mate?”

  I smiled wryly. “Right on up there.”

  “Well, come on, then,” he said, sitting on the couch. “Come talk to dear old Dad.”

  I already felt better. Greer Parsons wasn’t just an excellent alpha pack leader. He was an amazing dad. Something I hoped I would be too. He’d always been there for me growing up, and I’d never been afraid to come to him with anything. I knew no matter what, he would love me and support me unconditionally. Still, I’d always worked my ass off to prove myself to him, wanting to be deserving of his approval, even though he gave it generously.

  I thought again of our conversations about me becoming the pack leader when he stepped down. That was something he’d believed I could do, even when I hadn’t. I knew deep down I didn’t want to say no. I wanted to take on the challenge and prove he’d made the right choice entrusting that leadership to me. And for the first time, I was starting to think maybe I could. It was like fate had given me this chance to prove myself—to myself.

  “Son?” My father’s question pulled me out of my thoughts. Right.

  “Bryce is pregnant,” I said, going straight to the heart of the matter. No sense beating around the bush.

  My dad’s eyebrows flew up. “Well at least you get to the point. Wow!” He ran his hand over his face, his eyes wide as he processed that. Then a huge grin broke over his face.

  I found myself smiling right back. “I know! It’s crazy. I just found my mate, and now we’re going to have a baby.”

  “I take it this is good news, then,” he said, looking a little relieved. “I mean, I’m assuming you weren’t planning on this just yet, but you seem happy.”

  “I’m ecstatic, Dad,” I said frankly.

  “And Bryce?”

 

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