Alpha's Vow (Shifter Ops 2)

“Please don’t finish that thought,” I interrupt, pinching the bridge of my nose.

Charlie seems amused, though. “Oh really? He’s been Mr. Charming with me.”

“Oh, he’s always Mr. Charming,” Rafe interjects, popping the lid off a Wolf Ridge IPA and offering it to our guest. “That’s what he does best.”

I snatch the beer out of his hand. “She doesn’t want beer. I mean—” I turn apologetically to Charlie and backpedal— “A half a beer wouldn’t hurt.” She may like me bossy in bed, but I somehow doubt she’s the kind of woman who takes kindly to being told what to do. “It’s up to you, of course.”

Charlie waves it off. “Nope. It’s bad enough I was on the pill for a couple weeks before I realized I was pregnant.”

“Pregnant!” Channing explodes, finally catching up. “For Fate’s sake, why am I always the last to hear the news? And you haven’t marked her y—”

“Shut up, Channing.” This time Deke joins me to make it a chorus. I guess the guy has some sympathy for me, being the only mated wolf here.

“I’ll make us mocktails,” Sadie chirps, moving to the refrigerator and pulling out a bottle of seltzer water and lemonade.

Rafe’s lips tighten, like he’s still stressed by the increased responsibilities he thinks he needs to take on with this pup.

“Yeah, I don’t know about this whole marking thing. Sadie’s going to have to give me the scoop. Later. Privately.” Charlie shoots a warning glance Channing’s way. I love that my female is no shrinking violet.

Still, I’m starting to think bringing her here tonight was too soon. The pack is way too much for someone who didn’t know shifters existed two days ago.

“I’m sorry.” I touch her lower back, standing behind her. “The pack tends to think one wolf’s business is every wolf’s.”

“Well, it sort of is,” Rafe reminds me. “Your actions affect all of us.”

Fuck.

Charlie’s eyes narrow at Rafe. “That sounded a little judgmental.”

Rafe’s beer stops halfway to his lips and for a brief moment, I think there’s going to be a fight. Because there’s no way I wouldn’t defend my female if Rafe didn’t answer nicely, even if he is our alpha.

But Rafe’s not a dick. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean it to be. I know the pregnancy was an accident, and I’m thrilled for you both. For all of us.” He lifts his beer, but the tightness around his eyes and mouth bely the gesture and the words.

Sadie lifts her glass of—something beautiful and girly—a fizzy lemonade with strawberry and mint garnish—and clinks it to Charlie’s identical one. “I’m so freaking excited.”

Deke wraps his arms around his sweet kindergarten teacher from behind, and kisses the top of her head. “She is. She’s been talking non-stop about being a godmother. I hope you’re planning on asking her.”

Charlie’s hand goes to her abdomen and she gives a weak laugh. “I haven’t thought that far ahead, but of course Sadie would be my number one pick.” She darts a glance my way. “Is that okay?” She shrugs with a comically exaggerated helpless look on her face.

“We don’t do godparents, so it’s all you on that call. The way wolves work, the entire pack will consider themselves godparents. That’s all Rafe meant earlier.” I shoot my brother a look to let him know that he’s toast if he offends my female again.

“I just wish Lance had taken this all a little more seriously, that’s all,” Rafe mutters. “A mate and pups is a huge responsibility.”

Charlie frowns. “Are you saying Lance isn’t serious, or up to the responsibility?”

I barely suppress the growl in my throat—only for Charlie’s sake. I don’t want her to think it’s directed at her. But Fates, I would like to sink my teeth into Rafe’s hide right now.

“I didn’t say that,” Rafe backtracks. “Lance performs well with any task. I have no doubt he’ll make a great father and mate. I just didn’t see this coming.”

“None of us did,” I growl, then scrub a hand across my face.

Charlie turns her frown on me and my stomach drops, but then she steps into my side, resting one hand on my chest and wrapping an arm behind my back. “Seriously. If you want to be part of this pregnancy, I need you all to be one hundred percent positive. Otherwise, we’re doing this with my posse.”

We’re doing this.

It’s only the fact that she said ‘we’ and seemed to claim me before she spoke that keeps me from tearing down the walls.

“You heard her.” I put enough growl in my voice to warn all my pack brothers.

All three of them hold up their hands in surrender. No smart wolf would get between a wolf and his female.

“Charlie, we are at your disposal.” Channing bows like an idiot. “We promise to be one hundred percent positive, all the way.”