Page 73 of Protecting Their Omega

“Take Brielle home. I’ll call you in for a meeting later,” Alpha Wynn ordered.

I nodded and turned to Brielle, who looked pale but no worse for wear. It was a temporary victory, but we knew they wouldn’t back down easily. The promise of their imminent return hung in the air like a storm cloud.

Once we were sure the Council members were off the premises, I reached for Brielle’s hand.

“Let’s go home.”

She smiled and nodded. Silence fell as we left the Alpha’s house and walked the familiar path to our den.

A pup. Our pup.

Was it possible for a heart to feel heavy and light at the same time?

“Nervous?” Valor asked Brielle.

“Aren’t you?” she countered.

“Maybe a bit,” he admitted, raking a hand through his hair. “Can’t say I have much experience with pups.”

Her smile was soft, hesitant. “I do. I’m not concerned about the mechanics so much as the circumstances.”

“Let us worry about the circumstances,” Ezra said as he studied her face.

Noticing her frown, I jumped in. “Not to say you can’t be worried. Ezra just means it’s already being taken care of. Alpha Wynn has a plan. Everything will be over and done with long before our pup turns six.” The words were like a drug. A pup—our pup. Goddess. “There’s nothing they can do before then.”

She snorted but didn’t argue. “This doesn’t mean you win,” she muttered.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

My gaze dropped to her stomach, and my hands itched to feel the life inside her.

“What?” she asked softly.

Why am I so nervous?

Her voice caressed my ears as she whispered, “Korren?”

Shit, I must have been quiet for too long.

Ezra and Valor watched the exchange with interest.

“Can I touch . . .” My eyes went to her abdomen.

She halted and followed my line of sight. “Oh. Can you feel it?”

“I can. But if you don’t want me to, that’s okay. I just thought maybe we all could feel.” I glanced at Valor and Erza. “If that was something you guys were up for.”

“You can project the feeling of our child?” Brielle asked, her voice awed. I nodded. “Then yes, Korren. Please.”

I pressed my hand to her abdomen. Power bloomed in my chest and slid toward my fingertips. I unleashed it, allowing my ability to search through layers of skin and muscle. I took a deep breath when I found the blessing at her center. There, curled in Brielle’s womb, was a flicker of light—our child.

Wild, hopeful, and new.

I opened our bond and pushed the feeling toward my family, letting it spill into the joined parts of our souls.

Our joy, love, and determination wound together until we were no longer four unique strands.

We were braided together as one.

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