Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Chapter 10
Grant
It's been two weeks since Lennon and I mated, and each moment has shown me what I didn't know I was missing in my life. Tonight, my family is coming over for dinner to meet my mate. The cabin’s filled with the smell of something delicious Lennon has been cooking, and something much spicier—my mate is pregnant, and her condition has made her naturally sweet scent even more yummy.
Lennon appears in the doorway, fidgeting a little with her shirt as she paces back and forth. “I’m so nervous, Grant,” she admits, chewing her lip. I know I should tell her our little secret, but I want to wait until after this dinner so we can celebrate appropriately.
I walk over, wrapping her in a reassuring hug. “You’ve got nothing to worry about, baby,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “They’re gonna love you. And if they don’t fall for your charm, Oreo’s bowtie should do the trick.”
She laughs, rolling her eyes as she lightly punches my arm. “Speaking of which, you two are quite the matching pair tonight,” she teases, noticing my own pink and blue plaid bowtie that perfectly matches Oreo’s. Yeah, I figured if we’re gonna look sharp, we may as well do it together.
Just then, the front door opens and my twin brother, Gabe, comes strolling in. He’s the kind of guy whose presence fills a room, and tonight is no exception. The moment he steps inside, he scoops Lennon up in a warm hug. “Pleasure to finally meet you, Lennon,” he says, flashing that trademark grin. I can see his nose perk up, and I hope no one in my family lets my secret out of the bag before I have a chance to tell my mate.
My inner polar bear doesn’t like another male laying his hands on my mate and voices his displeasure by ordering me to shove my dumbass brother. “Hands off my mate, dumbass.”
Gabe glares at me and gives me a once-over, zeroing in on my bowtie. A slow smirk spreads across his face. “Matching the dog, huh? You are so pussy-whipped.” He laughs, the sound echoing through the room as he makes himself at home.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I reply, not letting his teasing get to me. Honestly, I’m so in love with my mate that I don’t even mind being called pussy-whipped.
A few minutes later, my parents arrive, and Mom rushes right in to pull Lennon into a heartfelt hug, whispering something to her that makes her relax visibly, while Dad gives me a firm pat on the back.
“Lennon, dear, you should call us Mom and Dad,” Mom insists, winking. “After all, you’re part of the family now.”
Lennon glows with happiness, and I can’t help but feel grateful for how easily she’s meshing with everyone.
“She’s so stunning,” my dad tells me. “How did you get her to give you the time of day?”
“I have no idea.” I chuckle and pull Lennon close with my arm around her shoulder. “But she’s stuck with me now.”
My mate’s face turns an adorable shade of pink from our teasing. When my dad notices Oreo, he walks over and kneels next to the little Frenchie. “Who’s this little guy?”
“That’s Oreo, our little boss,” Lennon tells him, drawing an amused laugh from my dad.
“I can see he rules the roost.” My mother cuts in and walks over to give Oreo a few pets on the head.
Gianna, my younger sister, arrives not long after with Dillon and his mate, Emilia. They bring their usual energy, amplified a bit by Emilia’s vibrant pregnancy glow.
“Hey, so Clay and Bethany aren’t coming tonight,” Dillon informs us after they introduce themselves to Lennon. “Bethany’s ready to pop at any moment, and Clay is hovering like a mother hen.”
“I hope she’s doing okay,” I say, making a mental note to check in on them later.
“Did I really hear you say that you’re going to check in on your cousin later in my mind?” My mate’s voice echoes through my thoughts, and I realize we have developed the ability to communicate silently from the mate bond.
I smile and wink as I respond in kind. “You did, baby.”
“How?” She glances around at my family members, and I can see her mind whirling. “Does everyone hear what we’re saying?”
“I’ll explain it all to you later, but no, they can’t hear us. This is a private line of communication between the two of us.” I hope that’s enough to reassure my mate for now.
“You definitely will explain later.” She gives me a mock-stern look before smirking. “This is going to come in so handy when we have kids.”
Which is much sooner than she realizes. Oops. That’s another surprise I have in store for her after my family leaves.
We’re finishing up dinner when Oreo drags out his favorite toy to show his new friends, and I know I’m never going to hear the end of it. Gabe chokes on his beer and ends up coughing and sputtering until Gianna beats him on the back.