Page 64 of Rescue Me

“Definitely to both of you,” Ethan growls without looking up, his frustration mounting as he flips a pancake and promptly burns it. He sighs dramatically and slams the spatula down. “I want to get married, okay? I want my sister there, and I want babies, and I want—” He looks up, his chest heaving with emotion and glares at us like we’ve offended him by just existing in his space.

I burst out laughing, doubling over and clutching my stomach. “Babies?” I choke out, wiping tears from the corners of my eyes. “Ethan, the only way we’re having babies is if Zana gets pregnant.”

Zana, mid-sip, nearly spits out the coffee she stole from me. “Excuse me?” she says, her voice sharp as she sets the mug down. “There will benobabies. I’m on birth control, thank you very much.”

But now my brain’s gone rogue, painting a picture of my Alpha—my fierce, sharp-edged Zana—with a baby bump. The image is so ridiculous and so…endearing that a wild grin spreads across my face before I can stop it.

“Oh, no,” Zana says, narrowing her eyes as I set the coffee cup on the table. “Reid. Don’t you dare—”

Too late. I grab her around the waist and toss her over my shoulder, her outraged yell muffled against my back as I make a beeline for the nest. “You’re not pregnant yet, Alpha,” I say with a laugh, “but we can work on it.”

“Reid!” she shouts, smacking my ass as I stride out of the kitchen. “I’m not doing this! Put me down!”

Ethan’s cackling behind us, scrambling to follow. “It doesn’t mean we can’tpractice!” he calls out, his voice bright with mischief.

I don’t stop until I’ve dumped Zana into the nest, her indignant glare piercing through me like a dagger. Ethan dives in right after, snuggling against her side with a satisfied hum. I collapse next to them, pulling Zana close even as she mutters threats under her breath.

“No babies,” she says firmly, poking my chest for emphasis. “Got it?”

“Loud and clear,” I say, grinning as I press a kiss to her forehead. “But Ethan’s right. Practicing is fun.”

Ethan giggles, his fingers lacing with mine. “Told you.”

Zana groans, but there’s a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she leans into us. Just before she flips me onto my back, I realize that I’m not in control of this game. “Just so you both know, I’ve got a lot of pent-up stamina. Both of you better be ready to get fucked today. And Ethan? Please go turn off the stove.”

I burst out laughing as Ethan darts out of the nest, yelling ‘shit’, seconds before the laughter turns into a drawn-out moan, Zana already seating herself on my cock.

“You’re right, baby. Practicing will be fun.”

“Alpha, I can’t get pregnant.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t try.”

Chapter thirty-nine

REID

Down the hall, Ethan stirs in his nest, mumbling something about flowers and guest lists. I glance toward the sound, a smile tugging at my lips. He’s been so wrapped up in wedding plans over the last week, he’s probably dreaming about place settings. It’s ridiculous and adorable and so very him. There isn’t even a date yet and he still hasn’t figured outwhohe wants to marry. Legally, he can only choose one but his singular focus is everything but that at the moment.

At least he’s resting. Dr. Bardin mentioned that his heat might show up now that everything has settled, mostly anyway.

Because now Detective Rourke is sitting on the couch, bringing me news about my ex-pack.

The court documents are fanned out on the coffee table, stark white paper and black ink spelling out every ugly truth I’ve spent months trying to ignore. I’m perched on the edge of the couch, stiff as a board, my hands clenching my knees. Beside me, Zana radiates calm, one leg crossed elegantly over the other as she always does. She leans a little closer, rubbing her arm against mine to give me a little comfort. It isn’t helping.

Across from us, Detective Rourke is laughing at me, probably because I look like I’ve seen a ghost. Which, honestly, isn’t far from the truth. He came an hour ago to hand Zana some information, my Alpha telling me that I’d want to hear about the update.

“Wait.” My voice cracks as I point to the papers. “How did no one know about this? How didInot know?”

Rourke’s grin widens, his teeth flashing. “The Wilhelms have a lot of damn money, kid. You’d be surprised what you can cover up when you’ve got deep enough pockets and your hands in every pot.”

Zana’s hand slips around my shoulder, her touch firm but reassuring as she pulls me closer into her side. “Not anymore,” she says smugly. “The moment I filed the lawsuit, they lost their right to pack Beta contracts. Permanently.”

I blink at her, trying to process the enormity of what she’s saying. “What about... the actual lawsuit, though? What was the outcome?” I’ve purposefully avoided any information about the Wilhelms, going so far as to change my number and make my socials friends only.

Rourke leans forward, elbows on his knees, his grin dimming. “Found two more victims. Betas, like you working for the Wilhelms, a similar nightmare. Turns out they’re mated into the same pack now. Zana hasn’t had the chance to reach out yet.”

Two more. My chest tightens. I stare at the papers again, the words blurring. I’ve spent so long trying to forget everything that happened, pretending it was just some terrible chapter I could close forever. But now… Knowing I wasn’t the only one? It’s like a punch to the gut and a lifeline all at once.

---