Page 65 of Talk About… Secrets
“The board was fighting tooth and nail for us to stay. In an attempt to avoid the blackmail that I most definitely dug up on them all… I gave our story to a local journalist. I said that we found our omega. I kept everything hush-hush as best I could, but she’s nagging for more. With a new office opening up, and a pack that’s as successful as our business is, I have a feeling we won’t be able to hide you for long, sweetheart.”
That was it? Pictures?
I wasn’t under any illusion that my successful bachelors and I wouldn’t end up in an article here and there. Just like they were before we met.
Because, yes, I stalked them online when I found out who they were, curious what they showed the world.
“Here I thought this was going to be something terrible,” I said, shaking my head. “Avery’s a photographer. I can have her come take some photos of us, and then we can just post them ourselves and get ahead of the game. It’s not like we can avoid it, you’re right about that. Honestly, some exposure couldn’t hurt Rockwood Valley. We’re still recovering from the Artisan Fair finally opening up.”
“Just like that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. My alpha looked stunned. He clearly thought this was going to be an issue for me.
Spencer took my hand gently, his eyes full of honesty. “I’ve seen other companies come out as a pack, and the comments can be vicious. I would avoid reading them. It’ll be full of jealous women who wish they could have snagged themselves a pack like us.”
They looked uncomfortable having to say those words. If anyone else had said it, I’m sure it would have been full of bragging attitudes. My pack talked about themselves with ablunt honesty instead of the arrogance I hated. That was how I knew I’d found good ones.
“Oh, that I’m a gold digger?” I laughed. “I’m sure it won’t be original. Nor is it going to be a reflection of who I actually am.”
Beck moved then, pulling me into his arms so I was forced to wrap my legs around his waist. He kissed me. Not a gentle one, but the possessive kind, like he was devouring my mouth until I was breathless and my head was spinning.
Our scents swelled around us, making the others groan, and he pulled away with a chuckle.
“How did we get so lucky?”
“I was just thinking the same thing. Now put me down. We have to get back to work. All we have is a week to turn this place around.”
“Yes, ma’am,” they all said at once, Cade even giving me a silly salute.
I picked up a paintbrush and headed for the pantry. That was my project today. I needed to be able to store food and supplies in here, though ‘pantry’ wasn’t a generous enough word. It was as big as a walk-in closet and had places for appliances, too. It was going to be an incredible amount of space.
I still couldn’t believe we snagged this place for such a deal.
Footsteps followed me in and Cade gave me a wink. “The alphas were busy arguing about where they were going to start, so we figured we would hang out with our omega. Our hands are yours, what should we do first?”
“Oh, I get to be a bossy omega?” I teased. “This is perfect. Start by clearing this whole thing out. I need bare bones.”
And just like that, they did my bidding. They also didn’t argue when I jumped in, not wanting to stand back.
Maybe I was going to enjoy this whole pregnancy thing. It was kind of nice being able to boss my pack around a little.
Grace
A few weeks later
Somehow, I was the nervous one as we waited for the first doctor’s appointment. My men were all calm. Drew and Spencer each had a hand on mine, offering silent reassurance. Cade was practically giddy as he walked around and took in all the baby and family photos pasted to the clinic wall. Beckett was filling out the paperwork for me, asking questions in a quiet voice and writing down every answer I gave him.
“Morning sickness?” he questioned with a frown. “I haven’t seen any.”
“There was a bit during those two weeks you guys were gone, but I think it was just hormonal changes and nerves from the separation. I haven’t had much since.”
“From the book I was reading last night, it should start fairly soon, but they say it clears up by the eleventh to sixteenth week,” Drew said.
“You’ve been reading pregnancy books?” That was news to me. Then again, we were all so busy with our own projects in the house that he could have easily been reading it and I just didn’t pay attention.
“Yeah, I downloaded this reading app on my phone, and they had an amazing pregnancy book for newly packed-up alphas. It’s been incredibly helpful. There’s actually a whole section on massages, so make sure you let me know if you need one,” he winked.
“Just about every day of my pregnant life, I’m sure,” I laughed. “Give me a couple of weeks.”
“My hands are yours, Gracie,” he promised. A wave of pure, raw happiness filtered through the bonds, and I nearly melted into my chair. He was genuinely happy to be with me and offer me any comfort he could. That was the sign of a damn good alpha, and he was all mine.
