Lauren leans in, narrowing her eyes. "It... it wasn't Colt, was it?"

My eyes widen, and I can't hide my reaction. "Hehehe... no, no..."

She gasps, knowing I’m lying through my teeth. "Spill it! Now!"

"Nope! I have stuff to dust!" I sprint away.

"Yeah, the Alpha's mouth, apparently!" she shouts after me.

I gasp and whirl around. "SHUT UP, STUPID!" I growl, whispering through gritted teeth.

"You are going to tell me everything!" she yells.

Not a chance.

I duck back into the house, though I have no intention of actually doing any more chores. Instead, I hide in a closet for another half hour. The entire time, my mind is consumed by Colt: the things he says, the way he treats me now, the taste of his lips, and the way he touches me.

This continues all day until I finally go home, where my thoughts stay anchored to him, making it impossible to sleep.

I wake up at the crack of dawn, feeling more exhausted than usual. I get ready as I always do, but Lauren and James are already up, talking much more chattily than normal. Their voices drift in from the living room, and it irritates me.

When I emerge, I nearly trip over my own feet. Colt is sitting on our sofa, sipping coffee as they talk.

"What the hell?"

"Good morning, Angel," Colt says with a smile.

He did not just say that in front of Lauren and James!

My face heats up, and I’m sure it’s turned a deep, burning red.

Lauren and James exchange a look of confusion, but soon, a knowing, mischievous smile spreads across Lauren’s face. James, however, remains oblivious. I’m certain Lauren hasn’t told him anything; that’s why I trust her with my secrets.

I turn around and try to retreat to my room.

"Cass, come on. Don't be a child. We need to talk," Lauren calls out.

"We do?" I shout back.

"Yes. It's important."

With a weary sigh, I trudge back into the living room.

"Come, sit."

"No."

She grunts in annoyance, then looks between James and me. "Okay, fine. So..."

"Lauren, spit it out," I snap, feeling impatient.

"We're pregnant!" James blurts out.

"...What?"

"James!" Lauren hits his arm, a wide, irrepressible grin on her face.

"You are!?"

She nods, beaming.

Wait! That's why she gave me that dress!

She’d said it didn't fit her anymore. I smile and rush over to hug them. I’m so happy; they’ve been trying for so long.

"How far along are you?" I ask.

"Four months."

I gasp. "And you didn't tell me!?"

"We wanted to make sure everything was okay," she says. She looks at James, then touches her stomach as if she’s just realized something. "Maybe this is why I've been so..." She stops, embarrassed.

"Shut up! You can't say stuff like that in front of guests! Or even me!" I glance at Colt, who barely manages to keep a straight face.

Once the excitement dies down, I turn to him. "But why are you here?"

James answers for him. "Well, we went to the Alpha about building an extra room here. I’ve been saving up, and I finally have enough. But Alpha Colt had another idea."

"What idea?" I ask, turning to him.

"Well," Colt begins, "a baby is expensive. So, I told them there's no need for an extension. You’re moving into the pack house. That way, they don't have to spend a dime on construction and can save it for the baby. It’s settled. I have your room ready." He says it so nonchalantly.

My eyes narrow, and I feel a distinct twitch in my right eye. "And what in the world ever made you think I would

want

to stay in the pack house?!"

"Doesn't matter. The fact is, this house is too small for all of you," he replies.

"Cass, you don't have to," Lauren interjects. "We aren't throwing you out. Our plan was just to expand."

Colt shakes his head. "It’s my decision, and you know it makes sense. Why waste money on a room when you need it for the baby?" He takes a sip of his coffee and mutters, "Besides, I was going to move you eventually anyway."

I squint at him, sure that this look of distrust is going to be my default setting around him from now on. "You what?"

He takes another sip without responding, as if he hadn't heard me. "This is good coffee."

I know he’s making sense, but I hate it. Living in the pack house is going to be a living hell.

"Cass, stay. We want you here," Lauren says, and James nods in agreement.

I sigh. I know they don't have much money. "It's okay. I'll try it."

"Are you sure?!" she asks, surprised.

"Yeah. Besides, I have some time before the baby comes, right?"

As I say this, Colt sets his mug on the table, stands up, and says, "Nope."

Before I can react, he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder.

"Are you crazy?!" I shout.

"Oh my!" Lauren stands up, startled.

He heads for the door, but turns back to address Lauren. "Congratulations. Based on how Cass turned out with you raising her, you’re going to be great parents."

"Uhm... thank you, Alpha," she stammers.

I cling to him, terrified of falling given his height. "Kiss-ass! What are you doing?!"

"Taking you home," he replies calmly.

"NO, you are not! Are you crazy?! Someone is going to see us! Ezra is going to see us!"

"No, he won't. It's too early; none of my family wakes up this early except for my father."

"Then he will see us!"

"He doesn't care."

"You planned all of this, you asshole."

"Mh... that mouth of yours—"

"Is going to get me in trouble? I know, I know," I say, rolling my eyes, though he can't see me. I’ve heard this from Lauren a dozen times.

"No," he corrects. "I love that mouth of yours."

He shuts me up. And he’s right—the halls are empty. We slip into the pack house through the front door, the interior still dim in the morning light. As he climbs the stairs, I ask, "Do you really have to carry me like this?"

"Will you not run away?"

"Yes, I absolutely would."

He laughs. "You’re too honest."

He reaches the top of the stairs and walks down a hall. "Why are you doing this, anyway? I really don't get you, Colt."

"I told you—you are going to be my Luna."

"That joke is getting stale."

"I'm not joking."

He stops in front of a door. "Home sweet home. This is your new room." He opens the door, kicks it shut behind us with his foot, and sets me down.

I’m stunned by the size of the room. "This... is huge..."

"You like it?"

"Uhm, yeah. But it's a bit too much."

"Nah, it’s perfect."

It’s decorated in a cozy, clean style. He points to a door on the left: "The bathroom." He points to another on the right: "The closet."

I open the closet and flip the light on. It’s massive, but half-empty. The other half is filled with clothes—specifically, men’s suits.

"Uhm... whose are these?" I ask, pulling one out.

"Mine," he says.

My eyes widen as I turn to him. "This... is your room?!"

"Yep. And yours, too."

I stare at him like a statue. "...Nope. Not doing it."

I try to walk out, but he grabs my hand, pulling me into a hug and chuckling. "You can't make me stay here, Colt."

"I’m not. All that talk before? Bullshit. You don't have to move in

now

. You can leave, but just... stay for a little while."

He picks me up and sets me on the bed.

"Colt—"

"Just stay with me. It's early. We can nap."

He lies next to me, his arm draped over my waist, his face turned toward mine on the pillow.

"What are you doing? You say confusing things and act in confusing ways. Why do all this?"

"Cass, I told you. I want you. I’m not lying, and I’m not playing games. I want you to be my Luna... my mate."

"You... can't be serious..."

He lifts his head, locking eyes with me. "I am."

"But... why?"

He sighs. "I’m tired of repeating myself. Listen: you are different. I want someone genuine in my life. You are perfect."

"Perfect? Okay, now I know you’re playing games."

He stops, closes his eyes, and looks away with a pained expression. He looks back at me, his gaze softening. "I am so sorry, Cass. I’m sorry for what we did to you—for making you think you weren't good enough."

I don't know what to say. He brushes a lock of hair from my face. "I couldn't see it years ago, but I do now. I see you." He tilts my chin up so I have to look at him. "I. See. You, Cass. You are perfect. Don't ever let anyone make you feel less."

Tears prick my eyes. The weight of years of self-doubt seems to lift. He’s right—I’ve been tearing myself down because of what others told me. But here he is, helping me see the truth.

He wipes a tear from my cheek. I look into his eyes, a swell of emotions overwhelming me. My lips feel dry, my heart is racing, and without thinking, I reach up, grab his shirt, and kiss him. He kisses me back instantly, and I’m surprised by my own desperation. I don't want it to end.

He smiles against my lips. "You like me too," he murmurs.

My cheeks burn and I pull away, unable to meet his gaze, afraid I might combust.

"Goddess, you are beautiful," he whispers.

I want to argue, but the intensity in his stare stops me.

"Perfect skin..." He caresses my cheek. "Luscious lips..." His finger traces my lower lip. "Beautiful dark eyes."

He glances down at my body and lets out a low, lustful sigh. "I want you."

I want him too, especially like this. I love seeing him this vulnerable, yet hungry. But I’m not giving in that easily. I still don't trust him completely.

"Well, you can't have me," I say.

He squints at me playfully, his gaze landing on my lips again. "Can I have your lips, at least?"

Before I can answer, he pulls me in again.