“Why can’t you tell me?” he asked.
“No. It means, secret.”
She smiled and took his hand, heading toward their truck.
“Becca. Baby? Aloisius? Really?” Aleks asked.
Smiling, she kept walking, enjoying the sound her boots made in the snow.
Christmas really was her favorite time of the year.
Chapter Two
Kate
Dec 20th into Dec 21st
Kate cuddled Landon and Lucas close and breathed through another contraction.
“That one was the worst one yet,” Nic panted. Through their bond he was getting echoes of her contractions.
“I’m so sorry about this, Nic,” Kate said, feeling horrible. She never dreamed that he would be experiencing contractions alongside her. Morning sickness and cravings were one thing, but this was real pain and she wouldn’t wish this on one of her best friends.
“It’s okay. This is probably the closest I’ll ever come to having kids. Besides, I wouldn’t trade our bond for anything. It’s worth some crazy-ass contractions,” Nic said.
“You’ll find someone, Nic. Fate seems to be busy in Arkadia matching everyone up. I doubt she’d forget you.” Kate took a deep breath and exhaled.
“How are things?” Doc asked, walking in with Felix.
“What took you so long, Doc? I heard your car get here like ten minutes ago,” Kate asked.
Doc raised an eyebrow and looked over to where Riley and some of the other wolves stood looking embarrassed.
“Sorry, Kate, our wolves kinda freaked out. He’s a tiger and you’re our Alpha who is about to whelp. They didn’t want to let him in,” Riley explained, his cheeks burning.
“Oh. Thanks, guys. I think. How’d you get in?” Kate asked.
“I shifted my animal to wolf and brought him to the surface. Since he’s my mate, it helped,” Felix said, going to the long folding table they had set up in the room.
“Felix, you are, as usual, fabulous.” Kate smiled as Beverly and Gina walked in. Kate kissed the wiggling twins and handed them off.
“Good-night, boys. When you wake up in the morning hopefully you will have new siblings to play with.” Kate watched as Lucas waved a chunky hand.
“Nigh Mama.” They called out.
“Call me if you need me, Kate,” Beverly offered, and left with Gina.
“Okay, people, let’s clear the room, non-essentials out,” Felix said. Nic stood as if to leave and Kate panicked.
“Nic, you can’t leave! I need you. You’re my breathing partner.” Kate grabbed his hand.
“I didn’t know, I mean Felix said non-essentials,” he said, looking down to where their hands were clasped.
“You are essential, Nic! I don’t know what kind of screwed-up job Rebecca, Ashby, Sebastian and I have been doing lately, that you don’t know that. But you are. You’re one of my closest friends and I need you for this.” Kate refused to let go of his hand.
Nic’s face transformed. His eyes brightened and he looked at Kate with a new sense of confidence.
“Okay, let’s do this thing,” he said, taking his seat.
