Page 68 of Talk About… Secrets
That was hardly a surprise. Outside of Hailey, it was always just me working from home and hanging with my friends.
Sidney wasn’t exactly a cuddler, but I certainly was.
The guys talked around me as I soaked in my beta and the view around us.Rockwood Valley has a calming magic to it, I swear.
The moment I had my soup and fresh bread in front of me, lathered with butter, I was in literal heaven. It had been a while since I’d been able to scarf down a meal, and I didn’t care if my pack was watching as I dipped bites of bread into the cheesy, savory soup, eating way faster than I should have. At this rate, I was going to have a baby bump just from the food alone.
Then my alphas and betas were offering me bites of their own food, looking happy just to be here with me. If I had any reservations about them wanting to stay in Rockwood Valley, they were gone now.
My pack wanted to be where I was, and I was right where I belonged.
Grace
Despite being utterly exhausted, I was happy as we walked back to the car. My stomach was full, and I felt like the bond had sunk in further into my being, its hooks digging in and refusing to let go, just like I needed it to.
Two familiar faces were walking down the street, arm in arm, laughing. I lit up at the sight of Mama Whitaker.
Their eyes found me right away, both excited to see me. That was a damn good feeling.
“Grace, my girl!” Mama Whitaker called out as she rushed forward, squeezing me in a hug. “I heard all about that awful wedding. I’m so sorry that shit family of yours reared their ugly heads again. Tell me you’ve cut them off already, you don’t need that negativity in your life.”
“Oh, I like her,” Drew said with a chuckle.
“Mama Whitaker, I want you to meet my pack. It was kind of a whirlwind of a wedding, but I found them,” I explained. “Thisis Drew, Beckett, Spencer, and Cade,” I said, pointing them out one by one.
“Now that’s a face I recognize! How’s that knee healing up?” she asked, looking right at Drew. They chatted football a bit before she turned her sights on the others. “Now, your faces aren’t as recognizable.”
“Ouch,” Beckett chuckled playfully. “We run a company called PackSense.”
Her eyes widened and she gave me a nudge, like,Good job, girl,and I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
“I know how to pick ’em,” I said, grinning at the guys. “Though, I think our peaceful life is about to end. Apparently, the tabloids are about to get a hold of the fact that I’ve snagged these guys. And I think once they see Drew here, it’s going to be over for me in the comments.”
“Screw those comments,” Avery said. “I’ve got my own experience with that, and honestly, it’s just jealousy and pettiness. Nothing you need in your life.”
“Actually, Avery. I was going to ask if you could take some photos for us when you have time. We’d rather be ahead of them. Post them ourselves, take ownership of it, you know?”
She picked up the camera hanging around her neck and grinned. “There’s no time like the present, and we’re right here in the heart of the town. What better backdrop could there be?”
That’s how my guys were swept into an impromptu photo shoot right in the middle of Rockwood Valley. The flower shop was right behind us, and they bought a bouquet, using it as a prop as she took pack photos, then some of me by myself.
Even I could admit the sundress, the flowers, and the exposed brick wall made for some amazing shots.
“Now, let’s just hope they don’t find out about the pregnancy too soon,” I said with a chuckle.
There was a gasp from Mama Whitaker. Avery knew, but she had kept it to herself.
“I’m going to be a grandma again?!” Mama Whitaker asked as she pulled me into a hug. I swear this woman had the biggest heart, and even I couldn’t hold back my tears as she squeezed me in one of those mom hugs, the kind that feel like they could fix every bad thing in your life.
“You are,” I admitted. “Thanks for always being there for me. Especially when my own family isn’t.”
“Iamyour family,” she said firmly. “Now, I think this calls for a celebratory barbecue, don’t you? It’s perfect cookout weather. Avery and I will plan something and we’ll let you guys know.”
“The guys are off for the week, so it should be perfect,” I agreed easily. “It’ll be a nice way to introduce them to all the packs at once.”
“That’s not intimidating or anything,” Spencer joked, giving a nervous chuckle. With a reassuring squeeze of my hand, he settled.
“Once we have the firehouse finished, we’ll have to have you guys out for one. It’s got this amazing back pavilion, a huge yard for the kids, too. It’s great,” I gushed. It was silly how a building could mean so much to me, but I adored our new home.
