Those In The Forest

Part 100: Rose

Four days later

Avah and Lennox were in the kitchen, stuck to each other like magnets. Their rut ended two days ago, but that didn't stop them.

          My mates and I sat at the table, trying to eat, but our attention was pulled away from our plates, and at them every time they made filthy noises around each other.

          Celia and Karina walked in. The moment Celia saw them, she rolled her eyes.

          "Must you do that in the place we eat?" Celia said, walking toward us and winking at me. She took a piece of bacon from my plate and went to the fridge.

          I had to suppress a growl. "Thief," I grunted through the bond.

           Reagan laughed, grabbed two pieces from her plate, and gave them to me.

          I gave her an appreciative smile.

          Lennox groaned. "No one said anything when the Runts were down here contaminating every part of this kitchen, and no one said a thing when you and Karina were doing so much worse not that long ago."

           Karina sighed. "Children. All of you," she said, walking right out of the kitchen.

           Celia smiled at us. "Ignore her, she's old and grumpy."

          "What's got you in such a good mood today, Celia?" Reagan asked before stuffing her mouth.

          She shrugged. "There's no reason for me not to be in a good mood. Things have been good." she crossed her fingers. "Hopefully, I didn't jinx us. I'm just happy to see that my pack has been thriving."

           "Please don't jinx us. I don't have any more energy for traumatic drama." Avah said, jumping up on the counter; she grabbed Lennox and pulled her between her legs, locking her in place.

           Something was going on between those two, and from Reagan's smirk when she looked at them, she knew what it was. I'll ask her about it later.

          Celia snapped her fingers and pointed to us. "The Mitus triplet asked about you. Karina and I ran into them on a run yesterday. They want to meet you, Reagan. The new you." Celia smiled proudly.

            "That's shocking news," Iris said, worried.

           Hazel hummed. "Not really. They were captivated by Reagan at the full moon party. Byran and Gabby, to be exact." she snarled.

           That's right; they attempted to flirt with her. So much happened that day that the good parts of that day slipped my mind. Well, our friends flirting with Reagan was necessarily good, but it was better than the rest of the events of that day.

            Reagan and Avah laughed. I did not like that.

           "I would like to see them again. I mean, I need to make some friends in this life." Reagan responded to Celia.

           Celia nodded. "I'll set something up then."

           I glared at Reagan. "Trying to see if you can add to your harem of mates?" I asked angrily. And most jealous.

             Picking up her glass of juice, she smiled around the rim. "You are in no place to speak when there was a time you should have been mated to someone else."

           I rolled my eyes. Ivy, Hazel, and Iris just laughed. "That's not how matings work. People speculated that she and I could be mates, not that it was a sure thing. Clearly, it wouldn't have happened if you all existed."

          Reagan was messing with me, I know, but the accusation was still getting under my skin. I felt nothing for Amelia and never would. I was also a child when people thought that about us.

            Avah was laughing with Lennox. "Reagan, leave her be before she stresses herself out so much she faints."

           Reagan went back to eating her food. I looked away from her and at Celia, who seemed to have more to say.

           "Dean came to me this morning on my run."

             We all froze, Reagan more so than us. Her face paled, and I'm sure memories of what she did to his sire came to mind.

             "And?" her voice was small.

          "He is taking over his pack—as Alpha, not Elder—but he wanted to let me know that he would still be keeping the peace," Celia explained.

            "I thought that was a given. Why is he telling us again?" Reagan asked, pushing her plate away.

          "I think he just wants us to know that given his new power in his pack, he is still honoring our blood deal," Celia said, trying to reassure her.

             Reagan's jaw clenched. "Does he always want to see me?"

            Celia hesitated. "Yes, but he knows you are probably cautious of him, so he's willing to wait. The good news is you have plenty of time now." Celia tried to make light of the situation, but it was no use.

           "I think he should stay away from our borders for at least a few months. I want our home to remain peaceful a little while longer." reagan concluded.

           Celia nodded. "Done."

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A week later

When we woke up, Reagan was nowhere in sight. How she managed to sneak out of bed without us knowing is a mystery.

          We figured she just went to the bathroom until we heard murmuring downstairs.

          I frowned at my mates.

          Silently, we listened to Reagan talking to Avah and Lennox.

           "I feel like you should just spill the beans. I mean, eventually, they'll be able to tell themselves, " Reagan said, annoyed.

            "Just a little bit longer. I mean, you weren't even supposed to know. The only reason you do is because of your new senses. Which is really starting to piss me off." Lennox grumbled.

           Reagan sighed. "I give it two more weeks before they start to ask questions."

           Worried, we all rushed downstairs, where our Alphas and Reagan looked very guilty.

          "What's going on?" Iris asked.

          Reagan raised a brow at Avah and Lennox and looked at us. "I am in no position to say," she said, annoyed.

          Avah glared at her. "It's nothing."

          Reagan looked at the front door, where Karina and Celia were approaching the cabin. When they walked in, they hesitated. With the scene before them, they probably wanted to leave back out.

           "I don't think you are going to get out of this." Reagan plopped down on the couch. "Tell them."

           Karina frowned. Worry stricken all over her face. "Tell us what?"

          Lennox was staring daggers into Reagan's head. "And to think you were my favorite."

          Reagan smirked. "I still am."

           "What the hell is going on?" I was tired of the stalling.

           "I'm pregnant." Avah blurted out.