Mickey’s knowing smile makes Red’s eyebrows arch. “And why might that be?”

My cheeks pink up quickly. “Well, see um, I’m pregnant?” It sounds like I’m asking them instead of telling them.

“No shit?” Red says and looks at Mickey.

“Is that why Michael told me all the males thought you smelled so good, you were in heat?” Nicole asks suspiciously.

“Not exactly,” I hedge.

“What does not exactly mean?”

Well, just like Masen said, they’ll find out soon enough. “I didn’t know the significance before, but I guess I’m a white wolf. Apparently, I don’t need to be in heat to conceive.”

“No shit?” Red says again, this time in a wonder-filled statement. They both look me over like it’s something they should have seen or can see now.

Mickey throws back her shot and huffs. “Yup, grandbabies. By spring, you’ll have four new Pack members.”

“Four!” they both shout.

Mickey laughs at their expression. “Yup, two little and two big. Caleb and I will go back up north long enough to hand his Pack over to the new Alpha. We’ve both been ready for a while, and this is just the excuse we need.” She seemed so sure when she and Caleb told us this morning. I was flattered and grateful that they’ll both be here to help us. “My only problem now is convincing my son to let me build within a mile of his house,” she says, crestfallen.

“He was totally kidding. He was already planning to build a guest house. He’s just as excited to have you guys here as I am.”

The door to the bar flaps open, and Michael pokes his head in. “You ladies almost ready?”

The sunset leaves a clear twinkling sky. The low full moon cast a pinkish glow on the clearing around me. Michael stands in the forest, so I’m in clear view the entire time. Traditionally I would be alone, but Masen insisted his Beta accompany me.

I wait barefoot until Masen, who’s been separated from me for the past two hours, finds me by scent alone without shifting. He must prove he’s worthy of being my Mate.

I hear his deep howl the moment he was allowed out to seek me. I’m at least two miles from the hall, but I’m not sure where he was being kept. Michael and I walked here so Masen would have my scent trail to follow. It’s probably only been three minutes when I hear a deep growl coming from behind Michael. We both turn in the direction it came from. I watch as Michael starts moving further away from me, retreating deeper into the forest. Masen’s large frame comes into view, coming closer to me, but he stares in Michael’s general direction, still growling.

Finally, he reaches me and swoops me up in a fiery kiss. His hand travels down my back, and he squeezes my butt. It’s the first time all night I’ve regretted not wearing a dress. “Mine,” he thunders as he continues ravishing my mouth. Forever passes before he finally sets me back on the ground. He twines a thick leather cord around my wrist and attaches it to his own, a way of binding us together for the trek back to the gathering place.