Page 57 of Claimed By the Cowboys
“Congratulations!” Dr. Cochran chuffed, clapping me heartily on the back.
That’s when I saw it—Piper’s other hand, laid flat over her belly.
“Maisie’s going to make an incredible big sister!” the doctor crowed happily, draping an arm over each of our shoulders.
Before Piper had a chance to say anything, I leapt into the air, hooting and hollering, “Hell, yes! I’m gonna be a dad again! I bet you we made the prettiest, healthiest damn baby!” I cheered, lifting Piper up into the air and swinging her round once before placing her back on the ground, a gleeful cry escaping her.
I could barely contain my excitement the whole ride home—singing love songs at the top of my lungs, along with Willie and the King, for my sweet Pipes—until my truck pulled in at the ranch, where I leaned on the horn and called so loudly out my open window that someone would think I wanted the whole county to hear.
“What in the world are you hollerin’ about, Zeke!?” Clay snapped as he came swinging through the front screen door like a bat outta hell.
“Yeah, what on earth has gotten into you?” Montana seconded, Dakota following closely on his heels.
“Seriously, you’re gonna wake Maisie up from her nap if you don’t quit!” Dakota hissed, closing the heavy wooden door before the flimsy screen door to dampen the sound.
“Well, I got good reason to holler!” I hooted, turning back to Piper. “Go on, tell ’em! I’m dying, but it’s your news to share.” I picked Piper up and gave her another swing through the air.
“Easy now, especially because...” She trailed off, and Montana’s eyes widened in understanding.
I grinned like a madman as I watched Montana bob on his feet, reaching out for his twin’s arm to steady himself.
“What?” Dakota blinked, completely clueless.
Clay stood, his head cocked to the side, so still, I wasn’t sure if he was holding his breath.
“I’m pregnant,” Piper explained coolly—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Even Ijumped when Clayton barked out unexpectedly. “Fuck, yeah!”
Chapter 27
Clayton
My first reaction to hearing Piper was pregnant was unadulterated joy.
My mate was pregnant, and our pack was going to have another child.
It was an entirely different situation than when we learned Caroline was pregnant with Maisie. We had been unprepared to become fathers, unsure if we even wanted children. Now we knew we loved being dads. It wasn't a random omega who was pregnant, either—it was our mate.
Judging by the shell-shocked expression on Piper’s face, though, she wasn't quite as excited.
“Pipes! This is amazing!” Zeke shouted, rushing over to Piper and pulling her into a massive bear hug.
“Yeah…” She nodded, but her voice didn’t sound convinced.
“Are you happy?” Dakota asked.
“I am… I’m just processing.”
I wrapped my arm around the tiny omega and started guiding her toward the house. “Why don’t we continue this conversation inside?”
She followed me as if she were in a daze, her steps sluggish. Our pack followed, and we all congregated in the kitchen. Piper was looking around, but not directly at us, completely lost in her own thoughts.
“I know this is probably a shock, but we can deal with this,” I said softly, like I was talking to a wounded animal.
Piper nodded, still not meeting my eye. “It’s good. This is good.”
“How about we make you a coffee? We can sit down and chat and make some plans, and hopefully, it’ll make you feel a little bit better.”
