Page 111 of All In

“Every omega is different.” Dr. Garza spins in his rolling chair to face Ranger. “Some continue to have pretty severe cravings for pheromones and semen throughout the pregnancy. Others taper off.” He shrugs. “I take the stance that her system will make its needs known. Listen to that, and you’ve done all you can. The majority of miscarriages happen within the first trimester. You’re finding out a little later than some, so you only have another month or so to go before you hit the second trimester.”

“I’m still baffled that I haven’t had any nausea.” Laken sits forward on the exam table. “Is that a bad sign? I swear I heard that somewhere, but I guess it could be an old wives’ tale.”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” the doctor says, spinning to face her. “You may still experience some as you go along, but don’t stress if you don’t.”

Locke wraps his arm around Laken’s shoulders. “Any other questions?”

Her head shakes.

Ranger opens his mouth, likely to move down the bullet point list on his phone, but I wrap my hand around the screen.

“The doctor has other patients. Let’s save some questions for our next visit.” I grin shamelessly while praying he doesn’t stab me.

“That, I do.” Dr. Garza stands. “But I’ll be happy to answer another ten when I see you next month.”

I snort.

That wasn’t an exaggeration. Ranger has no shame about monopolizing the doctor’s time.

Immediately upon arriving back at the house, Bless and Stacia pull Locke and Ranger away to talk. Maverick, Gunner, and the dogs perk up at the sight of the take-out bags, but they stay put, likely to be in on the conversation about to be had.

I personally couldn’t give a shit less about any of that.

I follow Laken into the kitchen and drop the mountain of bags containing the food containers on the table.

She puts down the bag of crap they gave us at the doctor’s. Her long hair falls over her shoulders and around her face as her palms flatten against the wood.

I try to feel her out in the bond, slowly sliding up behind her. One hand lands on her hip and the other pulls her hair back from her neck. “How are you doing?”

She scoffs. “Well, that was a mindfuck.”

“I noticed the doctor didn’t mention your options, but I’m pretty sure you’re early enough that there are choices available, if you decide you don’t want to be pregnant right now.” I kiss her throat just below her ear. “A lot has happened in the last few weeks, and I just want you to know that I support you in whatever you decide.” I move my hand from her hip to loop around her stomach as I pull her back to my chest.

“Thanks, Tanner.” She twists her head to blink up at me over her shoulder. Her eyes are so bright, they always throw me off a little. She wraps her hand around mine on her middle, giving me a pat. “Everything with you is just…easy. You always make me feel safe.”

I bend, brushing my lips over hers. “You know I’ve got you, firecracker. I think I’ve been all in since you mean-mugged the hell out of me and told me I better get them before they get us when I took you to the bathroom at the Andretti mansion.”

We eat together, and afterward, Laken is exhausted. I think she’s mentally worn out. I accompany her upstairs and cuddle with her in Ranger’s bed until she falls asleep.

At some point soon, all of us are going to need to come to terms with the fact it’s actually the pack bedroom, not Ranger’s bedroom, but that’s a fight for another day. Or it is, until I sneak out after Laken falls asleep. I wanted to check in with the others and see what was discussed with Bless, but once the door closes…

I realize I don’t have access to let myself back in. I’m unreasonably pissed as I stomp downstairs and look for Ranger.

Maverick and Gunner are still in the living room, stretched out on the couch. Maverick has his phone in his hand and a wide grin on his face as they both study the screen.

“Any idea where Ranger and Locke disappeared to?” I ask, scratching my beard.

“Basement, but get your ass over here and look at this,” Maverick says, waving a hand. I walk around the back of the couch and lean over. “How likely do you think it is that Ranger will toss us down there when he spots this?”

My eyes widen as I check out the puppy. It’s definitely a Belgian Malinois or a German Shepherd.

“You got Laken a puppy?” I snort.

“Yup, she’s sixteen weeks old, potty-trained, and she just completed her first round of personal protection training.” Maverick chuckles. “They’re pretty useless for the first year or two, but that time is all about bonding. If you keep up her training, you’ll have a beast completely capable of taking down a full-grown man in less than three years.”

“Ranger hates dogs,” I say, trying not to give in to the adorable puppy face. If Ranger won’t let us keep her, then I can’t let myself get attached.

“Not even close,” Maverick says. “He used to play with them all the time when they were puppies?—”

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