By the time Conrad finishes counting, Grace has fallen asleep, snuggled between Ethan’s and Nicolai’s wolves on the futon in the back corner of the pack house. She’s still in my line of sight, which eases some of the tension coiled tight in my chest. But it’s not enough. Not with all these wolves packed in here, so close to her, especially with her condition. The protectiveness surges through me like a tidal wave, and I force myself to stay calm, to keep my gaze steady.

Every instinct in me screams to get her out of here, to put distance between her and anyone who might be a threat. But I can’t—not yet. I settle for watching, my senses on high alert as I keep my focus locked on her, even as the rest of the room continues to buzz with energy.

Conrad hands me the sheet with the voting totals, and I study them carefully. The numbers reflect what I already suspected—most of the packs wish to remain split between the three larger packs. Well, technically, between the two largest packs. The combined might of the Volkov’s and my own have cemented us as the largest. The Jamerson’s follow closely behind, keeping a solid hold on the second spot.

With a deep breath, I raise my hands, calling for the attention of the gathered wolves. The murmur of conversations fades to a low hum as every eye in the hall turns to me. I can feel the tension thrumming beneath the surface, an electric charge that makes the air thick with anticipation.

“According to your votes, the divisions will remain as they currently are,” I announce, my voice steady and commanding. I give the room a moment to absorb the information before continuing. “The largest pack remains the combined packs of mine and the Volkov pack. Second largest is the Jamerson pack.”

Cheers erupt, a wave of sound crashing through the hall. I let it ride for a heartbeat or two before raising my hands again. The room falls quiet once more, and I can see the pride in their eyes, the satisfaction of wolves who know where they stand.

“We will, from now on, hold these meetings once a month to allow for fair voting on any recent issues that arise.” I glance around the room, locking eyes with as many wolves as I can, ensuring they know I’m speaking to every one of them. “Silent ballots will be used so that you can be heard without worrying about who knows what you chose.”

It’s a simple promise, but a necessary one. Trust is a fragile thing, and with the way things have been shaken up recently, I know we need to tread carefully. Transparency and fairness are paramount. I end the meeting with a nod, dismissing the gathered wolves.

“Take the time to enjoy the feast that’s been set out for you all,” I add, gesturing toward the long tables lined with steaming dishes and fresh game. The scent of roasted meats, baked breads, and rich stews fills the air, and I see smiles breaking out across the crowd.

As the wolves mingle, I let out a slow breath, rolling the tension from my shoulders. There’s still a long road ahead, but tonight feels like a victory. Two more months, I remind myself. Two more months before our next little miracles are born. The thought brings a smile to my face. With everything that’s happened, I can only hope Ethan finally gets his pup this time around. He’s been through so much—he deserves this.

My gaze drifts over the hall, landing on the different wolves, each representing a unique piece of our growing community. There’s an underlying hum of excitement, a unity that wasn’tthere before. The success of tonight’s meeting feels like a step in the right direction, but it’s a delicate balance. One misstep, one wrong move, and everything could fall apart.

I catch Conrad’s eye from across the room, and he nods, his expression serious. The look is a reminder of the responsibilities that still rest on my shoulders. For now, I let myself relax, just a fraction, knowing there will always be more work to be done. But tonight, for a few precious hours, we can celebrate as a pack.

Chapter 24

Grace

Today has beena whirlwind of emotions. Two appointments back-to-back, and I’m already feeling drained. My wellness checkup went smoothly—Dr. B confirmed the babies are doing great. Conrad and Lorcan joined me this time, and I’ll never forget the look on Lorcan’s face when he heard the little ones’ heartbeats for the first time. His smile was so wide, so genuine, it made my eyes sting with tears.

I close my eyes and reach out, sharing my sight with him, letting him see the ultrasound, the tiny shapes, and the fluttering movements. The awe in his expression is priceless, but I can’t hold it as long as I normally can. The little ones are definitely taking everything I’ve got this time around.

“The pups are growing great, Grace,” Dr. B says, her voice calm and reassuring as she helps me sit up. “Keep in mind, you’ll probably deliver early, up to two weeks. So after our next appointment, restrict your traveling as much as possible.” I watch as she scribbles something on her notepad, then hands it off to Conrad. “I’m going to send over some birthing supplies and give you the name of a local midwife who’s experienced indelivering multiples, just in case making it to the hospital isn’t an option.”

Conrad tucks the note into his inner jacket pocket, his expression calm and composed, but I catch the hint of worry in his eyes. Always the protector.

“Let’s get you ready for your next appointment, shall we?” He offers me his hand, strong and steady, and I let him help me off the table. I lend Lorcan my sight again so he can navigate over to the chairs outside the changing room. When he’s seated, I head inside to get ready for therapy. My mood lifts slightly as I pull on those soft, fuzzy maternity pants Barrett bought me. They’re heavenly against my skin, and I almost want to curl up and fall asleep every time I wear them.

Once I’m changed, we gather up Lorcan and head back to the car. I settle in beside him, resting my head on his shoulder, the weight of everything pressing down on me. “I don’t see why I still have to go to therapy. I feel better,” I sigh, wrapping my arm around him. It feels like such a waste of time.

“Lass, you gave up the Lunar wolf to save your mate. You have dominion over seven packs and hold more sway than the elders,” he murmurs, his lips brushing the crown of my head. I melt further into him, his warmth and scent soothing me more than words ever could.

“And don’t forget,” Conrad chimes in from the front seat, “you have three under three and three more on the way. In less than two months, we’ll have six under three years old.” He gives me a pointed look in the rearview mirror.

“Yeah, not my brightest idea, was it?” I chuckle, though there’s a note of self-awareness in my voice. I love our chaotic family, but I know what we’re up against.

“In a sense, it’s brilliance. The girls are mentally older than their chronological ages because of how much time they spend as their wolves. Deacon is slowly catching up to them, so we’ll have two helpers—possibly three—when the next babies arrive,” Conrad says thoughtfully, pulling into the parking spot outside the therapist’s office. His words settle something in me, reminding me we aren’t as alone in this as it sometimes feels.

He gets out and comes around to Lorcan’s side, opening the door and guiding him out before helping me. As I step out, the weight of the pregnancy hits me all over again. “Oof, these little ones are heavy,” I murmur, pressing my hands to my belly, trying to ease some of the strain.

Before I can say anything else, Lorcan steps up behind me, his hands sliding gently down my swollen stomach. He gives it a slight lift, and I practically moan at the relief that floods through me. It feels like a weight’s been taken off my spine, and I can finally breathe properly again.

“Feels good, doesn’t it, lass?” His voice is a soft rumble against my ear, and I lean back into him, letting my eyes flutter shut.

“Yes … oh gods, yes.” I almost melt right there in the parking lot, the relief making me weak in the knees. “You might have to carry me to therapy at this rate,” I murmur, half-joking, half-serious. He just chuckles, his hands still supporting the weight of our children.

“I’d be happy to, lass,” he replies softly. For a moment, I consider taking him up on it, but I know it’s important I walk in on myown two feet. Therapy is about more than just talking—it’s about showing up, no matter how hard it gets. And right now, I’ve got a hell of a lot to show up for.

I haveboth guys in the room with me this time—Conrad and Lorcan. Today’s focus is on the disconnect between Conrad and me. We worked on it a lot while he was away, but there are still several things that haven’t meshed. The tension between us is subtle, like a thread that’s stretched too thin, on the verge of snapping.