“Doesn’t mean there’s a law against it,” Reno grumbled. “Just means they haven’t done it.”
“Indeed,” William replied. “Mustn’t worry about the details while we’re still celebrating.” He put his hands on Trevor’s shoulders, giving them a light rub as he stood behind him.
After I snapped out of a daydream, I leaned close to Austin. “I’m pregnant. I’m not digging a trench when we get home.”
He laughed, adding more spicy mustard to his burger. “You wanted me to treat you normally, and the Relic recommended exercise, didn’t he?”
“I mean it, Austin Cole. If I so much as see a shovel move in my direction, I’m going back to my old apartment, and you’ll have to start your courtship all over again.”
Austin grabbed the bottom of my chair and pulled it right next to his. Then his warm lips touched my neck, the smell of pickles strong in the air. “I just might like starting over,” he growled sexily. “Remember our first night in the house?”
Boy, did I.
Chapter 20
Three months had passed since the peace party, and I was eight months along. My arm had healed, and thanks to Edward’s amazing abilities, only a few white scars remained.
As for the Trevor and William situation, they remained in separate rooms out of respect for my mother, who still believed marriage (or mating) came first, even though she and Maddox weren’t married. When Trevor raised this point, she said an experienced woman with two grown children was too old to remarry. I think the real reason for her not marrying was that Mom didn’t see them growing old together since she would age faster, and he would move on. Then again, maybe he’d never asked her. Maddox not only loved my mom, but he genuinely adored her company and sense of humor. In Mom’s eyes, that was enough.
William was old-fashioned and wanted something official. The Council hadn’t responded to their request, but we weren’t sure if it’s because they disapproved of it or that they had postponed all mating ceremonies due to the preparations underway to prepare for a possible invasion.
I pushed the glider on the porch, my hands folded across my belly, feeling a cool breeze ruffle my hair.
“It won’t be much longer,” Ivy said, swatting a gnat away. “Lorenzo hasn’t shared the date, but his mood is altered.”
The summer sun was bronzing my legs, and I lifted the end of my white shorts, noticing the tan line. “Are you done preparing?”
“As much as we can be,” she said. “And you?”
“Reno worked with Lorenzo a few months ago on setting traps. Prince had a friend with experience lend his advice—some Russian guy, but I didn’t meet him. Austin printed a map of the property, and we memorized their locations and how to spot them.”
“Austin is sure he doesn’t want to move your pack in with ours?” she asked, playing with a beaded bracelet on her wrist that Hope had made. “The offer still stands.”
I raised my eyebrows at her. “They’d kill each other, and you know it.”
Austin and Lorenzo had made a pact that if war came, they would support each other. His pack was larger, but Austin realized because of their old rift that they’d never be able to live under the same roof, even temporarily. Since we were neighboring allies, it made more sense to look out for each other. We helped train his men, and in return, he offered to lend assistance during the attack.
Ivy rested her hand on my stomach. “You’re so close. I can see someone in there’s getting stronger.”
I laughed and tapped my stomach. “I’ve got a kicker. The baby’s more active at night, and sometimes you can see my stomach moving. Austin’s fascinated by the whole thing.”
A smile crossed her face, making her eyes appear as crescent moons. “Mommy’s little warrior. Pregnancy suits you.”
I snorted. “So you think I should be the barefoot and pregnant kind?”
She tapped my nose and sat back. “On the contrary, I mean your wolf has been asleep a long time now, but you are more resilient as a leader of this pack than ever before. Have you not noticed the way your packmates follow your orders more readily? This child will make you a stronger woman—that’s what our children do, whether we realize it or not. We think that they soften us, but it’s just the opposite.”
The front door opened, and Austin stepped outside.
Shirtless and glistening—droplets of water from his shower still clinging to the ends of his dark brown hair. He shielded his eyes from the sun and looked toward the private road up ahead.
While he was distracted, I surreptitiously leaned over and zipped up his pants.