Page 28 of Rhubarb 2 Go

I was giving birth to alpha shifters.We knew that already.How a beta and an omega could produce alphas we didn’t know, but they’d informed us the second they started talking.Did I mention they could do that?Apart from freaking out the town, the other thing they did was talk, endlessly.To me, to their Papa, to Tim and his babies, to Maximus and Crimson.Anyone who would listen.Ricky was enchanted by his chatty babies and spent hours with his ear pressed against my belly.

I shifted back to my human form and kissed Ricky.“I’m hungry,” I confessed.I usually munched on fresh grass while Ricky took time out in the soil, but there were times only human food would do.

“Drew made us a veggie lasagna,” he said, slinging an arm around my shoulders and holding me close as I leaned in.“When the alarm went up, he said you’d need it.”

Drew knew me well.I was feeding for seven now and I was always hungry.It was amazing I wasn’t twice the size.

As we walked to the house, Ricky pressed a kiss to my forehead.“Maximus is worried.”

“I know.”I heaved a sigh.

“He’s got a point.If you faint halfway up the pole…”

I was glad he left it there.No one needed to remind me I had precious cargo on board.“I know that, too.”

“Baby, we’ve got to convince the little rascals that they can climb with Papa when they’re born.Everyone who talks to them has got to convince them.”

I snorted.“Good luck with that one, Papa.”

He shoved me up against the side of the house, pinning my hands above my head, his mouth hovering over mine.“No one's gonna hurt my beautiful, glorious, sexy ballsy-bull.Not even our babies.”He placed a hand over my belly.“You’re mine, all mine.”

The aromas of rhubarb and custard intensified between us.Then he kissed me so beautifully, my toes curled, and my inner bull was ready to roll over and show his belly.All that possession was mine.

The whole pride was waiting impatiently for us when we joined them, looking a little more flushed, but who could blame me.

“We thought you’d gotten lost,” Maximus said impatiently.

“Just having a discussion with my omega,” Ricky said cheerfully, giving me a saucy wink.

Tim arched an eyebrow.“With your tongue down his throat?”

“That’s the one,” Ricky agreed, not at all embarrassed at being called out.

I was not going to blush.

I was not.

I rolled my eyes at my epic fail.I went the same shade as Randy’s hair.Ricky smirked and led me to the table.We’d barely sat down when there was a knock at the door.

Randy sighed, dug out his wallet, and handed a note to Drew.

“Told you he’d be here today,” Drew crowed in delight.

“Who?”Apollo asked.

Randy grunted and headed toward the door.To absolutely no one’s surprise, except perhaps Apollo, Glass appeared behind Randy.

“Hey.”He looked uncomfortable, his gaze zeroing in on Apollo.

Apollo went several shades of rhubarb and he looked as if he was about to bolt when Tim clamped a hand around his wrist.The lion couldn’t go anywhere unless he took Tim with him, and that wasn’t going to happen with Maximus right there.

“Come in, Glass,” Maximus said.“Do you want to eat?Drew made veggie lasagna.”

At Glass’s nod, we all shuffled up, which meant Drew had to press against me from head to foot.Like I’d mind that when we were the best of friends?Of course, that meant the only place available then was next to Apollo, who glared at his alpha.

Maximus gave him his ‘you wanna fight me?’expression.

Like Apollo would fight his alpha.But to my amusement, Glass was glaring at Maximus.Now this was a stalk who’d fight the alpha lion without thinking about it.

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