Page 107 of All In

Laken

Ranger is gone by the time I wake up, but I’m sandwiched between Tanner and Locke, so that’s still a winning morning in my book.

Locke gives me a lazy kiss, patting my hip. “I’ve got to run down and check my phone.”

“Don’t forget to clean the breakfast table.” Tanner chuckles behind me, and his warm breath fans over my neck, making me shiver. “Ranger’s nonstop ranting woke me out of a dead sleep. I thought he was going to pop a blood vessel.”

“He’s still adjusting to pack life,” I say on autopilot.

“It’s very cute that you, of all people, defend him.” Tanner kisses my temple. “The man is more than capable of sticking up for himself.”

“I will work on cleaning the table,” Locke says, scooting closer to my front. “Also check to see if there’s anything to cook for breakfast. Have you had any morning sickness?”

“No, not yet.”

Locke pecks a kiss on my lips. “Good.”

I follow his mouth as he pulls back, and he gives me a much deeper goodbye kiss with extra tongue.

He gets up to leave the nest, and I roll over to face Tanner.

“I’m a little shocked Ranger bonded you. If it was going to be one of the two last night…” He laughs. “My money was on Chicago Guy. That was a hell of a public declaration. Not many people would risk going to war with Ranger.”

“So, as it turns out, there’s a good possibility that, if I am pregnant, the baby is actually Locke’s. I didn’t mean to lie to you about our relationship, but I guess that I took my anxiety meds with wine and…” My hand flies to cover my face. “I forgot I had sex with him.”

I’m not expecting the hearty belly laugh that comes from Tanner, but I pull my hand down, studying his perfect teeth as he grins.

“Damn, woman, that had to be awful for his self-esteem. I know it would sting if that was me.”

“Yeah, I need to put some real effort into growing up.”

“You’re twenty-one. I was a fucking disaster in my early twenties. We’ve been over this before, but you’ve got to start giving yourself more grace.” He kisses my nose. “Now, let’s take a shower and figure out what the plan is for today.”

There’s pure chaos in the living room as we pass.

Locke stands near the front door, having a heated conversation with his cousin, Bless, and the other woman who seemed to be in charge during the whole thing that happened on the way home yesterday.

Tanner shrugs, tightening his arm around my shoulders and leading me toward the kitchen.

“Listen to me, Ranger,” Annika says. I recognize Ranger's sister's voice, even before we step into the kitchen. “You can’t just marry anyone you damn well please. You also can’t keep her trapped here until she develops Stockholm syndrome and stops fighting to go back to her old life.”

Vale nods, bouncing baby Aurora in her arms. “You’ve got to at least let her call her family.”

Ranger growls, pointing at Vale. “I listened to two-hundred-and-ten seconds of this from you last night. Once my brain hears something, it’s stored for eternity. Repeating yourself is tedious and unnecessary. I already spoke to the facility Lyra is housed in. They’re making a onetime exception, but she won’t be able to call until six this evening.” He turns to his sister. “And I don’t need any advice from you, either.”

Tanner releases me with a shove on the rump as I race toward my obviously crabby alpha.

Ranger catches sight of me and startles as I chuck myself at him. It’s nice always knowing he’ll catch me.

“I can talk to my sister tonight?” I ask, cradling his jaw with my hands as he wraps me around his front.

He nods. “Yes, but the call will be monitored by one of the staff, so try to keep the illegal details to a minimum.”

I freaking squeal, pushing my lips to his.

“Aww, damn. Stockholm got her so hard,” Annika says, laughing.

“I think it’s sweet,” Vale says as I devour my alpha in a tantalizing kiss.

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