Page 50 of Embraced By the Alpha Pack

“There’s plenty of time to find out.” Agnes smiles and turns back to the stove to pile the breakfast foods onto a tray. “We’ll bring breakfast to Gracie so she can regain her strength.”

Conrad must have gone out to the pack house and returned because he has one of the catering trolleys with him. “Will this work?” He rolls it close to Agnes and takes the pitchers from the second shelf and fills them with juice and ice water.

“It’s perfect Con. Don’t forget plates and cups and plenty of napkins.” Agnes offers helpfully as she plates the last of the food to take back to Grace.

When the cart is full, we roll quietly down the hallway and to Barrett’s door. Quietly, I turn the knob and signal Conrad to turn off the hall light. Agnes rolls the cart in and a low growl comes from the nest. “Gracie, Agnes has brought you food.” The new scent in the room made her uncomfortable for a moment.

“Nic, I’m hungry…” Grace whines from inside the nest.

Having heard his mother, my son cries, and next thing I know I have a very angry-looking Grace staring at me. “What did you do?” She growls out before snatching our child from my arms.

“Nothing, he heard you.” I throw my hands up in a placating manner, trying not to be murdered by my mate.

“He’s hungry.” Gracie says as she pulls her shirt down and to the side and our son latches on. She climbs back into the nest and settles in. Nic and Ethan move like a well-oiled machine, setting up the pillows around Grace so she can recline and feed the baby.

I make up a plate and crawl into the nest. “Can I feed you? You kinda of have your hands full.” I laugh a little and wave a piece of bacon at her.

Laughing, Grace leans forward and takes a bite of the offered bacon. “I like this version of you best. The caring, engaged mate.” She looks down at our son, then back up again. “Its tough being a leader. But you have brothers you can lean on for support. Share the burden and don’t forget you have a family at home that loves and needs you, too.”

Grace’s words hit like a sledgehammer to my chest. We were all closer to mom because Dad always had pack business to attend to. I’ve barely been around because of pack business. Fuck, I’ve become my father. “I will. Ethan, Conrad, and I will rotate duties so that we all have time at home with you and the children.”

I watch as the puppies scoot closer to their new sibling and then shift. The two chubby toddlers reach out to lay a hand on the baby in Gracie’s arms. “Girls, you have a brother.” Gracie smiles and her eyes take on a soft golden glow as she looks at the children.

“What’s she doing, mom?” Nic asks as he moves to the cart to make himself a plate.

“She’s forming a bond between the children so they can always find each other.” Agnes smiles as she looks into the nest where Grace and Barrett are still snuggled together with the children.

“Keep in mind boys, she is going to be volatile for a while, especially if all three pups are close to her. No outsiders in the nest with her or even close. You will see a vicious side of your mate that will rival Ethan’s rage.” Agnes says. Her words make me look at Ethan and even he has paled at the thought.

“After seeing Grace mad over the babies being stolen, I really don’t want to see her go off the deep end.” Ethan says and moves to fill a second plate to pass in to Barrett to feed Grace.

“We are supposed to have a meeting with the other alphas next week.” Conrad mentions as he looks down at the calendar on his phone.

“I gave birth. I am not dead.” Grace’s voice holds a growl to it that makes the hair on my arms stand on end. “The meetings will go as planned.” The glow in her eyes intensifies as she stares right at me.

“If that is what you want, then that is what will happen.” I lean back further into the nest, pressing myself against the side, trying to look smaller.

“What are you doing, Griffin? You look constipated.” She arches a brow, studying me. That is, until Ethan laughs and she turns to stare him down. He holds his hands up and backs away. That’s a first.

“Just giving you space.” I offer gently.

“We need to name the new baby.” Grace’s eyes search all of ours. Her eyes finally lock on mine and I glance at my brothers, then back at her.

“Any suggestions?” I look around the room again and each of my siblings looks away. They know if they help name mine, I will help name theirs.

“Phoenix, Cyrus, Liam, Deacon…” Barrett reads from a list on his phone and one of the names triggered Grace’s eyebrow to shoot up.

“Say that list again.” She turns and stares at our baby in her arms.

“Phoenix, Cyrus, Liam, Deacon…” Barrett reads the names slower this time. At the name Deacon, he opens his eyes and looks up at his mother.

“Deacon…” Grace says again and our son coos hearing the name. “Deacon Griffin Murphy, you get daddy’s first name as your middle name. Lucky for you, your eyes are my color. She-wolves of the world beware. Mommies eyes and daddy’s black hair, you are going to be a dangerous man when you get older.” Grace’s grin turns feral as she looks down at Deacon.

“Anyone hurts my baby, mommy will rip them limb from limb. There won’t be enough left to put in a body bag.” The tone she hits is sickenly sweet, but the look on her face and the feeling through the bond screams dangerously. Mom smiles at Agnes before she leaves the room to handle setting up for the rest of the day.

Conrad picks up his phone and walks out of the room. He’s calling in the birth to the clinic and giving them the date and time. “Grace?” He steps back into the room briefly.

“Yeah?”

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