Page 36 of Finding Forever with the Alpha Pack

“So, in your own words, Conrad, how do you feel about being back?” Mark’s voice is calm, yet there’s a weight to his question as he looks up from his notes, his gaze expectant.

Conrad shifts uncomfortably in his chair, his shoulders stiff. “A little better,” he admits, glancing at me briefly before looking away. His cheeks flush slightly as he continues. “We had a good amount of time together during her heat.” There’s a quiet vulnerability in the way he says it, and I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. “We’re supposed to have a picnic together this week, just the two of us.” He hesitates, his gaze dropping to his hands. “The guys and I have set up a rotation calendar for equal time with Grace.”

Mark’s pen pauses, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But it’s not enough, or it’s not working?” he asks softly, tilting his head as if to catch every nuance in Conrad’s expression.

Conrad’s mouth tightens, and I see the conflict in his eyes. “Gracie drifts mostly to Ethan and now Griffin. Barrett is alwaysat her side, helping with the children or pampering the hell out of her.” He bites his bottom lip, and I reach out, taking his hand in mine, squeezing gently. “Working full-time and trying to be present is difficult. I get Saturdays and Nicolai gets Sundays, since we both work off the property part of the week.”

My heart clenches at the raw honesty in his voice. “I didn’t know it affected you so much.” I tighten my grip on his hand, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over me. “You’re always with Barrett in your free time,” I add, shrugging slightly, as if it could lessen the weight of my words. But I’m jealous—jealous of the affection he shows our omega, the soft touches, and easy smiles that come so naturally to him.

Mark’s gaze shifts to me, studying me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. “You’re both jealous of the affections the others are showing you.” He glances down at his notes, then back up with a small, knowing smile. “There’s one free day, by my calculations. Set aside at least two hours away from everyone to spend time together. Even if it’s just to take a bath or have a meal alone. Something.”

The suggestion hangs in the air, and I see Conrad’s eyes flicker with hope. He nods, and I feel a tiny bit of the tension between us ease.

Mark turns his attention to Lorcan, who’s been listening quietly. “Lorcan, how do you feel you’re adapting to the family?”

Lorcan shifts slightly, his smile calm. “Very good. Grace moves between everyone as equally as possible, but we keep forgetting the pull to Ethan is because he turned her. Tha will never change.” He pauses, his smile widening as he continues. “Griffin is because the last baby born is his, and she’s helping him adapt to fatherhood.”

I feel my heart soften at the sincerity in his words, and I reach out, squeezing his hand. “Lass?” he murmurs, his voice low and gentle.

“Yes?” I close my eyes and lend him my sight, feeling the shift in his posture as he takes in the room through my gaze.

“It still weirds me out seeing you do that,” Mark mutters, a trace of unease in his voice.

Lorcan chuckles, his smile widening as he leans closer, his breath warm against my skin. “Tis a gift. I get to gaze upon my beautiful sweet mate.” His fingers brush my cheek, and I lean into the touch. “Grace does the best she can with havin’ four alphas, a blind beta, and a very affectionate omega. Bloody bastard got me to let him nap with me an’ the wee ones tha other day.” His chuckle is soft, filled with warmth. “Twas strange, but fine.”

A smile tugs at my lips, my chest swelling with affection. Moments like this remind me how much we take for granted, how lucky I am to have them, even when things get complicated.

“I’m very lucky to have such wonderful mates.” I keep my eyes closed, savoring the warmth of his touch, the steady rhythm of his breathing. I feel his lips press against mine, soft and lingering, before I slowly pull my sight back.

Mark clears his throat, his pen tapping lightly against the notebook in front of him. “Do we want to talk about the big topic or leave it for the next session?” His eyes flicker with concern as he glances between us.

“Next session,” I murmur, biting my bottom lip. I meet Conrad’s gaze and offer a small smile, but he knows—he understands what I’m not saying. We haven’t spoken about sacrificing theLunar wolf to save Griffin as a family yet. The weight of it still hangs over me, a shadow that I can’t quite shake off. I feel better, more whole in some ways, but a part of me feels like I killed something inside myself that day. And yet … I know, without a doubt, I would do it all over again. Without hesitation.

We leave the appointment,and for once, I decide to sit up front with Conrad. I can see the flash of surprise on his face as I slide into the passenger seat, but he doesn’t comment. He knows how much it terrifies me to be up front, ever since the accident with Nicolai all those months ago. The way his gaze lingers on me, concerned but not pushing, makes my chest tighten with warmth.

“You don’t need to be up here if it makes you uncomfortable,” Conrad says softly, his voice a low murmur as he reaches out, resting his hand gently on my thigh. The familiar weight of his touch steadies me, and I breathe through the spike of anxiety that bubbles up.

“I know,” I reply, placing my hand over his, squeezing lightly. “But I don’t have every family member swarming me right now, so I’m making time for us.” I turn my head, giving him a small smile. “I love both of you with all of my heart. Please don’t ever feel you can’t seek me out when you want or need to.” I widen my eyes dramatically, laughing at myself as I think of what’s coming. “As you so accurately reminded me, I’m going to have six children under six in less than a month and a half.”

Conrad’s lips twitch into a smile, but there’s still a hint of worry in his eyes. I sigh, looking down at my lap, my voice dropping to a softer tone. “I have no regrets except... I’m not great at time management. Con, can you help me with that?” The car slows to a stop at a red light, and I turn to look at him, meeting his gaze head-on. The intensity in his eyes makes my heart skip a beat.

“It would be my pleasure,” he murmurs, leaning over to kiss me softly, his lips brushing against mine with a tenderness that makes me feel fragile, cherished. Before I can sink deeper into the kiss, the light changes, and he pulls back, his focus returning to the road. “Oh, I have to warn you—Barrett and both moms are doing a gender reveal party today. Well, when we get home, to be more accurate.” Conrad’s voice takes on a sheepish tone, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel as if to release nervous energy.

I blink, absorbing that information, my mind spinning. “A gender reveal party? Today?” I tilt my head, trying to process it, and Conrad nods slowly, a hesitant smile on his lips.

“They picked today because of the two appointments,” he explains, and I can see the apology in his eyes, as if he’s expecting me to be upset.

“We know how much ya hate surprises, so we decided ta tell ya,” Lorcan chimes in from the backseat, his brogue thick, but the affection in his tone is unmistakable.

A laugh bubbles up, genuine and light. “Thank you for that.” I glance back at him, smiling. “I really appreciate it.”

The rest of the drive home passes in comfortable silence, but I can’t help the flutter of excitement building in my chest. I’m nervous, but I’m also grateful beyond words. I’ve always hatedsurprises, but my mates know me so well, and they’ve gone out of their way to make sure I feel comfortable, loved. The fact that they’ve planned this together, thought through every detail, fills me with warmth.

I lean my head back, letting out a deep breath. My gaze shifts to Conrad, and I reach over, lacing my fingers through his. “I don’t know what I’d do without you all,” I say softly, squeezing his hand. I feel his thumb trace lazy circles against my skin, his smile turning gentle.

“You’ll never have to find out,” he replies, his tone steady and sure, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

We pull into the driveway, and I can already see the signs of a celebration—balloons tied to the mailbox, streamers fluttering in the breeze. My heart skips a beat, and I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I look at Conrad and Lorcan, and for a moment, words fail me.

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