MISSY

Spending a couple of days with Lemon was refreshing. I missed hanging out with her. I loved Lea with all my heart, but Lemon and I connected differently, probably because she was closer to my age. Surprisingly, having work to do at the inn all day, entirely away from the pack, was a welcome distraction.

I still ached for Maddox and was saddened by my grandfather's death, but I felt better by Wednesday afternoon when Austin drove me home. As we pulled into the packhouse driveway, Austin grinned.

"What?" I asked.

"Your father has Maddox on the phone upstairs in his office," he said.

"Oh my God!" I squealed.

"Go! Quick!" he urged, gesturing for me to get out. I didn't need to be told twice. I threw open the car door and sprinted to the packhouse, reaching the stairs in a flash. I took them two and three at a time until I reached the landing. Liam's office door was open. I threw out my arm, grasping the doorframe to swing myself into the room, almost crashing into the desk before I stopped myself. Liam laughed.

"Thanks, Langston. Now, let's let the kids talk," he smiled, standing. I hurried around the desk to take the phone from him. He leaned over and kissed my forehead.

"Not too long, sweetheart," he said softly before leaving and closing the door.

"Maddox!" I gasped into the phone.

"There's my girl," he said, his relief evident.

"When are you coming home? I can't take much more of this. I need you," I said.

"Soon," he replied. "We think we're close. If all goes well tomorrow, it may only be a couple more days."

"Really?" I asked excitedly. The possibility of being back in class together next week was almost too much to hope for.

"Yes," he said. "I need you back in my arms."

"You have no idea. Everything gets worse the longer you're gone," I told him.

"What's going on? Tell me," he said, his concern clear.

"We'd need more time than we have," I said. "I'll fill you in when you're here, and after I've kissed you." I didn't want our limited time burdened by more sad news. He didn't need to worry about me while he was searching for Warwick.

"No, tell me now. What happened?" he pressed. I sighed.

"Robert was killed saving Lea from some vampires," I muttered.

"Missy, oh my gosh, are you okay?"

"I wasn't there. Liam seems pretty down. I guess I'm okay," I said. I'd be much better if he were here. His presence would be enough; I'd be able to sleep properly again.

"Darling, I'm so sorry. I hate that you have to deal with this without me," he said, his voice hurt.

"Just come home," I pleaded. "Find that bastard and come home to me. Everything will be better when I know you're safe." Tears welled in my eyes. I hated these feelings.

"I promise I'll come home in one piece. No one's keeping me from getting back to you."

"Please don't break your promise."

When I got home, a sign was taped to my door. The words 'Princess Charity Case' were scrawled sloppily in large letters. I ripped it down, rolling my eyes. Teenagers are the worst. There's a literal race war at our doorstep, and they're making fun of the adopted girl.

I went inside, tossed my bag down, and headed to the kitchen. School had just let out, so I texted Sol and the girls to see if they wanted to come over. I hated being alone and completely forgot to tell Sol I was back because of Maddox's call.

I rummaged through the fridge and found some carrot chips and vegetable dip. I put it on the counter and started snacking while checking my phone. Sol said she'd get everyone, and they'd be over in an hour. I texted back, asking what they wanted for dinner. I was thinking junk food and movies.

There was a thud at the back door. Confused, I looked in that direction. The neighbors usually ignored me, and I couldn't remember being out the back door since moving back in. I peeked through the dirty glass. Nothing was in sight.

I opened the door, and a terrible stench hit me. A burst bag lay on the ground, its contents—apparently feces—splattered across the door. I covered my mouth and nose and scanned the area, but the culprit was gone. I sighed, closing the door. New year, more pranks, I guess.

LACEY

I sat on the bed folding a small basket of baby clothes. When I told my parents we were having a boy, I didn't expect the large gift bag they brought to dinner when they met Felix. Everything was super cute and preppy, typical of my mother's style. She had a standard, and she stuck to it.

Azalea also gave us a small box of her sons' unused baby clothes. She explained that since Azly had been showered with frilly things, I was welcome to these unworn clothes. I knew she'd given her children's used clothes to the orphanage and displaced families who'd come over the past few months, so this gesture was incredibly thoughtful.

While Azeron and Robert took Azalea to the city, Felix moved our things into a larger room on the same floor and surprised me with a crib. I was elated, and he seemed so happy as we assembled it. Of course, our day ended early when Felix left to help Liam.

I was a little disappointed because Felix was back to spending all his time with Azalea. I thought we'd unpack and get the baby stuff ready together, but Liam wanted Azeron away from Azalea. Instead, I'd been slowly getting things settled over the past couple of days. The baby stuff was the last to be put away.

Felix entered the room, and I looked at the clock, realizing it was earlier than usual. "Hey," I said. "Done already?"

He smirked, rolling his eyes, and came to the bed. He leaned down and kissed me softly. He looked at the small piles of clothes, picking up a sweater vest. He raised an eyebrow.

"It's cute, right?" I asked. He shook his head, but smiled charmingly. He folded the vest neatly and placed it with similar-sized clothes. He stepped back, smoothly removing his shirt. I didn't pretend not to look, licking my lips.

"Shower," he laughed, heading to the bathroom. My wolf and hormones urged me to join him, but I resisted. I'd woken him early this morning to satisfy my urges and didn't want to be greedy.

When Felix emerged, I was standing by the crib making a list. He stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my growing stomach. His fingers rubbed soft circles on my skin, relaxing my shoulders.

"What's that?" he asked, kissing my shoulder. I felt his bare chest against my back, my body heating up from his proximity.

"A list of things we still need to get. I have some savings plus severance pay from my old boss. We should start getting some of these," I said.

"Hmm," he hummed, kissing my shoulders again.

"You're distracting me," I smiled.

"Good," he whispered, kissing my neck. The kisses intensified, and I laid my head back, enjoying the sensation.

"Felix," I purred. He pulled away, holding me tighter.

"Come to bed," he said.

"Mmmm," I hummed. "In a bit. I have too much energy."

He chuckled. "Nesting?" he nuzzled my neck. I nodded. He was reading baby books lately, which I found incredibly cute.

"Have you thought about names?" I asked. He paused, his nose at the junction of my neck and shoulder, before slowly pulling back.

"No," he whispered.

"We should," I said. "We're getting closer every day."

He ran his hands appreciatively over my belly and nodded. He then grabbed my list, reading it over my shoulder.

"Do you want a shower?" he asked softly.

"Are you saying I smell?" I asked pointedly. He laughed, shaking his head.

"Baby shower," he clarified.

"Oh," I said, surprised. "Um, I hadn't thought about it."

"Lily or Azalea would be happy to help," he said, looking at me sideways. I bit my lip.

I had thought about it, but couldn't decide. On one hand, it sounded fun, and help with baby supplies would be amazing. On the other hand, we were in the middle of a war. At any time, we could be attacked, or Felix could leave to help. It felt selfish to celebrate while such terrible things were happening.

Felix grabbed my hips and turned me to face him. He lifted my face to meet his and looked at me questioningly. He knew something was wrong. "It's nothing," I said. "Don't worry."

He shook his head. "Tell me," he insisted. I sighed, wrapping my arms around him and resting my head on his chest.

"It feels selfish to have a baby shower with everything going on. We're always on alert for vampires, other packs are under attack, we're trying to find Warwick, and Liam's father was just killed," I explained quietly. Felix tightened his grip.

"We can't stop living because of conflict," he said softly. I paused, contemplating his insightful words.

"I'm not sure anyone would even be into it. Plus, I only really know people around the packhouse; I haven't been here long," I said.

He was quiet for a minute. "Even if it's just a couple of people, if it's what you want, we'll do it."

My heart pounded. This man, so hard and cold on the outside, was sweet and soft for me. He cared about my happiness. He ate my favorite (though he pretended not to like) Indian food, indulged my desires, found a way to be essential to his pack while including me in his life, and made me feel cherished in countless small ways.

"I'll talk to Lily about it," I said. Felix placed a lingering kiss on my head. I closed my eyes, enjoying the safety of his arms.