Page 28 of An Alpha’s Guide to Finding the One

He sighs, dragging his hands down his face. “Yeah, I know.”

I’m not sure if he’s processing my words, but at least I know I said them. I’ll have to remember to check in with him every now and then to make sure he hasn’t researched himself into a mental pit.

“Alright.” My hand slaps his shoulder. “Let’s go get our girl.”

On the way out to the car, my phone pings. I grunt, already knowing who it is.

Mama

My baby boy! Papa, Daddy and me were thinking about coming out for a visit next week. Does that work for y’all?

My teeth dig into my bottom lip, eyes sliding to Law. “The parents want to come visit next week.”

Lawson tenses. “Is that a good idea?”

I shrug. “I haven’t seen them in almost eight months. Not since my brother’s wedding. I know they would love Lainey.”

“Which brother got married again?”

I can’t fault him for asking. I have eight brothers and four sisters, and I’m one of the oldest. But it was the actual oldest who got married. “Barrett. Married his longtime boyfriend finally. The whole fam was thrilled.”

“Guess we better warn Lainey she’s about to meet the parents, huh?”

Something like butterflies riot in my stomach at the thought of my omega meeting my parents. I have no doubt she’s about to be the new favorite child, and I dread the day my sisters get her into their group chat.

Ready or not, it’s time for Lainey to meet the Rivers clan.

“I’m going to throw up.”

Lucky’s head whips around so fast I’m concerned for the stability of his neck. “Actually?”

I shrug, because I’m really not sure. Could go either way at this point.

Rhys cups my chin in his hand and crashes his lips to mine for a deep, licking kiss that has me dripping slick into my scent blocking panties. When we break apart, we’re both breathing heavily. “Nauseous to horny in under a minute. That’s a new one.” I mutter to myself. They’re all close enough to hear, but they offer me the dignity of not laughing at my insanity.

Ever since Rhys dropped the parental bomb on me last week, I’ve been a nervous wreck. I’m almost eighteen weeks along now and my body is not trying to hide these babies. My belly looks like I swallowed a small soccer ball already, and we aren’t even halfway through. I dread to think what his parents will think of a pregnant omega only bonded to one member of this pack. Especially since that member is not their son.

“What if they hate me or think I’m using you?” I blurt.

Four sets of eyes lock on me instantly. “That won’t happen.” Rhys assures me.

Lawson nods in agreement, but otherwise stays silent. He’s been distant since my appointment last week, and I don’t know what to make of it. Maybe he regrets bonding me now that he knows it’s two babies? Like the alpha version of cold feet? His bond is almost always locked down, but I catch the occasional snippet of emotions and they’re never good ones.

Wyatt tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, smiling indulgently. “The Rivers family are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They met me one time after Rhys announced I was joining the pack and immediately took me in as their own. Not a week has gone by without a text or call from Mama Jane checking in on me. She’s going to take one look at you and try to steal you right out from under us.”

My hands shake all throughout his speech, but not for the reason I thought they would. Rather than being nervous about meeting my scent matched alpha’s parents for the first time, now I’m petrified his mom is going to see what my mom does and hate me for it, too.

A loud knock precedes several cheerful dings of the doorbell, and my stomach drops through the floor. “I don’t know if I can do this!” I whisper hiss to Lucky. I am not sure why, but I feel like if anyone will understand my thought process in this moment, it’s him.

He tucks my hair back behind my ears, and having the heavy strands out of my face settles a tiny bit of the irritated panic racing through my veins. “Say the word and I’ll get you out of here, kitten. Even if I have to fake an alpha-emergency.”

My eyes cut to his, curiosity and begrudging amusement warring for the top spot in my emotional melting pot. “What would constitute an ‘alpha emergency’?” I ask quietly, no shortage of suspicion in my tone. Though I can’t deny he is once again proving to be a wonderful distraction from hard, scary things. He’s like my emotional support Saint Bernard. Not quite as sweet as a golden but just as playful and happy to be wherever their owner is.

And I think I might be this puppy’s owner.

He smirks, biting into that plush bottom lip. “Oh, you know. Jealousy, insane possessiveness, a persistent ache to keep you from all harm, incurable erections. Take your pick, I’ve got it all.” The words are delivered with humor but an undertone of vulnerability that assures me he is most certainly not joking. Every day I spend with this man brings a new facet of him to light, each one more confusing and endearing than the last.

Gods help me, I think I’m starting to like him. I gulp, unable to drag my gaze away from his distractingly perfect face. At least until a boisterous female voice pops our bubble. “Oh, my boy! Have you gotten taller? My word, what have you been eating down here? You’re rail thin.” I hear several soft slaps, leading me to believe Rhys’s mom is patting his chest. “Don’t you worry, Mama will get you fed and you’ll be right as rain in no time.”