Page 116 of Three of a Kind

I give him a nod and send my appreciation toward both of them in the bond.

Gunner purrs, teasing his hand down my back. He lies stretched out on the couch, and I’m on top of him with my face on his chest. I don’t know where he found the super soft cotton blanket that’s wrapped around my back, but I might have to steal it if it’s not important to Bless.

I keep most of my weight off my stomach by using my knees and forearms to support myself. The baby has been moving around, but it’s playful wiggles, or possibly, the kid is doing jumping jacks in there.

“Damn,” Gunner says, laughing. “I felt that.”

“He or she is seriously active right now.”

“When is your next doctor’s appointment?” he asks, moving his hand to cradle the back of my head.

“Um, shit.” I frown, trying to rack my brain to produce that information. “It’s supposed to be next week, but?—”

“We’ll get you in as soon as we get back to Virginia. The doctor is a coworker’s brother, but there’s also a female doctor if you’d prefer.”

My head shakes. “I don’t mind either way, but that’s another big thing to worry about. Avan always privately paid for all of mine and Libby’s appointments.”

“We’ll add you to our plan,” Gunner says. “Which means we’ll need to apply for a pack commitment license, but don’t stress. We’ve got time. It won’t break the bank to pay for an appointment or two out of pocket. Have you given any thought to if you’d like to learn the gender?”

My heart thumps erratically, but I nod against his chest. “Yeah, I’m not against it. I think it kind of messed with my head last time. Avan’s entire demeanor changed when he learned that she was a girl. Then, the pressure and stress of wondering if this baby would be a boy…”

“It would make it easier when we plan for the nursery, but I’m not opposed to waiting.” He sounds so sincere, but it’s feeling it in the bond that truly sets me at ease. “My mom didn’t find out with any of us, but she admitted she wanted to with my sister.” He laughs. “She’s the youngest, and my parents already had two boys. They knew they were going to be done after number three, and my mom was worried she’d be disappointed with another boy.”

It’s nice hearing Gunner talk for a change. He’s an excellent listener, but he rarely opens up about himself.

Locke comes into the living room and takes a seat in the club chair. My head tilts until I can see his face.

I feel like he’s been purposely giving me space because of how similar he and Avan look. The main difference is Locke has long hair that he often wears in a bun on the back of his head.

He sees me looking and smiles. “Did you know my omega is also pregnant? The babies will be cousins.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat and remind myself Bless trusts him. There’s also a reason he’s estranged from his family.

“You live in Virginia too?” I ask.

“We do,” Locke says, nodding. “I’ve been in Chicago for basically the last ten years. Compared to that, Virginia is paradise. There’s so much space. Libby will have a real backyard to run around in.” He scratches his jaw. “Wait, you and Maverick have to have a backyard for the dogs, right?”

Gunner snorts, still trailing his hand up and down my spine. “Yes, we have a backyard. A pretty spacious front yard that’s away from the main road too.”

They’ve told me a little about their house, but it’s hard to imagine.

I’m not picky.

Settling in anywhere sounds like heaven when my life has been so chaotic lately.

“Well, I’m not trying to pressure you into accepting me as family or anything, but Laken and I will be around if you or Libby need anything,” Locke says.

I give him a soft smile. “I appreciate that. It’s kind of daunting to realize I won’t know anyone.”

My head tilts as noises head our way, and Noble gets closer in the bond. He’s not frantic, but he’s got one thing on his mind—me.

He stomps around the couch and lifts me without saying a word. I wobble in his hold as my center of gravity changes, and my hand wraps around his neck. Once I finally feel like I know which way is up, Noble takes a seat on one of the chairs. He sits me sideways across his lap and runs his hand over my stomach.

“Are you okay?” I ask as Ranger and Soren come into the living room.

“I’m good,” Noble lies.

I frown, trying to decide if I should give him the chance to talk about it later without an audience.

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