Page 89 of Alpha Awakening

“We know. This is a lot of stress on you, and we’re just here to support you. We want to help however you need, even if that means leaving you alone. We just want to be here in case you need us.”

“That means a lot to me.”

“And I have a lot of catching up to do too so I’ll steal them away from you anyways,” Ann giggled as the truck left the tunnel and drove toward them.

Kareem hadn’t even shut off the engine when Mayra burst out and ran toward Niev. Before the two women could collide, Mayra slowed down and pulled Niev into a gentle hug.

“Look at you and that huge bump of yours!”

“I know. I always have to ask Blake to tie my shoes.”

“I do hope so,” Lyliann joked behind Mayra as she hugged Ann. “You’re even bigger than I thought you would be!”

“Well now I feel like a whale,” Niev laughed.

She tried not to be upset at their reaction, but she herself thought she was humongous. Every time she looked at the mirror, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Well, I think you look as gorgeous as ever,” Blake announced proudly.

Niev got on her tiptoes and kissed Blake on the cheek. “Thank you. That is very sweet of you.”

“Now, shall we get you and the girls inside where it’s nice and warm?”

“Mayra just wants to see your home,” Lyliann said, though she seemed just as curious.

But before Niev started to move, she turned to Seth who had been keeping to himself in the background. He seemed tense, so she spread her arms, inviting him into a hug.

His face softened and he slowly stepped closer, his eyes resting anxiously on Blake.

“He won’t hurt you and if he does, he will apologize on his knees for doing so after I fix you,” Niev lightly reassured him.

Seth nodded and gently hugged Niev. “I have to say I missed you.”

“I think that is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard you say to me.”

Everyone laughed and started to move toward the village.

“Did you have breakfast yet?” Blake asked.

“Yes, we stopped for food this morning,” Lyliann said.

“They were afraid to put you into early labor if we made you cook,” Seth tattletailed on them.

Ann scolded them. “You two are aware that I live here too, right?”

Mayra quickly pulled her daughter into a hug. “We do but we also know Niev wouldn’t have let you do it by yourself.”

“Yes, that is probably right,” Ann chuckled as she reciprocated her mother’s hug.

Niev could see how much Ann had missed her mother and was glad they would finally get some time together.

“How about we all have some tea and then we all can take a rest,” Blake suggested and quickly added. “I will brew the tea.”

Everyone agreed, so a few minutes later they all sat in Blake’s and Niev’s living room chatting along and catching up on the last few months. After a while, Seth announced that he should go get some rest and Lyliann and Mayra followed Kareem and Ann out, who would show them their guest house.

Before she could say a word, Blake got up and grabbed a thick blanket and pillows. “Let’s get some wolf cuddles in. He’s been looking forward to them.”

“Okay. Let me go to the bathroom.”