Page 51 of Alpha's Redemption

“Cheese?” Zoe asks.

“Yep, listeria. Oh, and fish—mercury levels apparently. And since he can't be bothered looking up which fish specifically to steer clear of, he has banned all fish. Oh yeah, and mayonnaise, too. I’ll kill him by the end of this pregnancy. Every night he has his nose in a baby book,” I say with a roll of the eyes.

“Yeah, fuck that,” Macey says, and Zoe glances around like she’s waiting for him to pounce on me over the coffee Macey gave me.

“Have you told Tatum yet?” I ask Macey—she keeps avoiding it, although she has admitted that he’s been hounding her since he found out about my pregnancy, especially now that they’ve officially moved in with each other.

“I will,” she sighs, picking at her Caesar salad. Zoe smiles at her sadly. I feel terrible because I’m pregnant with not one baby but three, and Macey can't even have one.

“What about you? What's going on with you and Valen?” Macey asks, spearing a piece of lettuce and popping it in her mouth. I know she’s trying to change the subject away from not telling Tatum, but I’ll let it slide this once.

“Fine. He’s super annoying and clingy now, but I was thinking…”

“Thinking about what?” Zoe asks, biting into her wrap and watching me curiously.

When I signed the titles the other day, it bothered me that I was using my last name because, technically, the packs on the paperwork are separate packs.

“Do you think it would be strange if I proposed to Valen? I know it’s usually the other way around, but—” My cheeks flush. It’s been nagging at me, and even though we’ve marked each other and I’m Luna of his pack, the confusion of who is Alpha of which pack still makes me wary.

Macey stops mid-chew to stare at me, her eyes narrowed.

“Wait, you want to get married? I thought you were against the whole marriage thing? Aren’t you always saying it's just a piece of paper and blah blah blah?” Macey says, and she has a point; for so long, I’ve believed that. However, now it bothers me.

“Well, I am, but even though Valen is handling Dad's pack for me, he still has to run everything past me because technically, I’m Alpha,” I tell her.

Zoe snickers. “Valen is your Luna,” she laughs. I nudge her, but technically, whoever holds the title is Alpha, so I’m his Luna, and he is mine.

“And Valarian has Valen’s name now and—” I pause, chewing my lip, waiting for the reactions. Macey rolls her eyes.

“Oh my gosh, Everly, if you want to marry him, marry him, damn. You don't need to give us a list of reasons why you should; it isn't a business deal. Just admit you want to marry him!” Macey says.

“So, when are you going to do it?” Zoe asks, and I shrug.

“I don't know. I would have to get him a ring first.” I shake my head. “Just saying that sounds so backward.”

“Why?” Zoe asks and I shrug. It just does, and my face falls. What if he says no?

“What?” Macey says.

“What if he says no?” That would be mortifying, yet they both look at me like I’m absurd.

“He’s your mate; there’s nothing more permanent than the mark on your neck, but you think he won't marry you?” Zoe laughs, shaking her head.

“I told you, ladies, we can become nonsexual lesbians if necessary. I will gladly marry you if Valen says no. And the same goes for you,” Macey states, nodding to Zoe, and I laugh.

“But I ain't eating pussy. I don't even like the look of my own vagina, let alone getting up-close and personal with either of yours. Valen says no, I'll ditch Tatum and marry ya. I gotcha, baby girl, I’ll let ya put a ring on it,” she says, holding up her finger and blowing me a kiss. I laugh. It does sound rather silly that he would say no.

“I say do it. Besides, you’ve got options! Macey is your backup plan if he says no,” Zoey says, snickering before going back to eating her food. We all go back to our peaceful lunch and make small talk before deciding to check out some jewelers. As we wander around downtown, we come across one hidden up some side alley.

“I didn’t even know this place was here,” Zoe says, glancing up at the sign.'Dion's Jewelers'. I shrug, opening the door and stepping inside to find some rough-looking biker man sitting behind a glass cabinet with his glasses perched on the end of his nose as he reads something. Tattoos cover his arms and neck, and from what I can see poking out from his button-down shirt, his chest, too.

He glances at us while we look around. “Luna. Ladies. What a surprise. What can I do for you today?” he asks.

“She’s looking for an engagement ring for her mate,” Zoe answers him, peering into the glass displays. He nods, sipping his can of coke and stepping into the main area where we are before turning to look at Macey.

“Oh, not me, her. She’s going to propose to Alpha Valen,” Macey tells him, and my cheeks heat. The man coughs on his drink before punching his chest.

My eyes widen and I move to pat him on the back while he gasps for air.

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