Prologue
Myrin
On my way home from the doctor’s office, I clutch my stomach with total happiness. Lately, I had felt all wrong, throwing up at all times of the day, tired, listless. I didn’t even find joy in my art. I had just had my heat last month, so it wasn’t my normal body malfunctions leading up to that, and it wasn’t getting any better.
Ronan, my head Alpha, had ordered me to go to the doctor, so I’d made an appointment for today. And boy, did I have news for my pack this evening.
Since I’d been so tired today and we were having a bit of a celebration because of my news, I decided to surprise the guys with Chinese takeout, a pack favorite.
As I set the containers out on the breakfast bar, the guys shuffle in.
“Hey guys,” I say. ” I got us some Chinese. I have a bit of a surprise for everyone.”
“A surprise, huh?” Fenris asks, kissing my head.
" Yes. So everybody grab a plate and fill it up, and let’s go to the table and talk. I have some fantastic news.”
I’m so excited to share my news that I can barely contain myself.
“We do that,” Ronan says, “we have something we need to talk with you about, Myrin.”
The atmosphere in the room shifts from the normal everyday laughter and chatter that my pack and I share as we decompress from our day to a cold, chilly one, and the guys start looking at each other warily.
From the corner of my eye, I watch as Tavian shakes his head subtly at Ronan as though he doesn’t want to have this discussion right now.
Ronan simply tilts his head, gives Tavian a stern look, and says it needs to be done now, before she arrives this evening.
“Who are you expecting?” I ask.
“Everyone to the living room,” Ronin orders.
As he leads us into the living room, I think to myself that maybe this is a good time to share my news with them... Or rather, our news.
We gather on the sofas, with Tavian at my left and Fenris at my right, Ronin, Joren, and Brayan gather on the adjacent one.
“While we’re all gathered, let me go ahead and share some news with you,” I start, but Ronin cuts me off. Don't pay thieves to read my story. Go to FB and look up Melanie Jaynes, Author and my FB group Melanie Jaynes' Vengeful Vixens Readers Group.
“Myrin,” he begins, “I’d just like to go ahead and get this out there so we can begin to adjust to it.”
“Okaaayy,” I draw out hesitantly as Tavian presses his hand to my thigh and Fenris pulls me up close to him. These are the times that I really enjoy my pack. The support and love I feel from each and every member validates my needy Omega brain, and I’m happy to be a part of this pack.
We aren’t fated mates… well, not really mates at all yet, but I have a feeling once they learn of our pup in my womb, things will change quickly. I smile to myself.
Next week will be the three-year anniversary of our mating ceremony.
We had all met at a gallery opening where my art was on display. We were immediately attracted to each other, and although we were only chosen mates, we tied the knot, so to speak, only three weeks later.
Ronan was hesitant to fully claim me, so I don’t have a mate mark from anyone, and we’re not fully bonded, but he promised, and the guys agreed that if they hadn’t found their fated mate by our third anniversary, they would mark me.
I imagine this is what this discussion is about. Perhaps someone is on the way to help us plan the party we are about to have. What joyful news it will be when I add to the proposal that we are expecting.
That, in and of itself, is rare. Most chosen-mate pairings can’t actually procreate. I know that’s one of Ronin’s hang-ups about us mating. He wants children. And we didn’t always know if I could carry their pup. According to the doctor, it’s a one-in-a-million chance, and I won that lottery.
Now, here I am, three years later, finally pregnant.
I hug my stomach happily and open my eyes to find Ronin staring at me, almost with pity. Certainly, he eyes me with dread. He wants a child so badly that the thought of giving up pups is causing him some distress.
The poor guy looks so miserable, I decide to ease his mind, and I open my mouth to share the news anyway when the doorbell sounds.
All the guys startle and look toward the door, but nobody rises to answer it.
“I guess I’ll get that,” I say.
“No!” all the Alphas shout together.
I startle and sit back down heavily.
“Myrin, we have something to tell you first.” Ronan swallows hard. “There’s no easy way to say this. We found our fated mate.”
