Page 93 of Vegas Baby!

“I’m fine. Be right out.”

I hustled into my clothing, shoving my phone into my purse. I would deal with Charlotte later.

Janessa took me to the room where the pack was waiting and I slid onto the bed, rolling my shirt up over my belly. Luke and Bryce settled on each side of my head, both holding my hands. Jesse and Micah stood on the same side as Bryce so it was easier for them to see the screen.

“Are you feeling all right?” Bryce asked quietly. “You seem more stressed than usual through the bond.”

“Just nervous,” I lied. “I’ve always been anxious at medical appointments.”

He kissed my temple, his tangy cranberry and rum scent soothing me. “We’re all right here for you.”

Janessa squeezed some warm gel onto my belly and spread it around before placing the ultrasound wand against my skin. Almost instantly the sound of my baby’s heartbeat filled the room.

“Whoa,” Micah whispered. “That’s a real baby in there.”

I laughed. “What else did you think I had stashed in here?”

“I mean, I know it’s a baby, but it’s different when I can hear the heartbeat.”

Sweet flickers of awe and affection floated down the bond from Bryce and Jesse. That brought me more peace than anything else. I settled in more comfortably, Janessa sweeping the wand around to show an image of the baby sucking their thumb.

“Still firm on not wanting to know the sex?” she asked.

“Yes. I want it to be a surprise.”

“Their head is as big as yours, Luke,” Micah joked.

Luke didn’t laugh, though; he was focused entirely on the screen, his fingers warm around mine. “I can’t believe that’s our kid.”

Ourkid.

I held tightly to that word, knowing he said they were ours, not just mine.

“Baby is right on track for growth,” said Janessa. “Everything looks really good. I’ll get a bunch of screenshots and print off copies for each of the families if you’d like.”

“Sure, that sounds great.”

Watching my alphas be absolutely transfixed by the images on the screen was almost as cool as the first time I had seen them myself. They were socutecoming to terms with this extra layerof baby reality. In a very short time we’d be holding the baby instead of just looking at an ultrasound.

Bryce kissed my hair. “I can’t wait to meet them.”

“I can’t either.”

Now, if only I could figure out what the hell was going on with Andrew’s wife, this would all be perfect.

They all knew something was wrong while we were shopping, but I brushed it off as being tired. The very brief conversation with Charlotte turned over and over in my head. This was my opportunity to get to know her, to learn about her children, but she was very clearly misinformed about who I was.

I needed to tell my pack, but I was pretty sure they would caution me against talking to Charlotte at all. I would tell them, just…maybe after I got more info out of her.

“Let’s get some lunch,” Jesse suggested. “See if that perks you up.”

I ate half of a chicken rice bowl, Luke polishing off the rest for me. I did feel better after eating, but I was no less distracted. I needed to know what Charlotte thought was going on without ruining my chances of learning anything.

Jesse ran me a bath and I slipped into it, blessedly alone for my soak, my thoughts churning. Once I figured out what was going on, I would talk to my pack.

Holding my breath, I tapped out a message to the last person I wanted to talk to.

Ava:

---