Page 55 of The Hunter's Heart

“Um, no. That was yesterday. Today I want to know.”

“Well let’s hurry the hell up before she changes her mind again,” Acksel said.

“Stop swearing,” Brynn said, covering her belly with her hands. “My mini-me has ears now.”

Brynn and Acksel walked to the porch. Mia’s eyes were shining with tears as she hugged her best friend. Acksel nodded to Lucian and glanced at the wolves on the sidewalk, who quickly took their places around the house as guards. Doc led the alphas into the house, the front door swinging shut silently.

Lucian looked down at his mate. “Are you okay?”

“Are you kidding? I get youandthe pack on the full moon. I couldn’t be happier. But for the record, you and I could’ve been our own pack. Withourmini-me.”

He knew that was true, but he was thankful that things seemed to be working out so his mate could stay with her pack. Whatever the oath to the alphas was, Lucian would do it, and he’d continue to train with his dad on using his berserker and being the best protector for his mate,andthe alphas. Mia and their family would always come first for him, and his berserker was in complete agreement, but he could definitely see a benefit in being able to be with the pack during the full moons.

It looked like things were turning around for them.

All thanks to a fae with copper-tipped wings.

* * *

Mia sat next to Lucian in the small converted living room of Doc’s house. Lucian’s arm was around her and she was leaning against him, loving how comforting it was to be in his embrace.

It was funny how things could change so fast, and then just as fast return to a semblance of normal. First she’d been without Lucian, then with him. Then having to make a choice between him or the pack. In her heart she knew she’d never have stayed in the pack without Lucian. He’d wanted her to, that much he’d made clear, but it wouldn’t have been the right choice for her. She’d been sad at the thought of leaving, but she wasn’t about to change her mind. It wasn’t an option to celebrate the full moon without Lucian. He was her world now.

Well, him and their mini-me.

There was a loudwoohoofrom the back, which Mia recognized as Brynn’s happy call.

“What do you think, boy or girl?” Lucian asked.

“Brynn wanted a boy, so I’m guessing that’s why she woohooed.”

Nila stepped out of the ultrasound room. “She’s ready to see you.”

Mia and Lucian made their way to the room, where Brynn was wiping tears from her face as Acksel grinned so broadly Mia thought his cheeks would crack.

“Well?” Mia asked.

“It’s a boy! I knew it,” Brynn said.

Mia hugged her bestie. “I’m so happy for you and little Mi.”

“No,” Acksel said. “Not Mi. I’m putting my foot down.”

Brynn smiled sweetly. “But if Mia is naming her baby after me, it’s only right that I return the favor. Oh, wait. Are you even pregnant? I hadn’t heard.”

“I am,” Mia said.

“Yay!” She grinned smugly at Acksel. “See! I have to name our baby Mi.”

“Sweetheart,” Acksel said, his voice dipping to a growl at the end. “No.”

Mia loved to see her bestie and Acksel tease each other. Even when Acksel was being a hard-ass alpha, she knew he had a sweet side.

“Okay, fine,” Brynn said. “But we need to pick a super kick-butt name.”

“Why?” Mia asked.

“Because he’s going to be alpha someday. You never hear about alphas named wussy things like Gerard or Francis. It’s got to be something cool, like Stone or Brick or Anvil.”

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