Page 48 of Hunted

16

MACK

The next morning, Aerin is visiting with her grandparents while I’m finishing up the surprise in the nursery.

I take a step back and I’m admiring all my hard work when the nursery door swings open and Bennett steps in.

He whistles under his breath. “That sure is something.”

I frown at him. “Something Aerin and Thumper will like? Or something I should pull down immediately and burn?”

He flashes me a grin. “Something they will both love.”

“Are you sure?”

He claps my shoulder. “I’m sure.”

I know how to make Aerin happy. Know how to be an Alpha and keep my pack safe.

But this…

“I have no idea how to be a dad, Bennett, and I am terrified I’m going to fuck something up.”

“You won’t fuck anything up.”

“I might drop Thumper,” I tell him. “That would be a pretty big deal.”

“You won’t drop the baby.”

“Says every person who has ever accidentally dropped something,” I say, looking at the nursery with a critical eye.

Everything is ready.

The crib, the dresser, the closet full of clothes Aerin and I bought, and the rest of the pack gave as gifts. The changing table. The rugs and curtains.

And my surprise.

“You’ll be fine,” Bennett assures me.

I raise my eyebrow. “This is going to be you in a few months. You know that, right?”

He grins at me. “I do. And I can’t wait.”

“Just wait until the self-doubt hits you.”

“About being a dad or about your surprise?”

“All of it.” I consider my response for a little longer. “The surprise, mostly.”

“I offered to help,” he reminds me.

He did.

I turn away from my surprise for Aerin. One I hope she will love. “But I wanted this to be something I did for her with my own hands.”

“Aerin will love it.”

“You think?” I’m not sure.

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