Page 14 of Wanted By the Cartel

"I went to see Mae today," he began. I could almost not make out what he was saying. "I needed to... I had to know for sure before I told you."

My wolf's attention snapped to full alert. Mae. The wise woman who helped omegas. Who specialized in...

Before I could complete that thought, Lyrian continued, "I'm pregnant, Zoren. With twins."

The world stopped. I would have eventually come to that conclusion on my own, but hearing it straight from his mouth was something else.

Everything—my breathing, my heartbeat, time itself—seemed to freeze for one eternal moment. Then it all crashed back with the force of an asteroid.

Twins. My mate was carrying my children. Two of them.

I knew this moment would eventually arrive, but still wasn't prepared for it.

"How..." I started, then moved closer, drawn by an instinct deeper than thought. My hands reached for him of their own accord, wanting to touch, to verify, to protect. "Are you sure?"

He nodded, tears glimmering in his eyes. And as for me, I still couldn't believe this was happening.

"Mae confirmed it. Six weeks along. And Zoren, they're... they're special. One with lunar magic, one with terra magic. A perfect balance. Mae says she's never seen anything like it."

The implications hit me like a physical blow. Moon-blessed twins, perfectly balanced in power. The potential of such children... and the danger they would face.

A lot of people would be hunting for them if they knew they were going to come. I had to keep it secret.

My arms wrapped around him, pulling him against my chest. His scent had changed—subtly, but now that I knew what to look for, it was obvious. Richer, more complex. Everything was changing.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, nuzzling his hair. "You've been worried about this alone. You know you can trust me."

He pressed his face into my neck, his hands fisting in my shirt. "I was scared. Everything's happening so fast, and these babies... they're going to change everything. I didn't know how you'd react. I'm sorry. I keep making bad choices."

A growl rumbled through my chest—not of anger, but of fierce protectiveness. "Look at me," I commanded, tilting his face up. "You are my mate. These are our children. Nothing in this world could make me happier or more determined to protect what's mine. You should have known this was going to be my reaction."

His eyes searched mine, and whatever he found there made his magic surge with relief and something deeper. The mate bond between us hummed with new intensity.

"They're going to need protection," he whispered. "Once word gets out—"

"No one will touch you or our children," I cut in, locking his eyes with mine. The very thought of anyone threatening my growing family made my wolf snarl. I wasn't going to allow it. "I swear it on my life."

My phone buzzed—someone from the cartel needing my attention. For the first time in my life, I ignored it. Nothing was more important than this moment, than my mate and the miracle he carried.

Whatever my cartel needed, it wasn't more important than this.

I sank to my knees before him, pressing my ear to his still-flat stomach. My enhanced hearing couldn't pick up heartbeats yet, but my magic could sense them—two tiny sparks of life, already burning bright with potential.

"My children," I breathed, awe and possession coloring my voice. "Our children."

Lyrian's fingers threaded through my hair, his fingers gentle but trembling. "I can feel them," he murmured. "Through my magic. They're so small, but already so strong."

Rising to my feet, I kissed him—tenderly at first, then with growing passion as the full impact of this news settled into my bones. He was carrying my children. My mate, my moon-blessed omega, was giving me the greatest gift imaginable. I couldn't be happier.

My phone buzzed again, with more persistence this time. Reality intruded, reminding me of the world beyond this moment. I didn't want to be reminded it existed.

The cartel leader in me snapped to attention, mind already racing with necessary changes and preparations. Security would need to be tripled. Our territory borders would need to be fortified. Every pack member would need to be vetted again, their loyalties confirmed beyond doubt.

A lot was going to change, but for the better, not to mention that all the changes were going to be necessary.

"What are you thinking?" Lyrian asked, noticing the shift in my demeanor. He could always notice the smallest things about me.

I cupped his face in my hands. "I'm thinking that everything changes now. The cartel, our security, our future—it all needs to be restructured around protecting you and our children."

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