Page 31 of Pack Plus Three

“Of course, I remembered...and I may have asked Devon what you eat. Though there is a raspberry and honey cake for dessert, so I don't know how healthy that really is.”

His arms tightened around me, and he kissed the top of my head. “I will never complain about desserts, Duckie.”

We stayed like that, wrapped around each other, for several minutes.

“We should probably go eat,” I said begrudgingly.

“But it's so nice having you here,” he grumbled, pulling me tighter to him.

I sighed. I wouldn’t disagree. I could very quickly become attached to being in his arms. There was a sense of security there that made me feel at ease.

Unlike my past relationships, when I was with Jeremy, I felt safe. He wasn't going to betray me or mistreat me. He was a genuinely amazing guy, and I had faith in him.

“I don't want to move, either, but the veggies are going to burn if I don't get them soon,” I admitted.

“Ugh, fine, then. Go rescue the disgusting vegetables, even though I'm sure they're not disgusting because you made them.” Jeremy sighed dramatically, gently pushing me toward the kitchen.

I reached for the oven mitts, but he swiped them away before I could even touch them, pulling the tray of roasted vegetables out of the oven with a smile.

“I was about to do that.”

“I'm here, and I can be helpful.”

“You must be tired from the game. Hockey looks like a lot of work.”

“It is, but I'm used to it.” He shrugged. “Did you watch?” he asked, nodding toward the TV, where the sports station still played.

“I had it on in the background while I cooked. It’s really hard to keep up with, though. You guys all look so small on camera, and you're moving so fast.”

“Maybe one day, if you're feeling good, you can come watch the game in person? The players have access to several of the boxes. Three of the guys on the team are a part of the same pack, and their fourth pack member is often in one of the boxes with their omega, watching. Devon or Nate can come with us, and they can show you where the boxes are, because I've gotta go warm up. I'd love to have you there for one, though.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “That does sound fun. Maybe once my ankles are no longer the size of swollen sausages and the little parasite isn't draining me of all my energy?”

Was it wrong to suggest doing something so far in the future? Part of me still felt like we had a time limit. Soon enough, I would have to focus on being a mother. And Jeremy would go back to his glitzy life and his packhouse.

“That sounds perfect. Hey, maybe when the little one is a few months old, you can bring them. People often bring their kids. They just make sure they wear those big ear defenders. They are honestly so stinking cute!” His face lit up as he thought about babies wearing ear defenders. I had to agree with that sentiment and, as he spoke, my chest both tightened and swelled at the same time. He was talking like he was going to be in my life for many months.

That shouldn't have been so exciting.

“Have I told you lately you’re amazing?” Jeremy moaned, leaning back. “I’m so full. That food was amazing.”

“No room for cake, then?” I asked with a smile.

He looked at me in abject horror. “There’s always room for cake!” he insisted, standing up and grabbing both our empty plates, taking them over to the sink and rinsing them, Gilbert hot on his heels, begging for scraps.

“Aren't you supposed to be an athlete? At the rate you're eating cookies and cake, you're not going to be an athlete for much longer,” I teased, trying to get up from my chair and struggling because of my abnormally large stomach.

“Bring it on.” Jeremy laughed from the sink. “I will be more than happy with a dad bod.”

I would also be more than happy with his dad bod, I thought as I slowly made my way over to him. Jeremy's current body was physically amazing; it was all hard lines and defined muscles, making it obvious how much he worked out. There was a small part of me—that inner omega of mine—that loved the idea of fattening him up a little bit with all the baked goodies I made. Giving my alpha all the baked treats and seeing the results.

“What are your plans for the evening?” I asked as I pulled out the cake and a few dishes to serve it with. “What do you usually do after a game?”

“It depends on how the game went, honestly,” he said as he placed the rinsed dishes in the dishwasher and dried his hands on a kitchen towel. “If the game went well, I would probably be lazy for the evening, and if it went badly, I may go to the gym and work out some extra stress in the form of a run or a few rounds with the punching bag.”

“Guess it's good the game went well today, then. Once we've had our cake, I'll leave you to rest.”

“Or you could stay? I just subscribed to a new streaming service, so we can check out what’s on there…”

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