17

Nathan

Breakfast consisted of bacon and eggs for me and grilled peanut butter and anchovy sandwiches for Celeste.

“Liam has ridiculous taste in food,” she informed me, starting on her second sandwich. “And he’s starving at the strangest times.” She paused, a wistful look crossing her face. “I should have put details like that in the

agency’s reporting system, so you could know.”

Carrying a fresh cup of decaf over to the table for her, I leaned down and kissed her temple, trying not to wrinkle my nose at the smell of her food. “No more regrets,” I told her firmly.

It hurt to know that I’d missed out on so many sweet, intimate details of her pregnancy, but we already had enough regrets for a lifetime. “What matters,” I said, sitting down with my own mug, “is that I can start learning about them now.”

“Mmm,” she agreed, chewing. She made a fetching picture dressed in one of my shirts and borrowed shorts. She’d scooped her hair back in a messy bun, and she had peanut butter all over her fingers where it oozed out of her sandwich. She was everything I’d ever wanted.

My heart rate picked up as I watched her over the rim of my mug. I wanted to wake up to this every morning. To find out what weird things our son was craving and make them for her. To be there when she needed me, no matter the hour or reason. There was only one way to get that, but was it too soon?

No, I told myself decisively. She loved me, and she’d accepted that I loved her. Our baby was safe and healthy and due in two short months. I

couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

“Celeste,” I said, putting down my coffee. “If I built you a sewing studio here, will you move in with me?”

She dropped her sandwich, her eyes blowing wide. “You’d build me a new studio?” she asked, incredulously.

“You have your business,” I said. “I’d like you here with me if you’re willing, but I wouldn’t expect you to compromise your business.”

Pushing away from the table, she came around, and I turned toward her. Celeste dropped into my lap, and I wrapped my arms around her as she leaned in and gave me a very thorough, slightly sardine-flavored kiss.

“I absolutely want to move in,” she announced, jubilantly. She tilted her head, letting her forehead rest against mine. “I want to be here with you, always.”

I hugged her tighter, my heart bursting.

“Besides,” she added, coyly, leaning back to smirk at me. “I saw the nursery, and it’s beautiful. If you built me a space half as pretty as the one you set up for Liam, it'd be the best upgrade ever.”

I laughed. “I’ll let you design it,” I promised. “Anything you want.” I kissed her again, thrilled that I could. “How about we start making a plan to get you moved in after we’ve had showers?”

“Sounds perfect.” She beamed, then looked down at herself bemused. “I suppose I should stop stealing your clothes, even if they are comfortable.”

“Everything I have is yours,” I told her sincerely. “This is your home, too, now. You do whatever you want in it.”

She leaned in to kiss me again, only to pause in surprise when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock. I sighed. “Downsides of living with an Alpha,” I grumbled as she stood. “People at all hours.”

“You’re worth it,” she shrugged, smiling sweetly at me.

Grinning, I strode down the hallway to the front door. Pulling it open, I found all three of the Elders on the porch.

“Nathan,” Gideon said, smiling. “You’re looking better.”

“Never been better in my life,” I said, waving them in. “What brings you three out this early?”

“Business,” Daniel said, heading for the office.

“Kitchen,” I corrected him, starting back down the hall.

They exchanged glances but followed me. Back in the kitchen, I dropped back into my seat in the dining nook. Gesturing toward the coffee maker, I said, “Gideon, you know where the mugs are. If you’re going to be a while, you may as well get some coffee.”

“Celeste,” Phillip greeted, his surprise obvious. He and Daniel

examined the room before they took up positions leaning against the wall and counter, respectively.

Gideon helped himself to coffee and walked over to me, nudging my shoulder. “Move over,” he demanded, mock-grumpily. “Let an old man sit down.”

I snorted but scooted over. Gideon winked at Celeste as he sat. “Is that peanut butter and sardines?” he asked. “Mary used to eat sardines with everything when she was carrying Micah. It drove me to distraction.”

Celeste laughed and wiped her fingers on her napkin. “Nathan was very gracious to make it for me.”

“And I’ve been very gracious to let you in and offer you coffee before my shower,” I interjected. “So, why are you here?”

“Official business,” Daniel said, formally. “As Celeste no doubt informed you, Kurt and two of his Elders were killed during the fight two days ago.”

I nodded.

“As Kurt had no heir, his pack has collapsed into effective anarchy,” Daniel continued. “However, word of the incident has spread among packs in the region, and we’ve received several offers of solidarity. It seems that your decisive and powerful action has cemented our pack’s standing.”

“More to the point,” Gideon said, rolling his eyes at the other Elders and turning to me, “we’ve decided that since the other packs are already recognizing you as full Alpha, there is no reason for us to wait until your

child is born to do so. We’d like to hold the ceremony this weekend. Get it announced as soon as possible.”

I glanced at Celeste, who nodded subtly. “This weekend it is,” I

agreed. I reached for Celeste’s hand. “We’ll make it a double announcement

—I need to inform the pack that I’ve taken a mate.”