Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20136 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“Oh, I’m glad everything worked out,” sounded to my left, and when I looked up, I found Cedric smiling down at the pair of us.
I chuckled at the sight of Brady walking in front of him, wearing chocolate smears on both cheeks. “I see you found some ice cream?” I needlessly asked, and my son nodded.
“Cedric gave me extra chocolate syrup! It was so yummy!” I chuckled again at his excitement.
Asher helped Cedric sit down onto a nearby couch, and without hesitation, Brady climbed up onto the tattooed man’s lap, making himself at home. I could take a page out of my young son’s book; he didn’t care about the guys’ size, appearance, or even the animals they became. He wasn’t afraid because they treated him kindly. That’s all that mattered to him.
“May I ask you something?” I questioned Cedric, who nodded with a bright grin. “How are you…?” I pointed at his stomach, unable to find the right words.
“I’m an omega,” he explained. “It means that I am not as big and strong as other shifters, but I have the ability to carry a child.”
It wasn’t even the craziest thing I’d heard that day. All I knew to do was nod in understanding and tell him, “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you,” he and Asher both replied.
“Okay, I have to know,” I said, looking between Asher and Brandon, “Please tell me that I wasn’t the only one who freaked out at the lion thing.”
Brandon was first to answer, “I thought Talon was eaten by his lion and I threw a rock at his head.”
“I passed out from shock,” Asher admitted. “Of course, I did have a whole pride of lions attacking my truck.”
I scooted back in my seat, getting comfortable. “I need to hear these stories.”
The two men obliged, telling me everything about how they’d met their mates, and how things went down when they saw their lions for the first time. Grady wore a wistful smile as he listened, and even Enzo and Felix, as rowdy as they seemed, had a longing look in their eyes. I hoped that all of them found their mates soon.
The pride told me more of their history, from how Hunter had been exiled by his own father, and the way all of their families had turned them away for one reason or another. The stories broke my heart, but it was mended by the fact that they had each other to lean on. They’d made their own family, and I could feel the brotherly love between them.
By the time our conversations slowed, Brady was sound asleep on Asher’s lap, with his head resting on the man’s soft chest.
“Where is the extra room for Brady?” I asked Hunter. “I’ll go put him down for the night.”
“Do you mind if I do it?” Asher asked as he stood up, carefully cradling my boy. “I’d love the practice.”
I nodded and Cedric sighed as he looked at his man adoringly. “You’re going to be the best father.”
“So are you, sweet cheeks,” Asher told him before leaning in for a kiss. He then landed a slap on Cedric’s ass and added, “Let’s get Brady down and then I’ll remind you who the best Daddy is.”
“Mmm, yes please.”
I blinked in surprise as they left the room, but none of their other friends seemed fazed by the interaction. Apparently I still had some things to learn about the pride. But it was okay; I had forever to do so.
“Would you like me to show you to our room?” Hunter asked me, his eyes dancing with heat and need.
I smirked and replied, “Mmm, yes please.”
Chapter Seven
Hunter
My blood raced through my veins as I led Lance to my bedroom, but I tried to keep my excitement under wraps. He’d been fed so much information over the past couple of hours, and he may need time to process the incredible things he’d learned. I never wanted him to feel pressured to do anything. All I wanted was to be in his presence.
I closed the door and when I turned to tell Lance as much, he surprised me by launching himself into my arms and pressing his lips to mine. He kissed me hard and I gave myself over to the moment, not holding anything back.
I sank my fingers into his curly hair and my tongue into his mouth, licking against his cheeks and swallowing the moans he breathed into me. My other hand trailed down his back and gripped onto his thick, round ass cheek.
Lance’s fingers tucked beneath my shirt and pulled the fabric up my torso. I moved my hands long enough for him to pull my shirt over my head and off, and then he stepped back to sweep his gaze over my half-naked body.
"You are so damn gorgeous." Lance brushed his fingers over my muscle ridges and dips before gripping onto the waistband of my jeans. He made quick work of the button and zipper, and pushed the denim to the floor.