Page 61 of Breeding Clinic

Bitch why didn’t you fucking lead with that?

OMG!

I want this house so bad

But I can’t tell if it’s a good idea or nesting instincts driven by hormones

Is this crazy?

I can’t tell anymore

It’s not crazy

But play it smart

I know

I will

I draft an email to my lawyer while sitting in the driveway of my dream house. A month ago I asked her to write up a pre-pack agreement. But then I couldn’t pull the trigger. It was hard to deny the urge to wait until the third trimester. But now… I’ve felt her move. Seen her face. This baby is real, and this house might not be on the market by then. I’ll regret it if I don’t try to get this house.

Part of me can’t believe I’m doing this again. Potentially getting mated. Signing up to get brought into an already formed pack. One that doesn’t need me to survive, only to be their breeder. But those thoughts are my fears whispering darkthoughts to me. Old insecurities rearing their head. Because I was easy to discard once.

But I want to have their babies. I want the future they’re offering me. A big house full of love and life. Snuggling my children in our nest. Reading them bedtime stories and kissing their scraped knees. Dressing the entire family up in matching costumes for Halloween. Seeing their faces light up on Christmas morning. Showing them all of the amazing things in the world.

But this time it’s going to be different. I’m not a young, naive omega anymore. I’m going into it with a clear head and legal protection. Because I refuse to spend weeks in mediation, arguing overstuff. Vacation properties and furniture and cars. Having to sit opposite the pack that didn’t want me anymore while our lawyers fought on how best to split up assets and what to liquidate so I could be bought out.Rejected.It was humiliating.

I have more to protect now. A carefully mended broken heart. A daughter on the way. And the experience to know I never want to repeat that awful separation process ever again.

Once the email whooshes, I know I’ll get the paperwork overnighted to me in the mail in a day or two. I take a deep breath and put my car into reverse. It’s time for dinner. And time to lay all my cards down on the table.

If they’re not all in, I’d rather learn it now.

Chapter Fourteen

MATTHEW

The door opensand Kat comes in while I’m basting the roasting chicken. “Hey, perfect timing. Want to help set the table?” I ask. “Gabriel and Liam are dealing with a beer delivery.”

“Sure.” She tucks her long hair behind her ear. Her nervous tick. “I actually wanted to talk to you.”

“Oh?”That doesn’t sound good.

I shut the oven and put the baster down on the spoon rest, then take off my oven mitt. Is this because she and I haven’t… I’ve tried to show her in other ways that I care. Cooking her favorite dishes. Watching the movies she likes with her. Has it not been enough? Is being her friend not enough for the sake of our pack?

“Some of your family are lawyers, right?”

My stomach flip flops with nerves, and my thoughts veer in a totally different direction. “That sounds serious. Is everything okay?” She’s not changing her mind, right?

“Yeah, everything’s fine, but… what kind of lawyers are they?”

Is she in trouble? “My uncle is an estate lawyer. And I havea cousin who does family law and another who does criminal law.”

“Would your cousin be able to look something over for you?” she asks.

I busy myself with turning over the vegetables I have browning in the cast iron. “I’m sure they would if I asked them to. What’s going on? Can we help?”

“I’d rather tell everyone all at once.”

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